KT’s Red Sweater

KT is my 18-inch Madame Alexander doll but this outfit should fit any 18-inch doll. However, the doll’s head  (plus hair in pony tail) has a wider circumference and she’s a mite taller and heavier, so I’ve had to make modifications and in the end, the pattern is so much different than when I started. It’s trial and error (a lot of errors) as I don’t do the math prior to knitting. But with a little TLC and some tweaking, I’ve managed to make them fit.

Written by: Susan Gerdes 10/22/14
Machine: Brother Standard 4.5mm

Gauge: 7 stitches=1”    11 rows=1”
Tension:  T6
Yarn: Left over 3-ply—brandname disappeared a while back. I had just enough to complete the sweater but not the neck.



BODY. COR. Double E-wrap cast on 50 st (L25-0-R25), then knit 2 rows (K2R).
Pull to Hold position needles L19, L10, L1, R9 and R18; set carriage to Hold. K6R (TIP: Before knitting each row, pull forward needles on each side of those on hold so that the stitch is just resting on the latch to ensure stitch does not drop).
Take off hold, K9R (RC016).
Move stitches on L15, L10, R10 and R15 to neighboring needles and leave out of work. K3R.
*
Work cables:
Using 2-prong tool, transfer L14 and L13 to one tool, L12 and L11 to the other tool.
Cross and transfer stitches from tool in right hand onto L14 and L13 and tool in left hand onto L12 and L13. Repeat for stitches on R11 and R12, and again on R13 and R14, but this time transfer left over right.
K6R.*

Repeat ** 3 more times ending with K3R the 3^rd time (RC042). Bring all needles to work position transferring a purl stitch from a neighboring needle to avoid a hole.
Bind off 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Decrease 1 stitch each side every other row until 26 stitches remain (RC062).
Take off on garter bar or waste yarn (make 2).

SLEEVES. COR. Double E-wrap cast on 44 st (L22-0-R22), then knit 2 rows (K2R).
Pull to Hold position the 5^th needle from left edge and every 6^th needle thereafter; set carriage to Hold. K6R (TIP: Again, before knitting each row, pull forward needles on each side of those on hold to ensure stitches don’t drop).
Take off hold, knit to RC016.
Move stitches from L3 and R3 to neighboring needles and leave out of work. K6R.

*Work cables:
Using 2-prong tool, transfer L2 and L3 to one tool, R2 and R3 to the other tool.
Cross and transfer stitches from right tool onto L2 and L3 and right tool onto R2 and R3.  K6R.*

Repeat ** 3 more times (RC041). Bring all needles to work position transferring a purl stitch from a neighboring needle to avoid a hole and knit to RC040.

Bind off 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Decrease 1 stitch each side every other row until 14 stitches remain.
Take off on garter bar or waste yarn (make 2).

STEAM both bodies and sleeves taking care to pull scalloped hems.

FINISHING:
Tension 8.
Thread machine. I used a different speckled yarn as I ran out of red--actually made it look better.
Partially pull 88 needles and with wrong side facing, rehang live stitches of body-sleeve-body-sleeve.

*Leaving live stitches in front of the latches, pull out all needles
Crochet cast on behind the stitches hanging last crochet on last needle behind work.
Thread carriage and K1R. Take of yarn.
Set machine to partial knit and do a free pass to the right.*

Repeat * * 3 more time times, but on last crochet row, change tension to T10 then K1R.
Do a crochet bind off (see below).

SEAM BODY and SLEEVES

For the finishing touch, I threaded my main yarn color on the neck edge and pulled tight to close the neckline.

CROCHET BIND OFF

Slightly pull out the needles leaving stitches on the hooks.
Using a latch tool, insert into first stitch to bind off.
Pick up yarn and pull through but leave stitch on the needle.
Insert latch tool into 2^nd stitch and pull stitch thru (this will be tight).
Pick up yarn and pull through only as tight as needle space allows again leaving stitch on the needle.
Repeat until all live stitches have been crocheted through.

