Featured Pattern - Cake Pop Dress

Spring has been teasing me here in Canada - the snow is no longer staying on the ground, but every time I think it's gone for good we get another little flurry. And yet, everyday, there are more signs that warmer weather and sunshine might be here to stay. The mourning doves have claimed a nest under my front porch awning, and the magnolia across the street is full of plump buds.

It's got me thinking about spring knitting and crochet patterns, and one particularly sweet project comes to mind - my Cake Pop Dress. I created this design in collaboration with WeCrochet, trying out their Brava Speckle yarn. The rainbow Cake Pop colourway was a hit with my little one, who insisted it must become a dress - and a purse as well:

The purse is a miniature version of Two of Wands' Capri Bag. The dress is my design which I'll be sharing below. The ad-free PDF is available for sale in my Payhip Shop, and wherever else you like to purchase patterns.

I recently learned that WeCrochet and KnitPicks have a new addition to the Brava family, and it's gorgeous - introducing Brava Tweed! Take a look at this colour palette - I'm in love.

Which of these colours would you choose to make a Cake Pop Dress? Let me know in the comments, or tag me when you share your finished project on Instagram @handknitsandhygge. I'm dying to try out the Rosefinch (pink) shade, and love the versatile neutrals. The design is graded up to youth 16, so I'll be making these on repeat as my little one grows, and would love to try a sophisticated pairing like Stratus (taupe) with one of Brava's many solid shades like Seraphim (mauve).

Cake Pop Dress pin

Cake Pop Dress

By Nicky Jensen

Difficulty Level: Easy

About

This sweet little dress was designed for my girl. I received a shipment of yarn from WeCrochet to use for my next design and was pleasantly surprised to find some Brava and new Brava Speckle in a variety of coordinating colours to try. My daughter was so excited about the bright and fun colourways, so I asked her what they should become. She decided they should be a dress and I don’t think she could be more right! This yarn is perfectly suited for kids’ garments - soft, washable, and durable. The design is simple and ready for play. Layering it up with tights or leggings, a t-shirt, or a denim jacket will carry us through from spring to fall. The worsted weight makes this a quick project that can be worked up again year after year, size after size, as your little one grows not-so-little. On the bodice, try adding an extra chain to the turning chain of each row for a slightly scalloped edge detail along the armholes.

Sizes

Toddler/Children’s sizes 12mo (2T, 4T, 6) (8, 10, 12) (14, 16).

Finished Chest: 19.75 (21, 23.5, 25.75) (27, 28.25, 30.75) (32, 33.25) inches / 49.5 (52.5, 59, 64.5) (67.5, 70.5, 77) (80, 83) cm.

Finished Length: 16 (18, 20.5, 23.5) (27.5, 30.5, 32.5) (34, 35) inches / 40 (45, 51.5, 59) (69, 76.5, 81.5) (85, 87.5) cm.

Yarn & Materials

MC: Knit Picks Brava (medium weight (4), 100% acrylic, 218 yards/199 metres per 3.5 ounce/100 gram skein)

168 (218, 265, 339) (409, 473, 540) (590, 627) yards / 154 (199, 242, 310) (374, 433, 494) (539, 573) metres.

CC: Knit Picks Brava Speckle (medium weight (4), 100% acrylic, 218 yards/199 metres per 3.5 ounce/100 gram skein)

121 (133, 156, 183) (234, 277, 305) (336, 361) yards / 111 (122, 143, 167) (214, 253, 279) (307, 330) metres.

Grey sample in size 2T uses 1 skein of Brava Speckle in colourway “Salt & Pepper” and 1 skein of Brava in colourway “Silver”.

Blue sample in size 2T uses 1 Skein of Brava Speckle in colourway “Cake Pop” and 1 skein of Brava in colourway “Cornflower”.

Hook: J / 6MM.

Tapestry needle for finishing.

Gauge

13 sts / 8 rows in dc = 4” / 10 cm.

Abbreviations (US Terms) & Techniques

CC: contrast colour.

ch: chain.

dc: double crochet.

hdc: half double crochet.

MC: main colour.

RS: right side.

sc: single crochet.

sk: skip.

sl: slip.

st(s): stitch(es).

