Muffy Irish Dress Outfit
Watch out Jean Butler and Michael Flatley... Here we come! Start clicking your heels to Riverdance, and make an Irish outfit. My mother-in-law, Monica, and Mary, Kippy and Margo (sisters-in-law) all had Muffy Bears. Every year, I loved designing a new outfit for Muffy. Monica was born and raised in Londonderry. So, obviously, I had to make an Irish dress. And the red hair was a given. In the past, when I made a doll dress for my mother (who by the way is also Irish), she would always inspect to make sure that the doll had panties. So of course, every respectable bear needs panties, too. After all, this is not a Kilt. Hope you enjoy it. And may the luck of the Irish always be with you. Pan The dress can be made different ways. It can be plain without trim or insert or emblem. It can have the insert just sewed on, or with a skirt overlap. The sleeves can be made shorter by making less rounds. You can have a snap or Velcro closure in the back. If you prefer, you could crochet chain ties to the back at the neck and waist. There is also an optional sash, shoes, socks, wig and a crown.
Materials:
Diamante Tammcrill (Fine Finger Yarn) 100g skein \~ 130 yds. For Dress, Crown, Sash and Panties (Green, Blue or Black) \~ 20 yds each For Socks and Shoes. (White and Black) \~ 30 yds of a Contrasting Color for Trim and Skirt-lnsert OR Gold Crochet Thread size #10 3.75mm / F Hook Snag Free Velcro (\~ 1 %2") OR 2 Snaps for dress back Invisible Thread OR Dress Color Thread Sewing needle For Emblem: you can use any motif, any yarn and any hook that you want. I used only a small amount, maybe a couple yds of: Diamante (Fine Finger Yarn) with a 2.25mm / B hook or 3.25mm / D hook OR Crochet Thread size #10 1.5mm / \~ US #8 steel hook For Hair: Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Boucle Yarn: I'm guessing \~ 20 yds of Orange 5mm / H hook For Tap Shoes: \~ 25 yds Diamante Black 3.75mm / F Hook Size: Fits an 8" Muffy Bear Gauge: 7 sc rows = 1" 5 sC sts = 1" Diamanti finger yarn recommends a size 3mm hook. Using a larger hook gives the yarn a bit more stretch and flexibility so gauge is not critical.
Abbreviations:
\~ = Approximately Beg = Beginning Ch = Chain DC = Double Crochet FO = Fasten Off GL-DC = Gapless double crochet HDC = Half Double Crochet HDC-Inc = 2 HDCs in same loop Lp(s) = Loop(s) MR = Magic Ring Rem = Remaining Rnd(s) = Round(s) Sc = Single Crochet Sk = Skip Sp(s) = Space(s) Ss = Slip Stitch St(s) = Stitch(es) TR = Treble BLO = Back Loop Only Dec = Decrease by crocheting 2 si Inc = Increase with 2 single croche Xs = Times YO = Yarn over
US Terminology
BLOUSE: Begin at Neckline Row 1: [RT side] With Dress Color (3.75mm / F Hook): Note: This row only: Stitch in the back-ridge-bump. (For a nicer edge). Ch 30, Sc in the 2nd ch from hk and the next 2 chs, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in next ch, SC in next 7 chs, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in next ch, SC in next 5 chs, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in next ch, SC in next 7 chs, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in next ch, SC in last 3 chs. Turn. (33 sc and 4 ch-2 corners) Row 2: Ch 1, SC in first 4 sc, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in the ch-2-sp, SC in next 9 sc, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in the ch-2-sp, SC in next 7 sc, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in the ch-2-sp, SC in next 9 sc, (SC, Ch 2, SC) in the ch-2-sp, SC in last 4 sc. Turn. (41 sc and 4 ch-2 corners) Rows 3 - 6: Ch 1, SC in each sc across and work (SC, Ch 2, SC) in each ch-2-sp. Turn. (3=49, 4=57,5=65, 6=73) Guide for # of Sts bet Corners: Row 3 = 5 + 11 + 9 + 11 + 5 = 41 + 8 sc in corners = Total 49 sc and 4 ch-2 corners Row 4 = 6 + 13 + 11+ 13 + 6 Row5 =7 + 15+ 13 + 15 + 7 Row 6 = 8 + 17 + 15 + 17 + 8 Row 7: [RT side] Arm-holes: Ch 1, SC in the first 9 sc, SC in the ch-2-sp, Ch 1, sk 19 sc, SC in the ch-2-sp, SC in next 17 sc, SC in the ch-2-sp, Ch 1, sk 19 sc, SC in the ch-2-sp, SC in last 9 sc. Turn. (39 sc and 2 ch-1) Note: Skipped stitched will be used later for sleeves. Row 8: Ch 1, SC in each sc and ch across. Turn. (41 sc) Row 9: Ch 1, SC in each sc across. Turn. (41 sc) Row 10: Ch 1, SC in each sc across. Turn. DO NOT FO: continue to skirt. (41 sc) \*\*\*Note: Special stitch to alleviate the ch-3-gap:
