KW - First Steps Dress (k)

SIZES
To fit chest measurement
12 mos 18 ins [45.5 cm]
18 mos 19 ins [48 cm]
2 yrs 21 ins [53.5 cm]
4 yrs 23 ins [58.5 cm]
Finished chest
12 mos 25 ins [63.5 cm]
18 mos 26 ins [66 cm]
2 yrs 27 ins [68.5 cm]
4 yrs 28½ ins [72.5 cm]

GAUGE
18 sts and 24 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking st.

MATERIALS
Bernat® Handicrafter Cotton
(50 g/1.75 oz/73 m/80 yds)
or Bernat® Satin
(100 g/3.5 oz/149 m/163 yds)
Sizes 12 mos (18 mos-2 yrs-4 yrs)
Main Color (MC) (White)
220 (244-340-366) m
OR
240 (270-375-400) yds
Contrast A (Pink)
220 (244-340-366) m
OR
240 (270-375-400) yds

Sizes 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) and 5 mm (U.S. 8) knitting needles. Size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) circular needle 24 ins [60 cm] long or size needed to obtain gauge. 2 st holders. 4 buttons.

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate.
Beg = Beginning.
Cont = Continue(ity).
Dec = Decrease.
Inc = Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together.
Pat = Pattern.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
Rem = Remaining.
Rep = Repeat.
RS = Right side.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
St(s) = Stitch(es).
WS = Wrong side.
Yfwd = Yarn forward.

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. For ease in working, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.

Stripe Pat
With A, work 8 rows in stocking st.
With MC, work 8 rows in stocking st.
Rep last 16 rows twice more.
With A, work 4 rows in stocking st.
With MC, work 4 rows in stocking st.
Rep last 8 rows twice more.
With A, work 2 rows in stocking st.
With MC, work 2 rows in stocking st.
These 76 rows form Stripe Pat.
For rem length of Dress rep last 4 rows.

FRONT
With MC and smaller needles, cast 86 (90-95-100) sts.
Knit 5 rows (in garter st), noting that first row is WS and ending with a WS row, inc 2 sts evenly across last row. 88 (92-97-102) sts.
Change to larger needles and proceed in Stripe Pat until work from beg measures 10 (13½-15-16½) ins [25.5 (34.5-38-42) cm], ending with a purl row.
Next row: (K1. K2tog) 29 (30-32-34) times. K1 (2-1-9). 59 (62-65-68) sts. Place marker at end of row.
Cont even in Stripe Pat until work from marker measures 2½ ins [6 cm], ending with a purl row.
Shape armholes: Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, cast off 4 sts beg next 2 rows.
Dec 1 st each end of needle on next 3 rows, then on following alt row once. 43 (46-49-52) sts.
Cont even in Stripe Pat until armhole measures 2½ (3-3-3) ins [6 (7.5-7.5- 7.5) cm], ending with a purl row.

Neck shaping: Next row: Keeping cont of Stripe Pat, K14. Turn. Leave rem sts on a spare needle.
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 3 rows, then on every following alt row twice. 9 sts.
Cont even in Stripe Pat until armhole measures 5 (5½-6-6) ins [12.5 (14- 15-15) cm], ending with a purl row.
Next row: (Buttonhole row). With MC, K2. yfwd. K2tog. K1. Sl1. K1. psso. yfwd. K2.
Knit 2 rows. Cast off knitwise (WS). With RS of work facing, slip next 15 (18-21-24) sts from spare needle onto a st holder. Join appropriate color to rem sts and knit to end of row.
Dec 1 st at neck edge on next 4 rows, then on every following alt row once. 9 sts.
Cont even in Stripe Pat until armhole measures 5 (5½-6-6) ins [12.5 (14- 15-15) cm], ending with a purl row.
Next row: (Buttonhole row). With MC, K2. yfwd. K2tog. K1. Sl1. K1. psso. yfwd. K2.
Knit 2 rows. Cast off knitwise (WS).

BACK
Work as given for Front omitting all references to buttonholes.

FINISHING
Pin garment pieces to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth, leaving cloth to dry.
Front neckband: With RS of work facing, MC and smaller needles, pick up and knit 17 (17-19-19) sts down left front neck edge. K15 (18-21-24) from front st holder. Pick up and knit 17 (17-19-19) sts up right front neck edge. 49 (52-59-62) sts.
Knit 2 rows. Cast off knitwise (WS). Rep for Back neckband.
Armhole bands: With RS of work facing, MC and smaller needles pick up and knit 57 (61-66-66) sts evenly along armhole edge.
Knit 2 rows. Cast off knitwise (WS).
Sew side seams. Sew on buttons to correspond to buttonholes.