Blossom Top/Dress

Click here to download as a .pdf document

Blossom Top/Dress 

Suggested Yarns

Sweet Merino DK by Colour Adventures (100% merino; 229 m/250 yds in 115 g/4.06 oz)

Dia Merino DK by Colour Adventures (100% merino; 211 m/231 yds in 100 g/3.53 oz)

Cloud DK by Colour Adventures (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 211 m/231yds in 100 g/3.53 oz)

Gauge: 22 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm/4 x 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Notions:

Age	To fit chest size		Color A Bodice		Color B Skirt		Single Color Total
	cm	inches	m	yds	m	yds	m	yds
9-12 months	44.5	17.5	112	123	225	246	337	369
1-2T	47	18.5	225	246	337	369	562	615
2-3T	50.5	20	225	246	450	492	675	738
3-4T	54.5	21.5	225	246	562	615	787	861

4 mm/US #6 circular needles: 40, 60, 80 cm/16, 24, 32 inches, (30 cm/12 inches – optional)

4 mm/US #6 dpns (optional)

8 (9, 10, 10) stitch markers

Abbreviations

st(s) = stitch(es);

rnd = round;

yo = yarn over the needle, on the rnd after this the yo will be knitted so forming an eyelet;

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together, thereby decreasing by one stitch;

p2tog = purl 2 stitches together, thereby decreasing by one stitch;

ssk = slip 1 st, knit 1 st, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted st, thereby decreasing by one stitch;

pm = place marker;

slipm = slip marker from the left to the right needle;

kfb = knit into the front and back of the stitch, thereby increasing by one stitch;

rnd/s = round/s;

p = purl;

k = knit.

Pattern Instructions

The dress is worked seamlessly from the top down - follow the instructions for your size.

Bodice

Using color B, cast on 68 (72, 80, 84) sts.

Join for knitting in the rnd, pm for the beginning of the rnd.

Work in *k2 x p2* rib for 6 rounds or about 2.5 cm/1 inch.

Next rnd: place markers as follows: knit 23 (24, 26, 27), pm, knit 11 (12, 14, 15), pm, knit 23 (24, 26, 27), pm, k 11 (12, 14, 15).

Using color A: knit for 2 rnds.

Next you will start raglan increases:

Rnd 1: kfb into the stitch before and after every marker. This is the increase rnd, and you will have increased by 8 stitches.

Rnd 2: knit.

Repeat Rnd 1 and 2 till you have the number of stitches between markers shown in the table:

Size 9-12 months only:

Next rnd: k46, kfb, put next 35 sts on hold, k46, kfb, put next 35 sts on hold, join in the rnd.

You should have 48 sts each for the front and back on your needles and 35 sts for each sleeve on hold.

Size 1-2T only:

Next rnd k50, put next 38 sts on hold, k50 sts, put next 38 sts on hold, join in the rnd.

You should have 50 sts each for the front and back on your needles, and 38 sts for each sleeve on hold.

Size 2-3T only:

Next rnd: k53, kfb, put next 42 sts on hold, k53, kfb, put next 42 sts on hold.

You should have 55 sts each for the front and back on your needles and 42 sts for each sleeve on hold.

Size 3-4T only: 

Next rnd: k55, kfb, cast on 2 sts, put next 44 sts on hold, kfb, k54, kfb, put next 44 sts on hold, cast on 2 sts. Join in the rnd.  

Next rnd: kfb, knit to the end of the rnd. You should have now 60 sts each for the front and back and 44 sts for each sleeve on hold.

All sizes:  Remove all markers except the beginning of rnd marker.

	front	sleeve	back	sleeve
9-12 m	47	35	47	35
1-2T	50	38	50	38
2-3T	54	42	54	42
3-4T	56	44	56	44

Continue knitting in the rnd for about 5 (6¹/_2, 7¹/_2, 9) cm/2 (2¹/₂, 3, 3¹/₂) inches.

Switch to color B and knit for 2 rnds.

Skirt

Next you will be making the eyelets for the I-cord belt and working the skirt increases.

NB: The skirt increases are worked every 4^th rnd.  If you want a more flared, twirlier skirt then work the increases on every 3^rd rnd.

Size 9-12 months only: k3, yo, (k6, yo) x 15 times, k 3. (112 sts).

Knit 2 rnds.

Increase rnd: *k14, yo, pm* repeat to the end of the rnd. (120 sts).

Knit 3 rnds.

