Create a breathtaking heirloom christening gown and matching bonnet with this exquisite knitting pattern. Designed for delicate 3-ply yarn, this set features a beautiful, intricate lace pattern stitch, elegant picot edgings, and a flowing, traditional silhouette. The dress includes a divided back opening for easy dressing and optional shirring elastic for a gathered waist. The bonnet is adorned with ribbon ties and complements the dress perfectly. This pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to create a truly special and memorable garment. Sizes: Dress to fit chest 41 (46) cm / 16 (18) inches (approximately 0-3 months and 3-6 months). (Reformatted and more detailed rewriting of original 80’s vintage pattern.)
Materials:
- Yarn: PETER PAN Darling 3 Ply.
- Main Colour (M): 7 (10) x 20g balls.
- Contrast Colour (C): 2 (2) x 20g balls.
- Needles:
- One pair 3.25mm needles (US size 3 / UK size 10) – Larger Needles
- One pair 2.75mm needles (US size 2 / UK size 12) – Smaller Needles
- Crochet Hook: 3mm (US size C/2 or D/3)
- Buttons: 3 buttons (for the dress).
- Ribbon: Baby ribbon (for the bonnet).
- Shirring Elastic: (Optional, for the dress).
- Stitch Holders
Measurements:
- Dress:
- To Fit Chest: 41 (46) cm / 16 (18) inches (approximately 0-3 months and 3-6 months).
- Finished Chest: 42 (48) cm / 16.5 (19) inches.
- Length (from back of neck): 59 (64) cm / 23.25 (25.25) inches.
- Sleeve Seam: 13 (15) cm / 5 (6) inches.
Abbreviations:
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Rep: Repeat
- Inc: Increase (usually knit or purl into the front and back of the same stitch)
- Beg: Beginning
- K2tog: Knit two stitches together (a decrease)
- St st: Stockinette stitch (Knit one row, Purl one row)
- Rem: Remain/Remaining
- RS: Right side
- WS: Wrong side
- Sl: Slip
- Patt: Pattern
- Psso: Pass slipped stitch over
- Yf: Yarn forward (bring the yarn to the front of the work between the needles)
- Sl 1, k2tog, psso: Slip one stitch knitwise, knit the next two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over the k2tog (a double decrease)
- M: Main Colour
- C: Contrast Colour
- Dc: Double crochet (US terminology)
- Tr: Treble crochet
- H tr: Half Treble
- Yo: Yarn Over
- Ch: Chain
Tension (Gauge):
- 16 sts and 20 rows = 5 cm (2 inches) over st st using the larger needles. Checking your gauge is absolutely essential for a well-fitting garment.
Pattern Stitch (Worked over a multiple of 20 sts + 2):
- Row 1 (RS): K2tog, yf, k3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k2, yf, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yf, k3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, yf, sl 1, k1, psso.
- Row 2 and every alt row: Purl.
- Row 3: K2, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, yf, * k3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, yf; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
- Row 5: K3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yf, * k5, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yf; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
- Row 7: K4, yf, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yf, * k3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k2, yf, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yf; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
- Row 9: K2, k2tog, yf, k3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, * k3, k2tog, yf, k3, yf, sl 1, k1, psso; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
- Row 11: K1, k2tog, yf, k5, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, * k2tog, yf, k5, yf, sl 1, k1, psso, k1; rep from * to end.
- Row 12: Purl.These 12 rows form the Pattern Stitch.
Christening Dress
Back:
- Cast On: Using the smaller needles and C, cast on 141 (161) sts.
- Initial Border: Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Picot Row: K1, * yf, k2tog; rep from * to end.
- Continue Border: Work 4 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Change Yarn and Needles: Break off C. Change to the larger needles and M. Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Begin Pattern Stitch: Work the 12 rows of the Pattern Stitch 3 (4) times, then work rows 1 and 2 again.
- Place Markers:
- Next Row: K35 (40), slip marker, work Row 9 (3) of the Pattern Stitch across the next 71 (81) sts, slip marker, k35 (40).
- Next Row: Purl.
- Next Row: K35 (40), work Row 11 (5) of the Pattern Stitch across the next 71 (81) sts, k35 (40).
