Today we’re going to knit a sporty striped dress together. It features a mirrored neckline, meaning the front and back have the same depth. The stripes are worked in different contrasting colours, and you can have fun choosing your own colour combination.

What really makes this piece special is the yarn we’ve chosen: Nuvola. A summer‑look yarn that is soft and spongy, with a surface scattered with “cotton clouds”, a touch of elasticity and plenty of colour impact. Let’s get started on the pattern together.

Tutorial: how to knit a sporty striped dress

MATERIALS
Nuvola yarn 250 g / 8.8 oz in the following colours (for size M):
col. 1 Butter
col. 2 Jade
col. 3 Pudding
col. 4 Fluo Pink
col. 5 Wave
Knitting needles 4.5 EU / 6 US
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle

GAUGE – IN STOCKINETTE STITCH
10 cm x 10 cm / 4″ x 4″
17 stitches and 25 rows

STITCHES USED
Knit
Purl
Tubular edge selvedge:
at the beginning of each row, slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front, then knit the second stitch; at the end of each row, slip the second‑to‑last stitch purlwise with yarn in front, then knit the last stitch.
Selvedge stitch:
on right‑side rows, slip the first stitch knitwise with yarn in back; on wrong‑side rows, purl the stitch.
Garter stitch:
knit every row.
Stockinette stitch:
row 1: knit
row 2: purl.
Repeat rows 1 and 2.
Single decrease (ssk‑style left‑leaning decrease):
slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch.
Double decrease:
slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit the next 2 stitches together, then pass the slipped stitch over the k2tog.

SIZES
Instructions are given for size S (M, L).

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS – SIZES S (M, L)
Bust circumference 92 (100, 108) cm / 36.2″ (39.4″, 42.5″)
Total length 81 (83, 85) cm / 32″ (32.7″, 33.5″)
Side length 56 (57, 58) cm / 22″ (22.4″, 22.8″)
Neck opening 22 (24, 26) cm / 8.7″ (9.4″, 10.2″)

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate

INSTRUCTIONS

The garment is worked flat in two pieces, back and front, which are then joined along the sides and shoulders.

How to work the back of the striped dress

With knitting needles 4.5 EU / 6 US and colour 1, cast on 79 (85, 93) stitches.

Row 1: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
rows 2 to 6: repeat row 1.

The lower garter stitch border, with tubular selvedge stitches at the sides for the side slits, is now complete. Now, continuing with colour 1, start working in stocking stitch with tubular selvedge stitches at the sides for the side slits and the colour changes.

Row 7: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 8: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
rows 9 to 16: with colour 1 repeat rows 7 and 8 a further 4 times
rows 17 to 26: with colour 2 repeat rows 7 and 8 5 times
rows 27 to 36: with colour 3 repeat rows 7 and 8 5 times
rows 37 to 46: with colour 1 repeat rows 7 and 8 5 times
rows 47 to 56: with colour 2 repeat rows 7 and 8 5 times. You have now finished the side slits
rows 57 to 66: with colour 1 work in stocking stitch
rows 67 to 76: with colour 3 work in stocking stitch
rows 77 to 86: with colour 4 work in stocking stitch
rows 87 to 96: with colour 1 work in stocking stitch
rows 97 to 106: with colour 5 work in stocking stitch
rows 107 to 116: with colour 1 work in stocking stitch
rows 117 to 126: with colour 4 work in stocking stitch
rows 127 to 136: with colour 2 work in stocking stitch. 

The instructions now continue and end separately for the 3 sizes.

SIZE S

Rows 137 to 144: with colour 3 work in stocking stitch. Now, continuing with colour 3, divide the work for the armholes and V neck, at the same time working tubular selvedge stitches at the sides for the edges
row 145: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit the next 37 stitches, bind off the next stitch for the neck, knit the next 37 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 146: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl the next 35 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches over the last 2 stitches of the second side. Now continue only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder. Change colour and take colour 5
row 147: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 148: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 149: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 150: work as row 148
rows 151 to 156: repeat rows 147 to 150, then work rows 147 and 148 one more time. Change colour and take colour 1
rows 157 to 166: with colour 1 work rows 149 and 150, then repeat rows 147 to 150 twice. Change colour and take colour 4
rows 167 to 176: with colour 4 repeat rows 147 to 150 twice, then work rows 147 and 148. Change colour and take colour 1
rows 177 to 186: with colour 1 work rows 149 and 150, then repeat rows 147 to 150 twice. Change colour and take colour 3
rows 187 to 190: with colour 3 repeat rows 147 to 150
row 191: with colour 3 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 192: with colour 3 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 193: with colour 3 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 194: with colour 3 work as row 192
rows 195 and 196: with colour 3 work as rows 191 and 192. Change colour and take colour 2
rows 197 to 202: with colour 2 work rows 193 and 194, then repeat rows 191 to 194
row 203: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 204: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 2 purl stitches and 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 205: with colour 2 work 1 selvedge stitch, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 1 selvedge stitch
row 206: with colour 2 work 1 selvedge stitch, 2 purl stitches and 1 selvedge stitch

