P335 Stripe Dress

P335 Stripe Dress

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, every single knitter should experience the wonder of knitting their own dress. It's the perfect project to create something you actually want to wear. Download this free pattern and knit the striped dress of your dreams!


How to Knit the Stripe Dress

Knit a lightweight striped cotton dress with a relaxed fit and draped silhouette. The front and back are worked separately, with the front slightly shorter than the back, and the shoulder straps are formed using cast-off rows.

The dress is made in one size and uses Makr Organic Cotton in twelve colours.

Project: Stripe Dress

Pattern: P335

Craft type: Knitting

Difficulty: EASY KNIT

This stripe dress is an easy knitting project, made on bigger needles so the garment will be lightweight with a lovely drape. The front is slightly shorter in length than the back, made with separate front and back pieces joined at the sides, and the straps are made with cast-off rows. The dress comes in one size, and is a relaxed fit. The model is about a Medium/size 12.

Colour Guide

  • COL A: BLACK
  • COL B: SILVER
  • COL C: DENIM
  • COL D: WHITE
  • COL E: NATURAL
  • COL F: RED
  • COL G: BOTTLE GREEN
  • COL H: CORAL
  • COL I: CREAM
  • COL J: YELLOW
  • COL K: NAVY
  • COL L: HEDGE GREEN

Measurements

Size ONE SIZE
Chest Width 45cm
Body Length Front
(from shoulder strap)		 60cm
Body Length Back
(from shoulder strap)

Yarn Required

Makr ORGANIC COTTON Yarn 100g balls Quantity
Col A – Black 2
Col B – Silver 1
Col C – Denim 1
Col D – White 1
Col E – Natural 1
Col F - Red 1
Col G – Bottle Green 1
Col H – Coral 1
Col I – Cream 1
Col J – Yellow 1
Col K – Navy 1
Col L – Hedge Green 1

Needles and Equipment

  • 1 pair of 8mm knitting needles
  • Wool needle for sewing in ends

Tension

14 st x 14 rows on stocking stitch = 10cm x 10cm

Knitting Abbreviations

  • K knit
  • K2tog knit two stitches together
  • K2togtbl knit two stitches together through back of loop
  • P purl
  • P2tog purl 2 stitches together
  • P2togtbl: purl 2 stitches together through back of loop
  • Sl Slip stitch
  • Stst Stocking Stitch (alternatively k 1 row and p 1 row)
  • St(s) stitch(es)

SINGLET

NOTES:

On a change of colour the last row should be on the wrong/ purl side.

FRONT

Cast on 72 sts with Colour A (Black)

Row 1 – 12: Work K 1/P1 for 12 rows.

Work stst for the following rows, decreasing (k2tog) at the start and end of ev 8th row. (Rows 20, 28, 36, 44, 52, 60, 68)

Row 13 – 24: Colour B (Silver) 12 rows (70 sts)

Row 25 -28: Colour H (Coral) 4 rows (68 sts)

Row 29 – 32: Colour A (Black) 4 rows.

Row 33 – 40: Colour C (Denim) 8 rows (66 sts)

Row 41 – 52: Colour J (Yellow) 12 rows (62 sts)

Row 53 – 54: Colour F (Red) 2 rows.

Row 55 – 66: Colour L (Hedge Green) 12 rows (58 sts)

Please use only the yarn specified. Another yarn is likely to yield different results. Quantities are approximate as knitting styles may vary between knitters. Check the ball bands to ensure all yarn is from the same dye lot.
NOTE: This pattern is written in British English. All measurements in charts and instructions are in cm. For conversion from centimetres to inches please divide by 2.5cm. Please be aware that there are different terms for crocheting and knitting in American and British English, if in doubt, we’ve included a list of common abbreviations.

Knit straight without shaping:

Row 67 – 74: Colour A (Black): Work in stocking stitch for 8 rows.

Row 75 – 76: Change to colour B (Silver) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 77 – 82: Change to colour C (Denim) and work in stocking stitch for 6 rows.

Row 83 – 84: Change to colour D (White) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 85 – 86: Change to colour E (Natural) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 87 – 88: Change to colour F (Red) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 89 – 90: Change to colour G (Bottle Green) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 91 – 92: Change to colour H (Coral) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 93- 96: Change to colour I (Cream) and work 4 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 97 – 100: Change to colour J (Yellow) and work 4 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 101 - 104: Change to colour K (Navy) and work 4 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 105 -108: Change to colour L (Hedge Green) and work 4 rows in stocking stitch.

