Well! This project has been a long time in coming. At least, the pictures have. It's actually been finished for over a month or so now and has mostly been awaiting a nice day for photographs. So here it finally is: the Zebra Striper Dress from Dale of Norway, enjoying it's time in the fall sun.
This is one of those projects where you had better love the little details because the rest of it is just a slow slog through a lot of stockinette in the round in one color of yarn at roughly the same gauge that you would knit socks. Since the base of this project starts at about 350 stitches around, that's a lot of knitting after the fun two color part. That said, I loved trying out the duplicate stitch (which I had never done before). It's so sweet and so perfect on the little dress.
The edging for the neck and armscyes is also sweet and delicate and perfect for the design.
Of course, it's really the bottom edging that this project is all about. It starts with a little lacy scalloped bottom and works its way into the two color stranded work. It's all easy, but the zebra striping is slow going because the repeat is hard to memorize. The final result is quite worth it, though. And having a lot of knitting to do helped me perfect my two handed two color knitting. If I were to do it again, I would switch hands and hold the white in my left hand and the black in my right so that the black wouldn't look quite as overwhelming. For my first time out, I feel really good about how the color work worked out. After blocking, it doesn't pull in hardly at all.
No project like this would be complete without a look on the inside. See? Not so bad.
You might be wondering where my final shot of the recipient wearing the garment is. Well, apparently 2 year olds in Norway are absolutely gigantic, because my 16 month old baby positively swims in this thing, which is unfortunate, because I think she would really like to wear it. I can only hope that when she does grow into it a bit more, it will be cold enough for her to wear it without melting. Then I promise as many cute pictures of her as I can take!
Project Details:
Pattern: Zebra Striper Dress from Dale of Norway, Favorite Baby Designs Nr. 8101
Size: 24 months
Yarn: Dale of Norway, Baby Ull (Superwash Merino Wool)
Needles: KnitPicks Harmony Circulars
Project Notes:
This is an easy introduction to colorwork. There's no steeking and all the finishing is relatively simple. The miles and miles of yellow knitting in the main body of the dress become a little tiresome -- until you have the finished dress, and then it's all worth while.
The only element of the project that I changed was to sew the seams on the top of the straps. The pattern has you put on buttons and loops to hold them closed, but that seemed like a lot of work for something that could just get caught on things and certainly wouldn't be needed for dressing and undressing a two year old (perhaps it would be helpful for a younger baby, but the neckline is pretty wide, so even then I don't think it's necessary). The other reason I seamed the tops of the straps together was that I thought it gave the garment a more finished look -- otherwise the cast off edge would have been visible and I didn't like that at all.
Would I do this project again? Yes, but definitely only for my own kid. There's just too much time in this thing to make it as a gift if you're making it for a larger child. Even the smallest size is quite large, so it definitely falls into one of those "labor of love" project categories. But it is clever and sweet and I really just can't wait to see Zosia wear it -- and fit into it -- for the first time!
This is one of those projects where you had better love the little details because the rest of it is just a slow slog through a lot of stockinette in the round in one color of yarn at roughly the same gauge that you would knit socks. Since the base of this project starts at about 350 stitches around, that's a lot of knitting after the fun two color part. That said, I loved trying out the duplicate stitch (which I had never done before). It's so sweet and so perfect on the little dress.The edging for the neck and armscyes is also sweet and delicate and perfect for the design. Of course, it's really the bottom edging that this project is all about. It starts with a little lacy scalloped bottom and works its way into the two color stranded work. It's all easy, but the zebra striping is slow going because the repeat is hard to memorize. The final result is quite worth it, though. And having a lot of knitting to do helped me perfect my two handed two color knitting. If I were to do it again, I would switch hands and hold the white in my left hand and the black in my right so that the black wouldn't look quite as overwhelming. For my first time out, I feel really good about how the color work worked out. After blocking, it doesn't pull in hardly at all.No project like this would be complete without a look on the inside. See? Not so bad. You might be wondering where my final shot of the recipient wearing the garment is. Well, apparently 2 year olds in Norway are absolutely gigantic, because my 16 month old baby positively swims in this thing, which is unfortunate, because I think she would really like to wear it. I can only hope that when she does grow into it a bit more, it will be cold enough for her to wear it without melting. Then I promise as many cute pictures of her as I can take!
Project Details:
Pattern: Zebra Striper Dress from Dale of Norway, Favorite Baby Designs Nr. 8101
Size: 24 months
Yarn: Dale of Norway, Baby Ull (Superwash Merino Wool)
Needles: KnitPicks Harmony Circulars
Project Notes:
This is an easy introduction to colorwork. There's no steeking and all the finishing is relatively simple. The miles and miles of yellow knitting in the main body of the dress become a little tiresome -- until you have the finished dress, and then it's all worth while.
The only element of the project that I changed was to sew the seams on the top of the straps. The pattern has you put on buttons and loops to hold them closed, but that seemed like a lot of work for something that could just get caught on things and certainly wouldn't be needed for dressing and undressing a two year old (perhaps it would be helpful for a younger baby, but the neckline is pretty wide, so even then I don't think it's necessary). The other reason I seamed the tops of the straps together was that I thought it gave the garment a more finished look -- otherwise the cast off edge would have been visible and I didn't like that at all.
Would I do this project again? Yes, but definitely only for my own kid. There's just too much time in this thing to make it as a gift if you're making it for a larger child. Even the smallest size is quite large, so it definitely falls into one of those "labor of love" project categories. But it is clever and sweet and I really just can't wait to see Zosia wear it -- and fit into it -- for the first time!
Cute!
I was told that Dale children's patterns are notorious for running large, and found it to be true when my mother knit cardigans for my daughters. Which was fine, because they got a lot of wear out of them.
Chuckle. Maybe they figure with the time it takes to make them they better put some extra growing space in so that it still fits when the project is finished.
This is really cute, and better yet is the type of thing that she will get to ooh and aah over when she is older and can't fit into it anymore. It's always nice to have something cute to remind you of how far you've grown.
That. Is. Adorable.
Yup, those Dale of Norway patterns are adorable, and long, long, long lasting knitting fun :)
Both to do, and to wear. My nearly 4 yo still loves wearing (and finally almost fits into) the size 2 sweater I made her when she was that age... Third season! And at least one more to go. It's a great use of sweater making money and time.
I love the Zebra Striper dress. Good thing I don't have that booklet, cause I'd immediately drop all the things I need to finish, and cast that one on immediately.
This gives me much hope -- especially since I just started working on the sweater that goes with the dress.
Cute! I love the detail around the neck and arms. I have a kit for a DofN sweater for Pete, but like this dress, there is a huge section that is just one color SS (maybe navy? I haven't pulled it out in ages and I've forgotten!) Perhaps I'll start it one day!
It is adorable.
that is so darn cute!
That is gorgeous. I cannot wait for the modeled pictures.
I think the dress is adorable too. I was wondering if, since Zosia appears to be small framed, whether the dress might later fit as a top for her. I suppose it depends how close the fit is and how she grows. It will be fun to see it on her when she grows into in. She sure is a sweetheart. I've enjoyed watching her grow over the last year and a half.
It is beautiful. I am glad it is big for your Miss Z. I still have to cast on for mine. I am glad yours turned out great.
I am sure it will fit her perfect in the spring and she will be the best dressed toddler on your side of the atlantic.