Knitting Patterns

Eli Baby dress

Eli Baby Dress

I’m so excited, and I’m so glad that this dress’s come out just as I wanted it to! I saw the pattern for Clara dress, and I loved it. But I didn’t want to order the yarn with it. On top of that, the yarn I planned on using was a very different weight. So I set out to make my own.

It’s knitted in the round, top-down.  I also plan to make a warm cardi based on the same principle.

I’ve defined size as 12 months, since my girl now (6.5 months) wears store-bought clothes in size 9-1 months, and the dress fits her loosely, and will hopefully last a couple of months still – until the end of summer if I’m lucky.

There were were quite a few mistakes, which are corrected now.

PATTERN IN PDF – download 

Italian translation – thanks a lot, Barbara.

MATERIALS

  • Eden by Grignasco (100% bamboo, 100m/50g) – 3 skeins (I used mine to the last cm, so get an extra skein if in doubt)
  • 4,5 mm (US7)  circular needle (60 cm / 24 in long), 4,5 mm/G hook (optional), 1 stitch marker.

SIZES

12 months

Finished measurements: chest circumference – 56cm (22in), length – 40cm (16in).

GAUGE

18sts x 25 rows=10 cm/ 4 in


38 Comments

Add Yours
  1. 1
    Helena Nagle
    Reply

    The directions are very confusing. I wasn’t able to follow them. Perhaps it’s the attempt to make things simpe. Take the 3rd row: Does one repeat the direction in the parentheses all the way across or what? Then the 4th row: Continue in established pattern. Not specific enough to follow at all. I am an experienced knitter, but couldn’t figure this pattern out at all.

    • 2
      silkandwool
      Reply

      Dear Helena,

      I’m very sorry you’re having problems with this free pattern. I wonder if maybe have an older version?

      The latest version of the pdf (released on June 10th 2012), always has an indication after brackets as to how many times to repeat the stitch combination. E.g. Row 3: SS, k1, p1, k1, (p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2)x7times, p1, k1, p1, k1, ss – 65 sts.

      The abbreviation section explains how to knit in established pattern: “work to keep the established alignment of knit and purl stitches. This means that you knit the stitch that looks like a knit stitch, and purl the purls. When knitting forth and back, on the wrong side row you basically do the opposite to what you’ve done to that stitch in the right side row (also, purl the yarn overs and m1s, and knit the m1ps). When knitting in round, you do the same stitch as you did the round before (knitting the yo’s and m1s, and purling the m1ps). Please refer to the chart for more clarity.”

      If you would like to give the pattern another try and have more questions, you can contact me on silkandwool.eu (at) gmail.com.

  2. 3
    Sarah
    Reply

    This is exactly what i wanted but i need to be able to knit this for a brand new baby. Do you know if there is a pattern for a newborn some where

      • 5
        Sarah
        Reply

        I just don’t think that would shrink it down from a one year old size to a newborn though. Perhaps I’ll try my hands at an adaptation. Yikes!

        • 6
          silkandwool
          Reply

          You could also try that! It will depend a lot on your gauge. But please bear in mind that you probably want to make a 3mo size – newborns can be very different in size, and it would be better to make a dress that’s a bit too large than to small. Newborns grow really fast. With both my kids, I have some gifted and bought clothes in sizes of upto 6 months, that were worn once or never. If you look at this measurement guide http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/babysize.html , it shows that the difference between 3mo and 12 mo sizes are not too large.

          The reason why I decided not to try grading the pattern for several sizes is because of the yoke. If you have the same gauge as mine, and take out one (or better two leaves to keep the symmetry), that will make the dress narrower, but the yoke length will stay the same, and it will be way too long. You could try to keep the same number of leaves, but make them smaller though. If you go that way and it works, I would be very happy if you let me know :)

      • 7
        Sarah
        Reply

        My intent is for the dress to be a coming home from the hospital and possibly first photos outfit so i do need it to be small. I thought about talking out a leaf or even two. I’m petty new to knitting so this wool be a challenge. O just hope it comes out right thanks for responding

  4. 10
    Maria
    Reply

    hello,
    its a reaaly good design. and i understood the directions also after some thorough reading. now i am stuck at cf1. what is it? i have searched on net but didnt got a clue. how wil it be done. do we need any extra neede for that and after taking both stitch off the left needle where will they go?…… on the right needle or i’lll have to drop them off. these are some confusing things i cant understand.

