1930s Knitted Dress Pattern – Short Sleeves & Ribbed Waist

A lovely late 1930s knitted frock with short sleeves, a neat buttoned bodice and a softly flared skirt. The deep ribbed waistband gives the dress its flattering shape, while the simple construction makes it a manageable project for knitters with some experience.

The dress is worked from the hem upwards on two needles, so there’s no complicated circular knitting involved.

The original yarn was Kristal Fleck, knitted on 3.75mm (old UK No. 9) and 3mm (old UK No. 11) needles. I’ve been unable to find reliable information about this yarn, but my best estimate would be a 3-ply, although a modern 4-ply might also work. Vintage yarn weights can vary considerably, so always check your tension before choosing a substitute.

You’ll need approximately 14 oz (400g) of yarn, depending on your chosen substitute. As the yardage of the original yarn is unknown, it’s sensible to buy a little extra.

Tension: 15 stitches to 2 inches and 10 rows to 1 inch.

Size: To fit approximately a 34-inch bust. The garment measures 32 inches around under the arms, with some stretch.

Finished length: 41 inches from shoulder at armhole edge.

Sleeve seam: 6½ inches, including cuff.

Choose How You Receive Your Pattern!
You can either: Order the printed version and have it mailed right to your door, perfect
for adding to your knitting collection. or opt for the PDF download if you’d like to get
started right away! The choice is yours, happy knitting!