6.21.2009

Very Cherry



I
I am happy to share with you my newest pattern.

Very Cherry

(What is it with me and fruit-themed children's knits?)

While I was knitting this one up I was so worried that it wouldn't turn out right. But now that its finished, I love it! It is exactly what I was envisioning...

...A perfect, practical summer dress with just enough details added to make it acceptable for a dressier occasion.
Also I love this bright cherry red color!

It's so sweet and cheery, not the typical pastel you would normally find for a child's summer dress.



As you know, I'm also obsessed with this lace edging.
The picot edge plays up this lace pattern so beautifully. They just go together.
The picot cast on and bind off are quite time consuming, but so worth it!

You can find an instructional video for the picot cast on here and a video for the bind off here.


I love how the picot bind off around the neckline kind of sticks out and looks like little red cherries framing the face.


I also think that this dress is quite versatile and could still be worn even in the cooler months. Well... in California anyways :)


The color would definitely lend itself to a fall/winter wardrobe and the dress could be worn over a long sleeved top and tights for added warmth.






Here is some pattern information for those of you who are interested in knitting it:


SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (shown in size 2)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 17 [18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25] inches (0 inches of positive ease)
Length: approx 14 [16.5, 18, 21.5, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27] inches after blocking

GAUGE
24 sts/30 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch on size 6 needle

MATERIALS
Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Organic Cotton [100% Organically Grown Cotton; 150 yd/137m per 65g skein; color: #309 Cherry; 3 [ 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] skeins or approx 440 [470, 500, 520, 540, 570, 600, 620, 650] yds of dk weight cotton or cotton blend yarn.
(Separate one skein of yarn into 2 balls)

1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle
1# 32” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# spare set of US #6/4mm straight needles for 3 needle bind off
1# 16” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck edging
(You may need to use US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles for smaller sizes).
Stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers


The yarn that I chose for this design was Blue Sky Alpacas Skinny Dyed Cotton. I fell in love with the worsted weight version when I knit up my Something Red Sweater so I was so excited to try the skinnier DK version. Unfortunately I found that the DK weight isn't like the worsted

at all.


This yarn is constructed with several tiny plies spun together. And with any cotton yarn that is constructed in this manner, splitting is inevitable. So I found it a bit finicky to knit with, especially the detailed picot edging. Several times I had to correct split stitches. (That's why I enjoyed working with the worsted weight so much! It was just a lofty soft 2 ply. So easy to work with!) Yarn constructed this way though does have its advantages, the stitch definition is better and crisper, showing off the lace pattern beautifully!


Also... I fell in love with how this rich saturated red color barely bled in the washing process! And once knitted, the fabric draped so beautifully and it softened up so nicely once washed and blocked. And its organic cotton! Which is always nice to have against a little ones skin.



Like all of the NeverNotKnitting patterns, the construction is simple. This dress is worked from the bottom up in one piece. The finishing work is very minimal.


I hope that you enjoy knitting it and that your little one enjoys wearing it as much as mine does.


If you own a yarn shop and are interested in carrying this or any other of my designs in your store, please contact me for wholesale pricing information: nevernotknitting@gmail.com.




20 comments:

Poethead said...

This little design is so adorable! Your little girl is growing, and her hair is a lot longer. They grow so fast. She's so sweet. I wonder how she enjoys her photo shoots?! She does so well! I'm glad the dress will block a bit larger than the 25" for the size 6! Yea! It will work. Thank you for another great pattern!

Liz said...

How adorable! My LYS is having a sale on cotton, it must be fate!

Anonymous said...

It's absolutely adorable! Beautiful design Alana!

Julia said...

Your work is just so inspiring to me! I wish I had that kind of talent. I always look forward to your blog posts and seeing the beautiful items you create. Thank you!

mike and chenoa said...

This dress is beautiful. Can't wait to make it. Thank you for sharing your talent!

Unknown said...

Thanks Alana. It is so cute! I almost printed out the "printer friendly" version but decided to print the other so I can see the finished project on your beautiful little girl while I'm working on it.

Dawn said...

Wow, it's awesome! Soooo cute and love the pics of Ava! Great color on her! Great Job!!!

Cathi said...

Nice work girl! All of it - Ava, the dress, the photography and props. Beautiful. I agree, this one would make a perfect "all season" pattern.

Jenny said...

Oh, that color! The lace is just beautiful on the bottom edge of the dress.

Kim said...

Love it! The A-line makes her look so grown-up!

Cathrine McClure said...

This is a classic dress. It looks beautiful in the cotton. You are a good stockinette stitch knitter! Simple but creative pattern - I love it. I think it's interesting that you went from everything green to everything red. They are opposites on the color wheel you know.

Anna said...

Wow... I love this! I have no reason whatsoever to make it right now, but I hope that I will someday. I'm looking forward to it. Gorgeous - as is your daughter!

Anonymous said...

That is a lovely pattern. When I get some more money, I will have to attempt (I say attempt because I never finish anything it seems, ha!) this for my daughter.

And you have a lovely daughter.

Two Cables and a Frapp said...

Oh this is an adorable dress and your photos are lovely ! If I had a granddaughter, I'd make this for her!

Michelle B said...

OK so you have to stop making all these adorable little girl knits!! I want to make them all for my niece! This one is another winner!! And your daughter is so adorable!!

Between Hitching Posts said...

This is the first time I've stopped by your blog. I love it. Your patterns are amazing as well as your photography. I will definitely be back!

Wakeful Knits said...

Wow! How gorgeous.
That classic shape is an absolute winner.
Simple, with a bit of glam.
Love it, but I suppose you worked that out.

themagiconions said...

Oh my gosh, I wish I could knit! The frilly hem is too adorable.

Awlobo said...

Delicious! I can't wait to make one!

ab said...

Your Very Cherry is adorable! I can't wait to make one! Thank you for the super cute pattern!
Cheers!