Jeanne Kussrow-Larsen - Sassy Knit Outfits: For 18-Inch Dolls

Caron Simply Soft Light (DK weight; 100% acrylic; 330 yds/85g per skein): 1 skein each pansy #0010 (A) and magenta #0011 (B)

Patons Moxie (worsted weight; 100% polyester; 96 yds/100g per ball): 1 ball lynx #81008 (C)

Size 2 (2.75mm) double-point needles (set of 4)

Size 3 (3.25mm) double-point (set of 4) and 16-inch circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge

Size 4 (3.5mm) 16-inch circular needle

Size D/3 (3.25mm) crochet hook

Size J/10 (6mm) crochet hook (for boa)

Stitch markers

Stitch holders (optional)

1 (-inch) round shank button for shrug

30 sts and 40 rows/rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st with size 3 needles.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Lifted Increase (LI): Knit into top of st (the purl bump) in the row below next st on LH needle.

Wrap and Turn (W&T): Slip next st pwise to RH needle (Fig. 1). Bring yarn to RS of work between needles, then slip same st back to LH needle. Bring yarn to WS, wrapping st. Turn, leaving rem sts unworked, then beg working back in the other direction (Fig. 2). To hide wraps on subsequent rows: Work to wrapped st. With RH needle, pick up wrap and work wrap tog with wrapped st (Fig. 3).

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: Purl.

Rep Rnds 1 and 2 for pat.

Rnd/Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end.

Rnd/Row 2: Purl the knit sts and knit the purl sts.

Rep Rnd/Row 2 for pat.

Rnd 1: *[K2tog] twice, [yo, k1] 3 times, yo, [ssk] twice, k1; rep from * around.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: Rep Rnd. 1.

Rnd 4: Knit.

2- or 3-St I-Cord Bind-Off: Using knit cast-on method (see page 7), cast 2 (3) sts onto the LH needle; *k1 (2), ssk; do not turn; slip 2 (3) sts from RH needle to LH needle; rep from * until indicated number of sts have been bound off.

Provisional Cast-On: Using waste yarn and crochet hook, make a chain a few sts more than number of sts to be cast on. With knitting needle and project yarn, pick up and knit in back bump of each chain until required number of cast-on sts is on needle (Fig. 1). When indicated in pattern, unzip the crochet chain to free live sts (Fig. 2).

Designer Tip

Here is an alternate way to work a Provisional Cast-On if you are not comfortable with crochet.

Waste Yarn/Crochet Thread Provisional Cast-On: With waste yarn and dpn of required size, cast on required number of sts. Knit 1 rnd. Cut yarn. With crochet thread (size 3 works well), knit 1 rnd. Cut thread. With waste yarn, knit 1 more rnd. Cut yarn. Attach working yarn, leaving long tail, and begin project.

To remove the waste yarn/crochet thread and rescue the live sts, pull the crochet thread firmly straight out to the side. When all the slack is pulled tight, the thread will slide out of the fabric. Peel away the first 2 rows of waste yarn stitches. Carefully slip the live sts onto knitting needle(s)done more easily with a smaller needle than the size used to cast onremoving the waste yarn a stitch at a time.

The gown is worked in the round from the bottom to the underarm, at which point back and front are worked separately.

The shrug is worked back and forth from the top down; sleeves are completed in the round.

The slippers are worked in the round starting in the center of the sole; the sole stitches are grafted using Kitchener stitch (see page 6).

When working stripes, carry yarn not in use loosely up inside of piece, catching it periodically with other yarn.

When binding off, slip first stitch to be bound off.

Designer Tip

To splice a new yarn source of same color, just knit with the two yarns held together for two stitches. After working the stitches on the next round, tug on each yarn tail and the double yarn stitches will never be noticed. Weave in the two tails when doing your finishing chores