I started this dress six years ago with a vague idea of a cable that grew outwards to fill a pleated skirt. The problem is that once I started cabling, the midsection was only slightly wider than my thigh. If I had started over at the time, maybe even stretched myself to do a little math, I would have had a much easier time of it, since this yarn I inherited in a full stash from a family friend when she decided one day she would never knit again, is now discontinued.

Pattern

Materials

Needles – US 6 – 4.0 mm

Yarn –

MC – Cascade Yarns Pima Tencel in 4084, 10 skeins = 890.0 yards (813.8 meters), 17.64 ounces (Discontinued)

CC1 – Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Peapod, 9 skeins = 675.0 yards (617.2 meters), 15.87 ounces

Gauge – 12 stitches and 14 rows = 2 inches in ST

Skirt

CO 442 in MC

Row 1: *P2, K2; rep from * to last 2, P2. Join in round.

Continue in 2×2 rib as established for 1” K in ST st until skirt reaches 12” from bottom of rib.

Rows 1-7: *P1, k16; repeat from * to end

Rows 8-14: *P2, k6, p2, k6, p1; repeat from * to end

Rows 15-18: *P3, k4, p4, k4, p2; repeat from * to end

Row 19: *P2, k2tog, k2, SSK, p2, p2tog, k2, SSK, p1; repeat from * to end

Row 20: *P2, k4, p2, k4, p1; repeat from * to end

Row 21: *P1, k2tog, k3, p2, k3, SSK; repeat from * to end

Row 22: *P1, k2tog, k3, p2, k3, SSK; repeat from * to end

Row 22: *P1, k4, p2, k4; repeat from * to end

Rows 23 and 31: *P1, Sl5 onto CN, H2F, k5, k5 off CN; repeat from * to end

Rows 24-30 and 32-44: *P1, k4, p2, k4; repeat from * to end

Repeat rows 23-44

Colorwork (Optional)

Row 31: *P1, sl5 onto CN, H2F, [k5] in CC1, k5 off CN; repeat from * to end

Rows 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44: *[P1, k4, p2] in CC1, k4; repeat from * to end

Rows 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43: *P1, [k4 in CC1], p2, k4; repeat from * to end

Row 45: *P1, sl5 onto CN, H2F, k5, [k5 off CN] in CC1; repeat from * to end

Rows 46, 48, 50: *P1, k4, p2, [k4] in CC1; repeat from * to end

Rows 47, 49, 51: *[P1] in CC1, k4, [p2, k4] in CC1; repeat from * to end

Row 52: *P1, sl5 onto CN, H2F, [k5] in CC1, k5 off CN; repeat from * to end

Repeat rows 31-51

Switch to CC1. Continue in wide rib (P1, k4, p2, k4) until dress measures 25” from bottom of hem.

Back

Row 1: P1, k4, p2tog, *k4, p1, k4, p2; repeat from * 11 times, k4, p1, p2tog, k4, p1. Place remaining stitches on stitch holder

Row 2 (WS): K1, p4, k2, continue in established pattern to last 7, k2, p4, k1

Row 3: P1, k4, p2tog, continue in pattern to last 7, p2tog, k4, p1

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 134 stitches remain. End on WS row.

Back (Right)

Place marker in center of row

Row 1 (RS): P1, k4, p2tog, continue in pattern to marker. Place remaining stitches on stitch holder.

Row 2: (WS): K1, p4, k2, continue in pattern to last 7, k2, p4, k1

Row 3: P1, k4, p2tog, continue in pattern to last 7, p2tog, k4, p1

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 22 stitches remain. End on WS row.

BO

Back (Left)

Pick up stitches from stitch holder

Row 1 (RS): continue in pattern to last 7, p2tog, k4, p1

Row 2: (WS): K1, p4, k2, continue in pattern to last 7, k2, p4, k1

Row 3: P1, k4, p2tog, continue in pattern to last 7, p2tog, k4, p1

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 22 stitches remain. End on WS row.

BO

Front

Pick up stitches from stitch holder

Row 1: (RS) make 1 p-wise, k4, p2tog, continue in pattern to last 6, p2tog, k4, make 1 p-wise

Row 2 (WS): K1, p4, k2, continue in established pattern to last 7, k2, p4, k1

Row 3: P1, k4, p2tog, continue in pattern to last 7, p2tog, k4, p1

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 134 stitches remain. End on WS row

Repeat steps from back right and left. Sew together at the shoulders. Weave in tails