Bring a touch of Alpine charm to your doll’s wardrobe with this free doll dirndl knitting pattern! Dirndl is a dress traditionally worn by girls and women in German-speaking areas of Alps. The set consists of white blouse and dress. The blouse is knitted in a single piece from the top-down. Has a back Velcro fastening. The dress is knitted from the bottom up. An ideal gift for the little dolls´ owners! This free doll dirndl knitting pattern is the perfect way to create a stunning, traditional outfit for your favorite dolls. It’s an intermediate-friendly pattern that works up surprisingly fast, making it a fantastic handmade gift for the doll lover. So, grab your needles and some yarn, and let’s get started!
MATERIALS
ca 40 gr merino wool in desired colors 50g/175 yrd, Sport (12 wpi), e.g. Rowan Pure Wool 4Ply or Lana Grossa Cool Wool, US 2½ circular and double pointed needles, yarn needle, Velcro fastener.
SKILL LEVEL
This is an intermediate level knitting pattern and the techniques involved are knitting, purling, increases, K2tog and K3tog decreases, making an i-cord and reading from a chart, and working both flat and in the round.
SIZE
12-14-inch doll
GAUGE
26 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
ABBREVIATIONS
ks =knit stitch
ps =purl stitch
k2tog =knit two stitches together
yo =yarn over
sl1 =slip one stitch
psso =pass the slipped stitch over
R = row
Rnd = round
SPECIAL STITCHES:
STOCKING (STOCKINETTE) STITCH
Stockinette stitch is a basic knitting stitch pattern that creates a smooth, even fabric. It is made by knitting alternating rows of knit and purl stitches. Stockinette stitch works with any number of stitches per row, and you can use it on patterns that call for an odd or an even number of stitches. There are two ways to knit stockinette stitch: flat and in the round.
Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Purl all stitches.
Repeat rows one and two until your piece measures the desired length.
Working in the rounds simply knit every round until your piece measures the desired length.
KNIT 3 STITCHES TOGETHER
Knitting three stitches together are double decreases techniques in knitting. You reduce three stitches to one.
- Insert your right needle into all three stitches at once, just like a standard knit stitch.
- Wrap the yarn over the needle counterclockwise.
- Pull the yarn through all three stitches and slide them off the left needle.
A k3tog is made.
EDGE STITCHES
Slip the first stitch and purl the last stitch of every row.
INSTRUCTIONS
This pattern is really easy to follow; no matter if the only stitches you know are knit and purl. And there are many possibilities to customize it by adding new color for the top, using another stitch or knit in a different color.
This dress and blouse are worked from the top to bottom in rows.
BLOUSE
NECKLINE
Cast on 32 stitches including edge stitches. Knit 4 rows in garter stitch.
GARTER STITCH
Knit every row. Working in the round, purl one round and knit one round.
RAGLAN
From here increasing starts. In every second row yarn over before and after raglan stitches:
Row 1: ES, 3 garter stitches, 4 knit stitches (back), yarn over, 1 knit stitch (Raglan stitches), yarn over, 2 knit stitches (sleeve), yarn over, 1 knit stitch (Raglan stitches), yarn over, 8 knit stitches (front), yarn over, 1 knit stitch (Raglan stitches), yarn over, 2 knit stitches (sleeve), yarn over, 1 knit stitch (Raglan stitches), yarn over, 4 knit stitches (back), 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 2: ES, 3 garter stitches, 32 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 3: ES, 3 garter stitches, 5 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (1 knit stitch, *1 knit stitch, increase*, repeat from* twice, 1 knit stitch) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 10 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (1 knit stitch, *1 knit stitch, increase*, repeat from* twice, 1 knit stitch) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 5 knit stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 4: ES, 3 garter stitches, 44 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 5: ES, 3 garter stitches, 6 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (2 knit stitches, *increase, 2 knit stitches*, repeat from* twice, 2 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 12 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (2 knit stitches, *increase, 2 knit stitches*, repeat from* twice, 2 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 6 knit stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 6: ES, 3 garter stitches, 56 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 7: ES, 3 garter stitches, 7 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (3 knit stitches, *increase, 2 knit stitches*, repeat from* 3 times, 3 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 14 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (3 knit stitches, *increase, 2 knit stitches*, repeat from* 3 times, 3 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 7 