KT’s Summer Dress

Pattern by: Susan Gerdes 10/16/14

KT is my 18-inch Madame Alexander doll but this outfit should fit all 18-inch dolls. I started this pattern to try and figure out the shaping and techniques inspired by a style that was a hand knitted top so that I could convert it to a similar machine-knit top for myself. And I am glad to say that it was a successful venture.

Machine: Brother Standard 4.5mm

Gauge: 7.5 stitches=1”  11 rows=1”

Tension:  T6 (or as required for your gauge; yes, a swatch is needed!) Schematics are included so you can measure your doll and come up with your own.

Yarn used: Mary Lou Harmony 3-ply purple, a 2/24 blue and Mary Lou Solo for the trims (sorry to say I was playing around and unknowingly used different yarn weights; I was trying to match the colors!)

RIGHT PART. COR. E-wrap cast on 56 st, knit 1 row (K1R). COL.

Pull all but 3 center needles in hold position; set carriage to Hold. K1R.

*Place needle on carriage side back to Knit (this will also auto-wrap) and K1R.* (Use finger weight or hang a weight and keep moving it up or your last stitch will pop off.) Repeat * until all stitches are off hold and knitting. Reset carriage to Normal.

Set RC000. Decrease 1 stitch both sides every 8 rows 2 times.
Then -1 every 6R until there are 46 stitches left. COL.
Place 22 stitches left of needle L1 on scrap. (Advanced: hand knit on ravel cord placing each needle out of work and let hang on left side)

FRONT ARM HOLE. On left edge, bind off 2 stitches, K2R

Decrease 1 stitch every other row 4 times (or -1, EOR, 4x). K1R. COR.
ADD FRONT NECK SHAPE. On right edge, bind off 2 stitches, K2R, 2 times.
Then -1, EOR, until 5 stitches left. Scrap off.

BACK ARM HOLE. On right edge, rehang stitches from waste yarn or ravel cord back onto needles.

On right edge, bind off 2 stitches, K2R.
-1, EOR, 4x. K17R. COR.
ADD BACK NECK SHAPE. On left edge, bind off 8 stitches, K4R.
Then -1, EOR, until 5 stitches left. Scrap off.

LEFT PART. Repeat above, revising the arm hole and neck instructions from left to right and vice versa.

Rehang front and back neck stitches with right side facing each other and join.

FINISHING:

JOIN LEFT and RIGHT PARTS
(I used the trim based on an idea from Machine Knitting Inspiration, Issue #76 published by Rocking Horse Farm to join the left and right parts of the outfit. )
 
Thread machine with desired yarn.

HANG LEFT PART. Take the back edge and with wrong side facing, using 3-prong tool from the top edge, rehang on 3 needles.

HANG RIGHT PART. Take the back edge and with wrong side facing, using 3-prong tool from the top edge, hang on 3 needles beside the left part.
E-wrap cast on same 6 needles. K6R.

*LEFT PART. Using 3-prong tool, take the next 3 stitches of left part and hang on same 3 needles of left part.
RIGHT PART. Using 3-prong tool, take the next 3 stitches of right part and hang on same 3 needles of right part.
K6R.*

Repeat between * * until the backs are fully joined together. Bind off after hanging the last 3 stitches of both sides.

EDGE TRIM

Use your desired edging. I used a simple pie crust.
Thread machine with desired yarn.
With wrong side facing, using 3-prong tool, take any 3 edge stitches and rehang on 3 needles.

E-wrap cast on same 3 needles. K6R.

*Using 3-prong tool, skip a stitch then take next 3 stitches and hang on same 3 needles. K6R.* Add a loop for the button as desired by knitting 12 or so rows instead to fit your button.
Repeat between * * until all edges have the trim. Bind off after hanging the last 3 stitches.

BLOCK and STEAM