This is my new Designer Friend 18" doll so I've been busy adapting some of my other patterns to fit. My first attempt is this top down dress, knit from the neck down in one piece, with a back seam, using straight needles throughout. I added a back opening to make it easier to dress the doll. The dress will fit most 18" dolls
The pattern has been tested (thanks to my sister) but mistakes can easily slip by so if you find and errors or have problems with the pattern please leave a comment below
Actual measurements: Dress: Chest 14”, length from shoulder to hem 9”
Tension (Gauge): 24sts x 28 rows x 4” (10cm) using 4mm needles over stocking stitch
Abbreviations
k: knit, p: purl, st(s): stitch(es), tog: together, yf: yarn forward
gs: garter stitch - every row knit, rs: right side facing, ws: wrong side facing
kfb: increase by knitting into first loop then knit into back loop of same stitch
Work 2 rows gs
Buttonhole row k2tog, yf k to end
Row 1 k6 (yf, k2, yf, k12) x 3, yf, k2, yf, k9 67sts
Change to 3.25 needles
Join backs and front: ws facing, K15, slst, knit first stitch of front, psso, knit across 30sts front, slst, knit first stitch of back, psso, k15 62sts
Inc row rs facing, k1, (kfb) x 11, k8, (kfb) x 22, k8, (kfb) x 11, k1 106sts
Change to 4mm needles
Next row purl
Begin skirt pattern
Row 1 k1, (k2tog, yf, k6) to last stitch, k1
Row 2 purl
Row 3 knit
Row 7 knit
These 8 rows form the pattern. Repeat 8 rows of pattern 2 times, then rows 1 to 6
Hem pattern
Row 1 k1, (k3, k2tog, yf, k1, yf, ssk)) rep to last stitch, k1
Row 2 purl
Row 3 k2, (k1, k2tog, yf, k3, yf, ssk) rep to end
Row 4 purl
Row 5 k1, (s1, k2tog, psso, yf, k5, yf) rep to last stitch, k1
Rows 6-8 knit 3 rows garter stitch
Cast off loosely
To Finish off
Sew back seam. Sew placket of back opening on wrong side. Sew on 2 buttons to match buttonhole. Finish off all ends, block skirt to avoid hem curling up.