Classic LBD - Test Call

If every wardrobe needs a little black dress, then every knitter needs a lightweight everyday raglan. Classic LBD is yours.

Classic LBD features optional bust darts in five cup sizes, a gentle a-line silhouette (or work yours straight to the hip) and thoughtful raglan shaping for a fit that celebrates your figure.

This pullover is part of the Classics Collection - garments designed to help you learn to make the basics while offering a fresh take. Worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, Classic LBD will help you experiment with bust darts and getting your perfect fit, even if you're not ready to work a whole sweater flat.

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CONSTRUCTION

Classic LBD is worked seamlessly from the top down. Stitches are picked up and knit for the collar. Increases are worked from the underarm to the hem to create a subtle A-line silhouette.

OPTIONAL BUST SHAPING

Optional instructions for adding short rows for bust shaping, in five sizes, give you your best fit.

CHOOSE A SIZE

1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8] (9, 10, 11, 12)

Choose the size closest to your actual upper chest measurement. Upper chest is measured above the full bust, at an angle close to diagonal beneath the underarms, and straight across the back. For more information on choosing a size using your upper chest measurement, visit this blog post.

To fit upper chest: 28 (32, 36, 39.25, 42.5) [45.75, 49, 52.25] (55.5, 58.75, 62, 65.25) inches / 70 (80, 89.5, 98, 106) [114, 122, 130.5] (138.5, 146.5, 154.5, 163) cm

Classic LBD is designed to fit with approximately 3 inches / 7.5 cm of positive ease at the fullest part of your bust.

Finished bust circumference: 31 (35.5, 39, 43.5, 47) [51.5, 55, 59.5] (63, 67.5, 71, 75.5) inches / 77.5 (88.5, 97.5, 108.5, 117.5) [128.5, 137.5, 148.5] (157.5, 168.5, 177.5, 188.5) cm

Finished hip circumference: 34.25 (38.5, 42.25, 46.5, 50.25) [54.5, 58.25, 62.5] (66.25, 70.5, 74.25, 78.5) inches / 85.5 (96, 105.5, 116, 125.5) [136, 145.5, 156] (165.5, 176, 185.5, 196) cm

Finished bicep: 12.75 (13.75, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5) [17.75, 19.25, 20.5] (22.5, 23.25, 24.25, 25) inches / 32 (34, 36.5, 39, 41) [44, 48, 51] (56.5, 58, 60.5, 62.5) cm

I am wearing size 5, Cup 2, with inches 2.25 / 5.5 cm of positive ease at the full bust and 2 inches / 5 cm of positive ease at the upper arm. My upper chest is 41 inches / 102.5 cm.

If you need additional room for the bust, as I do, working the optional short row shaping will give you the best fit in the shoulders and armholes, while still making room for your chest. Short rows add length to the front only of the garment, so that the hem does not rise in the front.

Download the Schematic

TECHNIQUES

Working directional shaping
Knitting in the round
Working German Short Rows
Picking up and knitting

MATERIALS

6 Stitch markers plus one unique marker for the beginning of the round
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

26 sts and 36 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch (both flat and in the round) with size A needles.

YARN

Choose a soft, lightweight fingering weight yarn with low bounce, excellent drape, and good stitch definition.

I used Purl Soho Sweetgrass, which is 65% organic cotton and 35% alpaca, undyed. The alpaca fiber in this yarn is 26 microns wide and there are 437 yds / 400 m per 100 g skein.

I expect knitters will be successful with many different fiber combos - 100% cotton, superwash or non-superwash merino, raw silk, or blends of any of the above. 100% linen is probably too low-drape, but blended with more slippery fibers would be suitable.

Note: Variegated or striping yarn not suitable if you are working the bust darts.

645 (735, 820, 925, 1010) [1115, 1195, 1300] (1405, 1510, 1615, 1725) yds / 590 (670, 750, 845, 920) [1020, 1095, 1190] (1285, 1380, 1475, 1575) m; 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) [3, 3, 3] (4, 4, 4, 4) skeins.

For optional bust darts, you will need an additional 15 - 170 yds / 15 - 155 m.

Shown in colorway pale sesame.

ABOUT THE TEST

This test will be run on Slack. Slack is free to join and offers chat rooms by topic. Pattern files, errata, and chat will be hosted in a private channel there. Testers are free to ask questions in the test Slack channel, or to DM me in Slack if that is more comfortable.

I expect to have patterns to testers by January 16. The test will conclude March 27.

This is not a secret test, so testers can share progress publicly as they work through the test.

I am seeking 2 testers per size and will be choosing testers so that multiple cup sizes are represented. Testers with yarn at all budget points are encouraged to apply. Note that I make testing calls available first to my Ko-fi subscribers, then to my newsletter group, so if your size is marked full those are the best ways to grab a spot in the future.

COLLABORATIVE TESTING

A fun, supportive, productive test knit depends on clear expectations between the designer and testers. Here's what you can expect from me and what I am counting on from you:

You will receive a fully tech-edited pattern.

I make my best effort to respond to questions as quickly as possible and agree to respond to questions within 2 business days, absent an emergency or pre-communicated time away.

I will post any adjustments/errata that surface during the test; if we make a big change or correction, I will post a revised file.

You will receive a tester credit on my pattern webpage (first name and link of your choice, example here).

I will moderate a space free from hate speech, expressly including but not limited to racist, ableist, fatphobic, homophobic or transphobic speech.

It's important for me to see the fit of the sweater on a body. Testers agree to complete their sweaters and provide a modeled photo and feedback by the test deadline. Modeled photos can be cropped to exclude the model's face. I do not believe that providing me photos for marketing purposes is a key part of the testing agreement, so I will not share your photos without permission. Having said that - I do LOVE to share tester's projects, and I deeply value the contributions that testers make to this community, so if you are comfortable with me sharing your photos I am very grateful!

Testers agree to create and block a swatch.

Testers agree to communicate throughout the test, including letting me know if something has come up that will prevent them from completing the test on time. Things happen, we are human, and I definitely understand! With a long testing period, I can sometimes fill a dropped spot with a replacement, and I truly appreciate testers who are able to let me know when something does come up for them.

You may make fit-based modifications to ensure your dream sweater - I encourage this! If you wish to make a design or non-fit preference (such as using an alternate technique or finish) please check in with me first.

I rely on testers to provide feedback about the accuracy and clarity of the instructions, the fit of the final garment, and the amount of yarn used in yards or meters. Tests will be considered finished once the feedback form is complete.

Testers who complete the test will receive another of my self-published patterns for free, in addition to the finished version of Classic LBD. If you wish to waive your thank-you pattern, I would be very pleased to provide a copy of Classic LBD to a friend if you prefer.

Apply to test!

CREDITS

Tech edit: Heather Storta

Photography: Hypnotic Imagery, LLC

Photos taken:

Testers:

Gallery