Begin with Ch 2.
Insert hook into the second chain from hook, and pull up a loop (there will be 2 Ips on hook now). Do not YO, insert hook in the first st (bottom of the ch 3), and pull up a Ip. (3 Ips now). (YO and pull through 2 Ips) twice. Gapless dc made. (GL-DC) If you prefer or find it easier, you can just Ch-3 as your first dc. JvcHa uic uaun uiuouic). Row 11: Ch-1, ss in the first and second sts. GL-DC in the same as the 2nd ss. (counts as the first dc), DC in same st again, DC in the next, 2 DC in next. (2 DC in next, DC in next, 2 DC in next) 5xs. (3 DC in each of next 3 sts). [Center front of Skirt for insert] \*Note: Mark the center dc (that is the 5th dc of the last 9 sts) for later placement of insert. (2 DC in next, DC in next, 2 DC in next) 6xs. Turn. (69 dc) Row 12: (Joining Rnd) Join yarn with a ss in the first dc (the GL-DC) of Row 11. GL-DC, DC in each dc across. Join with a, ss to top of GL-DC. Turn. (69 dc) Rnds: 13 - 16: GL-DC, DC in each dc across. Join and Turn. (69 dc) Rnd 17: Ch 1, SC in each dc around. Join with a ss. DO NOT TURN. (69 sc) \*Note: Mark the 29th and 41st sc's of Rnd 17 for placement of the insert. Rnd 18: Ch 1, Reverse SC in each sc around. FO, and weave in. Sew a narrow Velcro strip to each side at the back opening of dress. Or use snaps on rows 1 and 10.
SLEEVES: Dress Color (3.75mm / F Hook) The first st will be in the last stitch of the last round. And do not miss the final SC, which is close to the beginning stitch. It might help to mark the first st of each round for joining at the end of the round. Also, if you choose, you can use gold or a contrasting color for the last round or two. Rnd 1: With RT side facing, join yarn with a ss in the center ch-st underarm. Ch 1, 24 SC evenly around armhole, ss to join. Turn. (24 sc) Note only if needed: Clarification for Rnd 1 of the sleeve: First sc is in the center st under the arm. Next sc is between rows 7 and 8 of the Blouse. Next sc is in the ch-2 sp that joined the arm-holes from row 6. Then sc in the 19 skipped sts from row 7. The next sc is in the ch-2 sp (other side of same armhole). Final sc is between rows 7 and 8. Join to the first sc with a ss. Turn. Rnds 2 - 9: Ch 1, SC around, ss to join. Turn. (24 sc) Rnd 10: Ch 1, SC around, ss to join. DO NOT TURN. (24 sc) Rnd 11: [RT side] Reverse SC around. Join. FO. (24 sc) INSERTPANELFORSKIRT: Gold (3.75mm / F Hook) Row 1: [RT side] Ch 4, 2 DC in the 1st ch. (3 dc) Rows 2 - 5: Ch 3, turn. DC in base of ch-3, SC across, 2 DC in last dc. (Row 5 = 11 dc) Row 6: Ch 1, turn. SC 2 in the first st, Sc in next 9 sts, 2 SC in last st. (13 sc) Row 7: Ch 1, turn, ss across. FO with an end to sew or tack in place on Skirt. (13 ss) With RT side facing, place the Panel in place on Skirt. Row 1 of the Panel will be placed at the marked st from Row 11 of Skirt. The bottom (Row 7) of Panel will fit between marked sts of Rnd 17, just above the final Reverse sc rnd. Tack or sew in place with the yarn end. Then overlap the skirt a stitch or two over the outer side-edges of the Panel. Use dress color or invisible thread to sew in place. If you do use dress color thread, be careful to just catch only the back sts of the Panel across the bottom, so it will not show through the insert.
