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Summer is here! We are spending our days hanging out at the pool, lounging in the shade and enjoying popsicles. Being a teacher, of course I love summer. This is my time to recharge and refresh after a challenging school year. I get to spend time with the kiddos and work on projects without as much distraction. Ahhh, summer!!
A couple of years ago I designed this sundress for I Like Knitting magazine and I have really loved it. So much so that I am saving it for a granddaughter one day! (Hopefully!) For those of you who don’t really know me I have four boys under the age of nine so I have no models for girly things. I still love to design girl things, though, so I do that through this blog and my published work. Baby dresses are just too adorable NOT to make!! 😀
If you would like to see pictures of this dress on a sweet little model, you can check them out here.
Sweet Baby Sundress
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Bernat Satin (100% Acrylic; 200 yards [182 meters]/100 grams): #04232 Sage (MC), 1 ball); #04007 Silk (CC1), 1 ball; #04531 Rouge (CC2), 1 ball.
Needles: US size 9 (5.5 mm): straight
Notions: Tapestry needle
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Chest Size 16½ (17, 18, 19, 20)” for infant size 3 (6, 12, 18, 24) months
Length 11 (11¾, 12½, 15, 17)”
Shown in size 12m
Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st
Pattern
Back
CO 42 (46, 48, 52, 54) sts.
Border
With CC2, work in Garter stitch for 6 (6, 8, 8, 10) rows.
Body
Change to MC and St st.
Dec 1 st each side every 8th row 3 times – 36 (40, 42, 46, 48) sts.
Work 0 (0, 2, 8, 10) rows even.
12 and 18-month sizes only
Dec 1 st each side – (-, -, 40, 44, -) sts.
Ribbing
Row 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *P2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Rows 3-6: Repeat Rows 1-2.
Top
Change to CC1.
Work in St st for 10 (12, 12, 14, 18) rows.
BO 6 sts at beg of next 2 rows – 24 (28, 28, 32, 36) sts.
Dec 1 st each side – 22 (26, 26, 30, 34) sts.
Work even in St st for 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) rows.
Dec 1 st each side – 20 (24, 24, 28, 32) sts.
Work even in St st for 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) rows.
Work in Garter st for 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) rows.
Front
Work same as Back.
Finishing
Block pieces.
Sew Front to Back at side seams.
Straps
With RS facing and CC2, join yarn at back neck edge. Pick up and knit 13 (15, 15, 17, 19) sts along back armhole, 13 (15, 15, 17, 19) sts along front armhole, CO 14 (16, 18, 22, 28) sts for Strap – 40 (46, 48, 56, 66) sts.
Work in Garter st for 4 (4, 4, 6, 6) rows.
Repeat for opposite side.
Stitch Straps in place.
Weave in ends.
That’s it! I hope you have enjoyed this free knitting pattern. See our collection of baby dress knitting patterns, too!
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