Row 109-102 Change to colour A(black) and work 2 rows in stocking stitch.

SHAPING ARMHOLES

Row 111 – 112: Change to colour D(white) and work 2 rows in stst.

Row 113: Cast off 3 stitches, k to the end of the row. (55 sts)

Row 114: Cast off 3 sts, p to end of row (52 sts)

Row 115: Decrease row: Sl1 kw, k1, k2tog, k to the last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (50 sts)

Row 116: Sl1 pw, p1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog p1. (48 sts)

Row 117: Sl1 kw, k1, k2tog, k to lst 3 sts, k2tog, k1 st. (46 sts)

Row 118: Sl1 pw, p1, p2tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. (44 sts)

NECKLINE

Row 119: Sl1 kw, k1, k2tog, k16, cast off 4sts, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (38 sts)

You’ll now have 19 stitches for the left side of the front – leave remaining sts on needle to work on later.

LEFT SIDE OF FRONT

Working on 19 sts, sl1 pw, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. (18 sts)

Row 120: Sl1 kw, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (16 sts)

Row 121: Sl1 pw, p to end of the row.

Row 122: Repeat rows 120 and 121 a further 5 times until 6 sts remain.

Row 123: Sl1 kw, k2tog, k2tog, k1. (2 sts)

Row 124: P2tog (1 st)

STRAP OF TOP

1. Cast on 13 sts using the cable cast on technique.

2. Cast off.

RIGHT SIDE OF FRONT

Rejoin sts to other side.

(Row 120): Sl 1 pw, p1, p2tog, p to end of row. (18 sts)

(Row 121): Sl 1 kw, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (16 sts)

(Row 122): Sl1 pw, p to end of row.

(Row 123): Repeat rows 120, and 121 a further 5 times until (6 sts) remain.

3. Sl 1 st kw, k2tog, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

4. P2tog, p2tog. (2 sts)

5. K2tog. (1 st)

STRAP - RIGHT SIDE

6. Cast on 13 sts using cable cast on method.

7. Cast off.

BACK:

Copy FRONT, up to STRAP OF TOP; except:

Cast on 72 STS with Colour A (Black)

Row 1 – 12: Work K1/P1 for 24 rows.

This means you will have 12 rows extra at the back.

TO FINISH

Neaten the joins between the straps and the body of the top.

Take the tail end of yarn where the straps meet the body and secure the strap to the main piece by making a few sts, approx. 0.5cm from the start of the strap. Repeat for each strap.

Sew back and front sides together except the RIB SECTION of the garment. These rib sections sit free (unseamed).

Alternative Yarns

The original pattern uses Makr ORGANIC COTTON Yarn. When choosing an alternative yarn, select a yarn that can achieve the original tension of 14 st x 14 rows on stocking stitch = 10cm x 10cm using 8mm knitting needles.

Suitable Yarn Types

  • Cotton yarn – provides the lightweight feel and drape intended by the original pattern.
  • Organic cotton yarn – closely matches the fibre used in the original project.
  • Cotton-bamboo blend – may create additional softness and fluid drape.
  • Cotton-linen blend – suitable for a lightweight summer garment with a slightly crisper finish.
  • Cotton-acrylic blend – may provide easier care while retaining a relaxed fabric.
Important: Match the original tension before beginning. The dress is intentionally knitted on larger needles to create a lightweight fabric with drape, so substituting a heavier or denser yarn may substantially change the finished fit and appearance.

Customisation Ideas

  • Change the stripe colours while keeping every original row count and colour-change position unchanged.
  • Use tonal shades instead of contrasting colours for a more subtle striped effect.
  • Use a limited colour palette by repeating colours across the original stripe sequence.
  • Create a neutral version using cream, natural, grey and black tones.
  • Use brighter colours for a more vibrant summer dress.

To retain the original shape and relaxed fit, keep all cast-on counts, row numbers, decrease positions, armhole shaping, neckline shaping and strap instructions unchanged when making colour customisations.

Care Instructions

Follow the washing and care instructions provided on the ball band of the yarn used.

  1. Secure all yarn ends before washing.
  2. Wash using the method and temperature recommended for the selected yarn.
  3. Avoid excessive heat that may shrink or distort cotton fibres.
  4. Gently reshape the dress and shoulder straps while damp.
  5. Lay flat to dry where appropriate to help maintain the original drape.
  6. Store folded rather than hanging to help prevent the straps and body from stretching.
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