27+ Free Dress Knitting Patterns for Beginners

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, this casual, pullover dress has so many options to personalize and customize exactly how you like. Knit it long or shorten it up and turn it into a sweater. Make the sleeves long or short, change the neck, adjust the stripes - it’s really up to you!

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: SweetGeorgia Superwash DK

This breezy, v-neck pattern can be made into either a top or a dress. It features a fitted waist that can be worn solo or with your favorite belt. This flattering design is available in nine sizes, from XS to 5XL.

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: WeCrochet CotLin

This shimmery, formal design is ideal for dressing up for a night on the town or a fancier event. It has an open back and is inspired by the 1960’s. Add some boots or heels and your favorite jewelry, and you’re ready to go!

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too 18 Karat

Here’s a super cozy, free sweater dress knitting pattern that could easily be dressed up or worn casually. Pair it with a collar and necklace, or snuggle into it at home with your favorite leggings - it’s super versatile! This intermediate pattern will quickly become a staple in your closet.

Yarn weight: Worsted

Suggested yarn: Patons Classic Wool Worsted Yarn

This cozy sweater dress features ¾ length sleeves, a turtleneck collar, and it even has front pockets! The body is made with a waffle texture, while the cuffs, collar, and hem sport a comfy ribbing. It’s available in 6 different sizes and is best for intermediate knitters.

Yarn weight: Worsted and Bulky

Suggested yarn: Bernat Satin Yarn and Bernat Roving Yarn

This drapey dress features an intricate, eyelet pattern that creates a delicate look. The pattern is available both in written and chart form. Because it’s made to be worn in a layered style, you can easily change up the look by trying out different layers underneath.

Yarn weight: Worsted

Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn

This short-sleeved shirt dress has a comfy, kangaroo pocket in the front and is designed to be worn with layers and the super long scarf (pattern included). It’s easy to make and perfect for creating a comfy, casual look in the fall or winter.

Yarn weight: Worsted

Suggested yarn: Bernat Satin Yarn

Enjoy the carefree style of this breezy and beautiful knitted dress. It can be made as a tunic, knee-length dress, or maxi dress and is easy to customize. It’s made by knitting the front and back panels and then seaming them together.

Yarn weight: Aran

Suggested yarn: Lang Yarns Sol Dégradé

This comfy and flattering dress features a short skirt that can easily be worn over leggings or jeans, although you can adjust the pattern to make it longer if you’d like. It’s perfect for those comfy and casual fall days. It’s worked from the top down and is available in three different sizes.

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: Rowan Norwegian Wool

This oversized dress is oh-so-cozy and even has pockets! It’s knitted in pieces and then the front and back are seamed together. Using larger needles with fingering-weight yarn helps give the dress a lovely and comfortable drape.

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

This size small dress is knit using the moss stitch and just might quickly become your go-to winter outfit. It’s a fairly easy project to knit, which is great, because you may want to make more than one in different colors! It’s worked in pieces and seamed together.

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Lima

This slouchy, comfortable pattern can be knitted into either a sweater or a dress. It has a v-shape, drop shoulders, and a stockinette stitch turtleneck. It’s perfect for cozy, rainy days and could even be worn during pregnancy!

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Filcolana Vilja

This attractive-looking dress is lovely for dressing up but is still super comfortable! Its cabled sleeve pattern and buttons on the back add detail, and its shapely design flatters nearly any body type. This pattern is available in 8 different sizes and is best for intermediate knitters. 

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Filcolana Arwetta

Sport a classic look with this long and fitted knit dress. Add a belt, sling on some jewelry, and step into your favorite heels - there are so many ways to dress up this simple but modern knitted dress pattern. This dress is available in 5 sizes and is best for intermediate knitters.

Yarn weight: Worsted

Suggested yarn: LB Collection Merino Yak Alpaca Yarn

This layered dress is knit in the round and requires almost no seaming! It features a ribbed waist that helps create a flattering, hourglass shape, as well as bust and hip darts. Herringbone stitches add interest to the edges, but you can switch them out for a rib or seed stitch border if you prefer.

Yarn weight: Aran

Suggested yarn: Commodum Aran Tweed

This loose-fitting tunic is knit from the top down and is ultra comfy! Accent the sleeves and hem with neon as the pattern suggests, or keep them more subtle - it’s up to you! This pattern is available in six different sizes, from XS to XXL.

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

This gorgeous, intermediate-level dress was originally designed as part of a capsule wardrobe. It’s a lovely staple to have in your closet that’s fitting for a variety of occasions! You’ll want to be comfortable with cable knitting in order to make this pattern.

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Novita Venla

With this colorful, top-down knitted dress, you can be dressed and ready for a summer evening out in no time. It features a shaped waist, split sides, and flattering, soft stripes. It’s available in sizes S through XXXL.

Yarn weight: Worsted

Suggested yarn: DROPS Paris

This easy pattern can be made as either a dress or a sweater. It’s knit from the top down and is easy to modify. You can wear this cozy kimono casually or can easily dress it up, too! 

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

This summertime dress is fitting for a stroll in the sunlight or dinner in town. It’s worked from the bottom up and features a gathered waist and a mid-length skirt. It’s available in eight sizes from XS to 4XL. 

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Filcolana Merci

This top-down knitted dress is stunning with its knot pattern bodice and short, puff sleeves. It offers diagrams along with the written instructions. Enjoy the freedom of summer with this cute and classy design!

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: DROPS Muskat

This cover-up is loose, flowy, breezy, and ready for a day at the beach! If you can work in the round, knit, cast on, and bind off, this pattern is suitable for even beginners. Get ready for your next beach trip with this cute and casual pattern!

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: The Women’s Institute Home Cotton DK

This striped dress design is full of color and personality! It’s worked from the top down and features raglan sleeves, side vents, and a shaped waist. Get creative using your favorite colors with this bright and carefree pattern!

Yarn weight: Worsted

Suggested yarn: DROPS Paris

Channel your inner country girl with this casual, everyday dress. This lace and cable design is best for intermediate knitters. It’s available in six sizes, from S to XXXL.

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: DROPS Cotton Light

Here’s a warm and cozy dress pattern that would go great with leggings and boots on a cool fall or winter day. This knitted dress pattern for adults was inspired by a child’s dress named after the author’s daughter, Nova. The pattern offers the option of creating a knee-length dress (as shown) or a longer version.

Yarn weight: Fingering

Suggested yarn: Filcolana Vilja

This flattering, cable-knit dress is an excellent pattern for intermediate knitters. It features long sleeves, a ribbed bodice, and an attractive waistline stripe. It’s available in S through XXL.

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: Novita Woolly Wood

This gorgeous, breezy dress is worked from the top down and has so much beautiful detail and personality. It’s worked using the garter stitch and stockinette stitch as well as a lace pattern. It’s an excellent summer staple for your closet that can be worn dressed up or dressed down!

Yarn weight: DK

Suggested yarn: DROPS Cotton Light