- Continue with Markers: Keeping the continuity of the pattern stitch correct on the sts between the markers, rep the last 2 rows until the back measures approximately 48 (52) cm / 19 (20.5) inches from the picot row, or 3 cm (1.25 inches) less than the required length to the armholes, ending with a 2nd or 8th row of the Pattern Stitch.
- Decrease Row: K1, * [k2tog] 5 (4) times, k3tog; rep from * to the last 10 (6) sts, [k2tog] 4 (2) times, k2. 67 (75) sts remain.
- Picot Tuck (Contrast Stripe): Join in C.
- Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Picot Row: K1, * yf, k2tog; rep from * to end.
- Work 3 more rows in st st.
- Tuck Row: Fold the contrast stripe in half along the picot row. Knit the first st on the needle together with the corresponding st of the first row of the contrast stripe; rep from * to end, taking care to match the stitches.
These 8 rows form the Picot Tuck.
- Continue with Main Color: Using M, work 4 rows in st st, starting with a purl row. Then, using C, work the 8 rows of the Picot Tuck once more.
- Continue in Stockinette: Break off C and continue in M only. Work in st st, starting with a purl row, work 3 rows straight, increasing 1 st at the center of the first row. 68 (76) sts.
- Shape Armhole and Divide for Opening:
- Row 1: Cast off 3 (4) sts, knit until there are 31 (34) sts on the right-hand needle after casting off, turn, and complete this side first.
- Purl 1 row.
- Shape First Side (Left Back):
- Dec 1 st at the armhole edge on the next 3 rows, then on every alt row until 26 (28) sts remain.
- Work straight until the armhole measures 8 (9) cm / 3 (3.5) inches, measured straight from the start of the armhole shaping, ending with a purl row (work 1 more row here for the 2nd size).
- Shape Shoulder and Back Neck (Left Back):
- Row 1: Cast off 5 sts, work to the last 9 (10) sts, turn, and slip the remaining sts onto a holder for the neckband.
- Row 2: Work 2tog, work to end.
- Row 3: Cast off 5 sts, work to the last 2 sts, work 2tog.
- Row 4: Work 2tog, work to end.
- Cast off the remaining 4 (5) sts.
- Shape Second Side (Right Back):
- With the RS of the work facing, rejoin the yarn to the remaining sts and knit to end.
- Shape Armhole: Cast off 3 (4) sts at the beg of the next row.
- Complete to match the first side, reversing the shaping and working 1 more row where indicated.
Sleeves
*Using smaller needles and C cast on 87(97) sts and work border as given for Back.
Break off C.
Change to larger needles and M and work 2 rows in st st, starting purl.
Commence working the 12 rows of Patt until sleeve measures 13(15) cms [5(6) ins] from picot row, or required length ending with a wrong side row.
Next row (decrease): K1, [k2tog] 3 times, k3, rep from to last 7(3) sts, [k2tog] 3(1) times, k1.
57(61) sts.
Shape Top
Cast off 2(3) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Next row: K1, sl 1, k1, psso, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog,
k1.
Next row: Purl.
Rep the last 2 rows until 15(17) sts remain ending with a knit row.
Next row: P1, p2tog to last st, p1. 8(9) sts. Cast off.
Front
*Work as given for Back until 7 rows have been worked after last Picot Tuck. 74(82) sts.
Next row (decrease): K1, [k2tog] 4 times, k3; rep from * to last 9(5) sts, [k2tog] 4(2) times, k1.
62(70) sts.
Continue in st st until front measures same as back to
armholes ending with a purl row.
Shape Armholes
Cast off 3(4) sts at beg of next 2 rows. 56(62) sts. Work I row.
Next row: K1, sl 1, k1, psso, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog,
k1.
Next row: Purl.
Rep the last 2 rows until 46(50) sts remain ending with a purl row. Work straight until armholes measure 6(6.5) cms [2(24) ins] measured straight from start of arm-hole shaping ending with a purl row.
Shape Neck
Next row: K19(20), turn and complete this side first.
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 5 rows, then on following 3 alt rows. 23(24) sts.
Work 1 row.
Next row: Cast off 5 sts, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. Rep the last 2 rows twice more. Cast off remaining 5(6) sts.
