Simply Sweet Knitted Toddler Dress

Disclaimer; I do not own this pattern . It was designed by Julia Howe and was written for the The Knit Kit book. It was originally named Simply Sweet. There are slight changes/substitutions to the original pattern, but only with the needles, yarn and some of the measurements as the yarn needed for this project (Pingouin Pingofine) has been discontinued. 

How-To Videos
Part 1 http://youtu.be/tW8CRx4a1iA
Part 2 http://youtu.be/njE96uTkK5g
Part 3 http://youtu.be/Q-561TNN75M


This beautiful, simply sweet toddler dress is perfect for any special occasion or even to wear as an everyday outfit. It should fit a child around the ages of 2 to 4.

Yarns used for this project were Marriner Double Knit with Wool 100g Rose Blush (Speckled Pink) and DEBBIE BLISS BABY CASHMERINO HAND KNITTING YARN - 50g White (100). These links are affiliated.

Materials

3 100g and 1 50g DK or Worsted weight Yarn (Referred as color A and B)

2.75 mm Needles

3.25 mm Needles
Cable Needle
Stitch Markers
Stitch Holders

3 Buttons

Tension

25sts and 31 rows to 10 cm st st worked on 3.25 mm needles

Abbreviations

SM5- (Smock 5) sl 5sts just worked on to cable needle, wind B from left to right around sts on cable needle twice, leave B on WS of work, sl sts from cable needle back on to RH needle.

Back

Using your 2.75 mm needles cast on 117sts using the double cast-on method.

Row 1 (RS) Knit to end

Row 2  Purl to end

Row 3 Knit to end

Row 4 Purl to end

Row 5 (Make eyelets) K1, yfwd, K2tog, Repeat to end

Row 6 Purl to end

Row 7  Knit to end

Row 8 Purl to end

Row 9 ( Make Hem) * with the point of  the RH needle, pick up first loop from the cast-on edge, sl on to the LH needle and Knit this loop together with the first stitch. Repeat from * to end.

Row 10 Purl to end

Change to 3.25 mm needles

Begin with a Knit row and continue in stockinette stitch until Back measures 35 cm ending with a knit row.

Shape Armholes

Cast off 4sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows (109)

Shape Yolk
P3, M1, P to the last 4 sts, P1, M1, P3 (111)

Begin Smock Pattern

Row 1 (RS) P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 2 K3, *P1, K3. Repeat form * to end of row
Row 3 P3, *K1, P3, K1, SM5, P3. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 4 K3, *P1, K3. Repeat form * to end of row
Row 5 P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 6 K3, *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from * to end of row

Repeat these 6 rows 3 times in total until the armhole measure approx. 6 cm, ending with the WS row.

Divide for opening

Continue in the smocking pattern for 53sts, turn and leave remaining stitches on a holder. Keep working the pattern on these 53sts. Cast off

Row 1 (RS)*P3, K1. Repeat form * to the last stitch , P1 (53)
Row 2  K1 *(P1, K3). Repeat from * to end of row
Row 3 (P3, K1, P3, K1, SM5) 6 times, P3, K1, P1
Row 4 K1 *(P1, K3). Repeat form * to end of row
Row 5 *P3, K1. Repeat form * to the last stitch , P1
Row 6 K1,*(P1, K3, P1, SM5), K3. Repeat from * to the last 2 stitches P1, K3.

Repeat these 6 rows 3 times in total

With the RS of the work facing rejoin the yarn to the remaining stitches on the holder. Cast off 5 sts for the center back neck, Continue the pattern to end of row.

Cast off 5 sts
Row 1 (RS)*K1, P3. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 2 *K3, P1. Repeat from * to last stitch K1
Row 3 P1, *K1, P3, K1, SM5, P3. Repeat from * to last 4 stitches, K1, P3
Row 4 *K3, P1. Repeat from * to last stitch K1
Row 5 P1 *K1, P3. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 6 K3, *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from * to last 2 stitches. P1, K1

When you start row 1 again you have to remember to P the first stitch

Complete the pattern so that you have repeated the pattern 3 times like the other side. Cast off. 

Front

Repeat the pattern for the back, leaving out the opening and you will complete the smocking for 20 rows, ending with WS row

Shape Neck

Continue in the smocking pattern for 48sts, turn and leave the remaining stitches on a holder.
Decrease 1st on the neck edge over the next 8 rows, then 1st on every following alternate row 2 times in total (38). Work one row without decreasing. Cast off

Row 1 P3, K1, P3, K1, SM5. Repeat 6 times in total (48) place rest of stitches on a holder. Turn
Row 2 P2tog, K2, P1, K3, *P1, K3. Repeat from to end of row. (47)
Row 3  P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to the last 4 stitches K1, P1, P2tog (46)
Row 4 K2tog, *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from * to end of row (45)
Row 5 P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to the last 6 stitches, K1, P3, K2tog (44)
Row 6 P2tog, K2, *P1, K3. Repeat form * to end of row (43)
Row 7 P3, *K1, P3, K1, SM5, P3. Repeat from * to the last 3 stitches, P1, P2tog (42)
Row 8 K2tog, *P1, K3. Repeat form * to end of row (41)
Row 9 P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to the last 6 stitches K1, P3, K2tog (40)
Row 10 P1, K3 *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from * to end of row (40)
Row 11 P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to the last 4 stitches, P2, P2tog (39)
Row 12 K3, *P1, K3. Repeat form * to end of row (39)
Row 13 P3, *K1, P3, K1, SM5, P3. Repeat from * to the last 3 stitches, P1, P2tog (38)
Row 14 K2, *P1, K3. Repeat form * to end of row
Row 15 P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from * to end of row
Row 16 K2, *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from * to end of row

