? photos: Brandy Fortune ? model: BG

Thinty

By Inna Aleksandrova

I have had a long-term dream of making matching outfits for my daughters and their dolls. Finally, the inspiration came along with the idea of this colorful flowery skirt. Fresh spring color combinations, flowers, buttons and the design name have been chosen by my girls. I used a high quality cotton blend that looks awesome in the Cable Rib pattern, and it creates a durable and slightly stretchy fabric while perfectly holding its shape - exactly what is needed for an active and curious girl. The doll gets a share of the fame too - her skirt matches perfectly and can be adjusted for any standard 16-18 inch doll.

INSTRUCTIONS

Skirt

Lower Ruffle
Cast on 220 [224, 232, 236, 240] sts using circular needles. Join in the round making sure not to twist. Place marker to mark beginning of rnd.
Work 14 rnds in Cable Rib pattern.
Row 15 (decrease): *K2tog, p2tog; repeat from * around: 110 [112, 116, 118, 120] sts.
Next Rnd: Knit around.
Work in St st until ruffle measures 3? inches from the cast on edge.
Next Rnd  (decrease): Knit around decreasing 4 sts evenly spaced: 106 [108, 112, 114, 116] sts.
Work in St st for one inch more
Next Rnd  (decrease): Knit around decreasing 4 sts evenly spaced: 102 [104, 108, 110, 112] sts.
Next 2 Rnds: Knit around.
Transfer all sts onto spare circular needle. Put aside.

Upper Ruffle
Cast on 204 [208, 216, 220, 224] sts using circular needles. Join in the round making sure not to twist.
Work 14 rnds in Cable Rib pattern.
Rnd 15 (decrease): *K2tog, p2tog; repeat from * around: 102 [104, 108, 110, 112] sts.
Next Rnd: Knit around.

Joining Two Ruffles Together

Now both ruffles are on separate needles, hold them together so that the RS of both ruffles are facing and Upper Ruffle is in the front and Lower Ruffle is behind it. Knit one stitch from the upper and one stitch from the lower ruffles together (as if you would do a three-needle bind off, but without actual binding off) all the way around. When the round is finished you should have 102 [104, 108, 110, 112] sts and both ruffles joined together on the same needle.
Work in St st until the skirt measures 7? [8?, 9?, 10?, 11?] inches from the cast on edge of Lower Ruffle.
Next Rnd  (decrease): Knit around decreasing 4 sts evenly spaced: 94 [96, 100, 102, 104] sts.
Next 2 Rnds: Knit around.
Next Rnd (eyelet): *K2tog, yo; repeat from * around.
Next 2 Rnds: Knit around.
Next 8 Rnds: *K1, p1; repeat from * around.
Next Rnd: Purl around.
Next 8 Rnds: *K1, p1; repeat from * around.
Bind off all stitches loosely in rib.

FINISHING

Fold the waistband of the Skirt along the purl row and sew it inside the skirt just above the eyelet row. You could insert elastic for a better fit.
With contrasting color, work a 40 inch crocheted chain or knit i-cord, decorating with beads as desired, and thread it through eyelet holes.
With contrasting color, single crochet around the cast on edge of both ruffles.
Crochet or knit a flower of your choice, decorate it with beads or buttons and sew in place above the upper ruffle.

Doll’s Skirt

Size: One size (to fit 16-18 inch doll)

Pattern Notes
Skirt is worked flat and then sewn together.

Cast on 102 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * across.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * across.
Row 3: P2, *RT, p2; repeat from * across.
Row 4: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * across.
Rows 5-14: Repeat Rows 1-4 twice, then repeat Rows 1 and 2 once more.
Row 15 (decrease): P2, k2tog, *p2tog, k2tog; repeat from * across to the last 2 sts, p2: 53 sts.
Rows 16-22: Beginning with a purl row, work in St st.
Row 23 (decrease): Knit across decreasing 5 sts evenly spaced: 48 sts.
Row 24: Purl across.
Rows 25-27: *K1, p1; repeat from * across.
Bind off all sts in knit.

FINISHING

Sew side seam. With contrasting color, work a 24 inch crocheted chain or knit i-cord, decorating with beads as desired and thread it just below the waist ribbing, With contrasting color, single crochet around the cast on edge.