Vintage Dolly Knitting Pattern

One of the first dolls I remember having was a Tiny Tears, and one of the best thing about Tiny Tears, apart from her doing a wee when you gave her a bottle, was that you could dress her up. I had this dress in several different colours, and knitted pants too! (can you imagine how itchy they would be?!)
But don't worry if you don't have a Tiny Tears, this outfit is to fit any doll that's about 14 inches high with an 11 1/2 inch chest. Or thereabouts.

 

Materials:

150g double knitting yarn (this is a guess, as the pattern simply says "3 balls" without saying how large the balls are! I reckon it would probably take less than 100g but admittedly I haven't made this pattern for ages)

2 x 4mm (no.8) and 2 x 3 1/4mm (no.10) knitting needles

4mm crochet hook

3 buttons

length of ribbon

 

Abbreviations:

K - Knit; P - Purl; sts - stitches; st,st. - stocking stitch; yfwd - yarn forward; sl.1 - slip one; tog - together;  dec - decrease; inc - increase; psso - pass slip stitch over; g.st - garter stitch; rept - repeat; beg - beginning; alt - alternate; dc - double crochet; ch - chain; cm - centimetre; ins - inches.

Tension:

12sts to 5cm (2ins) on 4mm (no.8) needles.

 

Back

Using 3 1/4mm (no.10) needles, cast on 69 sts. work 4 rows in g.st.

Change to 4mm (no.8) needles and pattern

1st Row: K1, *yfwd, sl.1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K5, rept from * to last 4 sts, yfwd, sl.1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K1.

2nd and Alt rows: Purl.

3rd Row: As 1st Row.

5th Row: K4, * yfwd, sl.1, K1, psso, K1, K2tog, yfwd, K3, rept from * to last st, K1.

7th Row: K1, *yfwd, sl.1, K2tog, psso, yfwd, K1, rept from * to end.

8th Row: Purl

These 8 rows form the pattern.

Continue in pattern until the 7th row of the 5th pattern has been worked.

Dec. row: * (P2tog) 4 times, P3tog (P2tog) 5 times, P3 tog, rept from * to last 21 sts, (P2tog) 4 times, P3tog, (P2tog) 5 times. (32) sts.

Change to 3 1/4mm (no.10) needles.

Work 2 rows g.st.

Next Row: * K1, yfwd, K2tog, K1, rept from * to end.

Work 2 rows g.st.

Change to 4mm (no.8) needles. Purl 1 row.

Shape Armhole and Divide for Back

Cast off, K13 (including st on needle) turn.

Purl 1 row.

Continue in st.st, dec 1 st at armhole edge on following 2 rows. (11sts)

Continue without further dec. until armhole measures 6cm (2 1/2 ins) finishing on a purl row.

Cast off.

Rejoin yarn to remaining sts. Work to correspond with other side reversing all shapings.

Front

Work exactly as instructions for Back to shape armholes.

Shape Armholes

Continue in st.st. Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows. Dec 1 st at each end of the needle on the next 2 rows (22sts). Continue without further dec until work measures 5 rows less than Back to Shoulder finishing on a right side row.

Shape Neck

P7, cast off 8, P7.

Next Row: K to last 2 sts, K2tog

Next Row: Purl

Rept last 2 rows once more. Cast off remaining sts.

Rejoin yarn at neck edge to remaining sts and work to correspond with other side reversing all shapings.

Sleeves (Both Alike)

Using 3 1/4 (no 10) needles, cast on 20 sts. Knit 2 rows.

Next Row: *K1, inc in next st, rept from * to last 2 sts, K2 (29 sts)

Change to 4mm (no 8) needles. Work 8 rows in pattern as given for Skirt of Dress.

Shape Top

Keeping pattern correct, cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows.

Dec 1 st at each end of the needle on the next 6 rows.

Cast off.

To Make Up

Join shoulder, side and sleeve seams. Sew in sleeves.

Using 3 1/4 (no 10) needles and with right side facing, K6 sts from left back neck, pick up and K5 sts down side of neck, 8 sts across front neck, pick up and K5 sts up side of neck and K6 sts from right back neck.

Work 3 rows in g.st. Cast off.

Work 1 row of dc round back opening, working 3 small loops for buttonholes.

Sew on buttons to correspond with buttonholes.

Thread ribbon through holes at waist.

 

 

I hope you have fun making this dress for your little girl's dollies. If you would like to make the whole outfit, please contact me with your email address and I will happily send you a pdf of the instructions.