18-inch Doll Dress Free Knitting Pattern

I’m happy to share this beautiful and free knitting pattern with you today. An adorable dress for your 18-inch doll. This knit dress makes a great gift for any little girl who loves dressing her doll up! The dress gives you a lovely accessory to add to your doll´s wardrobe. This sweet dress for dolls is knitted in a single piece from the top-down. Has a back Velcro fastening. An ideal gift for the little dolls´ owners! The pattern is very detailed. It comes with easy-to-follow written instructions and photo tutorial. The photo tutorial contains many helpful step-by-step pictures to make the project as easy-to-follow as possible. It is easy and fun to make and you’ll need just a little bit of yarn! The easiest dress is the one that’s knit flat and uses just the knit and purl stitches. So, grab your needles and some yarn, and let’s get started!

MATERIALS

Ca 50-60 gr Schachenmayr Catania 50g/136 yrd, DK (11 wpi), circular and double pointed needles 3,25 and 3,75 mm, Velcro fastener. 

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

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

18-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

SK = (SLIP KNIT) slip the first stitch as if to knit, knit the second stitch, pass the slipped stitch over.

EDGE STITCHES

Slip the first stitch and purl the last stitch of every row.

GARTER STITCH

Knit every row. Working in the round, purl one round and knit one round.

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. 

1. Insert your right needle into all three stitches at once, just like a standard knit stitch.
2. Wrap the yarn over the needle counterclockwise.
3. Pull the yarn through all three stitches and slide them off the left needle.

A k3tog is made.

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 is worked from the top to bottom in rows.

NECKLINE

Needles 3,25 mm.

Cast on 60 stitches including edge stitches. Work 4 rounds in garter stitch.

RAGLAN

From here increasing starts. In every second-row yarn over before and after raglan stitches:

Row 1: ES, 4 garter stitches, 7 ks (back), yarn over, knit 2 stitches (Raglan stitches), yarn over, knit 6 stitches (sleeve), yarn over, knit 2 stitches (Raglan stitches), yarn over, knit 16 stitches (front), yarn over, knit 2 stitches (Raglan stitches), yarn over, knit 6 stitches (sleeve), yarn over, knit 2 stitches (Raglan stitches), yarn over, knit 7 stitches (back), 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 2: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 58 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 3: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 8 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 8 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 18 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 8 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 8 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 4: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 66 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 5: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 9 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 10 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 20 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 10 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 9 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 6: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 74 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 7: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 10 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 12 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 22 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 12 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 10 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 8: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 82 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 9: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 11 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 14 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 24 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 14 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 11 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 10: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 90 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 11: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 12 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 16 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 26 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 16 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 12 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 12: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 98 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 13: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 13 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 18 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 28 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 18 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 13 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 14: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 106 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 15: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 14 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 20 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 30 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 20 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 14 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 16: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 114 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 17: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 15 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 22 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 32 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 22 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 15 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn.

Row 18: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 122 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES (=132 stitches), turn.

Knit across front and back stitches:

Row 19: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 17 stitches (back), place 26 sleeve stitches on holder, purl  36 stitches (front), place 26 sleeve stitches on holder, purl 17 stitches (back), 4 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.

Row 20: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 70 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES, turn the work.

SKIRT

Needles 3,75 mm.

Row 1: increase evenly 42 stitches, turn the work.

Row 2: ES, 4 garter stitches, purl 112 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES (=122 stitches), turn the work.

Knit rows 1-10 of the pattern using the chart below three times. Start and end every row with 4 garter stitches.

PATTERN

Row 1: knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 2 stitches together, yarn over, knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 3 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, knit 3 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, knit 1 stitch, yarn over, slip knit, yarn over.

Row 2: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle (purl every yo)

Row 3: knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 2 stitches together, yarn over, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, knit 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches together, knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, slip knit, yarn over.

Row 4: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle (purl every yo)

Row 5: knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 2 stitches together, yarn over, knit 5 stitches, yarn over, knit 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches together, knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, knit 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches together, knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 5 stitches, yarn over, slip knit, yarn over.

Row 6: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle (purl every yo)

Row 7: knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 2 stitches together, yarn over, knit 7 stitches, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, knit 7 stitches, yarn over, slip knit, yarn over.

Row 8: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle (purl every yo)

Row 9: knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 2 stitches together, yarn over, knit 8 stitches, knit 2 stitches together, yarn over, knit 3 stitches together, yarn over, slip knit, knit 8 stitches, yarn over, slip knit, yarn over.

Row 10: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches, exactly as stitches appear on needle (purl every yo)

Work 4 rounds in garter stitch. Cast off all stitches.

SLEEVE

Transfer 26 sleeve stitches to needles and divide them into three needles. The round starts under the arm where raglan stitches meet.

Knit 4 rounds in garter stitch. Cast off all stitches. Knit the second sleeve the same way.

FINISHING

Sew two little sleeve seams with yarn tails.

Sew touch fastener to the dress. 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.

If you would like to share this pattern, please link to this page. Also, please credit me when using this pattern by tagging me @tansuluucrafthaus on Instagram.

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