Margot is a sleeveless mini dress with a square neckline, which can be layered for fall with a white shirt. The dress features a cable panel in the front, high waistline with the cable belt and folded edge hem. The design of the cables on the front is reminiscent of entwined tree roots in a forest.
Time: 2 Weeks Project
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 34 (38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58)” to fit bust 34 (38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58)”
0 – 2” negative ease recommended.
Shown in size 34”
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Lana Grossa Cool Wool Big (100% Merino wool; 131 yards [120 meters]/50 grams): Color 604 Light Blue (9 (10, 11, 12) (13, 13, 14) balls)
Hook/Needles: US size 8 (5.0 mm) 24” circular needles, US size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
Notions: 2 removable markers, stitch holders, cable needle, tapestry needle
Special Stitches
M1L: make 1 left. Pick up the horizontal loop between the stitches from front to back and knit it through the back loop.
M1R: make 1 right. Pick up the horizontal loop between the stitches from back to front and knit it through the front loop.
M1P: make 1 purl. Pick up the horizontal loop between the stitches from back to front and purl it through the front loop.
3/3 LC: slip next 3 st to cable needle and leave at front of work, k3, k3 from cable needle.
3/3 LPC: slip next 3 st to cable needle and leave at front of work, p3, k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RPC: slip next 3 st to cable needle and leave at back of work, k3, k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RC: slip next 3 st to cable needle and leave at back of work, k3, p3 from cable needle.
Fold and knit bind off: Mark the first st of the round 12 rounds below. Fold the edge so that the wrong sides are facing. Working on WS, pick up the purl bump of marked stitch and place it on the left needle in front of all sts. Knit the first 2 sts together. *Pick up the next purl bump 12 rounds below and place it on the left needle in front of all sts. Knit the first 2 sts together. Slip 2 st from the right needle back to the left needle and knit them together through back loop. Repeat from * until all sts are bound off.
twisted sc: twisted single crochet: insert hook in indicated st, yarn over, pull up loop (2 loops on hook), make loops loose, rotate hook 360-degree counter clockwise, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
First, the cable belt is worked across the waistline. The edges of the belt are sewn with the mattress stitch. Then the stitches for the upper body are picked up from the selvage stitches of the belt. The upper body is worked in the round bottom up on circular needles, with increases at the sides of the piece, then divided for front and back and finished separately. The shoulders are sewn with mattress stitch. Then the stitches for the skirt are picked up from the selvage stitches of the belt. The skirt is worked top down on circular needles with Stockinette st to the desired length. Increases are worked at the sides of the piece. The hem of the skirt is finished with fold and knit bind off. The neckline is finished with crochet edge.
Pattern
Belt
Cast on 24 sts for all sizes.
Set-up row (WS): P3, k3, p12, k3, p3.
Row 1 (RS): K3, p3, work from chart A or written instructions over next 12 sts, p3, k3.
Row 2 and all WS rows: as set-up row.
Work in established pattern until piece measures 30.75 (34.75, 38, 42) (46, 49.25, 53.25)” [78 (88, 97, 107) (117, 125, 135) cm]. Bind off. Sew the belt ends with mattress st.
Body
Pick up 160 (180, 196, 216) (236, 252, 272) sts along the selvage edge of the belt, starting at the belt’s seam. Insert the first marker at the beginning of the round and the second one after 80 (90, 98, 108) (118, 126, 136) sts. Move the markers up as work progresses. Work in the round as follows:
Rnd 1 (RS): Knit to marker, k8 (12, 15, 18) (22, 25, 29), p4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 5), k9, p4 (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10), k10, p10, k10, p4 (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10), k9, p4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 5), knit to end.
Rnd 2: Knit to marker, k8 (12, 15, 18) (22, 25, 29), p4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 5), k2, M1L, k3, (M1L, k2) twice, p4 (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10), M1R, k2, (M1L, k2) 4 times, M1P, p10, M1P, (k2, M1R) 4 times, k2, M1L, p4 (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10), k2, M1L, k3, (M1L, k2) twice, p4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 5), knit to end. (178 (198, 214, 234) (254, 270, 290) sts)
Rnd 3: Knit to marker, k8 (12, 15, 18) (22, 25, 29), p4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 5), work from chart A or written instructions over next 12 sts, p4 (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10), work from chart B or written instructions over next 42 sts, p4 (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10), work from chart A or written instructions over next 12 sts, p4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 5), knit to end.
