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