Description

Overview of the dress:

The Lempi dress is knitted from top to bottom in one piece with raglan sleeves. You can easily adjust the length of the hem and the width of the dress as needed during the knitting process. The fit of the neckline is shaped by working short rows at the back neck. Instead of a traditional ribbing, an i-cord edge is knitted around the wide neckline, and the sleeves and hem are finished with long ribbed twisted stitch patterns for a neat and firm look. The style of the Lempi dress is relaxed, with loose and slightly balloon-like sleeves paired with snug cuffs. The dress hem is straight but subtly gathers in a tulip-like shape with the long ribbing.

The Lempi sweater dress is knitted using two strands of yarn (merino and mohair), but you can knit the dress using only merino (or any other yarn that matches the recommended gauge) if you prefer not to have the fluffy effect. Some examples of yarn options are listed below.

Difficulty level: Lempi dress is perfect for a knitter who knows basic knitting techniques

Sizes: 1(2)3(4)5(6)7(8)9(10) see measurements below

Recommended ease: 10–20 cm / 4–8” of positive ease

Measurements for the finished cardigan: 
Bust circumference: approx. 90(96)102(110)118(124)130(136)142(148) cm / 35.5(38)40(43.25)46.5(49)51(53.5)56(58.25)“
Length from shoulder to hem: approx. 110 cm / 43” (all sizes, this can be altered)

If you’d like to knit a longer or shorter dress, take this into account with the amount of yarn. 

Yarn: 

Option 1 (2 strands of yarn together): 

Knitting for Olive heavy merino: 6(7)8(9)10(11)12(13)14(15) balls

Knitting for Olive soft silk mohair: 4(4)5(5)6(6)7(8)8(9)9(10) balls

Option 2 (2 strands of yarn together)::

Tukuwool DK: 4(4)4(5)5(6)6(7)8(8) skeins

Isager Silk Mohair: 5(5)6(6)7(7)8(9)9(10) balls

Option 3 (1 strand of yarn):

Gepard Garn Puno: 7(8)9(11)12(13)14(16)17(18) balls

Option 4 (1 strand of yarn):

Drops Air: 6(6)7(8)9(10)11(12)13(14) balls

You can use any other worsted weight yarn or yarn combo as well, as long as you meet the gauge. 

Sample dress is knitted with: Knitting for Olive heavy merinoa in colorway Mushroom rose and soft silk mohair in colorway Oat.

Needles: 6 mm / US 10 40 cm /16” and 60 cm / 24” (or 80 cm / 32”) circular needles, 4 mm / US 6  60 cm / 24” (or 80 cm / 32”) circular needles, 6 mm / US 10 and 4 mm / US 6 double pointed needles

Other materials: Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Gauge:

15 sts x 20 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4″ in stockinette stitch with 6 mm / US 10 needles (after blocking). Change the needle size if needed to achieve the right gauge.