This is the perfect easy but adorable project for the little girl in your life. Knit out of cotton yarn she’ll stay cool and be able to wear this anywhere from a birthday party to the beach.
Skill Level: Beginner
Size: 3m (6m, 12m, 18m, 24m, 2, 3, 4) to fit chest of 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)”
Shown in size 3
Gauge: 21 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Sarasota Solids (60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic; 314 yards [287.5 meters]/100 grams): 234 Blue Turquoise (MC, 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls), 227 Coral Rose (CC, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) balls)
Needles: US size 4 (3.5 mm) 24” circular, US size 4 (3.5 mm) 24” DPNs
Notions: Tapestry needle, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6) 1” buttons, US Size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Pattern Notes
The dress begins flat at the top and worked down and joined in the round after the waist.
The buttons are secured with a crocheted single chain which is added during finishing, as are the i-cord straps.
Pattern
Top Edge
With MC, CO 84 (90, 94, 100, 106, 110, 114, 120) sts.
Knit 8 rows.
Bodice
Row 1 (WS): Using CC, knit.
Row 2 (RS): Using CC, k5, p until 5 sts rem, k5.
Row 3: Using MC, knit.
Row 4: Using MC, k5, p until 5 sts rem, k5.
Row 5: Using MC, knit.
Row 6: Using MC, k5, p until 5 sts rem, k5.
Work these 6 rows a total of 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) times.
Skirt Join Detailing
Row 1: Using CC, knit.
Row 2: Using CC, k5, p until 5 sts rem, k5.
Row 3: Using MC, knit.
Row 4: Using MC, k5, p until 5 sts rem, k5.
Row 5: Using MC, *k2, m1; rep from * until 2 sts rem, k2. (125 (134, 140, 149, 158, 164, 170, 179) sts)
Row 6: Using MC, k6, p until 6 sts rem, k6.
Row 7: Using CC, knit.
Row 8: Using CC, k6, p until 6 sts rem, k6.
Row 9: Using MC, knit.
Row 10: Using MC, k6, p until 6 sts rem, k6.
Row 11: Using MC, knit.
Do not turn work, instead join for working in the rnd.
Rnd 12: Using MC, p6, k until 6 sts rem, p6.
Rnd 13: Using CC, knit.
Rnd 14: Using CC, k6, p until 6 sts rem, k6.
Rnd 15: Using MC, knit.
Rnd 16: Using MC, k6, p until 6 sts rem, k6.
Rnd 17: Using MC, knit.
Rnd 18: Using MC, p6, k until 6 sts rem, p6.
Rnd 19: Using CC, knit.
Rnd 20: Using CC, p5, k until 5 sts rem, p5.
Rnd 21: Using MC, knit.
Rnd 22: Using MC, k4, k until 4 sts rem, k4.
Rnd 23: Using MC, knit.
Rnd 24: Using MC, p3, k until 3 sts rem, p3.
Rnd 25: Using CC, knit.
Rnd 26: Using CC, p2, k until 2 sts rem, p2.
Rnd 25: Using MC, knit.
Rnd 26: Using MC, p1, k until 1 st rem, p1.
Rnd 25: Using MC, knit.
Rnd 26: Using MC, knit.
Remainder of Skirt
Rnds 1-2: Using CC, knit.
Rnds 3-6: Using MC, knit.
Work these 6 rnds 2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 10, 11, 11) times total.
Work Rnds 1-2 once more.
Bottom Border
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: Purl.
Work these 2 rnds a total of 4 times.
BO all sts.
Straps (make 2)
The Straps are made of i-cord.
Using a DPNs and MC, CO 3 sts.
Knit the 3 sts, *do not turn your work but slide the sts to the other end of the needle that they’re on. Pulling the yarn tightly and knit the sts again; rep from * until Strap meas 4.5 (4.75, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8).
Finishing
Using MC and crochet hook, single crochet into the right side of the back opening.
Make Loop: Chain 10, then single crochet into the right side of the back opening 1” above the last point the yarn was attached to that side.
Make a total of 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6) loops. Cut yarn, pull through last st, and weave in ends.
Sew a button opposite each loop.
Weave in any rem ends. Block.