Designer notes: This pattern is knitted flat and seamed for a neat finish. It includes a sweetheart-style bodice, puffy princess sleeves, a leaflike layered skirt, elf shoes, an upside-down-flower hat and a ballet-style cardigan. Written for 19cm doll with chest circumference 15cm. Work a gauge swatch and adjust needle size if needed.
Stockinette: 28 sts x 36 rows = 10cm on 2.75mm needles. Because this is small scale, aim for close gauge: if you get fewer stitches per 10cm, switch to smaller needles; if more, switch larger.
All pieces are worked flat unless noted. Bodice is worked first as two halves (left and right) with sweetheart shaping, then seamed at center back and sides. Sleeves are knitted flat and gathered to create puff. Skirt is knitted as overlapping leaf panels attached to lower edge of bodice. Cardigan is knitted as back + two fronts. Shoes are simple toe-up flats seamed and shaped.
Work two identical halves then seam center back and shoulders. Each half forms one side of the sweetheart neckline and includes part of the armhole.
Cast on 24 sts using long-tail cast on on 2.25mm needles (adjust to gauge). Work 1x1 rib for 4 rows (K1,P1) starting RS row as K1 at edge. Row counts below number RS rows odd, WS rows even. Keep selvedge 2 sts at each edge (k2 at RS rows) to help seaming.
Row 1 (RS): k2 (selv), k8, p4, k8, k2 (selv) = 24 sts Row 2 (WS): k2, p20, k2 Rows 3-4: repeat Rows 1-2 (establish base) Row 5 (RS) - begin shaping: k2, k6, yo, ssk, p4, k8, k2 (increase for sweetheart curve) Row 6 (WS): k2, p22, k2 Row 7 (RS): k2, k5, ssk, k1, k1tbl (center point), k1, k2tog, k4, k8, k2 (shaping to define center point) Row 8 (WS): k2, p22, k2
Continue shaping the neckline over next 6 rows: on RS rows decrease 1 st near the center to form the dip, on WS rows work even. The aim: after row 12 you should have 20 sts for each half (check counts). If you reach 20 sts earlier, stop shaping and work even until shoulder shaping.
Row 9 (RS): k2, k4, ssk, k1, k1tbl, k1, k2tog, k3, k8, k2 Row 10 (WS): k2, p20, k2 Row 11 (RS): k2, k3, ssk, k1, k1tbl, k1, k2tog, k2, k8, k2 Row 12 (WS): k2, p20, k2
Shoulder shaping (creates slight slope): Work 6 rows even (stockinette) keeping selvedge. Then bind off 6 sts at shoulder edge (outer edge) over next 2 rows, leaving center-front edge ready to seam to the mirrored half.
Rows 13-18: work even in stockinette (RS: k, WS: p) Row 19 (RS): k2, work to last 8 sts, bind off 6 sts, k2 Row 20 (WS): k2, p14, k2 (shoulder bound off) -- final sts on half ~14
Make mirror image for right half: follow same rows but reverse decreases so sweetheart center is mirrored. After both halves are complete, seam center back from cast-on edge to shoulder using mattress stitch leaving armholes open.
Make 2. Cast on 18 sts on 2.25mm needles. Work 1x1 rib 2 rows. Change to stockinette.
Row 1 (RS): k across Rows 2-6: work even (stockinette) - 5 rows Row 7 (RS): increase row for puff: *k1, yo* repeat across = increases to 35 sts (adjust to keep even) Rows 8-12: work stockinette 5 rows Row 13 (RS): decrease slightly to shape cap: *k3, k2tog* rep across until ~28 sts remain Rows 14-16: work 3 rows even (WS purl) Bind off loosely.
Finish by sewing sleeve seam leaving a small opening at underarm; gather top edge slightly using running stitch and attach to armhole of bodice so sleeve puff sits above armhole edge. If you prefer less puff, pick up fewer sleeve stitches and ease in.
We make 4 leaf panels overlapped (two front, two back). Each leaf is a short triangle with pointed tip that looks like a leaf edge. Pick up stitches around lower edge of bodice and knit panels downwards or knit panels separately and sew to bodice. This version: knit panels separately and sew on so you control overlap. Gauge is small so counts are low.