Cast off



With the RS of the work facing, rejoin yarn to the remaining stitches on the holder. Cast off center 15sts loosely. Complete the smocking pattern to end.
Decrease 1st on the neck edge over the next 8 rows, then 1st on every following alternate row 2 times in total (38). Work one row without decreasing. Cast off.

Row 1 Re-attach yarn. Cast- off 15 sts loosely. P3, *K1, P3, K1 SM5, P3. Repeat from* to end of row (48)
Row 2 K3, P1. Repeat to last 2 sts K2tog. (47)
Row 3 P2tog, P1, *K1, P3. Repeat from* to end of row (46)
Row 4 K3, *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from* to last 2 sts, K2tog (45)
Row 5 K2tog, P3, *K1, P3. Repeat from* to end of row (44)
Row 6 K3, P1. Repeat to last 2 sts K2tog. (43)
Row 7 P2tog, P1, K1 P3, *K1, P3, K1, SM5, P3. Repeat from* to end of row. (42)
Row 8 K3, P1. Repeat to last 2 sts K2tog. (41)
Row 9 K2tog, *P3, K1. Repeat from* to end of row (40)
Row 10 K3,*P1, K3, P1, SM5, P3. Repeat from* to end of row (40)
Row 11 K2tog, P2, *K1, P3. Repeat from* to end of row (39)
Row 12 P3, K1. Repeat to end of row. (39)
Row 13 P2tog, P1, *K1, P3, K1, SM5, P3. Repeat from* to end of row (38)
Row 14 K3, P1. Repeat to end of row
Row 15 P2, *K1, P3. Repeat from* to end of row.
Row 16 K3, *P1, K3, P1, SM5, K3. Repeat from* to end of row

Cast off

Sleeves (Make 2)

Using your 2.75mm needles cast on 35sts with colour B.

Row 1 (RS) K1. *P1, K1. Repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 P1, *K1, P1. Repeat form * to end of row.

Repeat these 2 rows until the cuff measures 4cm (13 rows .approx), ending with the first row.

Next Row  Rib 4, (M1, Rib 7) 4 times, M1, Rib 3. (40)

Change to 3.25mm needles and colour A

Begin with a Knit row, Continue in stockinette stitch. Increase one stitch on each end of every 5th row (7 times in total). Then increase 1st at each end of every following 7th rows 4 times in total. (62)

Row 1 Knit
Row 2 Purl
Row 3 Knit
Row 4 Purl
Row 5 K1, M1 Knit to last 2 stitches, K1, M1, K1
Row 6 Purl
Row 7 Knit
Row 8 Purl
Row 9 Knit
Row 10 P1, M1, Purl to last 2 stitches, P1, M1, P1

Complete these 10 rows 4 times but on the 4th repeat, only work up to and complete row 5 (54)

Row 1 Purl
Row 2 Knit
Row 3 Purl
Row 4 Knit
Row 5 Purl
Row 6 Knit
Row 7 P1, M1 Purl to last 2 stitches, P1, M1, P1
Row 8 Knit
Row 9 Purl
Row 10 Knit
Row 11 Purl
Row 12 Knit
Row 13 Purl
Row 14 K1, M1 Knit to last 2 stitches, K1, M1, K1

Complete these 14 rows 2 times in total (62)

Continue in stockinette stitch without increasing until sleeves measure 30 cm (14 more rows approx.). Cast off

To Make Up

Block press every piece separately. Try to avoid the smocking and the ribbing.

Buttonhole Band

With RS of work facing, using smaller needles and yarn A, Knit up 23 sts along the right back opening.

Row 1 (RS) P1, *K1, P1. Repeat from* to end of row.
Row 2 (Buttonholes) K1, P1, (yrn, P2tog, rib 6) twice, yrn, P2tog, K1, P1, K1.

Work 2 more rows in rib. Cast off in rib.

Button Band

With the RS of work facing again and yarn A,  Knit up 23 sts on the left back opening.

Rows 1 and 3 (WS) P1, *K1, P1. Repeat from* to end of row.
Rows 2 and 4 K1, *P1, K1. Repeat from* to end of row.

Cast off in rib.

Join both shoulder seams

Collar (Make 2)

Using your 2.75mm needles and Yarn B Cast on 45 sts.

Row 1 (RS) K2, *P1, K1. Repeat from* to last st, K1
Row 2 P2, *K1, P1. Repeat from* to last st, P1

Repeat these 2 rows until work  measures 5cm. Cast off in rib.


Finishing touches

Sew on the collar, then the sleeves to the shoulders and finally the sides of the dress and the bottom seams of the sleeves. Sew on the buttons and weave in all your ends.