Work 1 rounds in established pattern. In the next round increase 4 sts as follows:
Increase Rnd: [K1, M1L, work in established pattern to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1] 2 times. (4 sts increased)
Repeat increase round every 4 (4, 3, 3) (3, 2, 2) round 3 (3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) more times. (194 (214, 234, 254) (274, 294, 314) sts)
Work even until the body measures 3.25” [8 cm] from the belt for all sizes. In the next even numbered chart row work to 3 (3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) sts before the end of the round. The next round (odd numbered chart row) will start from here.
Next Rnd: Cast off 6 (6, 8, 8) (8, 10, 10) sts for armhole, continue round across back and work as set to 3 (3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5) sts before marker, join another ball of yarn, cast off 6 (6, 8, 8) (8, 10, 10) sts for armhole, continue across front and work as set to end. (82 (92, 100, 110) (120, 128, 138) sts back and 100 (110, 118, 128) (138, 146, 156) sts front)
Place back sts on stitch holder.
Front
Continue in pattern as set, working now back and forth in rows. Begin with WS row (even chart row). Cast off for armhole at the beginning of each row as follows:
Size 1: 2 sts 4 times, 1 st 4 times. (88 sts remain)
Size 2: 3 sts 2 times, 2 sts 4 times, 1 st 6 times. (90 sts remain)
Size 3: 3 sts 4 times, 2 sts 4 times, 1 st 6 times. (92 sts remain)
Size 4: 3 sts 4 times, 2 sts 6 times, 1 st 8 times. (96 sts remain)
Size 5: 4 sts 2 times, 3 sts 4 times, 2 sts 6 times, 1 st 8 times. (98 sts remain)
Size 6: 4 sts 2 times, 3 sts 4 times, 2 sts 8 times, 1 st 10 times. (100 sts remain)
Size 7: 5 sts 2 times, 4 sts 2 times, 3 sts 4 times, 2 sts 8 times, 1 st 8 times. (102 sts remain)
Work even until piece measures 6.5 (6.75, 6.75, 7) (7.5, 7.5, 7.75)” [16 (17, 17, 18) (19, 19, 20) cm] from the belt, ending with row 4, 6, 12 or 14 of chart B. In the next RS row decrease 8 sts over the middle 42 sts worked from chart B, as follows:
For row 5 of chart B: Work 23 (24, 25, 27) (28, 29, 30) sts as set, p4, p2tog, 3/3 LC, (ssk, k1) twice, ssk, k2, (k2tog, k1) twice, k2tog, 3/3 RC, p2tog, p4, work to end as set.
For row 7 of chart B: Work 23 (24, 25, 27) (28, 29, 30) sts as set, p4, p2tog, k1, ssk, 3/3 LC, ssk, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, 3/3 RC, k2tog, k1, p2tog, p4, work to end as set.
For row 13 of chart B: Work 23 (24, 25, 27) (28, 29, 30) sts as set, ssk, k2, ssk, 3/3 LC, ssk, k1, p2tog, p8, p2tog, k1, k2tog, 3/3 RC, k2tog, k2, k2tog, work to end as set.
For row 15 of chart B: Work 23 (24, 25, 27) (28, 29, 30) sts as set, ssk, k2, ssk, k1, ssk, 3/3 LC, p2tog, p8, p2tog, 3/3 RC, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, work to end as set.
8 sts decreased; 80 (82, 84, 88) (90, 92, 94) sts remain.
Work next WS row as set. In the next RS row bind off for neck as follows:
Next row (RS): Work 23 (23, 23, 25) (25, 25, 25) sts as set, k5, join another ball of yarn, bind off 24 (26, 28, 28) (30, 32, 34) sts for front neck, k5, work last 23 (23, 23, 25) (25, 25, 25) sts as set. (28 (28, 28, 30) (30, 30, 30) sts each shoulder)
Working each shoulder separately, continue working in the pattern from chart A, and bind off at each neck edge 1 st twice for all sizes (26 (26, 26, 28) (28, 28, 28) sts remain).
Work even until piece measures 12 (12.25, 12.5, 12.75) (13, 13.25, 13.5)” [30 (31, 31, 32) (33, 33, 34) cm] from the belt. In the next RS row decrease 4 sts as follows:
Next Row (RS): K3, p2 (2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3), p2tog, k2, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k2, p2tog, p2 (2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3), k3. (22 (22, 22, 24) (24, 24, 24) sts remain)
Work next row as set. Bind off remaining sts.
