Mitred pocket toddler dress

I designed this little dress and made it in machine washable acrylic yarn, for my granddaughter to wear over a top and tights or leggings. It would be suitable as a sundress if knitted in cotton – I might try it if we ever get any warm weather!

I made the 22 inch size – Elanor is 2½ and quite tall for her age, but by increasing the needle size the pattern would be suitable for the average four-year-old. 

This yarn is Supreme DK from my local B & M store, but any suitable yarn which knits up to the same tension will be fine.

Materials:

100% acrylic DK as follows:

150g main colour

25g contrast 1

20g each contrasts 2 and 3

2 x ½ inch (12mm) buttons

For 22 inch size: Pair each 3.75mm (UK9) and 3.25mm (UK10) needles

For 24 inch size: Pair each 4mm (UK8) and 3.75mm (UK9) needles

3.5mm crochet hook

Tension:

22 inch size: 24 sts and 32 rows to 4 inches measured over stocking stitch on 3.75mm needles

24 inch size: 22 sts and 30 rows to 4 inches measured over stocking stitch on 4mm needles

Measurements:

To fit age 2/3 (3/4)

Sizes 22 (24) inches approx.

Actual measurements:

Chest 23½ (25½) inches

Length 20½ (22) inches

Abbreviations: 

K       knit 

P        purl 

g st    garter stitch (every row K) 

st st   stocking stitch 

tog     together

st(s)   stitch(es)

S1      slip one without knitting

psso   pass slipped stitch over

RS      right side

WS     wrong side

MC     main colour

C1      first contrast

C2      second contrast

C3      third contrast

dc      double crochet

rem    remaining

alt      alternate

Back:

With larger needles and C1, cast on 114 sts and work in g st as follows, joining in contrast colours as required and carrying MC up side of work when not in use: 2 rows C1 (green), 2 rows MC (purple), 4 rows C2 (pink), 2 rows MC, 4 rows C3 (peacock).

Change to MC and, working in st st, continue as follows:

First dec row: (S1, K1, psso, K34, K2tog) 3 times. Work 11 more rows in st st.

Second dec row: (S1, K1, psso, K32, K2tog) 3 times. Work 11 more rows in st st.

Continue in this manner, reducing the number of stitches between decs by 2 each time, until there are 72 sts rem on needle, ending with a WS row.

Note: Work should measure about 11 inches for smaller size, about 12 inches for larger size.

Change to smaller needles and work in g st for waistband as follows: 4 rows C1, 2 rows MC, 4 rows C2, 2 rows MC, 4 rows C3.

Change to larger needles and work 20 rows in MC in st st.

Armhole shaping: Cast off 4 sts at start of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st at each end of the next 5 rows and each following alt (RS) row 3 times, until 48 sts remain.

Work 31 rows straight, thus ending with a WS row.

Divide for neck: K 14, K 2tog, turn, P 15. Working on these sts only, dec 1 st at neck edge on next row. P 1 row.

Shoulder shaping: Cast off 7 sts at start of next row, work 1 row, then cast off rem 7 sts.

Place centre 16 sts on a stitch holder or large safety pin. Rejoin yarn to rem 16 sts, dec 1 st at neck edge on next and foll alt row. Work 1 row (WS facing), cast off 7 sts at start of next row. Work 1 row then cast off rem 7 sts.

Front:

Work as for Back as far as end of armhole shaping. Work 15 rows straight in MC in st st.

Divide for neck: K 17, K 2tog, turn.

Next row: P 2 tog, P to end. Continue to dec at neck edge of each row twice more, then on alt (RS) rows only twice (14 sts)

Work 13 rows straight, thus ending at armhole edge.

Shoulder shaping: Cast off 7 sts at start of next row, work 1 row, then cast off rem 7 sts.

Place next 10 sts on a safety pin. Rejoin yarn to rem 19 sts. Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 3 rows, then on next 2 alt rows.

Work 14 rows straight, then cast off as for first shoulder.

Neck edging:

Join right shoulder seam. With smaller needles and C1 (green), with RS facing you, pick up 20 sts down left side of front neck, K across 10 sts from safety pin at centre front, pick up 20 sts up right side of front neck, then 5 sts from right side of back neck, K across 16 sts from safety pin at centre back neck, and pick up 5 sts from left back neck (76 sts).

Work 3 rows g st. Cast off using larger needle.

Armhole edgings:

Join left shoulder seam for ½ inch only, leaving it open at neck. With smaller needles and C1 (green), with RS facing you, pick up 84 sts evenly along armhole edge. Work 3 rows g st and cast off. Finish second armhole to match.

With MC and crochet hook, work 1 row dc along both sides of left shoulder opening, working 2 chain buttonholes on front, one being on the neck edging and the other about halfway along the shoulder edge.

Pockets (make 2):

Worked in g st throughout.

With larger needles and C1 (green), cast on 44 sts and work as follows, using colour sequence below:

Foundation row: S1, K1, psso, K to last 2 sts, K 2tog.

Next row (RS): K 19, K 2tog, S1, K1, psso, K 19.

Next row: (WS) K

Next row: K 18, K 2tog, S1, K1, psso, K 18.

Next row: K

Continue in this manner, working 1 less st each side of the centre double dec, until 4 sts remain.

Next row: K 2tog, S1, K1, psso

K 2 tog and fasten off.

Colour sequence for pocket:

Foundation row and next row C1 (green), then

2 rows MC (purple)

4 rows C2 (pink)

2 rows MC

4 rows C3 (peacock)

2 rows MC

4 rows C1 (green)

Repeat this sequence throughout.

Finishing:

Press lightly on reverse according to ball band instructions.

Join side seams and sew on 2 buttons to correspond with buttonholes. Position pockets with a cast on edge at the top and stitch in place.