CELTICAPPLIQUEFORCENTERFRONTOFDRESS:
You can put any kind of motif on the center front of the Blouse that you like. Maybe a Tiny lrish Rose, a Shamrock, a Cross, a Heart or a Celtic motif. There are also free crocheted fridgie and motif patterns that you can find on the web.
For the Yellow Dress:
A Tiny Shamrock: I used dark green Crochet Thread size #10 and a 2.25mm/ B hook. In a MR, (Ch 3, HDC, Ch 3, ss in the ring) 3xs. Ch 5, ss in the 2nd ch from the hook and the next 3. FO with end to sew or tack to front of dress. \*\*\* Note: Special stitch: Ch 2. Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, and pull up a loop (2 Ips on hook now). Insert hook in the MR, and pull up a Ip. (3 Ips now). (YO and pull through 2 Ips) twice. Gapless dc made. (GL-DC) For the Panties - a bit smaller version: In a MR, (GL-DC, Ch 2, ss in the ring) 3xs. Ch 5, ss in the 2nd ch from hook and the next 3. FO with end to sew or tack to front of panties. For the Blue dress: I used white Diamanti finger yarn and a 3.25mm / D hook. Rnd 2: Ch 1, SC in first sc (same as the joined st) (Ch 3, ss in 2nd ch from the hook, Ch 1, SC in the next sc) 5xs. Ch 1, ss in 2nd ch from hook, Ch 2, ss to the first sc. FO with end to sew or tack to front of dress.
For the Black dress: I used Gold Crochet Thread size #10 and a 2.25 B hook. I just surface-crocheted 3 sts up and 2 sts across for a tiny Cross. On the Green Dress, which I made years ago, I think I used a motif that I found in an old Irish Crochet Book. SASH: Dress Color (3.75mm / F Hook) Note: Abbreviations used for Sash and Panties: Dec = Decrease by crocheting 2 single crochets as one Inc = Increase with 2 single crochets into one stitch
Row 1: (Leave \~10" length yarn at beg to sew to dress later) Ch 3, SC in 2nd ch and the next. Turn. (2 sc) Row 2: Ch 1, SC across. Turn. (2 sc) Row 3: Ch 1, SC in first st, INC in next. Turn. (3 sc) Row 4: Ch 1, DEC, INC. Turn. (3 sc) Row 5: Ch 1, INC, DEC. Turn. (3 sc) Row 6: Ch 1, DEC, INC. Turn. (3 sc) Row 7: Ch 1, INC, SC in 2. Turn. (4 sc) Row 8: Ch 1, DEC, SC, INC. Turn. (4 sc) Row 9: Ch 1, INC, SC in 3. Turn. (5 sc) Row 10: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 2, INC. Turn. (5 sc) Row 11: Ch 1, INC, SC in 4. Turn. (6 sc) Row 12: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 3, INC. Turn. (6 sc) Row 13: Ch 1, INC, SC in 3, DEC. Turn. (6 sc) Row 14: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 