I am republishing my pattern for a knitted baby's dress which was originally in Magknits online magazine. Since the magazine's demise I have been asked to make the pattern available on my blog, so here it is. Big thanks to Nikki for finding the pattern for me, and Louise for sending me the pictures she had saved!
Blossom is a simple
wrap-around dress with embroidery for a baby girl. It’s suitable
for all seasons, depending on the type of yarn you choose. I made this
dress in a locally-made silk blend just as all the spring blossoms were
opening from their buds here in New Zealand; a pure-wool yarn would be
cosy for winter babies though, with a warm bodysuit and tights, and I’m
planning on making a cotton version for the summer. The dress is knitted
all in one piece, reducing potential bulkiness over tiny baby shoulders,
and the garter stitch edges create a nice, almost elasticated finish without
having to pick up and knit any stitches afterwards!
Difficulty
Level
Simple
Sizes
0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months.
Length 12 (13.5, 15)" / 30.5 (34, 38)cm
Chest 19.5 (20.5, 21.5)" / 50 (52, 54.5)cm -varies because of wrap-around
style.
Materials
3 (4, 5) 50gm balls of Silkwood Fine Blend (60% kid mohair, 30% merino
wool, 10% silk), color 218 mauve. This yarn is probably difficult to obtain
outside New Zealand, however the Silkwood Yarns email address is silkwood@silkwoodltd.co.nz
See below for yarn substitutes.
US 6 / 4mm needles
US 4 / 3.5mm needles
stitch holder
wool needle
pink and brown embroidery
thread
embroidery needle
5/8 yd / 1/2m matching ribbon
Yarn
substitutes
Debbie Bliss cotton cashmere or Rowan Wool Cotton would be suitable, but
you could use any soft wool or cotton with which you can make the gauge
measurements.
Gauge
24 sts and 29 rows = 14" / 10cm in stockinette with larger needles
Abbreviations
Kfb--knit into the front and back of next stitch; 1 st increased.
Skp--slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over; 1 st decreased.
Back
With smaller needles, cast on 60 (66, 72) sts. Work 4 rows garter stitch
(knit every row). Change to larger needles and work 8 rows in stockinette,
ending with a purl row.
Next row: K3, s1,
k1, psso, k to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. Continue in stockinette, decreasing
as above on every 10th row until 52 (58, 64) sts remain.
Work even until work
measures 7 (8.5, 10)" / 18 (21.5, 25.5)cm from cast on edge, ending
with a purl row.
Decrease 4 sts in
the next row as follows: K3, skp, k3, skp, k to the last 10 sts, k2tog,
k3, k2tog, k3; 48 (54, 60) sts remain.
Work 15 rows even,
ending with a purl row. Cast off 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2
rows; 42 (48, 54) sts remain.
Start
armhole pattern:
Row 1: K.
Row 2: K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Continue in this manner until armhole measures 3.5 (5, 6.5)" / 9
(12.5, 16)cm, ending on a purl row.
Shape
neck:
Row 1: K to end.
Row 2: K4, p4 (5, 7), k26 (30, 32), p4 (5, 7), k4.
Row 3: as row 1.
Row 4: as row 2.
Row 5: K12 (13, 15), cast off 18 (22, 24), k12 (13, 15).
Turn and work on first
set of 12 (13, 15) sts. Use spare needle or stitch holder for the second
set, or keep them at the end of working needle.
Row 6: K4, p4 (5,
7), k4
Row 7: K5, k2tog, k5 (6, 8); 11 (12, 14) sts remain.
Row 8: K4, p to last 4 sts, k4
Row 9: K.
Repeat rows 8 and 9 seven times more.
Crossover
front (left)
Row 1: K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 2: K1, kfb, k to end.
Row 3: K4, p to last 4 sts, k2, kfb, k1.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 31 (36, 40) sts, ending on a purl row.
Knit 1 row.
Cast on 3 sts at the
beginning of the next row, for armhole shaping.
Next row: P to last 4 sts, k2, kfb, k1.
Continue increasing at front edge every row but without the garter stitch
border at armhole edge, until you have 48 (54, 60) sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K7, m1, k3, m1, k to last 8 sts, m1, k3, m1, k3; 52 (58, 64)
sts.
Next row: P to last 4 sts, k4.
Next row: K to end.
Next row: P to last 4 sts, K4.
Repeat last two rows six times more.
Work an increase row
as follows: K7, m1, k to last 5 sts, m1, k to end; 54 (60, 66) sts.
Keeping the garter st border at front edge, continue in stockinette, increasing
as above on every 10th row, until you have 60 (66, 72) sts.
Work eight rows without shaping.
Change to smaller needles and work 4 rows garter stitch. Cast off.
Crossover
front (right)
End of back neck:
Rejoin yarn to second set of 12 (13, 15) sts.
Row 1: K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 2: K5, k2tog, k5 (6, 8); 11 (12, 14)sts.
Row 3: K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 4: K to end.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 seven times more. Complete as for left front, reversing
shaping.
Crossover
shaping:
Row 1: K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 2: K1, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1.
Row 3: K2, kfb, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 31 (36, 40) sts, ending on a purl row.
Cast on 3 sts at the
beginning of the next row, for armhole shaping. K to end of row.
Next row: K2, kfb, k1, p to end.
Continue increasing at front edge every row but without the garter stitch
border at armhole edge, until you have 48 (54, 60) sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K7, m1,
k3, m1, k to last 8 sts, m1, k3, m1, k3; 52 (58, 64) sts.
Next row: K4, p to end.
Next row: K to end.
Next row: K4, p to end.
Repeat last two rows six times more.
Work an increase
row as follows: K7, m1, k to last 5 sts, m1, k to end; 54 (60, 66) sts.
Keeping the garter st border at front edge, continue in stockinette, increasing
as above on every 10th row, until you have 60 (66, 72) sts.
Work eight rows without shaping.
Change to smaller needles and work 4 rows garter stitch. Cast off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Block dress to measurements (this is quite important
so that the dress sits nicely.) I used the overnight ‘spritzing’
method which worked well with the silk content in my yarn. Using mattress
stitch, join side seams, leaving a small hole in the left side seam, below
armhole, and directly opposite end of the crossover shaping. Cut ribbon
in half and sew on each side of the dress where shaping ends. Work the
embroidery on the left front. I worked four pink lazy-daisies, and some
brown fern stitch, or work your own design. Thread the right-edge ribbon
through the hole on the left of the dress and tie at the back.
