Halter Neck Dress for Blythe Dolls
@ 2009 Lyndell / Fashioned by Lyndell Please do not copy or distribute any part of this pattern without permission. Please do not sell items made from this pattern without permission. If you use this pattern and post the result (on Ravelry or a Blog etc) an attribution would be appreciated. Made for dolls with standard Neo Takara, ADG or Licca bodies. This pattern is intended as a “launching pad’ for adaptation - you start at the hem and the skirt is highly adaptable for many different looks (the bodice is not so adaptable, it is quite small!) My notes to help adaptations are shown \*like this. You need: 4ply / sock weight yarn approximately /2 oz for a long dress, less for a short version. Set of DPNs 2.5mm / US size 1%2 / UK size 13 - if desired the skirt can be worked on slightly larger needles. 1 or 2 very small snap-studs. Gauge on 2.5mm needles 3sts = 1cm (gauge only important for waistband & bodice). Version 1 - with Maxi Length Plain Skirt in self-patterning sock yarn With 2.5mm DPNs cast on 80sts and join in a round without twisting. \* if you use larger needles the skirt will be more voluminous Work in the round and in stocking st (all rounds knit) \* this does tend to roll - to avoid this you could work a hem or a couple of rows in garter st
When work measures 5cm (2") from beginning start to decrease - Nxt and every 6t Rnd work k2tog 4times at random (to avoid getting obvious ‘seams') when you have 60sts left work the decreases every 4th Rnd to 48sts When skirt is about 12cm long (4.75") divide for back opening. At the Centre Back start working back & forth (working Purl on wrong side rows) and cast on 3sts on the Left-Hand side for the underlap. Always work the 3sts underlap in Stocking St. When 14.75cm (5.75") long (or length desired) and with right side facing decrease from 48sts to 28sts plus 3 for underlap: Dec row: K4, (k2tog) x10, k6, (K2tog) x10, K1 \* try to keep the decreases at the sides with none at the front - a flat front is more flattering It is now important to be working to gauge.
Waistband :
Waistband Rows 1&3: (p1, K1) to last 3 sts p3 Waistband Rows 2&4: K3 (p1, K1) to end \* a 4row waistband gives the high-waisted look, a wider waistband (more rows of ribbing) will give a more fitted look - remember that the bottom of the waistband is lowered. Halter Neck Dress for Blythe Dolls Bodice With wrong side facing cast off 5sts neatly \*I like a cast-off with a chain edge and work as follows: p2, (on RH needle pass 1st st over the 2nd st, pl) until desired number of sts have been cast off p9 (counting that stitch on the RH needle left after the casting off is done) turn K7, K2tog turn p2tog p6 turn sl1 K1 psso, K3, K2tog turn p2tog, p3 turn K2, K2tog turn p3tog Do not bind off but make a neck tie about 16cm (6") long by working chain st in crochet - either with a hook or with finger crochet / finger knitting. Now work the other bodice as follows: Rejoin yarn at the edge of the underlap and with right side facing cast off 8sts neatly \* as the right side is facing I work as before but knit-wise: K2, (on RH needle pass 1t st over the 2"d st, K1) K9 turn p7, p2tog turn sl1 K1 psso, K6 turn p2tog, p3, p2tog turn sl1 K1 psso, K3 turn p2, p2tog turn K3tog Do not bind off but make a neck tie about 16cm (6"') long by working chain st as before. Finishing: Weave in ends, neatly stitch the cast-on edge of the underlap to the inside of the skirt. Sew a snap-stud close to the upper edge of the waistband and if desired, another lower down. \* If the stitches stretch at the centre front of the band, in the decolletage you can neaten with a couple of small stitches and you can decorate here with a little flower or bead or bow ...
Version 2 - Floor Length for the Red Carpet
In Moda Vera's “Romantic" an inexpensive metallic yarn that knits up as a sock yarn. I used 2.75mm needles for the skirt and made it 17cm long before I commenced the waistband. The skirt does roll at the hem - I've sewn a black bead to the centre front décolletage.
Halter Neck Dress for Blythe Dolls Version 3 - Short with Waves in self-patterning sock yarn - for Mermaids
Version 3 is in another selfpatterning sock yarn, the skirt is above knee length and is more bell-shaped. With 2.75mm needles cast on 72sts and work in Rnds as follows (it helps to use a Marker at the beginning of the rnds)
Back showing fastening for all the dresses \* this lace stitch creates a wavy hem, you can use any decorative stitch pattern but you might need to cast on a different number of stitches Rnds 1,2,3 : K all sts Rnd 4 : \*(p2tog) x3, (yo,K1) x6, (p2tog) x3 repeat from \* When skirt is approximately 5cm (2") long divide for the back opening and add the 3sts underlap as for Version 1 and work back & forth with the wrong-side rows (1&3 of the lace pattern) in Purl. Remember to work the 3sts of the underlap in Stocking St. When about 8cm (3") long decrease to 28sts (plus 3) as follows: Row 1: K4, (K2tog) to last stitch, K1 (40sts) Row 2: p4, (p2tog) x3, p15, (p2tog) x4, p7 (31sts) To 2.5mm needles and continue Waistband, Bodice and Finishing as for Version 1 -- I put a bow at the décolletage on this dress.
Version 4 - Romantic with a Frilled Skirt Here I've used Bendigo Woolen Mills? \*Luxury”’ 4ply spot dyed with pink/purple and green. I used 2.75mm needles and cast on 108sts working 12 rounds for the frill before decreasing by working k2tog around (54sts). Worked random K2tog x4 (as for Version 1) in following rounds 4 and 10 then straight without decreases for about an inch (2.5cm). When 9cm (3.5") long from cast on divide at centre back and continue as for Version 1 - skirt is about 11cm (4.5") long from cast on to waistband.
