Barbie knitted dresses

This is the first knitted dress pattern I made for Barbie, although it has been updated a few times.  

The first style is in two colours and knit in one piece with a centre back seam

I couldn't resist adding a crochet collar as they were very popular at the time.  The  collar is made using 4ply cotton yarn and because a bit closer fit around the neckline I included a back opening for an easy fit.

Double knitting yarns can vary in thickness which can make a big difference to sizing in a small garment such as these knitted dresses. Budget yarns tend to be thicker than better quality yarns and although would not give such a close fit, will work well.

I used King Cole Comfort double knitting. If you want a looser fit use a no 9 needle throughout (after checking your tension) The key is to keep fitting the dress against the doll as you knit, and as they are so quick to knit, can easily be redone. 

When finishing the dress I sew a few securing stitches at each side of the armholes as sharp Barbie fingers can easily snag knitted garments.

Both dresses can easily be made in the round, noting that the round begins at centre back. You will need to change to rows for the back opening if making the dress with collar. 

To fit: 12” Barbie (latest model) and most 12" fashion dolls

Materials:

Two colour dress

Approx 50g double knitting yarn in main and 25g contrast

Needles size 3.25 (US 3)

Dress with crochet collar

50g double knitting yarn in main, Small amount of 4ply cotton yarn

needles size 3.25 (US 3), no 2 crochet hook, small button

Tension: 28sts and 32 rows over 4 in (stocking stitch) using 3.25 needles

Abbreviations: beg: beginning, sts: stitches, yf: yarn forward, rep: repeat, ss: stocking stitch, sl st, slip stitch, m1: pick up loop between sts and knit into back, tog: together, k: knit, p: purl, dec: decrease, ch: chain

Dress Two Colour Dress

(for plain dress use main colour only)

Using main colour cast on 28sts,

Work 2 rows k1 p1 rib

Work 10 rows ss (lengthen here if required)

Next row: K7, m1,k14,m1 k to end (30sts)

Work 9 rows ss

Next row: k2, (k2tog,k4) 4 times, k2tog, k2 (25 sts)

Work 3 rows stocking stitch

Join contrast and work 2 rows ss*

Next row: K10, m1,k1,m1,k3,m1,k1,m1,k 10 (29sts)

Work 3 rows ss

Armhole shaping

Next row: k6, cast off 2, k13, cast off 2, k to end

Next row: p6, cast on 7sts, p13, cast on 7sts, p6

Next row: k4, k2tog, k7, k2tog,k4, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4 (34sts)

Next row: purl.

Cast off

To Finish Sew centre back seam using

mattress stitch. finish all ends

Dress with crochet collar

Work as two colour dress to * (if knitting plain dress use main colour yarn only)

Next row: cast on 2sts, K12, m1, k1, m1, k3,

m1,k1,m1,k10 (31sts)

Work 3 rows ss

Armhole shaping

Next row: k8, cast off 2, k13, cast off 2, k to end

Next row: k2, p4, cast on 7sts, p13, cast on 7sts, p6, k2

Next row: k6, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4 (36sts)

Next row: (buttonhole row) k2, purl to last 2sts, yf, k2tog

Cast off

Collar

Using no 2 crochet hook and 4 ply cotton (or other 4ply yarn) make 31ch

Next row: work 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook. Dc in each ch to end (30dc) turn

Next row: 1ch, *(1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc) in next dc, miss 2dc,** rep from * to ** to end

(10 clusters) break off yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.

Slip stitch collar around neck edge, right side facing. (beg after gs right back edging and end at gs left edging)

To finish

Sew centre back seam to back opening, using mattress stitch. Sl st bottom of gs edge in place. sew on small button to correspond with buttonhole.