knit stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 8: ES, 3 garter stitches, 70 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 9: ES, 3 garter stitches, 8 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (4 knit stitches, *increase, 2 knit stitches* 5 times, 3 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 16 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (4 knit stitches, *increase, 2 knit stitches*, repeat from* 5 times, 3 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 8 knit stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 10: ES, 3 garter stitches, 88 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 11: ES, 3 garter stitches, 9 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (5 knit stitches, *increase, 3 knit stitches*, repeat from* 5 times, 4 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 18 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, (5 knit stitches, *increase, 3 knit stitches*, repeat from* 5 times, 4 knit stitches) sleeve, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 9 knit stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 12: ES, 3 garter stitches, 106 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 13: ES, 3 garter stitches, 10 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, (*1 knit stitch, k2tog*, repeat from* 10 times, 1 knit stitch) sleeve, 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 20 knit stitches, yarn over, 1 knit stitch, (*1 knit stitch, k2tog*, repeat from* 10 times, 1 knit stitch), 1 knit stitch, yarn over, 10 knit stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Row 14: ES, 3 garter stitches, 90 purl stitches, 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Knit across front and back stitches:
Row 15: ES, 3 garter stitches, 12 knit stitches (back), place 21 sleeve stitches on holder, 24 knit stitches (front), place 21 sleeve stitches on holder, 12 knit stitches (back), 3 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.
Work 10 rows in 2x2 rib. Start and end every row with 3 garter stitches.
Cast off all stitches.
2x2 RIB
is formed by alternating 2 twisted stitches and 2 purl stitches.
SLEEVE
Transfer 21 sleeve stitches to needles and divide them into three needles. The round starts under the arm where raglan stitches meet.
In the first round increase 1 stitch.
Work 10 rows in 2x2 rib.
Cast off all stitches. Knit the second sleeve the same way.
ASSEMBLY
Sew two little sleeve seams with yarn tails. Sew on fastener.
DRESS
Cast on 137 stitches.
Work 3 rows in garter stitch.
Change the color of yarn.
Purl one row.
SK = (SLIP KNIT) slip the first stitch as if to knit, knit the second stitch, pass the slipped stitch over.
Start and end every row with 3 garter stitches.
Row 1: *9 knit stitches, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 2: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 3: *sk, 5 knit stitches, k2tog, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 4: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 5: *7 knit stitches, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 6: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 7-8: Repeat Rnds 5-6 one more time, turn the work
Row 9: *sk, 3 knit stitches, k2tog, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 10: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 11: *5 knit stitches, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 12: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 13-14: Repeat Rnds 11-12 one more time, turn the work
Row 15: *sk, 1 knit stitch, k2tog, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 16: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 17: *3 knit stitches, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 18: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Row 19-20: Repeat Rnds 17-18 one more time, turn the work
Row 21: *sk, 1 knit stitch, 3 purl stitches*, turn the work
Row 22: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle, turn the work
Change the color of yarn
Rows 23-34: Work 12 rows in stocking stitch.
Start and end every row with 3 garter stitches.
ARMHOLES
Divide the stitches as follows:
knit 10 stitches for the back, cast off the next 6 stitches, knit 20 stitches for the front, cast off 6 stitches, knit 10 stitches for the back.
Start and end every row with 3 garter stitches.
Continue knitting back and left and right fronts separately.
BACK
Continue knitting on the wrong side
Work 15 rows in stocking stitch. Cast off all stitches. Hide all yarn ends.
FRONT
Continue knitting on with the wrong side.
- Knit 3 rows in stocking stitch
- Cast off the middle 8 stitches for the neckline
- Work 11 rows in stockingt stitch
Cast off all stitches. Hide all yarn ends.
FINISHING
Sew shoulder seams together. Weave in all ends.
Happy knitting!
I hope you enjoyed knitting the dress and found the pattern helpful. I would love to see your finished work, so share a picture here or on Instagram by tagging me @tansuluucrafthaus.
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