Cast on 12 sts on 2.25mm needles. Row 1 (RS): k across Row 2 (WS): k across Row 3 (RS): k1, yo, k to last 1 st, yo, k1 (increase either side) = 14 sts Row 4 (WS): k across Repeat Rows 3-4 until piece measures 6.5cm from cast-on OR you have ~32 sts. End with a WS row. Next 2 rows: work K2tog on RS at both edges every RS row for 4 rows to shape tip a bit, then bind off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Sew the four panels to the lower edge of bodice so they overlap like petals (points downward), spacing evenly. For a leaflike finish, press each leaf edge slightly outward and add 1–2 small embroidered veins with duplicate stitch.
Simple flat slipper shape worked flat and seamed. 2.25mm needles.
Cast on 16 sts. Row 1 (RS): k Row 2 (WS): p Rows 3-6: work even in stockinette Row 7 (RS): k3, k2tog, k6, ssk, k3 (decrease to shape toe) = 14 sts Row 8 (WS): p Row 9 (RS): k2, k2tog, k6, ssk, k2 = 12 sts Bind off. Fold with RS facing out, seam sole leaving small opening. Turn inside out if needed to hide seam. Add tiny soft sole with felt glue-on or blanket stitch felt piece. For ankle strap, sew small strap across instep using i-cord or a cast-on of 6 stitches, seam and sew each end to inside of shoe.
Hat is worked flat as a petal circle and seamed to form a bell shape that, when turned upside-down, resembles a flower covering the head much like a bud.
Cast on 40 sts on 2.25mm needles. Row 1 (RS): k across Row 2 (WS): k across Rows 3-6: work K1P1 rib 4 rows for neat brim Switch to stockinette: Row 7 (RS): k across Row 8 (WS): k across Row 9 (RS): *k4, yo, k2tog* rep across (adds scalloped petal shaping) Row 10 (WS): k across Repeat Row 9 and 10 two more times so petals form and fabric cups. Next shape crown: decrease row RS: *k3, k2tog* rep = about 32 sts Next WS: k across Next RS: *k2, k2tog* rep = ~24 sts Next RS: *k1, k2tog* rep = ~12 sts Bind off, leaving long tail. Sew back seam, then pick up crown top with tail and gather tightly to close. Turn hat so seam runs along back and brim edges form petals; press lightly. Decorate with small bead or embroidered stamen center if desired.
Worked flat as back and two fronts. Small open-front style with short cap sleeves built in.
Back: Cast on 30 sts on 2.25mm needles. Row 1 (RS): k across (garter edge 2 sts) Row 2 (WS): p across Rows 3-6: work 1x1 rib for lower edge 4 rows Change to stockinette: Rows 7-18: work even in stockinette (11 rows) until back measures 7cm. Bind off 4 sts at each shoulder edge over next 2 rows (2 sts each row) leaving center back 22 sts then bind off remaining if needed. Left Front: Cast on 18 sts. Work 1x1 rib 4 rows, then stockinette until same length as back. Shape neckline by decreasing 1 st every 4 rows at neck edge for 3 times. Bind off shoulder sts to match back and seam. Right Front: work mirror of left front. Sleeve caps: pick up small number (8 sts) at armhole and work 4 rows of garter for cap / tiny sleeve and bind off. Finishing: seam shoulders, sew side seams leaving sleeve openings, pick up stitches around front edges and work 4 rows of 1x1 rib as collar and tie area. Add tiny buttons if desired; cardigan may be left open as a wrap style.
Bodice half schematic (flat):
Top edge (shoulder) 2.0 cm |----shoulder----| selvedge
Sweetheart dip at center -> 1.2 cm deep
Width cast on 24 sts = 7.5 cm across full bodice
Leaf panel schematic:
tip*
/\ (point)
/ \ (sides increase)
/____\ base attaches to bodice
Shoe (flat sole view): 3.3 cm length
Hat opened (flower): circle approx 10 cm diameter
Cardigan back: width 8.0 cm x length 7.0 cm
Hand wash gently and air dry. Avoid heat against silicone vinyl; remove dress for doll when not displayed for extended periods.
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