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]

When I first saw Orofino, a cute summer top from Berroco, I thought it was crocheted. Something about those shifting blocks of eyelets made me think of crochet but on closer inspection it is knit, so let’s take a closer look.

This project alternates blocks of simple eyelet lace and garter stitch to make a boxy tee with a bit of air flow and a lot of texture.

The project is worked from the bottom up mostly in rounds (which does mean a fair bit of purling to do that garter stitch in the round, but the effect is worth it). When you divide for the armholes, the back and front are worked separately and flat to the end of the project.

That leaves you a little seam at the top of the shoulder, and there’s a tiny bit of finishing (literally picking up stitches, purling a round and binding off) at the neckline and armholes.

It calls for a worsted weight cotton yarn, but this would also be nice worked in linen or a blend.

The pattern includes both written and charted instructions, but the key on the charts is a little confusing in how it describes working flat versus in the round, so you can always double check with the written instructions if you need help.

There are six sizes available, ranging from a finished bust circumference of 38 to 71.5 inches, or 95 to 179 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 6 to 12 inches (or 15 to 30 cm) of positive ease.

It is rated as an intermediate knitting project, but if you have a little experience with lace knitting and potentially reading a chart if you want to use them, it shouldn’t be difficult for you.

The pattern is available to download for free on the Berroco website. You can also learn more about it on Ravelry.

[Photo: Berroco]

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