Pattern now available for purchase!
As this dress took form, its violet color and the waterfall effect of the lace border brought the cascading blossoms of Wisteria sinensis to mind. And since W. sinensis means Chinese wisteria, and the lace border is a variation of "Chinese Lace" from Barbara Walker’s 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns—well, the name seemed perfect.
Wisteria is a sleeveless dress worked in the round to the armholes, and the pattern includes instructions for girls’ sizes 3 months through 10 years. The Chinese Lace forms a wide, graceful flounce at the hem, and the vertical ribbed columns give a lean yet non-clingy fit, then curve gently around armholes and neck to echo the undulations of the lace.
Difficulty level: adventurous beginner to intermediate; stitches used include 
k2tog, k3tog, SSK (or sl1, k1, PSSO), SSSK, and YO. Pattern requires chart reading, and the neckline finishing uses an applied I-cord.
Sizes: 3-6 mo [12-18 mo, 2 yrs, 4 yrs, 6-8 yrs, 10 yrs], for chest sizes 16-17 [18-19, 20-22, 23-24, 25-27, 28-29] inches, or 41-43 [44-49, 50-56, 57-62, 63-69, 70-74] cm.
Garment measurements in inches/cm: Chest circ: 18.5/47 [21/53, 24/61, 26.5/67, 29.5/75, 32/81]; length in inches/cm: 18/46 [19/48, 20/51, 22/56, 26/66, 29/74].
Materials: Classic Elite Provence (100% mercerized cotton; 205 yds/186 m per 100 gm skein), color #2622, Japanese lilac. 2 [2, 3, 3, 4, 5] skeins; US #6/4 mm circular needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE, 16-24 inches long 
depending on size worked. Even after dividing for front and back, I like to work on circular needles, but if you don’t, (optional) 1 set US #6/4 mm straight needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; 1 set US #6/4 mm double-pointed needles (dpns) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle.
GAUGE: 21 sts/26 rows = 4 inches in rib patt (*p2, k5; rep fr *), slightly stretched. CHECK GAUGE ON BLOCKED SWATCH.
Some possible yarn substitutions: Tahki Cotton Classic; for an all-seasons version, try Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, and for a cool weather jumper, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash or Karabella Aurora 8.
Purchase pattern here! Includes full written instructions, schematic, and chart for Chinese Lace, in the form of a pdf file which will be sent via email.
Oh that dress is great, I love it!
Posted by: Jen | July 22, 2006 at 09:33 PM
Hi, I surfed over from Sandra's site (Stay at Home Knitter) because of the beautiful hat she knit from your pattern.
I love the Chinese lace pattern! I have wanted to make something with it forever. Your pattern for a dress is perfect... I just wish I had a little girl to knit for!
Posted by: Cathy | August 15, 2006 at 08:43 AM
Beautiful dress (and beautiful little girl). I really like the way the lace pattern flows into the ribbing. I'm thinking that this would make a cute skirt too.
Posted by: Persnickety Knitter | September 02, 2006 at 09:01 PM