Little Gardener’s Pinafore Dress has a classy look, but the interesting stitch pattern paired with bright color add a little pop to it. I love dresses, skirts, shorts for my baby, garments that are intended to be worn over onesies and tights/leggings. (And it is also important to keep diaper changing simple, yay!) This bright cotton dress has been made for my baby girl. The yarn is thick enough, so it has the luxurious look which aran yarns usually have, meanwhile the cotton is still light enough to wear it all year.

Sizes

3mo (6mo, 12mo, 18mo, 24mo) Shown in Size 12mo (yellow) and 3mo (pink).

Finished Measurements

Waist:  14.75 (15.75, 16.75, 19.5, 19.5)” /37 (39.5, 42, 49, 49) cm

Hips: 17 (17, 18.75, 21, 21)” / 42.5 (42.5, 47, 52, 52) cm

Dress Length (without straps): 12 (14.25, 16.25, 17.25, 18.25)”/31 (36, 41, 43, 46) cm

Yarn

Approx. 200 (220, 230, 250, 270) yds/180 (200, 210, 230, 245 meters) of worsted weight yarn. E.g. Garnstudio DROPS Paris (1.8 oz/50 g, 82 yd/75 m, 100% Cotton), 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) balls [CYCA 4], uni color #14, Strong Yellow

Needles

US 7 [4.5 mm] 16″ [40 cm] circular needle

US 6 [4 mm] 16″ [40 cm] circular needle for ribbing and for the straps (or two size smaller than needed to obtain correct gauge)

Notions

2 stitch markers

tapestry needle

2 approx. 1” [20 mm] diameter buttons (exact size depends on the size of the buttonhole)

Gauge

17 sts and 24 rows/rnds = 4″ [10 cm] in Arrow Stitch Pattern with larger needles

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Abbreviations

Please see our standard abbreviations.

K1long-bw insert your needle into the space between second and third stitch backward two rows below (the same place as K1long-fw) and make a loop (Picture tutorial see below)

K1long-fw insert your needle into the space between second and third stitch forward two rows below (the same place ad K1long-bw) and make a loop. (Picture tutorial see below)

RK1long-bw Row (when knitted in flat) insert your needle into the space between second and third stitch backward two rows below (the same place as K1long-fw) and make a loop (Picture tutorial see below)

Rnd(s)K1long-fw Round(s) (when knitted in the round)insert your needle into the space between second and third stitch forward two rows below (the same place ad K1long-bw) and make a loop. (Picture tutorial see below)

K1Long Pics

Pattern Notes

• The dress is knitted in the round from the bottom up.
• Knitted with approx. 2” (5 cm) negative ease on the hips to have a fitted look. Choose a stretchy yarn.
• If you can’t measure the finished item to the recipient, sew on two pairs of buttons to the straps.
• Can be worn with straps crossed over or not.

Charts

PATTERN

SKIRT

Ribbing

CO 72 (72, 80, 88, 88) sts on smaller (US 6/4.00 mm) needles. Join in the round and mark first stitch with a stitch marker.

Knit 8 rnds in K1, P1 rib.

Body of the skirt

Switch to larger needles. Knit 2 rnds in stockinette (knit every stitch).

Start working the Arrow Stitch Pattern (see the Charts):

Rnds 1-2: K all sts.

Rnds 3 and 5: *K1, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k5 * rep 9 (9, 10, 11, 11) times total.

Rnds 4 and 6: *K2tog, k2, ssk, k4 * rep 9 (9, 10, 11, 11) times total.

Rnds 7-8: K all sts.

Rnds 9 and 11: *K5, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k1 * rep 9 (9, 10, 11, 11) times total.

Rnds 10 and 12: *K4, k2tog, k2, ssk * rep 9 (9, 10, 11, 11) times total.Rep 2 (3, 4, 4, 4) times, then for Sizes 3 mo and 24 mo, work Rnds 1-6 once more.For all sizes: Knit 1 rnd in stockinette. 

