This is one of the first patterns I ever made. It’s in one size only.
I’m going to grade it someday – I can’t promise when.
Needles : 2.5 mm (US 1½)¨- I knit fairly loosely so of you are a very tight knitter you might want to consider going up half a size or so.
Yarn : Three skeins of Mandarin Petit from Sandnes Garn or similar fingering weight cotton. (Actually you need just a little more than two skeins)
Size : Approximately 18 months – but the size is not difficult to change. Pattern is dividable by 10.
Pattern :
Row 1 : * YO, K3, sl1, k2tog, psso, K3, YO, P1 *
Row 2 : * K9, P1 *
Row 3 : * K1, YO, K2, sl1, k2tog, psso, K2, YO, K1, P1 *
Row 4 : * K9, P1 *
Row 5 : * K2, YO, K1, sl1, k2tog, psso, K1, YO, K2, P1 *
Row 6 : * K9, P1 *
Row 7 : * K3, YO, sl1, k2tog, psso, YO, K3, P1 *
Knitty´s list of abbreviations is here.
Method : Cast on 220 stitches. If you want a bigger dress you cast on more stitches. The dress is knit on the round up to the armholes.
Purl one round.
Knit pattern – or any other fitting lace pattern you like. I did the pattern two times over, but you can knit the pattern just once or you can do it three times or more.
After the pattern and some knit rounds (*P1, K9*) (how many depends one how many time you did the pattern), approximately 7 cm (2.8 inches) from the start it is time for the first decrease.* k3, k2togtbl, k4, P1*
Place the decrease on top of the highest point of each “pattern top” – that is also in the middle between the purl stitches. Click on the picture if you are in doubt – if you look at it large the decreases are fairly clear.
The rest of the skirt is knit in the same way. After 6 cm (2,4 in) the second decrease is placed, again in the middle between the purled stitches and done through the back loop. The third one is 5 cm (2in) after the second one, number four is 4cm (1,6in) after the third, the fifth is 1,5 cm (0.6in) after the fourth and the last one is 1cm (o.4 in) after the fifth.
If you want a longer or shorter skirt you just change the intervals between the decreases.
When the skirt is approximately 26 cm (10.2in) or the length you want, it is time for the rib *k1, p1*. Knit approximately 4cm (1.6 cm) rib.
Knit pattern once. You might have to pick up one stitch or so in each side to make it fit.
Knit 3 cm (1.2in) .
Note : the armholes are rather big in this dress. It is made for Icelandic summers where little girls have to wear substantial long sleeved t-shirts and leggings under dresses like this for warmth. So if you live in a lovely warm climate you might want to make a smaller armhole – by knitting a few more rounds before you start the armhole for example.
Cast off 3 st. in each side for armholes. Put front stitches on a stitchholder.
Back.
Knit approximately 5 cm , casting off the first and the last stitch every other row, three times in all.
Then you knit pattern once in each side, starting two stitches from edge.
Cast off the stitches between the patterns – they should be approximately 9.
Knit each shoulder separately. Knit one row, purl one row (knit one right, side purl on wrong side). Knit pattern once again (if you want to). Knit 1 cm (0.4in).
Knit the other shoulder the same way.
Note : The neck opening is rather wide in the dress – for the same reason as the arm opening. If you want a smaller opening you simply start it later – but then you should make some kind of opening on one of the shoulders to ensure easy dressing.
Front :
Decrease for armholes in the same way as in back. Start pattern 5 cm (2in) from top of waist pattern and at the same time cast off the stitches between the patterns. Knit pattern two times more on each shoulder with one knit, one purled rounds in between.
Graft shoulders together, hide all ends and crochet around arm and neck opening.
Thank you so much for this beautiful dress. Your time and hard work is very much appreciated.
I’ve completed this pattern in size 18 months, 4 yrs & 6 yrs! I was able to change the weight of the yarn and needle sizes to accommodate the differing sizes. I also took measurements of the little girls that I made the dresses for
It’s a wonderfully easy pattern to whip up once you go through and measure as you go
I LOVE this dress & only wish I was experienced enough to understand the directions. I’m going to file this pattern away & hope I can make sense of it one day soon.
Beautiful pattern I sure would like to try to knit it for one of my Great Grandaughters……………….
Thank you very much for the beautiful dress! I am currently making it for my 1 year old granddaughter. I am not too experienced, so can I please ask for help? I am almost ready to start the back. Do I place half the stitches on a holder knit the back and then go back to the holder and start on the front? Also, did you just use a single crochet to finish it off or a pattern? Thanks in advance for the help!
I’m sorry. This dress pattern is offered as is, and there are not other sizes available at this time.
This dress is gorgeous! Is there any possibility of getting some help to make this a size 8 for my granddaughter? I would truly appreciate any help at all.
Thank you in advance!
HI
THIS IS A VERY LOVELY DRESS. CAN YOU GIVE MORE INSTRUCTION FOR THE WAIST AND TOP. I’M NOT AN EXPERIENCE
KNITTER AND HAVING DIFFICULTY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS. PLEASE HELP THANKS
do you think this dress would knit up ok for a size 6 and 8? If so would you change pattern as I am rather stupid when it comes to changing patterns.
Love the dress. Thanks for making the pattern free. Will be making this for my grand-daughter. Hope to see more.
What a gorgeous dress! Unfortunately, my grand-daughters are too old but there is a life size doll in the family that I might consider making it for. If you ever need an extra test knitter, I would volunteer my services. Keep up the good work! Jackie from Largo, FL
I would LOVE this pattern, or at least some guidance, for a grownup!
I think your picture of the dress is really beautiful.Is there anyway I can get the measurements,I would like to make one for my daughter.I will keep looking for more of your designs.GREAT job.
Hi,I Love the dress in the picture.could I have the dimensions.I want to make it for my daughter.I hope to see more.Thank You Very Much for sharing your beautiful dress.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful dress. I think this is just the pattern my friend was looking for. I shared with her.
The Pink Dream Dress is breathtaking. I can’t wait until my engaged daughter is married with a baby girl to wear this beautiful dress. I signed up for your blog and feel like I have found a friend! Thank you Harpa!
Hello,
This is a very nice pattern. I’d like to knit this dress for my granddaughter.
May I please have the following dimensions:
Waste size
Length size
Bottom around width
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your generosity, this is the most beautiful knitted dress I have ever seen,
Thank you Bonnie
I LOVE this dress. I am going to make it for my niece. This will be my first whole body piece. My niece is not here but my sister does a lot of sewing. Hopefully, she can measure for me. I will finish the neck once they come down to Florida, USA this summer. Thanks for making the pattern free.
This is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for providing the pattern for free. I, too, will be knitting this for my granddaughter!
Love your patterns, hope to see more
There are some other patterns on this page, and there are some more coming. Stay tuned!
your pattern is beautiful. if you have any more could i please have some thanks again
Thank you!
There are some on this page (see the black tabs), and some more will appear there later,
Stay tuned
The Pink Dream is really a dream frock for any girl.
I simply fell in love with it & am going to make it for my sweet grand daughter.
Where are your oyher free patrons please.
I am from India.
Thankyou very much for giving such a lovely design.