With right side of work facing slip next 8(10) sts from left-hand needle onto a safety pin for neckband, rejoin yarn to remaining sts and knit to end. Complete to match first side reversing shaping.
Finishing:
- Press: Carefully press the pieces according to the yarn label’s instructions.
- Block (Optional): For a professional finish, you can block the pieces to their final measurements before seaming.
- Join Seams: Join the shoulder seams.
Neckband
Using smaller needles and C and with right side of work facing, pick up and k13(14) sts up right side of neck, k8(10) sts from safety pin, pick up and k13(14) sts down left side of neck, work across sts on holder at back neck as follows: k2tog, k5(6), [k2tog) twice, k5(6), k2tog. 51(57) sts.
Work 3 rows in st st, starting knit.
Next row (picot): K1, yf, k2tog; rep from to end.
Work 3 rows in st st, starting knit.
Cast off.
Sleeve Bands (Make Two):
*Using smaller needles and C and with right side of work facing, pick up and k47(51) sts evenly along one sleeve edge.
Work 4 rows in st st, starting knit.
Next row (picot): K1, yf, k2tog; rep from to end.
Work 3 rows in st st, starting knit.
Cast off.
- Sew in Sleeves: Set in the sleeves, matching the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam.
- Join Side and Sleeve Seams: Join the side seams and the sleeve seams.
- Work down opening Edges:
- Using the smaller needles and C, and starting at the lower edge of the right back opening, pick up and knit stitches evenly up to the neckband. Work the same number of rows in St st as the border.
- Next Row (picot): K1, yf, k2tog; rep from to end.
- Work 3 rows in st st, starting knit.
- Cast off.
- Work down left back opening as follows: With right side of work facing pick up and k4 sts per 2 cms (5 sts per inch] evenly to lower edge. Work 3 rows in st st, starting knit.
Next row: K1, yf, k2tog; rep from to end.
Work 3 rows in st st, starting knit.
Cast off.
- Button Loops (Right Back Opening):
- Using a 3mm crochet hook and C, and starting at the neck edge, work 1 dc into each stitch down the right back opening edge.
- Make 3 button loops evenly spaced along the opening edge:
- Button Loop: Work 4 ch, skip the corresponding number of stitches on the edge, and 1 dc into the next stitch.
- Sew on Buttons: Sew the buttons onto the left back opening edge, opposite the button loops.
- Shirring elastic(Optional):
Run shirring elastic through the spaces formed by the first picot edging.
Bonnet
- Cast On: Using the smaller needles and C, cast on 101 (111) sts.
- Initial Border: Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Picot Row: K1, * yf, k2tog; rep from * to end.
- Continue Border: Work 4 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Change Yarn and Needles: Break off C. Change to the larger needles and M. Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a purl row.
- Begin the pattern stitch:
Work the 12 rows of Pattern Stitch 3(4) times, then work the first 8 rows again.
Next row (decrease): K36(41), work 9th row of Pat-tern Stitch across next 29 sts, k36(41).
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K36(41), work 11th row of Pattern Stitch across next 29 sts, k36(41).
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K36(41), work 1st row of Pattern Stitch across next 29 sts, k36(41).
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K36(41), work 3rd row of Pattern Stitch across next 29 sts, k36(41).
Next row: Purl.
Next row (decrease): K1, k2tog] 4 times, k29(34),
[k2tog] 4 times, k1, [k2tog] 4 times, k29(34),
[k2tog] 4 times, k1. 85(95) sts. - Shape Back:
- Row 1 (RS): K2tog, knit to the last 2 sts, k2tog.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl.
- Rep these last 2 rows until 5 sts remain.
- Next Row: Sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2tog. 3 sts.
- Next Row: P3tog and fasten off.
- Front Border:
- Using the smaller needles and C, and with the RS facing, pick up and knit 99 (107) sts evenly along the straight edge of the bonnet (the cast-on edge).
- Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a knit row.
- Picot Row: K1, * yf, k2tog; rep from * to end.
- Work 3 rows in st st, starting with a knit row.
- Cast off.
- Finishing:
- Press gently.
- Thread ribbon through the picot holes along the front border of the bonnet, and tie it into a bow at each end.
Age Estimations:
- Size 1 (16″ chest): Approximately 0-3 months.
- Size 2 (18″ chest): Approximately 3-6 months.
