What you need
Baby (or lightweight sport) yarn
Size #7 knitting needles, or size needles or yarn needed to obtain gauge for each size
Yarn needle
Ribbon
Buttons
Instructions
Gauge (in garter stitch):
Size Small only: 24 sts = 4″
Size Large only: 20 sts = 4″
Size Full-term only: 18sts = 4″
Skirt:
Note: Only count sts after pattern rows 1 and 6; cast on 132 very loosely.
Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: (right side): K1, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K9, K2tog, *slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K9, K2tog*; repeat between * * across to last st, K1.
Row 3: Purl across
Row 4: K1, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K7, K2tog, *slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K7, K2tog; repeat between * * across to last st, K1.
Row 5: Purl across
Row 6: K1, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, YO, (K1, YO) 5 times, K2tog, *slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, YO, (K1, YO) 5 times, K2tog*; repeat between * * across to last st, K1.
Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern until dress measures approximately 11? (12-13?) from beginning or until desired length, ending by working pattern in row 5.
Bodice:
Row 1: K2tog 12 times, cast on 15 sts very loosely (for armhole), K2tog 22 times, cast on 15 sts very loosely (for armhole), K2tog 12 times; 76 sts.
Row 2: Knit across
Row 3: K10, K2tog, K15, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K18, K2tog, K15, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K10: 72 sts.
Row 4: Knit across
Row 5: K2 , YO (buttonhole), K2tog, knit across
Row 6: Knit across
Row 7: K9, K2tog, K15, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K16, K2tog, K15, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K9: 68 sts.
Row 8-10: Knit across
Row 11: K8, K2tog, K15, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K14, K2tog, K15, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K8; 64 sts.
Row 12-14: Knit across
Row 15: K8, K2tog, K13, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K14, K2tog, K13, slip 1 as if to knit, K1, PSSO, K8: 60 sts.
Row 16: Knit across
Row 17: (K3, K2tog) across: 48 sts.
Row 18: (K6, K2tog) across: 42 sts.
Row 19: K2 , YO (buttonhole), K2tog, knit across
Rows 20-22: Knit across
Bind off all sts very loosely.
Sleeve (make two):
Cast on 28 sts very loosely
Repeat rows 1-6 of skirt 5 times or until sleeve is desired length.
Work pattern row 1 once more.
Bind off all sts very loosely.
Sew sleeve seams.
Sew bound off edges to armhole.
Leave center-back seam open for ease of dressing.
Add decorative buttons, ribbon roses, or bows to front as desired.
This project was contributed by CareWear.org and was created by Terry Kimbrough for more volunteer craft patterns visit the Care Wear website.
Really good pattern, though I’d suggest *not* stitching up the sleeve seams for a premmie baby – the nurses finf it much easier with the seams left open for the babes with such thin skin. Thanks