purlJam

<pattern>

# Off-the-Shoulder Vintage Lace Dress

A romantic, vintage-inspired lace dress featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline, fitted bodice with gentle waist shaping, short cap sleeves, and a full, flowing skirt. The delicate laurel-leaf eyelet pattern creates an elegant, timeless look perfect for special occasions.

## SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL)

**Finished Bust Measurements:** 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)" / 81 (91, 102, 112, 122) cm
**Finished Waist Measurements:** 26 (30, 34, 38, 42)" / 66 (76, 86, 97, 107) cm
**Finished Length:** Approximately 36" / 91 cm from shoulder to hem

*Choose a size with 0-2" positive ease at bust for a fitted look.*

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Sport weight (#2 Fine) in ivory/cream
- Approximately 1400 (1600, 1800, 2000, 2200) yards / 1280 (1463, 1646, 1829, 2012) meters
- Sample shown uses a cotton/silk blend for drape and elegance

**Needles:** 
- US 4 (3.5 mm) straight or circular needles (24" or longer), or size needed to obtain gauge
- US 3 (3.25 mm) straight or circular needles for edging

**Notions:**
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 1 yard of ¼" elastic for off-shoulder edge
- 5-7 small buttons (½") OR ribbon for back closure
- Blocking wires or pins
- Sewing needle and thread to match yarn

## GAUGE

22 sts × 28 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Laurel Lace Pattern (blocked) using larger needles

**CRITICAL:** Gauge must be accurate for proper fit. Take time to swatch and block your sample before beginning.

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- yo = yarn over
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- rep = repeat
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- pm = place marker
- sm = slip marker
- M1R = make 1 right (lift bar between sts from back to front, knit through front loop)
- M1L = make 1 left (lift bar between sts from front to back, knit through back loop)

## PATTERN NOTES

- Dress is worked flat in pieces: bodice front, bodice back (in two halves), sleeves, and skirt. Pieces are seamed together.
- The Laurel Lace Pattern is a simple 4-stitch, 4-row repeat suitable for beginners.
- All edges are worked with a 2-stitch garter border (knit every row) to prevent curling.
- Blocking is essential for opening up the lace pattern and achieving proper drape.
- The off-shoulder effect is created by adding elastic to the upper edge, which allows the neckline to sit below the shoulders.
- Back opening extends from waist to upper back for easy dressing.

## STITCH PATTERNS

### Laurel Lace Pattern (multiple of 4 sts)
**Row 1 (RS):** *K2, yo, k2tog; rep from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 3:** *Yo, k2tog, k2; rep from * to end.
**Row 4:** Purl.

Repeat Rows 1-4 for pattern.

### Garter Border
Knit every row.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BODICE FRONT

Using larger needles, CO 72 (80, 88, 96, 104) sts.
[Check: All numbers divisible by 4 ✓]

**Setup Rows:**
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 2 (WS):** Knit (establishes garter border).

**Begin Pattern:**
**Row 1 (RS):** K2 (border), work Row 1 of Laurel Lace Pattern over 68 (76, 84, 92, 100) sts [68÷4=17, 76÷4=19, 84÷4=21, 92÷4=23, 100÷4=25 reps ✓], k2 (border).
**Row 2 (WS):** K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.
**Row 3:** K2, work Row 3 of Laurel Lace Pattern to last 2 sts, k2.
**Row 4:** K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Continue in pattern as established until piece measures 4" / 10 cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Waist Shaping - Decreases:**
**Next Row (RS):** K2, ssk, work in pattern to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [70 (78, 86, 94, 102) sts]

Work 7 rows even in pattern.

Repeat these 8 rows 2 more times. [66 (74, 82, 90, 98) sts after all decreases]
[Check: 72-2-2-2=66 ✓; all sizes maintain divisibility by 2 ✓]

Work even until piece measures 8" / 20 cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Waist Shaping - Increases:**
**Next Row (RS):** K2, M1R, work in pattern to last 2 sts, M1L, k2. [68 (76, 84, 92, 100) sts]

Work 7 rows even in pattern.

