Courtney is probably the designer that I’ve tested for the most times, and I’ve loved each opportunity! She has a strong eye for design, and her commitment to size inclusivity is such a beautiful thing to see. As soon as I saw her asking for testers for this dress, I knew I had to sign up and cross my fingers that I would be lucky enough to be chosen.
- 5 and 1/2 skeins of Hobbii Rainbow Bamboo – a sport weight (2) yarn (above: Sky Blue)
- Size D (3.25mm) hook
Pattern (Size S) by Courtney at Tinderbox
Okay, so I already posted about how much I love the dart shaping on this dress, but this whole design is so clever! The third-loop waistband and the drape of the sleeves are other simple, yet elegant elements, and I think Courtney is a genius. She also graded this pattern from XS to 5XL so that it can fit bust sizes from 30″ to 62″, and all bodies can enjoy this swishy, adorable dress.
I would recommend choosing your yarn very carefully, as not all yarn will drape the same way that this bamboo/cotton blend does, and that will have a huge impact on the way this dress fits and flows. There’s a great website called Yarn Sub that compares yarn on a number of criteria and suggests the best match! If you have budget constraints or limited availability where you live, this website will be a lifesaver.
My second recommendation would be to do a blocked gauge swatch. Seriously. Because this dress is a little heavy, gravity will pull on the stitches, so you have to take into account that stretch when you are swatching. If you don’t swatch, there is a significant chance that this dress won’t fit you in the way that Courtney had intended.
With those two caveats in mind, I can’t say enough nice things about this dress. It’s your choice how long to make it, and I honestly think it would be a super cute maxi dress, but I lack the effort to keep crocheting that far. Pattern testing for Courtney is always a joy, and this pattern was no different. Do you have designers that you keep going back to?
Until next time, happy crafting!