3, INC. Turn. (6 sc) Row 15: Ch 1, INC, SC in 5. Turn. (7 sc) Row 16: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 4, INC. Turn. (7 sc) Row 17: Ch 1, INC, SC in 4, DEC. Turn. (7 sc) Row 18: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 4, INC. Turn. (7 sc) Row 19: Ch 1, INC, SC in 6. Turn. (8 sc) Row 20: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 5, INC. Turn. (8 sc) Row 21: Ch 1, INC, SC in 5, DEC. Turn. (8 sc) Row 22: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 5, INC. Turn. (8 sc) Row 23: Ch 1, INC, SC in 5, DEC. Turn. (8 sc) Row 24: Ch 1, DEC, SC in 5, INC. Turn. (8 sc) Row 25: [RT side} Ch 1, SC across. FO. (8 sc) EDGING FOR SASH: Contrasting Color in Diamantifinger yarn or Crochet Thread (Continue using the 3.75mm / F Hook) Row 1: Join yarn with a ss in top rt corner of sash. Ch 1, SC evenly around with 3 SC in corners. Join. Row 2: Ch 1, Reverse SC across each sc, join. FO.
PANTIES: Dress Color (3.75mm / F Hook)
Front:
Row 1: [RT side] Ch 3, SC in 2nd ch and next. Turn. (2 sc) Note: Mark the last sc for joining the back. Rows 2-3: Ch 1, SC in each across. Turn. (2, 2) Row 4: Ch 1, INC in each st. Turn. (4) Rows 5-11: Ch 1, INC in first sc, SC across to last sc, INC in last sc.Turn. FO. (6, 8, 10, 12,14, 16,18) Row 12: Ch 1, SC across. FO. (18)
Back:
Row 1: [RT side] With Front Rt side facing and Row 1 at the top: Join yarn with a ss in the Marked sc. Ch 1, SC in ea of the 2 sts. Turn. (2 sc) Row 2: Ch 1, INC in each st. Turn. (4)
s 3-12: Ch 1, INC in first sc, SC across to last sc, INC in last sc. Turn. (24) Rnd 13: (Joining round) Ch 1, Sc across the 24 sts. Do not Turn. Do not Ch 1. SC in each of the 18 sts across the top Row 12 of the Front. Join with a ss in 1st sc. Turn. (24 + 18 = 42 sc) Rnd 15: Ch 1, DEC 2xs, SC in next 16 sts, DEC 3xs, SC in next 14 sts, DEC. Join. Do not turn. (36) Rnd 16: Ss in each st around. FO and weave in. (36 ss)
Edging around Leg:
The crotch is formed by the beg rows with only 2 sts. Join yarn with a ss one of these sts. Ch. 1, SC in the same st and each st on the side of the rows up the back (or front) to the 13th row. Skip Rnds 13 - 16 of the front and back. Continue down the side of the rows of the front (or back) from the 12th row to the beg st. Join. FO. (25) Repeat for other leg. IRISH TAP SHOES: Black Diamante yarn (4mm / C hook) Be sure to keep the joining stitches fairly tight to alleviate gaps.
