Thursday, May 3, 2007

18" Doll Summer Fun Ensemble (Free Pattern)


Here is a lovely pattern for stylish 18" dolls. I had a lot of fun designing it, and it was so wonderful to see my little pixie's joy when I gave her the outfit for her doll. It fits an American Girl Doll perfectly. Kit, the American Girl Doll, is modeling it for us. The pattern is easy. Pants and shirt are knit mostly in the round. The ballerina shoes are felted. Simple crochet skills are used to edge the pieces. For those of you who do not want to crochet, you can pick up stitches along the edges and knit a couple of rows in garter stitch.



PANTS and SHIRT SET:

MATERIALS for both pants and shirt:
Frog tree cotton, US 5 needle dpts or circulars.
Gauge: 6 1/2 stitches per inch.

PANTS:

Pants are knit in st st except where otherwise noted.
Cast on 40 stitches. Join round. Knit 5 rounds.
Eyelet round: "K2, YO, K2TOG*. Repeat from * to *.
Knit 5 rounds. In this last round place a marker after 20 stitches.
Increase round: K1f&b, knit to the last 2 stitches before marker, K1f&b, K1, slip marker, K1f&b, knit to last 2 stitches before beginning of round k1f&b, K1.
Knit 5 rounds even.
Repeat increase round one more time.
Continue knitting even until leg is 4 1/2 inches.
Put first leg on holders, and knit a second leg.
When second leg is finished, knit second leg up to marker, knit first leg all the way around, then remaining stitches of second leg, and continue knitting in the round until the seat section of the pants is 3 1/2 inches high.
Decrease round: *K2TOG, K1* Repeat from * to* for one round.
Continue knitting in K1P1 rib until ribbed section is 1".
BO loosely. Weave in ends, close little hole at base of seat.
Single crochet 2 rounds around the bottom edge of the legs.
Insert a ribbon through the eyelets, and tie a bow.


SHIRT:

Night shirt is knit in sts st until otherwise noted.
Cast on 100 stitches. Join round. Knit even for 3 1/2 inches.
Decrease round: *K3, K2TOG* Repeat from * to * for 1 round.
K 1 round.
*K6, K2TOG* Repeat from * to * for 1 round.
K5 rounds
Eyelet round: *K5, YO, K2TOG* Repeat from * to * for one round.
Knit 10 rounds even.
Separate stitches into 2 groups of 35 stitches each. Put one set on holder. Work on second set.
BO 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. You should be on a purl row, purl 1 row.
R1 (RS): K2, K2TOG knit till end of row, K2TOG, K2
R2 (WS): Purl
Repeat R1 and R2 twice.
K5 rows in st st.
Neck shaping:
K11, BO5, K11. Work each side of neck separately.
(RS): BO2, knit to end.
Continue in st st even until shoulder piece is 1 3/4".
BO loosely. Repeat same for other shoulder reversing shaping.
Place back stitches back on needle. Rejoin yarn.
BO 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
(RS): K2, K2TOG, K11, BO1, K11, K2TOG, K2.
Work each side separately.
Purl 1 row.
Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, K2.
Knit until piece is 1 3/4" high.
BO 2 at the beginning of every right side row twice. Continue even for 1/2 ". BO.
Rejoin yarn for other side, and do same as above, reversing shaping.

Gently steam iron piece. Seam shoulders.

Sleeves: Pick up and knit 28 stitches. Join round and knit even for 1/2".
Knit 3 rows in K1 P1 rib. BO loosely.
Do same for second sleeve.
Single crochet 2 rows around bottom edge of shirt, and around neck and back opening. Sew little button on back, and crochet a little button loop.
Weave in all ends. Inserts ribbon through eyelet holes. Bow should be tied slightly off center.

FELTED BALLERINAS:
Materials: Pastaza
U 8 needles.
Gauge: 4 1/2 stitches per inch.

Make 2 slippers.
Slippers are knit in st st.

