Snuggly Hoodie Dress Knitting Pattern

I have lately been enjoying knit dresses as a way to keep extra warm when the weather is cold. Toward the end of 2022/beginning of 2023 I made a bulky sweater into a tunic but I don’t think I fully appreciated it at the time.

This winter I am loving it (and recently knit another worsted weight sweater dress; I guess that’s my December knitting project now?) so I’ve had my eye on more warm sweater dresses lately.

I really like this one from Minimi Knit Design. It’s called Forever 16, and is a longer version of a regular length hoodie by the same designer. It uses a combination of shaping methods in the top down design to give it a relaxed fit. The curved hem is shaped with short rows, and the hoodie is picked up and knit after the body of the dress is done.

There’s also an option to make a super cute crocheted drawstring, and the pattern includes written instructions, a chart and a video for the drawstring so you should be able to do it even if you aren’t that comfortable with crochet. You can also do an I-cord drawstring if you want to stick to all knitting.

The pattern includes 10 sizes, ranging in size from a chest measurement of 39.5 to 72.25 inches, or 100.5 to 183 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 7 to 9.5 inches, or 18 to 24 cm, of positive ease, but you can pick the size that gives the ease you like for your body measurements.

This dress uses worsted weight yarn so it will be super cozy. It’s pretty worked in a solid color as shown, but it would be cute to throw in some stripes or even make it a stash busting project with all the yarn leftovers you’ve collected.

You can buy the pattern directly from Minimi Knit Design.

[Photo: Minimi Knit Design]

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When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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