Waffel Dress

Super cute dress with the same number of stitches all the way. No decrease, as the waffel stitch pulls it together.

Sizes
6 m (1) 2 (3-4) 5-6 y
5-6 y for free below, the rest can be bought here.

Yarn
Abuelita 4-ply
200 (200) 300 (300) 400 g

Needles
32” (24” for the two smallest) circular needles US 4 and 6. Spare needles US 6.

Gauge per 4”
18 s/26 rows in stockinette US 6
34 s/26 rows in waffel stitch US 4.

Measurements lying flat
Width chest: 8.3 (9) 9.8 (11) 12.2”
Width dress: 13.7 (15.3) 17 (18.5) 20”
Lengde: 13.4 (15.3) 18.8 (20.8) 22.8 “
The dress is knitted bottom up. For this dress to be successful the gauge HAS TO be followed in detail.

Cast on 188 s on US 4. Knit stockinette in the round for about 1.6”. Purl one round for fold up edge. The piece is measured from here.
Continue on US 6 in stockinette until the piece is 16.5”.
part the work in frint and back piece at the beginning of the round and after 94 s.

Back piece
Tip: Always slip the first stitch of the row for nice edges.

Row 1-2: Knit rib pattern, K2, P2. Start with K2 from the right side and P2 from the wrong side.

Row 3: *Place the next 6 s (2 knit s, 2 purl s, 2 knit s) on a spare needle and place it in front of your piece. Whirl the yarn 3 times around the spare needle, start whirling along the backside of the needle. Knit the 6 s on the spare needle like this: K2, P2, K2. P2*.
Tips: Make sure to follow the gauge, but do not tighten too much, as it will create holes in your work.
Repeat from * to* until end of row (on the last repetition you’ll end before the last P2).

Row 4-7: Knit rib pattern, K2, P2. Start with K2 from the right side and P2 from the wrong side.

Row 8: P2, K2 *Place the next 6 s (2 knit s, 2 purl s, 2 knit s) on a spare needle and place it in front of your piece. Whirl the yarn 3 times around the spare needle, start whirling along the backside of the needle. Knit the 6 s on the spare needle like this: K2, P2, K2.  P2*. Repeat from * to* until 2 s remain, P2.

Row 9-12: Knit rib pattern, K2, P2. Start with K2 from the right side and P2 from the wrong side.

Repeat row 3-9 until the waffel stitch is about 6.3”, and you’re about to start row 3 or 8. Leave the s on spare needles.

Front piece
Knit this like the back piece until it is about 5.1” and you’re about to start row 3 or 8.
Continue in the rib pattern (K2,P2) without any waffel-whirls over the next  22 s, cast off the next 38 (42) 42 (50) 50 s, continue in rib pattern without any waffel-shirls over the next 22 s.
Knit each strap seperately.
Continue in rib pattern until they each are as long as the back piece.

Use kitchener’s stitch and assemble the straps and the back piece. Cast off the remaining s in the back. Fold up the edge at the bottom and sew neatly.