Free Knitting Pattern for 18-Inch Doll Overall

Welcome to this adorable knitting pattern for an 18-inch doll overall with a beautiful ruche detail! Designed to perfectly fit popular 18" play dolls, this charming one-piece outfit combines classic comfort with a sweet, feminine touch and makes it a standout piece in any doll's wardrobe. This project is perfect for using up your yarn leftovers while making a stunning, playful outfit. Add a touch of ruffle charm to your doll knitting! Perfect for knitters looking to create a unique, fashionable outfit with a lovely textured detail. Grab your needles and let’s add some ruffle magic to your doll clothes collection. Happy knitting!

MATERIALS

ca 40 gr Schachenmayr Catania 50g/136 yrd, DK (11 wpi), circular and double pointed needles 3,25 mm, Velcro fastener, yarn needle, satin ribbon, a piece of fabric (ca. 90-100 cm long).

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

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

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 stitches work 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.

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

INSTRUCTIONS

The overall is worked in rounds without seams. The work begins at bodice and continues down to legs.

EDGE STITCHES

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

NECKLINE

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.

GARTER STITCH

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

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

RAGLAN

Change the color of yarn

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

Row 1: ES, 4 garter stitches, knit 7 stitches (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.

Change the color of yarn

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.

Change the color of yarn

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.

Change the color of yarn

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 sts), 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.

Work 13 rounds in stocking stitch.

In the next round cast off the first 5 stitches, knit 70 stitches, 4 garter stitches, ES.

Join for knitting in the round and work 10 rounds in stocking stitch.

SHAPE CROTCH

Round 1: knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 36 stitches, yarn over, knit 1 stitch, yarn over, knit 36 stitches.

Round 2: knit all stitches

Round 3: knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, knit 36 stitches, yarn over, knit 3 stitches, yarn over, knit 36 stitches

Round 4: knit all stitches

Round 5: knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit 5 stitches, yarn over, knit 36 stitches, yarn over, knit 5 stitches, yarn over, knit 36 stitches

Round 6: knit all stitches

Round 7: knit 1 stitch, cast off 7 stitches, knit 36 stitches, cast off 7 stitches, knit 36 stitches.

LEGS

Join for knitting in the round and work 20 rounds in stocking stitch.

Change the color of yarn

Knit the second leg the same way. Fasten off all stitches.

SLEEVE

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

Knit 8 rounds in stocking stitch.

Change the color of yarn

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

Knit the second sleeve the same way.

FINISHING

Sew crotch seam. Sew two little sleeve seams with yarn tails. Weave in all ends.

Sew Velcro fastener to the overall.

For the ruche cut 8 cm wide strip of fabric (ca. 90-100 cm long). Gather with long stitches you make with a hand needle or your sewing machine.

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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