Friday, November 6th, 2009
Mardi (a.k.a. the rainbow dress/tunic/tank)
Size 2 circular needles
dk weight yarn
stitch markers
Gauge:
6 sts= 1″
Straps:
CO 125 stitches, join round
*Round 1: knit
Round 2: purl*
Repeat from * to * 3 times
Round 9: knit
Front Shaping:
Row 10: K15, bind off 35, k25
*You will now work back and forth in stockinette (knit one row, purl one row) on these 25 stitches, working the first and last 2 stitches in garter stitch (knit every row)* for 4 rows.
Row 5: *k 2, kfb, k to last 3 stitches, kfb, k2*
Repeat from * to *
Break yarn
Shoulder strap shaping:
Join yarn and bind off the next 35 stitches
Back shaping:
*K2, work stockinette to last 2 stitches, k2, turn* for 4 rows.
Row 5: *k 2, kfb, k to last 3 stitches, kfb, k2*
Repeat from * to *
Repeat these 5 rows for a total of 3 sets.
Joining:
Cast on 10, place marker (this is the new beginning of a round), cast on 10
K across front, cast on 10, place marker, cast on 10, knit across the back to join the round.
Body:
*Kfb, k to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, slip marker, kfb, k to last stitch before marker, kfb
Trim:
*K one round, P one round*
repeat from * to*
Bind off all stitches
November 6th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Melody, I love this little jumper-dress. I made one from your inspiration and am now very glad to see you have posted a pattern. I may just send you a pic of what I have made to show you since I am a beginner knitter. I hope to get a pic soon from the gal whose daughter I made it for.
Thanks.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I love this blog! It makes me so happy to see all the goodness and your sweet family. I've been trying to knit more and more for my family (I've got 6 children) but I'm having such a hard time finding affordable yarn! How do you do it? Is there any place to order cheap, but natural yarn? Thanks so much for all the wonderful posts!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:25 am
Howdy!
I am considering trying this… do you have an estimation of how much yarn it takes?
(and of course, feel fee to ignore me if it is a bother, I don't want to be a burden :heart)
March 11th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Thanks for posting this pattern! I’ve begun knitting again since I retired a few years ago. I first learned how to knit in 4-H about 46 years ago. I now have 2 beautiful granddaughters and a terrific daughter-in-law who actually appreciates my efforts of love and lets the girls wear what I knit! We live in south Texas, so I’m constantly looking for lighter weight or sleeveless tops and dresses. This one is perfect! Any new insight since you first posted this?
November 4th, 2011 at 11:38 am
How would I make this in a larger size for a 5 year old as a dress ?
November 6th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Hi Darlene,
This advice comes with the disclaimer that I have never myself made the pattern this way. In part it’s going to depend on how big the child is and how loose you want it through the chest. My 5 yo son was kind enough to try this on for me this morning. He has a 23″ chest and it was fitted, but comfortable on him. If she has a 24″ chest or larger, or you want it to be more loose fitting, you might try going up in yarn weight and needle size. Say a worsted weight yarn and size 6 needles. You can compare the gauge you get with your chosen yarn/needles to the gauge given to determine how much larger you need to go. I can help you with that if you like, when and if you decide to go this way and get to this point.
The second part you will need to adjust is the length. And that part is simple, just continue in the pattern for the “body” part until you have reached the length you like. If you don’t wish or need to modify the chest, this is the only modification you need to make.
happy knitting, and please let me know if you need more help,
Melody
March 8th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
I have a question about pattern. On row 5 K2 Kfb at beging of row I get then it says to knit to last two stitches Kfb,k2. I am not coming out right and then repeat * from what part do you mean on row five ?
Back shaping 3 sets , I am not sure what you mean I know it says like front shaping , does that mean knit the 4 row repeat .
I hope u didn’t sound two confusing. The dress is so cute.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Shelley
March 9th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
Shelley, I’ve sent you a personal reply. To everyone else, the pattern has been edited for clarity and to fix a typo.
happy knitting!
March 17th, 2013 at 6:39 am
I just found this pattern, would like to knit for my great granddaughter’s 1 st I am unfamiliar with kfb can you explain please?
Thank you
March 17th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Here is a tutorial for kfb (which stands for ‘knit forward and back’): http://www.purlbee.com/increase-tutorial/2007/2/27/increase-method-1-kfb.html If you do a search on youtube you can also find movies of people showing you how to work this increase.
Please let me know if you need anything else!