Rnd 1: Ch 5, 2 HDC in 3d ch from hook, HDC in next, 6 HDC in last ch. Working other side of ch: HDC in next, HDC in last (same as the first 2 sC's). Join to 1st hdc (not the beg chs) (11) Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 HDC in the same joining st, 2 HDC in next, HDC in next 2, 2 HDC in each of next 5, HDC in next 2. Join. (18) Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 HDC in each of first 4 sts, HDC in next 4, 2 HDC in each of first 6 sts, HDC in next 4. Join. (18) Rnds 4 - 5: Ch 1, HDC around. Join. (28, 28) Rnd 6: Ch 1, HDC in first 15, (HDC next 2 tog) 2xs, HDC in next, (HDC next 2 tog) 2xs, HDC in last 4. Join. (24) Rnd 7: Ch 1, HDC in first 15, HDC next 2 tog, HDC in next 2, HDC next 2 tog, HDC in last 3. Join. (22) Rnd 8: Ch 1, SC in first 15, SC-Dec 3xs, SC in last. Join. FO. (19) You can add socks, if you wish. SOCKS: Rnd 1: [BLO this row] Join White with SC in the 1st st. Ch 1, SC in each around. Join. (19) Rnds 2- 5: Ch 1, SC in each around. Join. FO at end. (19) OPTIONAL IRISH BALLET SHOES: (If you prefer a tighter shoe for Muffy) Uses: Diamante (Fine Finger Yarn) \~25 yds. each of Black and White and 2.5mm / C hook Rnd 1: Ch 8, 2 SC in 2nd ch fr hk, SC in each of next 2 chs, HDC in next 3, 7 DC in last ch. Working other side of ch: HDC in 3, SC in 2, 2 SC in last (same as the first 2 sc's). Join with a ss to first sc. (21) Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as hdc), 2 HDC in the same joining st, HDC in next 7, 2 HDC in each of next 5, HDC in next 7, 2 HDC in last. Join with ss to first hdc (sk beg-ch-2). (28) Rnd 3 - 7: Ch 1, SC in each st around. Join. FO. (28 sc)
SOCKS:
Rnd 1: [BLO this row] Join White with SC in the 2nd st (not the joining st). SC in next 9, HDC next 2 tog, DC next 2 tog, DC in next, DC next 2 tog, HDC next 2 tog, SC in last 9 (last st will be in the joined st from rnd 7). Join. (24) Rnd 2: Ch 1, SC in first 9 sts, sk next st, DC next 2 tog, DC in next, DC next 2 tog, sk next st, SC in last 8. Join. (20) Rnd 3 - 7: Ch 1, SC in each around. Join. FO at end. (20 sc)
LACESFORSHOES:
Cut 12" of Black. Sew under the front stitches of row 7 of shoe. Lace by stitching on the sides of black 3 times and wrap to the center-back and tie to secure.
HAIR-CAP
Row 1: With Orange Bouncle and 5mm / H hook, Ch 6, SC in 2nd ch and across. (5 sc) Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 SC in 1st st, SC across with 2 SC in last st. (7 sc) Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 2 SC in 1st st, SC across with 2 SC in last st. (9 sc) Row 4: Ch 1, turn, SC even. (9 sc) Row 5: Ch 1, turn, 2 SC in 1st st, SC across with 2 SC in last st. (11 sc) Row 6: Ch 1, turn, SC even. (11 sc) FO.
Go back to 1st st on last row of hair, join with a ss, Ch 1, SC in same st, 2 SC in each of next 9 sts, SC in last st, Ch 8, 2 SC in each of 5 sts on row 1 of hair,
CROWN
Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn, SC in each of 8 chs, [Next sts in BLO of the 10 sts across the top] SC, HDC, DC, 2 DC in next, 2 TR with Picot in next, 2 TR, 2 DC in next, DC, HDC, SC, SC in 8 chs, join to next st on bottom-back. FO.
HAIR:
Cut the # of strands of Bouncle yarn for each round of the Hair-cap and attach asfollows: Row 1 - Cut 5 strands - 11" long Row 2- Cut 7 strands - 10" long Row 3 - Cut 9 strands - 9" long Row 4 - Cut 9 strands - 8" long Row 5 - Cut 11 strands - 7" long Row 6 - Cut 11 strands - 6" long Fold the first strand in half. With wrong side of crown up and facing, start in the beg 5-sc of round 1. Put the hook around (under and up) each stitch. Pull up a loop (from the center of the folded strand).
Catch the two loose ends of the strand with the hook and pullthrough the loop. ends snug against the cap. When all strands are attached, trim hair evenly