  5. 13
    Marilyn
    Reply

    I have a question on Round 23, where my pattern (which I got from Ravelry) says, skp2tog. I don’t see this in the list of abbreviations on p.1. Does it mean sk2p?

  6. 15
    tracer
    Reply

    is there another name for the di double increase? I’ve tried to find videos of this increase, but everything I’ve found doesn’t sound like your description …. can you help??

    • 16
      silkandwool
      Reply

      I’m not sure if there is another name for this stitch. I tried looking a bit, and could not find anything. It’s basically a kfb (knit front and back), with a yarn over in between.

  7. 17
    Tammy
    Reply

    Question from a new knitter: Row 5 total stitches are 79…..Row 6 total only comes to 78. The established pattern repeat equals 70 stitches. Is there one stitch instruction missing from row 6 to equal 79 stitches? Also, row 11 has a skp….for row 12 when knitting in established pattern do you just do another skp at that stitch from row 11?

    • 18
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Tammy! Row 6 should be the same number of stitches as row 5 – there are no increases or decreases. The same goes for row 12. You simply knit the “v”s and purl the bumps (stitches that were purl and knit stitches in the previous row). I hope that helps. If you are still stuck, try googling “knit in establised pattern” to see if you can find an explanation that will click for you.

  8. 19
    Tammy
    Reply

    Thanks for replying so quickly. I realize that rows 5 and 6 are supposed to have the same amount of stitches. My row 5 does have 79, but when I do row 6 by the pattern, I have one stitch left over. I have counted and re-counted the written row 6 and for some reason I come up with 78 every time. Regarding row 11: I know that I’m supposed to do the opposite for row 12, but what is the oppisite of skp? I’m sorry if this is confusing, I’m learning….I’m used to crocheting…lol

  9. 20
    Tammy
    Reply

    Maybe I have downloaded a early version. This is whatI have:
    Row5: SS, K1, p1, k1, (p1,k3, yo, k1,yo, k3) x7 times, p1,k1,p1, k1, ss 79 sts

    Row 6: ss, k1, p1, k1, then knit in established pattern until last four sts, k1, p1, k1, ss

    The repeat portion in row 5 is 70 sts, so if I add the indivdual sts listedin row 6 plus the 70 st repeat pattern the total is 78. It looks like that a p1 may be missing prior to the last ss ?

    I also understand your instructions regading to knit in established pattern. I’m using the written pattern and not the chart as I haven’t learned how to do that as of yet. The instructions clearly advise how to work the knits, purls, yo, m1, and m1ps but does’t say how to work the skp part of the previous row. (example: skp is included in the established pattern in row 11 but I don’t know what to work it as within the established pattern on row 12. I sincerely hope this makes more since because I’m immeasureably grateful to you for even sharing the pattern for free. I’m also very competative with myself and don’t lke to give up…lol

    • 21
      leilalieva
      Reply

      I’m very glad you don’t give up and I am sure we will figure this out together!
      For row 12, purl corresponds to skp (and it would also correspond to k2tog). You don’t need to decrease again in “follow established pattern). Skp is a knit stitch , so if you are working back and forth just purl it, and if working in the round – just knit it.

      As for row 6, if you count the stiches before and after brackets it is 9 stitches altogether, but instructions for row six mention only 4 sts before “knit in etablished patterns” section and 4 after. so in row 6 you do 4 stitches as instructed “knit in etablished patterns” ALL stitches but the last 4 (71 of them), and then 4 stitches as instructed.

      I do know from many comments that this pattern is confusing to many knitters, not only beginners, as this is not the usual style of presentation in English speaking countries. So I really want to re-write it, but don’t have time – too many new ideas, lol))

      Once again, thank you for sticking with the dress – and let me know if you still have problem with these rows, I will write them out for you.