Increase rnd: *k15, yo, slipm* repeat to the end of rnd. (128 sts).

Continue increasing this way till the skirt is the desired length.

Size 1-2T only: k4, yo, (k6, yo) x 7 times, k8, yo, (k6, yo) x 7 times, k4. (116 sts).

Knit 2 rnds.

Increase rnd: k12, yo, pm, *k13, yo, pm* repeat to end of rnd. (125 sts).

Knit for 3 rnds.

Increase rnd: k 13 sts, yo, *k 14 sts, yo, slipm* repeat to end of  rnd. 9 sts increased.

Continue increasing this way till the skirt is the desired length.

Sizes 2-3T & 3-4T only: This is the first increase rnd and can also be used for the I-cord belt.  *k/ (/, 11, 12), yo, pm* repeat to end of rnd.

Knit 3 rnds.

Increase rnd: *k/ (/, 12, 13) sts, yo, slipm* repeat to end of rnd. 10 sts increased.

Knit 3 rnds.

Increase rnd: *k/ (/, 13, 14) sts, yo, slipm*repeat to the end of rnd. 10 sts increased.

Continue increasing this way till the skirt is the desired length.

Hemline

NB: If you want the hem to be in color A then knit one rnd with it now.

Choose one of the hem options below.

Picot Hem

Next rnd: *k2tog, yo* repeat to end of rnd.

Knit for 4 rnds.

Bind off.

Fold hem at yarn-overs and sew the edge to the inside of the skirt.

Ruffle Hem

Rnd 1: kfb into every stitch.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Bind off.

Sleeves

Note: the marker you place is for the beginning of the round.

Size 9-12 months:  Transfer the 35 sts from hold onto your preferred needles.  Using color A pick up and knit 1st from the underarm, pm, pick up and knit 2 sts from the underarm, join in the rnd and knit to the end of the rnd.

Knit for 11 rnds.

Switch to color B and knit 1 rnd.

Next rnd: k2tog, k1, *p2, k2* repeat to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1.

Work in *k2 x p2* rib for 6 more rnds.

Bind off. Weave in any loose ends.  Block.

Size 1-2T: Transfer the 38 sts from hold onto your preferred needles.  Using color A pick up and knit 1 st from the underarm, pm, pick up and knit 1 st from the underarm, join in the rnd and knit to end of rnd.  

Knit for 6 rnds.

Next rnd: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk.

Knit for 7 more rnds.

Switch to color B and knit 1 rnd.

Next rnd: k2tog, k1, *p2, k 2*repeat to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1.

Work in *k2 x p2* rib for 6 more rnds.

Bind off. Weave in any loose ends.  Block.

Size 2-3T & 3-4T: Transfer the (42, 44) sts from hold onto your preferred needles.  Using color A, pick up and knit (2, 3) sts from the underarm, pm, pick up and knit (2, 3) sts from the underarm, join in the rnd and knit to the end of the rnd.

Knit for 5 rnds.

Next rnd: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk.

Size 2-3T & 3-4T (continued)

Knit for 6 more rnds.

Next rnd: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk.

Knit for 8 more rnds.

Switch to color B and knit 1 rnd.

Next rnd: k2tog, k1, *p2, k2* repeat to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1.

Work in *k2 x p2* rib for 6 more rnds.

Bind off.

Weave in any loose ends.  Block.

I-cord (optional)

Cast on 3 stitches.

Knit, do not turn over. [Pass the knitted stitches back to the left needle, knit].

Repeat till the I-cord measures the length you desire.

Thread the I-cord through the eyelets made for the belt in the waist area.

  

References:

Magic Loop Knitting:

www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2009/09/16/the-magical-magic-loop.aspx

How to Knit an I-Cord:

www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/knitting/i-cord

Copyright

Please respect my designer rights, and as such the copyright of this pattern will always remain with me. I am providing this pattern for personal home use only. You may make garments from it as gifts or donate to charities and fundraisers. Commercial use of this pattern is a violation of the copyright.  Selling products made from this pattern or distributing this pattern in any manner is prohibited under the copyright unless I, Elena Nodel, have granted express written permission.

Acknowledgments

©©© Heartfelt thanks and my deepest gratitude go to my wonderful group of testers who constantly encourage me to publish new designs.  Special thanks go to Janet for helping me with the presentation and editing of this pattern. ©©©

Click here to see more free patterns.

Click here to see more designs and ebooks for purchase.