WS: wrong side.

dc in the third loop: https://youtu.be/d2nyqJZBfvA

**Note: the video demonstrates working hdc in the third loop, but we will be working dc. The lateral braid effect turns out the same as long as the previous row is worked in hdc.

Pattern Instructions

Turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Front Bodice

With MC, ch 33 (35, 39, 43) (45, 47, 51) (53, 55).

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and each ch across, turn. Leave MC attached for working back bodice. 32 (34, 38, 42) (44, 46, 50) (52, 54) sts.

Row 2: With CC, ch 3, *ch 1, sk 1, dc; repeat from * to end, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in first st, 2 dc in each dc from previous row, dc in turning ch of previous row, turn. 32 (34, 38, 42) (44, 46, 50) (52, 54) sts.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 once more (twice total).

Row 6: Ch 3, *sk 1, 2 dc in next dc from previous row; repeat from * to end, turn.

Repeat Row 6 a total of 4 (4, 6, 6) (8, 8, 10) (10, 12) times.

Fasten off CC.

Back Bodice

Note: at this point there is no difference between RS and WS.

Row 1: Pick up MC and begin at corner of front bodice foundation chain (same side as your foundation chain tail). Sc in next 4 (4, 5, 6) (7, 7, 8) (8, 8) sts, ch 24 (26, 28, 30) (30, 32, 34) (36, 38), sc into 4th (4th, 5th, 6th) (7th, 7th, 8th) (8th, 8th) st from end, sc to end, turn. 32 (34, 38, 42 (44, 46, 50 (52, 54) sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st/ch across, turn. Fasten off and attach CC.

Row 3: With CC, ch 3, *ch 1, sk 1, dc; repeat from * to end, turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in first st, 2 dc in each dc from previous row, dc in turning ch, turn. 32 (34, 38, 42) (44, 46, 50) (52, 54) sts.

Repeat Rows 3 & 4 an additional 3 (3, 4, 4) (5, 5, 6) (6, 7) more times.

The rows of MC make up the neckline and shoulders. Fold your piece here so that the front and back bodice are aligned on top of each other.

Waist & Skirt

Round 1: Ch 3, dc across front bodice, dc across back bodice, sl st into turning ch of front bodice to join in the round. 64 (68, 76, 84) (88, 92, 100) (104, 108) sts.

Rounds 2, 3 & 4: Ch 3, dc around, sl st into ch to join.

Round 5: Ch 2, hdc around, sl st into ch to join.

Fasten off CC and attach MC.

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in the third loop around, sl st into ch to join.

Round 7: Ch 3, dc around, sl st into ch to join.

Round 8: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in one st, dc in next 5 sts; repeat from * 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16) more times, dc to end, sl st into ch to join. 74 (79, 88, 97, 102, 107, 116, 121, 125) sts.

Rounds 9 & 10: Ch 3, dc around, sl st into ch to join.

Round 11: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in one st, dc in next 6 sts; repeat from * 9 (9, 11, 12, 13, 13, 15, 15, 16) more times, dc to end, sl st into ch. 84 (89, 100, 110, 116, 121, 132, 137, 142) sts.

Round 12: Ch 3, dc around, sl st into ch to join.

Repeat Round 12 until piece measures 15.5 (17.5, 20, 23) (27, 30, 32) (33.5, 34.5) inches / 38.5 (43.5, 50, 57.5, 67.5, 75, 80, 83.5, 86) cm or to 0.5 inches / 1.5 cm before desired length.

Final Round: Ch 3, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * around (if you have an odd number of sts, ch1 and sk the last st), sl st into ch. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in ends, wash and dry flat.

Support/Contact

Copyright 2021 by Nicky Jensen. All rights reserved. www.handknitsandhygge.com.

Pattern support can be directed to handknitsandhygge@gmail.com.

I strive to make accessibility a priority. If you require additional formatting to enjoy this pattern, please contact me.

Please do not share or resell this pattern. If you sell finished items, I appreciate being credited for the design.

I love to see your finished objects! Please tag me on Instagram @handknitsandhygge and use the hashtag #CakePopDress

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