Knitting Bailey’s Sweater Dress and Hat
I knit this sweet sweater dress for my baby granddaughter. I took notes while I was knitting it and I love it. This pattern has not been tested though! So many knitters have asked for the pattern that I wrote it out. This is exactly what I did and it fits size 3-6 months.
Skill Level → Advanced/ Adventurous Beginner
Skills to know ↓
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Yarn
For this project I chose Malabrigo Rios yarn in the colorway “Almond Blossom”. This yarn is machine washable, cold water, gentle cycle, dry flat.
It’s such a beautiful, soft, worsted weight yarn that will be comfortable and warm. From their website, this yarn means ‘rivers’ in Spanish, its four plies represent each of the major rios of Uruguay! Washable, like the name suggests, the plies twist like these rivers to make it soft and durable.
Malabrigo Rios is 100% Superwash Merino Wool
I purchased 2 skeins, each is 210 yards (192 m). I used nearly all of it for the sweater, hat and pompom.
Needles
16″ circular knitting needles with size US8 (5mm) tips.
A note about Gauge
Gauge is 20 stitches = 4 inches
Gauge is very important for the sweater to fit so be sure to knit a swatch first. You may need to switch to size 7 or 9 needles to make sure you have the proper gauge.
I use these Knitpicks needles for baby knits. Have you tried these ‘shorties’ yet? They have small tips which make knitting sleeves and smaller projects like the body of the sweater in the round so much easier.
They are called the Knitpicks Options Short Interchangeable Needles.
Pattern
This pattern is written for size 3 -6 months. It is written from the bottom up. First the back is knit and then the front.
Once the bodice is completed, the shoulder seams are sewn. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves which are added last.
Sizes
Directions are for infant’s size 3 -6 mths
Chest –17.5 ”
Total Length – 13″
BACK
Cast on 52 stitches
Bottom Border:
Knit in garter stitch (knit every row) for 12 rows (one inch)
Dress:
Knit in Stockinette Stitch for 6 more inches
(knit the right side, purl the wrong side)
Bodice:
Rows 1-4: Knit
Row 5: Knit 2, *YO, K2tog from * to the last 2 stitches, Knit 2
Rows 6-8: Knit
Then: Knit in stockinette stitch for 4 more inches, end on WS (your last row will be purled)
Bind off. Mark middle of row for back neck at 26 stitches
Front
Knit the same as the back until you reach the Bodice
Bodice
Rows 1-4: Knit
Row 5: Knit 2, *YO, K2tog from * to the last 2 stitches, Knit 2
Row 6-8: Knit
Then: Knit in stockinette stitch for 3 inches, ending on WS.
Shape Neck
Next Row (RS): Knit 18 stitches
Join another ball of yarn and bind off center 18 stitches, knit to end.
On the right shoulder, Purl to the last 2 stitches at the neckline, p2tog
Turn work, K2tog, Knit to the end.
Turn work, Purl to the last 2 stitches, P2tog.
Bind off 15 stitches, leaving a long tail to sew up the shoulder later.
Drop yarn from new ball and pick up yarn for left shoulder.
P2tog, Purl to the end (WS)
Knit to the last 2 stitches at the neckline, K2tog.
Turn work, P2tog, Purl to the end.
Bind off the stitches on the left shoulder leaving a long tail to sew up the shoulder later.
Next: Sew up right shoulder seam.
Neckband
With RS facing, using circular needle, begin at left front shoulder where the tail is from the bound off shoulder edge.
Pick up and Knit 6 stitches along the left front neck edge. (This is the left shoulder, but with the RS up, this is on the right side of the fabric.)
Then continue on, pick up 16 sts across front neck edge, 6 sts along right front neck edge, then 23 sts across back neck edge
= 51 sts. Do not join.
Work even in Garter St for 3⁄4 ̋, end on WS. Bind off.
Using the mattress stitch, sew up the left shoulder seam.
Sleeves
SLEEVES
With RS facing, using straight needles, pick up and knit 41 stitches along armhole edge
Beg with a Purl row, work in stockinette stitch, end on WS.
Dec Row (RS): K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, SSK, k1 = 2 stitches decreased
Rep this Decrease every 1⁄2 ̋ 8 times or until there are 23 stitches left on the needles.
Continue to knit the RS and purl the WS until sleeve measures 5″ from beg, end on WS.
Knit for 1 inch.
Bind off.
Using mattress stitch, Sew side and sleeve seams.
Blocking
After I am done with knitting my baby knits, I like to give them a little soak in Eucalan. Simply mix a capful in some warm water and give the hat a little bath. After 15 minutes or so, remove the hat and roll up in a towel. Unroll it and pin to a blocking mat. I always feel like blocking my knits is like a little reward for the yarn for doing such a nice job 💕
Knitting Bailey’s Hat
For 3-6 month size and worsted weight yarn and size US8 short needle and a 16″ cable:
Cast on 64 stitches (do not join)
Knit 6 rows
Join and knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
K2tog, YO * Repeat until end of round
Purl 1 row
Knit until entire piece measures 6″
Begin decrease, changing to double pointed needles if necessary:
Knit 6, k2tog* Repeat until end of round
Knit around
Knit 5, k2tog* Repeat until end of round
Knit around
Knit 4, k2tog* Repeat until end of round
Knit around
Knit 3, k2tog* Repeat until end of round
Knt around
K2tog* Repeat until end of round
Cut yarn and thread through needle
Thread remaining stitches through live stitches and pull tight. Sew hole closed.
Sew up the brim.
Weave in the ends.
Pompom – Optional but fun
If you like a faux fur pompom try here: Etsy: faux fur pompoms. They come in different sizes, are beautifully made and less expensive than other Etsy shops!
It is also fun to make your own yarn pompoms. I like to use the Knitpicks Clover Pompom Maker. For help use this guide.
I hope you enjoy knitting this fun hat!