Sole:
Cast on 3. K 2 rows in st st.
Increase at beginning and end of every other row until you have 7 sts.
Knit even until piece is 1.8".
Increase at the beginning and end of next row, (9 stitches total).
Continue even until piece is 3.5".
Decrease: K1, K2TOG knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K1.
Purl 1 row.
BO.

Top of shoe:
Cast on 7. K 1row. Purl 1 row.
Increase at beginning and end of every other row until you have 11 stitches total.
Knit even until piece is 1 1/2".
K5, BO, K5.
Work each side separately. Knit even until each side is long enough to reach to the center of the end of the bottom piece, following the edges of the bottom pieces. BO.
Seam slippers.
Add 2 rows of single crochet along the center edge of the slippers.
Felt slippers.
Shape and stuff slippers to shape. Let dry. Sew little bows on top of slippers.

Pattern is for personal use only, and may not be reproduced or used for commercial purposes. Copyright, Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's wonderful! I can't wait to make it. It's really hard to find good, cute knitting patterns for 18" dolls, but this one's a gem. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, it was a lot of fun designing the outfit. Have fun with it!

Caroline, the SockPixie

Kenyetta said...

OMG! That is so cute! I have to make 2 for my girls AG dolls.
Is the cotton you used similar to Sugar N Cream?

Anonymous said...

Dear Kenyetta,

Thank you for the warm response to the pattern.
To answer your question, Sugar N Cream is a heavier weight cotton, and knits at about 4 stitches per inch. The yarn I used is a sport weight, and in the case of this pattern is knit at 6 1/2 stitches per inch. A good alternative would be Reynold's saucy sport.
I hope this helps.

Caroline, the SockPixie

Anonymous said...

OMG, how cute. I just learned that my niece is getting Kit for Christmas. I am going to start on this as soon as I finish the mitten I am doing, and one more pair I have planned, and... ha ha.
Kathleen

Anonymous said...

I love your pattern and I'm having so much fun making it! My daughter is looking over my shoulder as I knit, in anticipation! I'm having trouble with part of the pattern and wondered if you could help. On the pants: "When second leg is finished, knit second leg up to marker, knit first leg all the way around, then remaining stitches of second leg, and continue knitting in the round..." I'm not very experienced, so I'm probably missing the obvious, but I can't figure out how to join the legs together to then make the top of the pants.

Anonymous said...

Love your pattern, thank you! I do need some help though...on the shirt after 35 st are on holder and working with the other 35 - i do not end up with enough stiches - the R1 and R2 do not work out evenly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
M

Anonymous said...

I'm looking for any corrections or revisions for this adorable pattern. I wonder if you've made any in response to either Robin or Annonymous. I've managed to complete the pants but am struggling with the shirt; I'd like to complete the outfit for my granddaughter's Americn Girl Doll. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone,

This is in response to you questions about any corrections to the pattern. A few people have now knit this pattern and have found no errors in it. I am assuming it is correct. Of course, if anything seems odd be sure to post to the blog.

Happy Knitting,

Caroline

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I'm reading over the pattern now so I can purchase my materials. I've noticed on the pants, in the directions for the Eyelet round, it said to repeat from * to *, but the 1st asterisk seems to be missing. Does it go before the K2 or before the YO. I would hate to start the pattern and have to take it out, as I'm not very good at the taking out part.

I'm sure I'll have to proceed with caution when I get to the part where I add the second leg. But one thing at a time.

Thanks,

Looking forward to the completed project. Thanks for the pattern. I hope you design a few more for the 18" dolls.

Anonymous said...

I would absolutely love it if I could post this photo and a link to your pattern on my webpage that contains links to American Doll Patterns. I have it temporarily posted there now for your approval. If you do not wish for it to be there I certainly understand and will remove it immediately. Please let me know either way. And thank you for all your beautiful patterns! Kris - Knitty Chick

http://www.knittychick.com/accessorize_me_free_knitting_patterns.htm

kristin00 said...

