I have a friend who is the queen of knitting little cute dresses and tops for her much adored little girl. Every one she has knitted is just so sweet. Eventually all this little girl knitting led her to making up her own pattern for a very cute little girl top....
The Kaia BabyDoll
She asked me if I would help her test knit the size 2 pattern. And of course an opportunity to help a friend and knit something summery and sweet for M1 was an opportunity I wasn't going to pass on.
At this point I'll apologize for the photo heavy post I'm about to subject you to. The light was good, the subject was being adorable, the top is so lovely it deserves a few extras!
I used Paton's Smoothie to knit this. Both balls I picked up at my LYS in the clearance/end of lines bin for half price and I had always intended to do a summery something for M1 with it since there was only 2oog. I do like this yarn. Its acrylic but I think its lovely for a summery yarn. A teeny bit splitty but the overall result is lovely and smooth (funnily enough).
The pattern is a lovely design. The bodice is knit with 2 strands held double (ala the ballet tee) which gives it quite a bit of structure (and bonus you don't have to do too many repeats before its the right size!). The Smoothie is quite a thick DK (I think its more like a light worsted myself) so the bodice on mine is a bit bigger than what the pattern intended - no worries for me as this will definitely do 2 summers. I think some of the other testers used Bendigo cotton which is much thinner - probably a better choice.
The skirt is knit just on one strand. I love the length of this on M1. She's rather rounded and quite big for her age, that combined with a cloth nappied derriere means I do have an awful time finding pants that stretch enough to fit her!! Tunic length tops and leggings underneath have been my choice for her this summer. And this top looks just gorgeous with the black ribbon and black leggings under.
I was a naughty test knitter and didn't do the lace bottom the pattern actually calls for - its very sweet but I seem to be lace challenged (even dead simple lace) so I just did a 3 row ruffle instead.
M1 and our impressively tall bean plant
At the moment the pattern is up for sizes NB-12mth. I suspect the size 2 version won't be too far away either. Georgie you can queue the pattern here ;)
As far as cute summer tops go I think this one rates right up there. Well done Rach!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Testing Kaia
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19 comments:
OMG, that top is absolutely adorable and M1 is also. Totally cute in it. The colours are gorgeous on her. I have never attempted to knit lace designs myself so would probably have done the frill as you have. Totally gorgeous knit.
Oh I wish I had a little girl to knit for, that is just the cutest design
Oh she does look gorgeous in the top. I love the Smoothie DK yarn too and have made Isabelle a top out of the bottom color which knits up beautifully and washes well too. I just put mine in a lingerie bag on a gentle cycle in the machine and it comes out perfectly. I love the little leggings with the top too, they are always great for little girls to wear.
very cute!! and she is *such* a grown up little lady now! gorgeous!
What an absolute sweetie!
Love your version and the bright colours - such a delight :)
Super cute! I love the ruffled bottom.
The top is so sweet. The colors are lovely. I especially love the photo where she's leaning towards the camera. =)
that is so sweet!! She's just adorable! No wonder you took so many photos!
From one heavy photo poster to another....Your photographs in this posting are just stunning! xx
Gorgeous!
Adorable indeed! Wow you are a very experienced and clever knitter working all that out. Glad to have discovered your lovely blog -Lies
I can't believe how much your adorable little girl has grown up! The top is just lovely and leaves me somewhat jealous, yet again, that I can't knit!!!! x
Ooooh, these pictures were such a treat - thanks for sharing them! Just too much cuteness!
Its lovely! And your model is extremely cute!
This dress is soooooo adorable!!! I would like to knit a big one for adult size for myself
*snort* I'm already there! I love it and I might ven be a *total* copycat and use smoothie too ;-)
You have one gorgeous super-model there.
Love the top and your wee darling looks so grown up. The colours are gorgous on her :-)
Hey there, Just love what you have done with this pattern. A friend found this and has asked me to make her something similar. Can you please tell my how you did the bottom ruffle? Would really appreciate it. Thanks
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