WAISTBAND

In Rnd 1 separate the front side and back side of the waistband decreasing for a more fitted look. Between the first and second marker keep working the Arrow Stitch Pattern following the charts or the written instructions, rest stitches are worked in K1, P1 rib for waistband.

TIP: For advanced (and adventurous) knitters, I recommend to use two circulars in different sizes. Put the stitches for the ribbing on the smaller needles. Keep working in the round and knit the actual stitches using both tips of the needle they are placed on. In this case the ribbed waistband will be tighter while keeping the gauge for the bib in the loop stitch pattern.

Rnd 1: Separate bib and the waistband and decrease as follows:

Size 3 mo: K1, k2tog, k1, pm, k20, pm, k1, *k2tog, k4* rep 7 times total, k2tog, k3; 63 sts.

Size 6 mo: K0, pm, k28, pm, k5, *k2tog, k6* rep 4 times total, k2tog, k5; 67 sts.

Size 12 mo: K0, pm, k28, pm, k1, *k2tog, k4* rep 8 times total, k2tog, k1; 71 sts.

Size 18 mo: K0, pm, k36, pm, k5, *k2tog, k8* rep 4 times total, k2tog, k5; 83 sts.

Size 24 mo: K1, k2tog, k1, pm, k36, pm, k1, *k2tog, k10* rep 3 times total, k2tog, k9; 83 sts.

See the full charts for the front side of the waistband and bib sections or follow the written instructions below.

For all sizes:

Rnds 2 and 4: [Only for sizes 3 mo & 24 mo: k1, p1, k1 before first marker]. SM, K9 (5, 5, 9, 9), *k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k6* rep 1 (2, 2, 3, 3) times total, [only for sizes 2&3: k1long-fw, k2, klong-bw], k3 (5, 5, 3, 3). SM, *k1, p1* to end finishing with k1.

Rnds 3 and 5: [Only for sizes 3 mo & 24 mo: k1, p1, k1 before first marker]. SM, P3, k5 (1, 1, 5, 5), *k2tog, k2, ssk, k4* rep 1 (2, 2, 3, 3) times total, [only for sizes 2&3: k2tog, k2, ssk], k1, p3. SM, *k1, p1* to end finishing with k1.

Rnd 6: [Only for sizes 3 mo & 24 mo: k1, p1, k1 before first marker]. SM, k3, k2tog, k10 (18, 18, 26, 26), ssk, k3. Sm, *k1, p1* to end. (61 (65,69,81,81) sts)

Rnd 7: [Only for sizes 3 mo & 24 mo: k1, p1, k1 before first marker]. SM, p3, k12 (20, 20, 28, 28), p3. Sm, *k1, p1* to end finishing with k1.

Rnd 8: [Only for sizes 1 & 5: k1, p1, k1 before first marker]. SM, k4 (8, 8, 4, 4), *k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k6* rep 1(1,1,3,3) times total, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k4 (8, 8, 4, 4). SM, *k1, p1* to end finishing with k1.

Rnd 9: [Only for sizes 3 mo & 24 mo: BO 3 sts]. SM, p3, k0 (4, 4, 0, 0), *k2tog, k2, ssk, k4* rep 1 (1,1,3,3) times total, k2tog, k2, ssk, k0 (4, 4, 0, 0), p3. SM and BO rem sts.
BIB 

Continue working the Arrow Stitch Pattern as established with the garter edges and knit the remaining 18 (26, 26, 34, 34) sts flat. The bib is just worked on these sts. You’ll be slipping the first st of the row to get a smooth edge.

For all sizes:

R1: Sl1, k3 (7, 7, 3, 3), *k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k6* rep 1 (1, 1, 3, 3) times total, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k4 (8, 8, 4, 4).

R2: Sl1, k2, p0 (4, 4, 0, 0), *ssp, p2, p2tog, p4* rep 1 (1, 1, 3, 3) times total, ssp, p2, p2tog, p0 (4,4,0,0), k3 .

