The Pastel Princess Baby Dress is an enchanting sleeveless dress designed to make any little one look absolutely precious. Featuring a classic A-line silhouette, this lightweight and airy garment is perfect for special occasions, warm-weather outings, or as a cherished handmade gift.
The hem of the dress is adorned with the timeless Feather and Fan lace pattern, adding a touch of elegance while remaining simple enough for beginner lace knitters to master. The bodice transitions into smooth stockinette stitch, ensuring a comfortable fit that allows for easy movement. Thoughtful button closures at the shoulders provide both a charming detail and a practical solution for easy dressing.
Knit in a soft pastel palette, this dress is ideal for spring and summer, but can also be layered over a long-sleeve top and tights in cooler months. Whether made for a baby shower, birthday, or just because, the Pastel Princess Baby Dress is sure to become a treasured keepsake!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Chest: 20 (21, 22)” to fit chest 18 (19, 20)”; Armhole depth: 4″, 4½”, 5″; Total length: 18″, 19″, 20″; Shown in size 20”
Gauge: 21 sts and 27 rows =4″ (10 cm) after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby (100% acrylic; 362 yards [331 meters]/140 grams): Prettiest Pink (2 (2, 3) balls)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, two 1” buttons, US size F/5 (3.75 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Special Stitches
One-Row Buttonhole
Slip next 2 sts from left-hand needle onto the right-hand needle.
Pass the first stitch over the second stitch.
Slip the next stitch from left-hand needle onto the right and repeat step 2.
Slip the last stitch back on left-hand needle. Cast on as many stitches as you have bound off. Continue knitting.
Feather and Fan – Multiple of 18 sts +2
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, *(k2tog) 3 times, (yo, k1)6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 4: Knit.
Pattern
Back
Cast on 110 sts.
Rows 1-6: Knit.
Rows 7-30: Work as Feather and Fan pattern.
Switch to st st and work even until piece measures 14″ (14½”, 15″).
Decrease row: Decrease 55 (49, 43) sts evenly across row. (55 (61, 67) sts)
Work st st for 1″ even.
Armhole Shaping
Bind off 5 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows. (45 (51, 57) sts)
Decrease one st on both sides every other row, 3 (4, 5) times. (39 (43, 47) sts)
Work st st for 1″ even.
Back Neck Opening
K15, with another ball of yarn bind off next 9 (13, 17) sts, k15.
Work both sides at the same time.
On the neck side decrease 1 st every other row 5 times. (10 sts for each shoulder)
Work 3″ (3½”, 4″) in st st.
Decrease 1 st on both sides of the shoulder piece. (8 sts)
Buttonhole row: K3, work one-row buttonhole on next 2 sts, k3.
Next WS Row: Purl.
Next RS Row: Decrease 1 st on both sides of the shoulder piece. (6 sts)
Last WS Row: Purl. Bind off all sts loosely.
Front
Work same as back until Back neck opening.
Front Neck Opening
K15, with another ball of yarn bind off next 9 (13, 17) sts, k15.
Work both sides at the same time.
On the neck side decrease 1 st every other row 5 times. (10 sts for each shoulder)
Work 2″ (2½”, 3″) in st st.
Decrease 1 st on both sides of the shoulder piece. (8 sts)
Next WS Row: Purl.
Next RS Row: Decrease 1 st on both sides of the shoulder piece. (6 sts)
Last WS Row: Purl. Bind off all sts loosely.
Finishing
Sew side seams. With crochet hook and starting at the center back neck, work as follows:
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in every st or every other row around.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, reverse sc in every sc around. Fasten off.
Block dress to size.
Sew buttons opposite buttonholes.
Why is here no picture to see how this dress looks like
Hello! Additional photos are on the right hand side of the pattern, or if you are on a mobile device they are at the bottom of the page below the pattern. – Nicola, Editor