By Melissa Mall

Model: ‘Ivy’
Photos: Melissa Mall

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and it’s time for picnics in the park! Dress your little girl for the occasion while still staying cool with this pretty little cotton jumper. I chose these colors because they remind me of sun and citrus, but you can use your favorite combination instead!

Difficulty: Intermediate

Sizes: newborn, 0/3 months, 3/6 months (shown in 0/3m. on a 3 month old)

Finished Measurements: 15″, 16″, 17″ chest

Materials:

• Lily Sugar ‘n Cream [100% Cotton; 120yd/109m per 2.5oz/70.9g skein]; color: Sunshine [MC]; 1 (1, 2) skein, Hot Orange [CC1]; 1 skein, White [CC2]; 1 skein
• K/10 1/2 (6.50mm) hook
• Yarn Needle
• 2 – 5/8″ buttons

Gauge: 12 sts/12 rows = 4″ in sc.

Directions:

Bodice:

Row 1: With MC, ch 40 (44, 48); sk 1 ch, sc across remaining ch. (39, 43, 47 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1. *Sc, ch 1, sk 1 st. Repeat from * across until one st remains, sc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc. *Sc in ch-sp, ch 1, sk sc. Repeat from * across until 2 sts remains, sc in ch-sp, sc in last st.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc. *Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in ch-sp. Repeat from * across until 1 st remains, sc.

Rows 5-7: Repeat Rows 3-4 for patt. 0/3 month size skip to Skirt.

Rows 8-9: Repeat Rows 3-4 for patt. 3/6 month size skip to Skirt.

Skirt:

Rnd 1: Ch 1, join to first stitch of previous row to create tube. Ch 1, sc in each sc and ch-sp around. (40, 44 sc) Join.

Rnd 2: Ch 2. *Sk 1 st, shell (shell = dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) in next st. Repeat from * around until 2 sts remain; join rnd. (19, 21 shells)

Rnds 3: Ch 2. *Shell in ch-2 sp from previous row. Repeat from * around; join rnd. Newborn only skip to Stripes.

Rnds 4-5: Repeat Rnd 3. 0/3 month only, skip to Stripes

Rnd 6: Repeat Rnd 3.

Stripes
Switch to CC1.

Rnd 6: Repeat Rnd 3.

Switch to CC2.

Rnds 7-9: Repeat Rnd 3.

Switch to CC1.

Rnd 10: Repeat Rnd 3.

Switch to MC.

Rnd 11: Ch 2. *(Dc, ch 1) in each of the next 2 dc, (dc, ch1) 3x in ch-sp, (dc, ch 1) in each of the next 2 dc. Repeat from * around. Join rnd, finish off.

Bodice Edging:
With CC1, join at base of bodice split. Ch 1; sc evenly up side; place 3 sc in corner to turn. Sc across top, place 3 in corner to turn, sc down side. Ch 1, turn. Sc up side, spacing 2 buttonholes (ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc) where desired. Sl st in corner, finish off.

Straps (make 2)

Row 1: With CC1, ch 16 (18, 20). Sk 1 ch, sc across. (15, 17, 19 sc) Turn.

Row 2-4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.

Finish off.

Finishing

1. Sew buttons to back of bodice opposite buttonholes.
2. Sew straps to top of bodice on front and back in desired positions.
3. Weave in all ends. Enjoy!

About the Designer Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons and a new baby girl! They have settled in to a quiet (or “quiet,” if you like) rural life in Missouri and are enjoying doing things like gardening and keeping chickens in the backyard. You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.