Free Knitting Pattern for a Little Girl's Dress

Instructions for Knitting a Quick and Simple Cotton Dress in Size 8

Sep 17, 2008

Hand Knit Cotton Dress in Pink Lilacs Cotton Yarn, Kristen O'Hara

Knit in the round with a double strand of yarn, this dress is a fast and easy knit. Multi-colored Peaches and Cream yarn gives it an instantly unique pattern.

This dress is such a simple knit. It can easily be completed by an experienced knitter in a week or two. It is also good for beginning knitters, since it is not too complicated and it is finished quickly.

The dress can be worn sleeveless in the summer, with a t-shirt underneath in the spring and fall, and with a sweater and tights in the winter.

Materials

5 US size 10 ½ double pointed needles
US size 10 ½ circular needles (approximately 24 inches long)
8 - 2 oz. rolls Peaches and Cream 100% cotton yarn (Shown in Pink Lemonade and Pink Lilacs)
Stitch markers, if desired.

Peaches and Cream cotton yarn is inexpensive, making this dress a cheap knitting project. Using a one-pound skein is even more economical. Simply roll two separate balls before beginning.

Gauge

3 stitches and 4 rows per inch

Finished Measurements

14 inches wide; 24 inches long (before adding straps)

Dress Knitting Pattern

Knit with two strands of yarn at once using double pointed needles. Cast on 70 stitches.
Knit 22 rounds in stockinette stitch. Switch to circular needles.
M1, k 35, m1, k to the end of the round.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k36, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k37, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k38, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds
M1, k39, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k40, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds,
M1, k 41, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k 42, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k 43, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k 44, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k 45, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k46, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds.
M1, k47, m1, k to end.
Knit 4 rounds. (96 stitches)
Purl one round.
Knit one round.
Purl one round.
Knit one round.
Purl one round.
Knit and bind off. Sew in loose ends.

Instructions for Knitting Dress Straps

Using 2 double pointed needles, cast on 4 stitches. Knit 35 rows. Bind off (approximately ¼ inches long and 1 ¼ inches wide). Position straps to fit child and sew in place.

Abbreviations and Explanations

When knitting in the round, stockinette stitch is creating by simply knitting all stitches.
M1 =Make one stitch. Place the left hand needle under the horizontal bar between the 2 stitches (from front to back). Use the right hand needle to pick up the back side of the new stitch and knit.
Alternative top: The original top is knit in straight knit stitch,which gives it a curl-down effect. To create a border to match the bottom of the dress, alternate between knit and purl rows for 6 rounds: knit, purl, knit, purl, knit, purl. Then, continue using the knit stitch for 16 more rows. Begin increase at step 3.

Interested in embellishing the dress? Knit a fancy scarf, purse and felted tiara to match.

The copyright of the article Free Knitting Pattern for a Little Girl's Dress in Knitting Patterns & Techniques is owned by Kristen O'Hara. Permission to republish Free Knitting Pattern for a Little Girl's Dress in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.