Back
Place sts from stitch holder to working needle. Work armhole decreases as for front (70 (72, 74, 78) (80, 82, 84) sts). Work even in Stockinette st until the piece measures 11.5 (11.75, 12, 12.25) (12.5, 12.75, 13)” [29 (30, 30, 31) (32, 32, 33) cm]. In the next RS row bind off the middle 24 (26, 28, 28) (30, 32, 34) sts for neck and finish each shoulder separately. (23 (23, 23, 25) (25, 25, 25) sts each shoulder). Bind off at each neck edge 1 st once for all sizes (22 (22, 22, 24) (24, 24, 24) sts remain). Work even until piece measures 12.25 (12.5, 12.75, 13) (13.25, 13.5, 13.75)” [31 (32, 32, 33) (34, 34, 35) cm] from the belt. Bind off remaining sts.
Skirt
Pick up 160 (180, 196, 216) (236, 252, 272) sts from the selvage edge of the belt, starting at the side of the garment. Insert the first marker at the beginning of the round and the second one after 80 (90, 98, 108) (118, 126, 136) sts. Move the markers up as work progresses. Work 5 rounds in Stockinette st. In the next round increase 4 sts as follows:
Increase Rnd: [K1, M1L, knit to 1 st before marker, M1R, k1] 2 times. (4 sts increased)
Repeat increase round every 6 (6, 5, 5) (5, 6, 8) round 9 (9, 10, 10) (12, 10, 7) more times (200 (220, 240, 260) (288, 296, 304) sts).
Work even until the garment measures 33.5” [85 cm] from the shoulder (or to desired length minus 1” [2.5 cm] for folded edge). Purl 1 round. Knit 12 rounds. Join the edge of the skirt to the first round after the purl round using fold and knit bind off method.
Finishing
Sew the shoulder seams with mattress stitch.
Neck Edging
Updated 7/10/2023
Insert 2 removable stitch markers along the front neckline to mark the middle 30 (32, 34, 34) (36, 38, 40) sts (that is 24 (26, 28, 28) (30, 32, 34) sts front plus 3 sts at each side at the corners).
Rnd 1: With RS facing and crochet hook, join yarn in left shoulder seam, ch 1, sc in each st to marker, sc2tog in next 2 sts, sc in each next 3 (3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5) sts, sc2tog in next 2 sts, sc in each next 3 (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4) sts, sc2tog in next 2 sts, sc in each next 2 (3, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4) sts, sc2tog in next 2 sts, sc in each next 2 (3, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4) sts, sc2tog in next 2 sts, sc in each next 3 (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4) sts, sc2tog in next 2 sts, sc in each next 3 (3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5) sts, sc2tog in next 2 sts, marker, [sc in each st around to next corner at back, sc2tog in next 2 sts] twice, sc in each st to end, sl st in first sc to join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, twisted-sc in each st around, sl st in first st to join.
Fasten off.
Armhole Edging
Rnd 1: With RS facing and crochet hook, join yarn in left shoulder seam, ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, twisted-sc in each st around, sl st in first st to join.
Fasten off. Weave in yarn ends. Block the dress to the measurements.
Chart A Written Instructions
Row 1 (RS): 3/3 RC, 3/3 LC. (12 sts)
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5-8: Repeat rows 3-4 twice.
Chart B Written Instructions
Rnd 1: 3/3 LPC, k6, 3/3 LC, p6, 3/3 RC, k6, 3/3 RPC. (42 sts)
Rnd 2: P3, k15, p6, k15, p3.
Rnd 3: P3, 3/3 LPC, k6, 3/3 LC, 3/3 RC, k6, 3/3 RPC, p3.
Rnd 4: P6, k30, p6.
Rnd 5: P6, 3/3 LC, k18, 3/3 RC, p6.
Rnd 6: Repeat round 4.
Rnd 7: P6, k3, 3/3 LC, k12, 3/3 RC, k3, p6.
Rnd 8: Repeat round 4.
Rnd 9: P3, 3/3 RC, k6, 3/3 RPC, 3/3 LPC, k6, 3/3 LC, p3.
Rnd 10: Repeat round 2.
Rnd 11: 3/3 RC, k6, 3/3 RPC, p6, 3/3 LPC, k6, 3/3 LC.
Rnd 12: K15, p12, k15.
Rnd 13: K6, 3/3 LC, k3, p12, k3, 3/3 RC, k6.
Rnd 14: Repeat round 12.
Rnd 15: K9, 3/3 LC, p12, 3/3 RC, k9.
Rnd 16: Repeat round 12.