Ellen’s Christening Gown is knit seamlessly from the top down. The yoke is knit back and forth at the beginning to create an opening at the back of the neck. From there on, the rest of the yoke is knit and shaped in the round. The skirt of the dress is likewise knit in the round, and features a beautiful dandelion stitch pattern, which incorporates the increases for the skirt. The distance between the dandelions increases slowly – like dandelion seeds spreading in the wind. The sleeves are knit on double pointed needles (or using long circular needles and the magic loop technique – whatever you prefer to knit a small circumference). An i-cord is worked as a finishing edge along the neckline and opening. The length of the skirt is adjustable as desired.

Sizes: 2-3 (4-6) 6-9 months

Measurements:

Bust circumference: 47 (51) 54½ cm [18½ (20) 21½ inches]

Full length: Approx. 96 cm [40 inches] for all sizes (length is adjustable as desired)

Width at bottom of skirt: 130 (140) 150 cm [51 (55) 59 inches]

Sleeve length: 13 (15) 17 cm [5 (6) 6½ inches]

Gauge: 28 sts x 39 rows in stockinette stitch on 3 mm needles = 10 x 10 cm

Suggested needle size: Circular needles 2.5 mm (80 or 100 cm [32 or 40 inches]), 3 mm (60 and 80 or 100 cm [24 and 32 or 40 inches])

Double pointed needles: 2.5 mm and 3 mm

Materials: 350 (400) 450 g Elise from Permin (25 g = 115 m [125 yards]) or Sunday from Sandnes Garn (50 g = 235 m [256 yards]), 1 small button (10 mm)

Difficulty: ★ ★ ★ ★ (4 out of 5)