How I Made My Knitted Wedding Dress: A DIY Bridal Gown Journey
If you had told me a few years ago that I would knit and sew my own wedding dress, I probably would've laughed. But here I am, sharing the story of how I created a full-length, lace-covered, knitted wedding dress from scratch. This post is all about the creative chaos, trial and error, and joyful discoveries that led to my dream handmade wedding gown.
Whether you're dreaming of a DIY wedding dress, fascinated by slow fashion, or just love a good knitting journey, I hope this inspires you to follow your boldest ideas—even if they sound a little wild.
The Inspiration Behind My Knitted Wedding Dress
It all started with a spark of inspiration. A few years ago, I saw Veronika Lindberg—aka Kutovakika—wearing a stunning knit bridal dress. Something about the softness of the wool, the delicate lace, and the romance of it all just clicked. I didn’t want to copy her gown, but I knew I wanted to create a knitted wedding dress that felt completely mine.
I chose a mix of my favorite lace patterns: Camilla Vad’s Magnolia motif and the Dahlia leaf pattern by Lene Holme Samsøe. The yarn? Sandnes Sunday in a crisp white that felt both fresh and timeless. It had the perfect balance of softness and structure to bring the lace knitting to life.
Designing and Knitting the Dress
Rather than starting with a complete pattern, I embraced my usual approach: improvisation. I began with the skirt—from the knees down—as a test. Using my gauge and measurements, I calculated the stitch count, added increases for a mermaid silhouette, and let the lace patterns guide the flow of the fabric.
The lace knitting process was challenging but so rewarding. Watching the motifs bloom after blocking reminded me exactly why I love making clothes by hand. Once the lower skirt was done, I tested the fit by pinning it onto another dress. And yes—it was working!
To test the bodice, I knit a mock-up in purple yarn with a saddle shoulder construction and a scooped neckline. I pulled stitch patterns from the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible to give it texture and elegance. Every part was shaped intuitively, with a lot of math, patience, and willingness to frog and redo.
Adding Structure with a Sewn Silk Underdress
Here’s the thing about a knit bridal dress: it moves. It drapes. It stretches. So to give the knitted fabric something to sit on, I decided to sew a custom silk satin underdress. The result? A beautiful fusion of knitting and sewing that gave the gown both flow and form.
The underdress was made of slightly heavier silk for structure and breathability. I made a trial version using adjusted patterns I already trusted, then sewed the final version with care. I even added optional boning to define the waist and bust without compromising softness.
This knit and sew dress approach turned out to be the key to making the gown truly wearable!
Crunch Time: Beads, Mistakes & Magic
With only a couple months until the wedding, I entered full-on panic mode. The skirt fit was too loose, so I gently felted the top section to tighten it—a risky but successful move. Then came the beading. I hand-stitched pearls along the cables, lace panels, and bodice. It was meticulous, time-consuming, and totally worth the shimmer it added.
To top it off, I sewed a delicate pearl blouse to wear over the underdress for the reception—a perfect second look that made the most of my handmade wedding outfit.
The Big Day: Wearing My Handmade Wedding Gown
On my wedding day, I wore my knitted wedding dress with more pride and joy than I ever imagined. It was soft, elegant, uniquely mine, and filled with memories of every late-night knitting session. When I changed into the underdress for the evening, I felt equally stunning and free to dance the night away.
Creating this bridal knitting project taught me that combining crafts is powerful. Knitting, sewing, dreaming, and designing came together in a way that made me feel completely myself.
Final Thoughts: Should You Knit Your Wedding Dress?
If you’ve ever thought about creating a DIY wedding dress, I’m here to say: you absolutely can. Whether it's a knit bridal dress, a handmade accessory, or a custom underdress, making something by hand for your big day is deeply personal and unbelievably fulfilling.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You need yarn, a vision, and the willingness to improvise. The rest will unfold one stitch at a time.
This post was all about my knitted wedding dress. If it sparked your curiosity or gave you a nudge to start your own ambitious knitting project, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below or find me on Instagram at @mittfargerike. Let’s keep creating magic together.