created by Elaine Baker © March 2011
American Girl Knit Doll Clothes - Handout #1
1
American Girl Knit Doll Clothes - Handout #1
Created by Elaine Baker - March, 2011
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Use washable yarns for all doll clothes. I have used furry yarns with
scattered sequins on some of these outfits and they wash very well. Just take
an article of clothing in your hands and hold under the kitchen faucet. If
really soiled, use a dollop of dish washing liquid. Squish a few times, then
rinse under the faucet until all soap bubbles are gone. Lay on a flat surface
on top of a hand towel to dry. Will look as good as new!
When sewing seams for these doll clothes reinforce “stress” areas, I.e. sleeve
seams, pants legs, back seam to neckline, hat seam, boot seams, etc. with extra KNOTS spaced up the
back, sleeves, pants lags, etc. Make these clothes as childproof as possible. They will be TUGGED on
and off by little fingers who are too stubborn to go to mommy for assistance. “I want to do it myself!”
ALWAYS dress the doll feet -first. Watch the doll’s fingers - they will catch on sleeves and snag the yarn
- be careful!
ALWAYS include a pair of matching panties for all dresses and skirts. Little girls become upset if their
doll buddy doesn’t have a pair of panties to wear with a specific outfit.
When finished playing with a specific outfit, instruct the child to store all accessories; hat, purse, boots,
shrug, slippers, etc. under the skirt of a dress or down the front of the neckline if a one-piece jumpsuit or
shirt with attached panties. In this way, small items will not get lost and cause tears when a special pair of
slippers or a hat can’t be found.
I have found that a large 6-gallon popcorn can is perfect for storing knit doll clothes. The doll will even fit
inside when moving to a different location~! Use a plastic kitchen trash bag to line the can, then stack the
outfits inside. It’s surprising how many outfits will fit inside a popcorn can. Moths cannot get inside and
eat holes in the doll clothes!
OPTIONAL: You can knit a corner-to-corner small doll blanket and a small matching pillow to provide a
cozy nap time area for the doll.
copyrighted - created by Elaine Baker a.k.a. Ladyfingers
http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-89179-1.html
created by Elaine Baker © March 2011
American Girl Knit Doll Clothes - Handout #1
2
BASIC INSTRUTIONS:
Materials needed:
Size 6 US straight or circular knitting needles for most outfits
Size 8 or 10 straight or circular knitting needles for full skirts (depending on what you have on hand)
A minimum of four (4) stitch markers: rubber, plastic or metal rings. Or use a plastic drinking straw cut
into tiny circles. Keep lots of markers handy - they tend to get lost.
A size D crochet hook for weaving in the ends of a finished garment, and for making a simple chain for a
purse handle, or a simple flower on a hat or purse, or a simple chained ruffle around the edge of a skirt,
sleeves and/or hat.
Scissors
Plastic or metal darning needle to sew seams
OPTIONAL: a separate small satchel or clear plastic make-up tote to keep all your tiny pieces of
equipment needed to make doll clothes, plus a few balls of yarn to have handy if you get a creative idea
while riding in the car, relaxing after lunch at work, or waiting for a bus.
BASIC SLEEVELESS DRESS WITH FULL SKIRT
“Velvet" yarn Sundress
Materials Needed
Size 6 knitting needles,
baby sports weight yarn
***Can also use fingering yarn or fine baby yarn
Instructions
With #6 needles, cast on 68 stitches with baby sports weight yarn.
Knit 6 rows in garter stitch (knit every row).
Next Row: Knit 12, BIND OFF 12 stitches (knit 2, slip left needle under first of the two stitches and
draw it over the second knit stitch - one stitch decreased. Knit 1 and draw the second stitch on the right
needle over that knit stitch, another stitch decreased - continue until you have decreased 12 stitches. Knit
20 stitches, BIND OFF next 12 stitches, knit 12 stitches.
Next row: (This is tricky, but doable!) Knit 12 stitches, TURN ENTIRE PIECE OF KNITTING
AROUND SO YOU ARE BACK TO WORKING (wrong side) ON THE 12 STITCHES JUST
KNIT. CAST ON 4 stitches. TURN ENTIRE PIECE AROUND TO RIGHT SIDE AND KNIT THE
copyrighted - created by Elaine Baker a.k.a. Ladyfingers
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created by Elaine Baker © March 2011
American Girl Knit Doll Clothes - Handout #1
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NEXT 20 stitches. TURN TO WRONG SIDE AND CAST ON 4 stitches. TURN PIECE AROUND
TO RIGHT SIDE AND FINISH KNITTING THE LAST 12 stitches. 52 stitches now on needle.
Knit 1 row.
Note: You bind off 12 stitches to make the strap of the dress on both sides. You cast on 4 stitches for the
underarm of these straps. Pull the yarn tightly when knitting the bound off and cast on stitches for the next
few rows, especially the stitches next to the sides and body of the garment. You don’t want to leave
unsightly holes at the underarm areas!
Knit 1 row, purl 1 row for 10 - 12 rows. You are now at the waistline.
For slightly full skirt, knit 1, knit and increase in next stitch (knit in front and back of the same stitch) one stitch increased, knit 1, knit and increase across row. (78 stitches on needle).
For a nice full skirt, knit and increase in every stitch across row. (104 stitches).
Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 25-30 rows. On right side, bind off in knit. (Hold up to the doll
to check the length - should be at or near her knees.)
Sew seam up the back. No other seams to sew!
From Elaine’s post in knitting forum - http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-89179-3.html#3049778 3rd
page scroll down to 6th post and there it is: {The full skirt, starting at the waistline is knit for about 20
rows, then 4-6 rows of garter4 stitch for the hemline, or, if you prefer, after you complete the 20 rows,
knit in front/back/front of EACH STITCH to make a nice full ruffle in a contrasting color - knit in
garter stitch for 4-6 rows. This will end the skirt at the doll's knees, so it's your choice if you want to
make it longer - maybe 6-8 more rows.}
OPTION 1: Work in knit 1 row, purl 1 row for 14 rows, then garter stitch for the next 6 rows. Bind off in
knit. Sew seam.
Option 2: Row 1: Knit 1, slip 1 (slip stitch off left hand needle to right needle as if to purl), knit 1, slip 1
across row. Row 2: Purl
OR: Row 1: Knit 2, slip 1 across row. Row 2: Purl.
(This makes a very pretty pattern on full skirts, dresses or pant legs).
Color Options
Get creative and knit 6 rows in main Color A (red), knit 4 rows in Color B (white), and knit 6 rows in
Color C (blue).
To add another color: at the beginning of the row, drop the red, hold a strand of white at the back of the
garment and knit across the rows for 4 rows. At the end of 4 rows (on right side), drop the white and hold
copyrighted - created by Elaine Baker a.k.a. Ladyfingers
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created by Elaine Baker © March 2011
American Girl Knit Doll Clothes - Handout #1
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a strand of blue in the back of the garment - knit across for 6 rows. You will have a few more strands to
weave into the finished garment, from all the colors used - but that’s easy to do. Bind off on right side in
knit.
Note: Do not try to pick up the red strand and begin to knit another 6 rows after you have completed the
blue rows. There are too many rows between the end of the last red row and the beginning of the new red
rows. (4 rows of white, plus 6 rows of blue = 10 rows). It is easier to cut the colored strands when you
have completed the required rows. Leave a 4-6 inch strand to KNOT, sew that part of the back seam
(matching colors) and weave in ends when finishing the garment. Start a new strand of yarn to knit the
next red, white and blue sections.
Suggested Holiday Color Combinations.
Labor day, Memorial day, Independence Day, (US 4th of July) try making the dress in red/white/blue
colors (or your country’s colors).
Valentine’s Day, try using 4 rows red, 4 rows of white, 4 rows red, 4 rows white, ending with 4 rows red.
Easter: Use pastel colors: Pastel top down to waist, full skirt with 4 rows of yellow, 4 rows pink, 4 rows
lavender, 4 rows mint green, finish with 4 rows powder blue.
Cinco de Mayo: Use bright colors: neon lime green, hot pink, bright orange and bright yellow.
Thanksgiving: Use autumn colors: sage green, brick red/brown, deep gold.
Christmas – New Year’s Holidays: There is a terrific yarn called “Garland” that is fuzzy, metallic and
sparkles. Comes in bright red, white and variegated red and white. Looks terrific as a holiday dress, hat
and purse. For holiday colors use red, white and some green - make it sparkle!
For special days like 13th, 15th, or 16th birthdays – or for quinceanera- who’s
traditional colors favor white or pink, however, I found this info: Bright colors
are ideal choices during spring and summer quinceanera celebrations, bright
colors like: Aqua, hot pink, orange and fuchsia are all examples of brightly
colored quinceanera dresses.
Read more: Types of Colors for Quinceanera Dresses | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/info_8531552_types-colors-quinceaneradresses.html#ixzz2PAQD9zy9
Pink Dress w/white "beads" yarn trim
BASIC HEADBAND FOR DRESSES
Using the same yarn as for dress, with #6 knitting needles, cast on 54 stitches
(the circumference for the doll’s head is the same as her waist). Knit 8 rows.
Bind off in knit. Sew ends together to form a circle (donut shape). Pull doll’s
copyrighted - created by Elaine Baker a.k.a. Ladyfingers
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created by Elaine Baker © March 2011
American Girl Knit Doll Clothes - Handout #1
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hair through center of circle and slide up headband to fit around her head and down over her ears.
BASIC PURSE
Use same yarn that was used for dress, with #6 knitting needles, cast on 30 stitches. Knit 12 rows. Bind
off in knit and cut a long strand, about 24 inches long to sew the seam and make the purse strap.
Fold the purse in half, from side-to-side. With a darning needle, sew the side and bottom seams, making
sure you finish with your sewing strand back at the open top of the purse. You will have to lightly sew
through some knit loops on the back side to get to the top.
With a size #D crochet hook (or any size you have handy), using the long strand of yarn left over from
sewing the seams, work a simple crochet chain stitch for about 40-45 stitches. Knot this chain and bring it
across the top to the other side of the purse. Pull remaining thread from purse strap to reverse side of
purse and knot securely - remember, make it childproof! Turn right side out and use as a shoulder strap
over doll’s head and hanging across her body at her side….OR…wrap strap around doll’s wrist twice this will keep it from falling off and getting lost.
copyrighted - created by Elaine Baker a.k.a. Ladyfingers
http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-89179-1.html