Thanks for creating a lovely pattern - I'm looking forward to giving it a try. Can you provide an estimate for the amount (oz or yds) of sport weight cotton that is needed for this pattern?
Thanks!

Metanine said...

A huge thank you for this wonderful pattern. This morning I was looking for clothes patterns to dress up my 20 yo baby doll I received when I was a kid. Your Ensemble will fit perfectly and will make my two nieces happy to see her dressed with something I knitted. Thanks a bundles, zillions of time. Hugs, Lucie aka Metanine

kelly said...

I'm slowly working on this as I'm not a really good knitter but am enjoying this. Please please do more for these dolls as your style is just beautiful. Or even sweaters for girls that match (my dd is tall and thin and finding sweaters in her size is difficult! So a long size 8 would be great LOL) but thank you.

The Cascio Whirlwind said...

I want to knit this cute little outfit for my daughters American Girl doll. On the pants the first set of eyelet round says to "K2, YO, K2TOG*". Repeat from *to*." Where should the first * be located? Before or after the K2 or YO?
Thanks...this is just adorable.

Chelsey said...

I love the look of this outfit -- so sweet, but I'm stuck... Can you clarify some things for me to help me out?

On the shirt how many stitches should I have when I am knitting the 5 rows of st st? I completed row 1 and 2 and then repeated them twice, but I don't end up with enough stitches to K11, BO5, K11 on each side of neck. I took back my work so Row 1 and 2 were only worked twice in total thinking I may have misunderstood that part and still I'm not left with the right amount of stitches to shape the neck.

The sleeves have me completely confused -- I would love it if there were pictures of that step. I know that's probably not possible, but I can wish... I'm hoping if you can clarify the earlier part that the rest might make more sense to me.

Thanks in advance.

Marcia said...

I saw your cute pattern and decided to make several outfits for my granddaughters for Christmas (have 5!)
I have made one shirt and had no problem. Now I am working on the pants. There seems to be something missing in the pattern as to how to divide into two legs. I note several others had comments and questions, so perhaps you have revised the pattern already. THANKS for your help. Marcia

Anonymous said...

I was searching for a pattern for American Girl Dolls that included Pants, it is SOOO hard to find pant patterns for AG dolls. Thanks so much! I plan on making at least 10 pairs of these for my nieces and my daughter! THANK YOU

CraftyCarole said...

wow super cute... my DD loves it so of course, I'll be knitting it THanks so MUCH for the pattern... pants and shoes and s great top! You rock!

ritarazzle said...

My standards are high also. This is a beautiful pattern for a doll. My grand daughter loves everything I make her and this will be a treat for me to make. Thanks!

Jessica said...

I would also like to know how much yarn you used for this. I ordered some yarn from knitpicks but now I'm thinking it wont be enough. Thanks! :)

SockPixie said...

Hi Jflowers,

I used almost 3 balls of frog tree cotton. So with 360 yards you should be all set.

HAppy knitting,

Caroline

18dollclothes.com said...

Hi,

It was so wonderful to see my little pixie's joy when I gave her the outfit for her doll. Thanks a lot...

Anonymous said...

Not sure what an American Girl Doll is. I bought a doll for my daughter in guatemala and need to make some clothes for it, is it 18" around or in length. Am confused and don't want to start making this if it is not the right size. My doll is 10" around and 9" from bottom of head, chin to feet. Can someone let me know. Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

An American Girl doll is a brand of doll that is 18 inches tall (including the head of the doll). It sounds like your doll is smaller than that so I'm not sure if this pattern would work for you or not...

Anonymous said...

Hi. First of all, I'd like to thank you for posting this beautiful pattern. However, I am not very experienced with dpns, and I can't really figure out how to join the two legs, and this is only one of a couple knit Christmas presents! Thankyou so much!

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I've been looking for a pant pattern for a long time. I started planning one today, but decided to check out a few sites. This saves me a lot of planning. Thank you.