Bell Sleeve Minidress
Size: XS (S, M, L, XL)
Upper Body Circumference: 31.2 (34.4, 37.6, 40.8, 44)” / 79.5 (87.5, 95.5, 103.5, 112) cm
Waist Circumference: 27.2 (30.4, 33.6, 36.8, 40)” / 69 (77, 85.5, 93.5, 101.5) cm
Lower Body Circumference: 30.4 (33.6, 36.8, 40, 43.2)” / 77 (85.5, 93.5, 101.5, 109.5) cm
Length: 36” / 91.5 cm from center of front neckline
Gauge: 20 sts × 30 rnds = 4” × 4” (10 cm × 10 cm), after blocking
Suggested Needles: US 6 (4 mm) circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
Materials: 570 g Knitting for Olive Pure Silk (50 g = 273 yd / 250 m) shown in the colorway Ice Blue, 24 g Go Handmade Glitter Deluxe (30 g = 1,968 yd / 1,800 m) shown in the colorway Silver
VIDEO TUTORIAL:
A full step by step video tutorial for this pattern is available on YouTube: Watch the Bell Sleeve Minidress Video Tutorial
PATTERN
YOKE
Using a cable cast-on, CO 96 (104, 112, 120, 128) sts. Being careful not to twist sts, join to work in the rnd, place BOR marker.
Setup Rnd: K10 (12, 14, 16, 18) (first sleeve), pm, K38 (40, 42, 44, 46) (front), pm, K10 (12, 14, 16, 18) (second sleeve), pm, K38 (40, 42, 44, 46) (back).
Increase Rnd: * K1, LLI, K to 1 st before next marker, RLI, K1, sm *. Repeat from * to * to end of rnd.
Work 1 rnd in St st.
Repeat Increase Rnd every other rnd 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) more times – 28 (32, 36, 40, 44) sleeve sts, 56 (60, 64, 68, 72) sts for front and back.
Repeat Increase Rnd every 4th rnd a total of 8 (10, 12, 14, 16) times – 44 (52, 60, 68, 76) sleeve sts, 72 (80, 88, 96, 104) sts for front and back – 232 (264, 296, 328, 360) sts.
Purl 1 rnd for fold rnd.
SEPARATE SLEEVES AND BODY
*remove marker, place 44 (52, 60, 68, 76) sleeve sts on hold, remove marker, cable CO 3 sts, pm, cable CO 3 sts, knit to next marker.*
Repeat from * to * once more. The marker placed at the center of the first underarm is the new BOR marker.
UPPER WAIST SHAPING
Work 7 rnds in St st.
Waist Decrease Rnd: K1, K2tog, K to 3 sts before next marker, SSK, K1, sm. Repeat once more.
Work Waist Decrease Rnd every 8th rnd 4 more times – 136 (152, 168, 184, 200) sts.
LOWER WAIST SHAPING
Work 9 rnds in St st.
Waist Increase Rnd: K1, LLI, K to 1 st before marker, RLI, K1, sm. Repeat once more.
Work Waist Increase Rnd every 10th rnd 3 more times – 152 (168, 184, 200, 216) sts.
Work in St st until piece measures 36” / 91.5 cm from center of front neckline.
BOTTOM HEM
Purl 1 rnd for fold rnd.
Work 1″ / 2.5 cm in St st.
BO all sts.
Fold hem to WS along fold rnd and sew in place with a tapestry needle.
FIRST SLEEVE
Return held sleeve sts to needle.
Pick up and knit 3 sts from middle of underarm, K across sleeve sts, then pick up and knit 3 sts from remaining half of underarm – 50 (58, 66, 74, 82) sts.
Upper Sleeve
Work 14 rnds in St st.
Sleeve Decrease Rnd: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, SSK, K1.
Repeat the Sleeve Decrease Rnd every 15th rnd 2 more times – 44 (52, 60, 68, 76) sts.
Bell Sleeve
Work 7 rnds in St st.
Sleeve Increase Rnd: K1, LLI, K to last st, RLI, K1.
Repeat the Sleeve Increase Rnd every 8th rnd 12 more times – 70 (78, 86, 94, 102) sts.
Work 5 rnds in St st.
Purl 1 rnd for fold rnd.
Work 1″ / 2.5 cm in St st.
BO all sts.
Fold hem to WS along fold rnd and sew in place with a tapestry needle.
Repeat for Second Sleeve.
FINISHING
Weave in all remaining ends.
ABBREVIATIONS
BO: bind off
BOR: beginning of round
CO: cast on
K: knit
K2tog: knit 2 together – knit the next 2 sts together
LLI: left lifted increase: insert left needle from back to front under the left leg of the stitch 2 rows below the first stitch on the right needle; knit this strand through the back loop
pm: place marker
RLI: right lifted increase: insert right needle from back to front under the right leg of the stitch 1 row below the next stitch on the left needle; place this strand on the left needle and knit it
rnd(s): round(s)
sm: slip marker
SSK: slip, slip, knit — slip 1 st knitwise, slip the next st knitwise, then knit the 2 slipped sts together through the back loops
st(s): stitch(es)
St st: stockinette stitch; in the round – knit every rnd; flat – knit 1 row, purl 1 row
WS: wrong side
This pattern is an original pattern by Megan Brightwood. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use, but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.
You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Megan Brightwood. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you.