Tunic Dress

Here is another a quick to knit project. I made this little dress in 2 days. Just took me a long time to come back here and post the complete pattern. Instructions are for the 1-2 year old. Sizes for 3-4 and 4-5 are given in brackets. Also remember that kids come in different shape and sizes, whatever fits one 2 year old might fit 3-4 old as well. Take measurements, check your gauge and have fun knitting.

Note: Size 1-2 is shown in red/orange. Size 4-5 is shown in white/green

Materials:Size 1-21 ball of port color Tebe Extrafine Merinos
2 balls of crabapple color Tebe Extrafine Merinos
2 ball of Biberon
Sizes 3-4 and 4-5
3 balls of Chartreuse color Tebe Extrafine Merinos
3 balls of Winter white color Tebe Extrafine Merinos
(All yarn is from Filati company)
4 mm needles
Tapestry needle
Note: You can use any dk weight yarn for this project.




















Method:

Front and Back (2 identical pieces)
Cast on 70 sts (76, 85) using Contrast color
Knit in garter stitch for 1.5-2 " (15 rounds)
Switch to main color and knit in stockinette stitch for 2.5 " (piece measures 4" from cast on edge)
Start decreases.

skp = slip one knit wise, knit one, pass the slipped stitch over.
k2tog = knit 2 together

RS: knit1, skp, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, knit1
Knit 7 rows in stockinette stitch
RS: knit1, skp, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, knit1
etc....till u have 54 sts.
For sizes 3-4 and 4-5 decrease one stitch at each edge every 10th row till you have (60, 65) sts.
Continue in stockinette stitch till the piece measures ~13.5"(15.5, 18)
Switch to contrast color, and knit in garter stitch for 1.5" (piece measures 15"(16.5, 20) from cast on edge).
Bind off.


Sleeves:
Work the sleeves flat.
Using contrast color, cast on 45 (55, 55) sts and knit in garter stitch for ~1.5 " (15 rows).
Switch to main color and continue knitting in stockinette stitch.
Increase one stitch at each edge every 8th row till you have 55 sts (61, 65)
Continue in stockinette stitch till the piece measures 11'' (12, 13).
Switch to the main color and knit in garter stitch for ~1.5'' (15 rows)
Bind off.

Putting together:

Weave in any yarn tails.
Sew the sleeves to the body of the tunic.
Sew the sleeves and sides.
Then sew the sleeve parts at the back together for about 1.5'' (2). this is optional as to make the difference between front opening and back, also makes the back of the dress less open.

Front insert (optional)

If you don't want the front to be too open, pick up 8 stitches from the bodice and knit in 1x1 rib for 3 rows, then increase 1 sts on each side every other row. Continue in such manner till the insert is about 2.5"( 3.5, 4). Sew the insert sides to the sleeve parts.