R3 and 9:

Size 3 mo: Sl1, k all sts; 18 sts.

Sizes 6-24 mos: Sl1, k2, k2tog, k to 5 sts bef end, ssk, k3.  End of r3 (24, 24, 32, 32) sts rem, at the end of r9 (22, 22, 30, 30) sts rem.

R4 and 10: Sl1, k2, p to 3 sts bef end, k3.

R5 and 7: Sl1, k4 (7, 7, 3, 3), *k3, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k3* rep 1 (1, 1, 3, 3) times total, k5 (8, 8, 4, 4).

R6 and 8: Sl1, k2, p2 (5, 5, 1, 1), *p2, ssp, p2, p2tog, p2* rep 1 (1, 1, 3, 3) times total, p2 (5, 5, 1, 1), k3.

R11 and 13: Sl1, k3 (5, 5, 9, 9), k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k6, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k4 (6, 6, 10, 10).

R12 and 14: Sl1, k2, p0 (2, 2, 6, 6), ssp, p2, p2tog, p4, ssp, p2, p2tog, p0 (2, 2, 6, 6), k3.

For Size 3 mo

R15: Sl1, k all sts.

R16: Sl1, k2, p to 3 sts bef end, k3.

Go to Buttonhole and garter edge finishing.

For Sizes 6 and 12 mo  

R15: Sl1, k2, k2tog, knit until 5 sts to the end, ssk, k3. (20 sts)

R16:  Sl1, k2, purl until 3 sts to the end, k3.

R17 and 19: Sl1, k8, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k9.

R18 and 20: Sl1, k2, p5, ssp, p2, p2tog, p5, k3.

R21: Sl1, k all sts.

R22: Sl1, k2, p to 3 sts bef end, k3.

Go to Buttonhole and garter edge finishing. 

For Sizes 18 and 24 mo     

R15:  Sl1, k2, k2tog, knit until 5 sts to the end, ssk, k3. (28 sts)

R16:  Sl1, k2, purl until 3 sts to the end, k3.

R17 and 19:  Sl1, k4, *k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k6* rep 2 times, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k5.

R18 and 20:  Sl1, k2, p1, *ssp, p2, p2tog, p4* rep 2 times, ssp, p2, p2tog, p1, k3.

R21: Sl1, k2, k2tog, k to 5 sts bef end, ssk, k3. (26 sts)

R22: Sl1, k2, p to 3 sts bef end, k3.

R23 and 25: Sl1, k6, *k1, k1long-fw, k2, k1long-bw, k5* rep 2 times, k3.

R24 and 26: Sl1, k2, p4, *ssp, p2, p2tog, p4* rep 2 times, k3.

R27: Sl1, k all sts.

R28: Sl1, k2, p to 3 sts bef end, k3.

Go to Buttonhole and garter edge finishing.   

Buttonhole and garter edge finishing (all sizes)

Switch to smaller needles (US 6/4.00 mm).

R1-4: Sl1, k all sts.

Make buttonholes

R5: Sl1, k2, k2tog, yo twice, ssk, knit until 7 sts before end, k2tog, yo twice, ssk, k3.

R6: Sl1, k3, ktbl, knit until 5 sts before end, ktbl, k4.

R7 and 8:  Sl1, k all sts.

BO all stitches.

Straps

Knit two straps as follows (this is double knitting).

CO 9 sts.

R1: *K1, sl1 wyif, rep from * until 1 st rem, k1.

R2: *Sl1 wyif, k1 * rep until 1 st rem, sl1 wyif.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until the strap measures approx. 13 (13, 14, 14, 14)”/32 (32, 35, 35, 35) cm.

FINISHING

Sew on the straps: fasten to the inner side of the waistband. Weave in ends. Wash the finished item and block gently.

Sew buttons to the straps approx. 2” from the end.