After seeing a pattern for a top-down preemie top, I thought I would try it for the “girls”. Marianna’s All-In-One Top was free (always the best kind of pattern since I am compelled to change them to suit myself anyway) and available in different sizes. My first attempt at the smaller size was frogged as it was too small. My next attempt with a larger size was good, it fit and the doll's hands could get in. Then I made short rows at the underarm so the body would hang straighter-they worked and I learned a little about short rows. It was the first time I did it without directions. I changed Garter Stitch to Seed Stitch, spaced five buttons rather than just three, eliminated quite a few rows at the bottom and decreased the normal 10% to ribbing. My changes were really very minor and I was very happy to have this pattern to start me off with a good fit for the dolls. So instead of an open top, I have a blouson sweater top for the dolls to wear over their ruffled skirts. The skirts are my “design”; just a 1.5 x width of the skirt ruffle knit for 1.25” and decreased over two rows
The first set I knit is green and the eyelets were a feature of the pattern. I didn’t make eyelets on the other sets as I planned to embroider a simple flower. I didn’t do that, however, and finished with a crocheted flower. Someone may wonder why I knit five of these sets and I wonder too. But I had the yarn and the time and it was simple knitting once I had the pattern modifications for the top worked out. Besides, which doll would I have denied a knit Easter outfit? I would do 5 more if I had 10 dolls here. Allie, in the Turquoise-I would have named it Aqua-is my doll, the others belong to my GD.
I didn’t get them finished in time for Easter and I still have two more pairs of tights to sew.
