32 Free Knit Dress Projects
Update your wardrobe — or your child’s wardrobe — with these knit dresses! With projects for adults, children, babies and even a doll outfit, there’s plenty for everyone.
For crochet dresses, check out the round-up of 30 Free Crochet Dress Projects.
Adults
Show off your cable skills, or just be simple with a handmade LBD (little black dress).
- Layered Lace Dress
- Honeycomb Aran Dress
- Slouchy Sweater Dress
- Little Black Dress
- Knit Grange Park Tunic
- Dress with Kangaroo Pockets
Children
With sizes ranging from infant to tween, kids will love the opportunity to help pick out the colors and styles of the outfit you’re making just for them!
- Fairy Leaves Dress
- Cozy Posie Dress
- Layer Cake Knit Dress
- Sailor Dress
- Tulip Lace Dress with Blanket
- Sweet Sideways Dress
- Knit Ruffle Collar Dress
- First Steps Dress
- Cable Sweater Dress
- Happy Day Dress
- Girls Cabled Dress
- Baby Witch Dress and Hat
- Sweet Argyle Dress
- Party Girl Set
- Knit Baby Ruffles Dress
- Child’s Foxy Tunic
- Rockin’ Ruffles Baby Tunic
- Rockin’ the Ruffles Tunic
- Cute Alert Baby Jumper
- Perfect Party Dress
- My Red Jumper
- Flared Jumper
- Little Princess Dress
- Girl’s Sweater Dress
- Huggable Puppy Dress
Bonus: Doll Dress
Even an 18″ doll can have fun with this princess costume!
Also on the Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
Is knitting a dress harder than knitting a sweater?
In some ways yes, in some ways no! Dresses require more knitting overall (longer body) and often more careful length calculations. But the basic construction is similar to a sweater… you’re knitting a body with or without sleeves, just longer. Dresses also tend to need good drape, which means thinking carefully about yarn and gauge. The upside is that waist and hip measurements are less critical for fit than a sweater’s bust and shoulder measurements in some styles. A flowing, unfitted dress can be more forgiving on fit than a structured sweater.
What yarn makes the best knit dresses?
Drape is everything for a dress that moves beautifully! Silk and silk blends are stunning but expensive. Bamboo and bamboo-blend yarns have incredible drape and a beautiful sheen. Fine merino or merino blends can drape well in lighter weights. Plant fibers like linen or cotton-linen blends have natural body with drape. Avoid very springy or bouncy yarns… they create dresses that puff out rather than drape down. Hold a length of yarn by one end and let it hang… if it flows, it’ll make a beautiful dress. If it spirals or bounces, it’ll fight the dress construction.
How do I adjust a knit dress pattern for my height?
Height adjustments happen in the body length section! Most patterns specify the length from the underarm (or waist) to the hem. To lengthen, add more rows before working any shaping or bind-off. To shorten, subtract rows. For a dramatic height difference, you may also need to adjust where the waist shaping occurs relative to your actual waist. Keep notes on how many rows you added or removed so you can make both dress pieces (front and back) the same adjustment. When in doubt, try it on as you work rather than waiting until the end.
What’s the easiest knit dress style for beginners?
A simple top-down seamless dress worked in the round is the most beginner-friendly… it’s essentially a very long top, and you can try it on as you go to check length. Minimally fitted A-line silhouettes are more forgiving than fitted styles. Simple stitch patterns (stockinette, garter, or a simple 2×2 rib) avoid the complexity of textured or lace stitches. If you’re making your first knit dress, prioritize simple construction over dramatic design… you can always add complexity in future projects once you understand how knit dress construction works.
Can I make a knit dress for warm weather?
Yes! A lightweight cotton, linen, or bamboo yarn in a breezy stitch pattern (mesh, lace, or an open-worked texture) creates a summer dress that’s actually wearable in the heat. DK or fingering weight in a plant fiber is the standard for warm-weather knit dresses. The challenge is that fine yarns take much longer to knit than chunky yarn… plan accordingly! A summer knit dress in fingering weight is a significant project… but the finished piece is truly stunning and often becomes a favorite year-round layering piece.
Categories: Free Patterns