      • 22
        Tammy
        Reply

        I think I’ m understanding. I will start all over and try it the way u explained above….For example the repeat pattern for row six shpuld be: p3,p1,p1, p1,p3,k1 until i have 4 sts left (which my last repeat stitch is the k1) then make to last 4 sts as written on row 6…..Also when working back and forth the k2to and skps are purls and in the round they will be knits….How am I doing?

  10. 23
    Tammy
    Reply

    Here I go again and I’m thankdul for your patience. I have started all over again and still have the same issue. Let me write out what I did.

    ROW 3: AS WRITTEN and have 65 stitches

    Row 4: ss, k1, p1, k1 (k1, p7) 7 times, k1, p1, k 1, ss …..which only comes to 64

  11. 24
    Tammy
    Reply

    I thi k I may understand……again……when I repeat established pattern…once i reach near the end I will have five stitches left and Im supposed to work to the last four as in row 6…..soooo do i repeat the first stitch of the repeat which isa knit or do I repeat the last stitch of the repeat which is a purl? Once I figure out which stitch I repeat for 71 then I will have 79…….Im getting excited now!!!!!!

    • 25
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Tammy, I am very glad you are sticking to the pattern. When figuring out the stitches, please bear in mind that when working flat, on the wrong side row you need to reverse the order of stitches as you are going backwards, so you start from the last stitch of previous row, working your way towards the first one.

      For example, row 4 is: ss, k1, p1, k1 then k1 (5th st from the end of row 3), then [p7, k1] x7, then k1, p1, k 1, ss. Does this make sense?

      Do you know how to identify visually knit and purl stitches? The whole point of “knit in established pattern” instructions is so that you don’t need to follow the written pattern for that row, but just align knit stitches on top of knit stitches, and purls over purls. So that you create columns of stitches that look the same . This pattern is basically -or the right sight – is leaves made of knit stitches separated by columns of sing purl stitches… I hope this helps a little bit.

  13. 27
    squinter96
    Reply

    By George I think I got it. I’m gonna list rows 8 and 10 and let me know if I figured them out right please.
    ROW 7: IS 93 stitches
    ROW 8: ss, k1, p1, k1, (p11, k1) 7 times, p1, k1,p1,k1,ss (which equals 93)
    ROW 9: Is 107 stitches
    ROW 10: ss, k1, p1, k1, p1(p13, k1), k1, p1, k1, ss (which equals 107 stitches)

    If this is correct then I don’t know how I figured it out. For the past few days I have been reading your replies over and over and this is the first time that the numbers have equalled out. Now, all I need is your seal of approval for my sanity.

  14. 28
    Tammy
    Reply

    THANK YOU soooo very much for your patience and time helping me to make your beautiful creation for my granddaughter. I had written out my interpretation of the pattern since I’m new at knitting and don’t know how to read a chart yet. I took it to my knitting class today for my instructor to double check me…..thank goodness she understood your instructions, fixed my work, and placed stitch markers where each repeat occurs. I’m back to being EXCITED about this creation of love.

    • 29
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Tammy, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you on your last message – with two small children, a full-time job and a household, some days are crazier than others :) I’m glad you’ve found help in your knitting class and hope that you’ll enjoy making the dress. Let me know if you have any more questions. Leyla

  16. 31
    Donna Schulz
    Reply

    I would very much love to make this dress for my 21 month old granddaughter only I don’t know enough yet to make it larger in size. Although Ellie is very petite, I know she would need larger than 12 months. Is there any assistance that can be provided to help me make this larger for her without going to a larger fiber which I do not like to use … Any assitance that can be provided would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you for your time and asisstance. I love your designs and do hope that I am able to create this one.

    Many blessings this holiday season.

    • 32
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi Donna, I am very sorry, I can’t really help you as I do not have much free time. This is why I share this pattern free of charge as well. I am terribly sorry about this.
      Kind regards,
      Leyla

    • 35
      leilalieva
      Reply

      Hi, for these rounds you keep repeating the two stitches in the brackets until you get to the last stitch. That is s the stitch after the brackets. I hope this makes sense?

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