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]

This free knitting pattern falls in the category of cute but maybe not essential, as well as a nice way to use some yarn left over from another project.

The Briggs St. Fruit Hammock from Mycah Knits is beginner friendly because it’s a big rectangle worked in stockinette stitch on larger needles than the yarn would usually call for (size 11 US/8 mm for DK weight/weight 3 yarn) to provide more air flow around the fruit.

The idea behind a fruit hammock like this is both that it saves you counter space since it’s meant to be mounted under a cabinet and that air flow around the fruit helps prevent moisture from getting trapped below the fruit, which should keep it fresh longer. They’re also just cute and keep your fruits or veg accessible so hopefully you will eat more of them.

This pattern also includes I-cord handles, which is how you hang the hammock, and you’ll need to be able to pick up stitches for them, but that’s the only beyond beginner skill required in this project.

It only uses about 25 grams of yarn, so this is a perfect project for using a little something left over from another project. It would also be cute with stripes, so you can use odd balls from several projects. Or make the I-cord with a contrasting color to add a bit more fun if you like.

The designer does recommend using acrylic yarn for this project because it shouldn’t stretch out of shape with use and is easy to wash should your aspirations for eating fruit outstrip your reality. But they also provide tips for testing the stretch in a yarn you want to use and adjusting the pattern to account for that.

I don’t have a space in my place for this but it is super cute and a fun way to add knitting to the home, which I’m always a fan of.

You can grab the free pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Mycah Knits]

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