Cast off all stitches.

Return to the stitches of the first side and work as for the second side, but mirrored.

SIZE M
Rows 137 to 146: with colour 3 work in stocking stitch. Now change colour and take colour 5, then divide the work for the armholes and V neck, at the same time working tubular selvedge stitches at the sides for the edges
row 147: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit the next 40 stitches, bind off the next stitch for the neck, knit the next 40 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 148: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl the next 38 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches over the last 2 stitches of the second side. Now continue only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row 149: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 150: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 151: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 152: work as row 150
rows 153 to 156: repeat rows 149 to 152. Change colour and take colour 1
rows 157 to 166: with colour 1 repeat rows 149 to 152 twice, then work rows 149 and 150 one more time. Change colour and take colour 4
rows 167 to 176: with colour 4 work rows 151 and 152, then repeat rows 149 to 152 twice. Change colour and take colour 1
rows 177 to 186: with colour 1 repeat rows 149 to 152 twice, then work rows 149 and 150 one more time. Change colour and take colour 3
rows 187 to 196: with colour 3 work rows 151 and 152, then repeat rows 149 to 152 twice. Change colour and take colour 2
row 197: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 198: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 199: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 200: work as row 198
rows 201 to 208: repeat rows 197 to 200 twice more
row 209: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit the next stitch, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 210: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 3 purl stitches and 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 211: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 2 stitches (1 for the neck and 1 for the armhole) by working 1 double slipped decrease over the next 3 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches.

Cast off all stitches.

Return to the stitches of the first side and work as for the second side, but mirrored.

SIZE L
Rows 137 to 146: with colour 3 work in stocking stitch. Change colour and take colour 5
rows 147 and 148: with colour 5 work in stocking stitch. Now, continuing with colour 5, divide the work for the armholes and V neck, at the same time working tubular selvedge stitches at the sides for the edges
row 149: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit the next 44 stitches, bind off the next stitch for the neck, knit the next 44 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 150: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl the next 42 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches over the last 2 stitches of the second side. Now continue only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row 151: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 152: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 153: work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 154: work as row 152
rows 155 and 156: work as rows 151 and 152. Change colour and take colour 1
rows 157 to 166: with colour 1 work rows 153 and 154, then repeat rows 151 to 154 twice. Change colour and take colour 4
rows 167 to 176: with colour 4 repeat rows 151 to 154 twice, then work rows 151 and 152 one more time. Change colour and take colour 1
rows 177 to 186: with colour 1 work rows 153 and 154, then repeat rows 151 to 154 twice. Change colour and take colour 3
rows 187 to 194: with colour 3 repeat rows 151 to 154 twice
row 195: with colour 3 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 196: with colour 3 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches. Change colour and take colour 2
row 197: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 198: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl to the last 2 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 199: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit to the last 4 stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 200: with colour 2 work as row 198
rows 201 to 206: with colour 2 repeat rows 197 to 200, then work rows 197 and 198 one more time
rows 207 to 212: with colour 2 repeat rows 199 and 200 three times
row 213: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neck by working 1 single slipped decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit the next stitch, decrease 1 stitch for the armhole by knitting the next 2 stitches together, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 214: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 3 purl stitches and 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 215: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 2 stitches (1 for the neck and 1 for the armhole) by working 1 double slipped decrease over the next 3 stitches, work 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 216: with colour 2 work 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 purl stitch and 2 tubular selvedge stitches

Cast off all stitches.

Return to the stitches of the first side and work as for the second side, but mirrored.

How to work the front of the sporty striped dress

Work exactly as for the back.

Making up and finishing

Sew the seams, following the stripe colours. From the underarm, sew the side seams for 35 (36, 37) cm / 13.8″ (14.2″, 14.6″); the final 21 cm / 8.3″ remain open for the side slits. Join the shoulders.