Repeat these 8 rows 2 more times. [72 (80, 88, 96, 104) sts after all increases]
[Check: 66+2+2+2=72 ✓; returns to original stitch count ✓]

Work even until piece measures 12" / 30 cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping:**
**Next Row (RS):** BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beginning of next 2 rows. [64 (70, 76, 82, 88) sts]
[Check: 72-4-4=64 ✓ for size XS]

**Next Row (RS):** K2, ssk, work to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [62 (68, 74, 80, 86) sts]
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.

Repeat last 2 rows 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) more times. [58 (62, 66, 70, 74) sts]
[Check XS: 64-2-2-2=58 ✓]

Work even until armhole measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)" / 15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20) cm, ending with a WS row.

**Neck Shaping:**
**Next Row (RS):** K2, work 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts in pattern, BO center 22 sts, work to last 2 sts in pattern, k2.

**Left Shoulder:**
Working on first 18 (20, 22, 24, 26) sts only, continue as follows:
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.
**Next Row (RS):** Work to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [17 (19, 21, 23, 25) sts]
Repeat last 2 rows once more. [16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts]
Work even for 2 rows.
BO all sts.

**Right Shoulder:**
Rejoin yarn at neck edge.
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.
**Next Row (RS):** K2, ssk, work to end. [17 (19, 21, 23, 25) sts]
Repeat last 2 rows once more. [16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts]
Work even for 2 rows.
BO all sts.

### BODICE BACK (Make 2 pieces)

Using larger needles, CO 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) sts.
[Check: 72÷2=36 for XS ✓; all divisible by 4 ✓]

**Setup Rows:**
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 2 (WS):** Knit.

**Begin Pattern:**
**Row 1 (RS):** K2 (center back border), work Row 1 of Laurel Lace Pattern over 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) sts, k2 (side border).
**Row 2 (WS):** K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Continue in pattern as established until piece measures 4" / 10 cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Waist Shaping - Decreases:**
**Next Row (RS):** K2, work in pattern to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [35 (39, 43, 47, 51) sts]
Work 7 rows even in pattern.
Repeat these 8 rows 2 more times. [33 (37, 41, 45, 49) sts]
[Check: 36-1-1-1=33 ✓ for XS]

Work even until piece measures 8" / 20 cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Waist Shaping - Increases:**
**Next Row (RS):** K2, work in pattern to last 2 sts, M1L, k2. [34 (38, 42, 46, 50) sts]
Work 7 rows even in pattern.
Repeat these 8 rows 2 more times. [36 (40, 44, 48, 52) sts]
[Check: 33+1+1+1=36 ✓ for XS; returns to original]

Work even until piece measures 12" / 30 cm from CO edge, ending with a WS row.

**Armhole Shaping:**
**Next Row (RS):** BO 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beginning of row (side edge only). [32 (35, 38, 41, 44) sts]
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.
**Next Row (RS):** K2, work to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [31 (34, 37, 40, 43) sts]
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.

Repeat last 2 rows 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) more times. [29 (31, 33, 35, 37) sts]
[Check XS: 32-1-1-1=29 ✓]

Work even until armhole measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)" / 15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20) cm, ending with a WS row.

**Neck and Shoulder Shaping:**
**Next Row (RS):** BO 13 sts (neck edge), work to end. [16 (18, 20, 22, 24) sts]
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.
**Next Row (RS):** K2, ssk, work to end. [15 (17, 19, 21, 23) sts]
**Next Row (WS):** Work even.
**Next Row (RS):** K2, ssk, work to end. [14 (16, 18, 20, 22) sts]
Work even for 2 rows.

**Shape Shoulder:**
BO 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beginning of next RS row.
Work 1 WS row.
BO remaining 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) sts.
[Check: 14÷2=7, 16÷2=8, etc. ✓]

Make second back piece, reversing all shaping (work armhole shaping on WS rows, neck shaping on WS rows).

### SLEEVES (Make 2)

Using larger needles, CO 60 (64, 68, 72, 76) sts.
[Check: All divisible by 4 ✓]

**Setup Rows:**
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
**Row 2 (WS):** Knit.

**Begin Pattern:**
**Row 1 (RS):** K2, work Row 1 of Laurel Lace Pattern over 56 (60, 64, 68, 72) sts, k2.
**Row 2 (WS):** K2, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Continue in pattern for 8 rows total (2 complete lace repeats).

**Cap Shaping:**
**Next Row (RS):** BO 4 (5, 6, 7