Christabel and Carla

Who said baby clothes had to be in pastel colours? Buck the trend with Christabel and Carla, our fabulous sundress and matching hat by Zoë Halstead, featuring gorgeous summery shades, tiny knitted flowers and beautiful lace trim. Both the hat and the dress have I-cords, meaning they can be adjusted to achieve the perfect fit. Knitted in a soya/cotton blend, this set will keep your baby cool whilst being soft on her skin.

Front and back (both alike)
Using 4mm needles and yarn D, cast on 169 (185, 193) sts

LACE EDGE
❑ Row 1 (RS): k1, * yfwd, k2, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yfwd, k1, rep from * to end
❑ Row 2: p
❑ Row 3: k2, * yfwd, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yfwd, k3, rep from * to last seven sts, yfwd, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yfwd, k2
❑ Row 4: p
❑ Row 5: k3, * yfwd, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yfwd, k5, rep from * to last six sts, yfwd, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yfwd, k3 Starting with a p row, work thirteen rows in st st ending with a p row

DEC FOR RUFFLE
Change to yarn A and, using one 4mm and one 3.25mm needle, cont as folls:
❑ Next row: k1, (k2tog) to end. 85 (93, 97) sts
❑ Using two 4mm needles and starting with a p row, cont in st st until yarn A section meas 15.5 (20.5, 25.5) cm from dec row, ending with a p row

DEC FOR YOKE
Change to yarn B
❑ Next row: k3 (3, 2), [k2tog] twice (once, once), [k1, k2tog] 0 (6, 30) times, [k1, k2tog, k2tog] 15 (9, 0) times, [k1, k2tog] 0 (7, 0) times, k3 (4, 3).
53 (61, 66) sts
❑ Next row: k

SHAPE ARMHOLES
Change to yarn C and cont in garter st as folls:
❑ Cast off 5 (6, 6) sts at beg of next two garter st rows. 43 (49, 54) sts
❑ Change to yarn D and dec one st at each end of next two rows
❑ Change to yarn A and dec one st at each end of next two rows
❑ Change to yarn B and dec one st at each end of next two rows. 31 (37, 42) sts
❑ Cont without shaping in garter st stripe sequence as set until yoke meas 8 (9, 10) cm from dec row, ending with a WS row
Cast off

TIE (MAKE FOUR)
Using 3.75mm dpns and yarn B, cast on three sts
-K one row
-Next row: * without turning work and with RS facing, slide sts to other end of needle and, pulling yarn from LH side of sts to the right across the back, k1tbl, k2 *
-Rep from * to *, remembering to pull yarn tightly across back and always working a k row, until cord meas approx 30cm from beg Cast off

Flower (make six)
Using 3.25mm needles and yarn C, cast on 35 sts
-Row 1 (RS): *k1, cast off next five sts (two sts left on RH needle), rep from * to end.
Ten sts
-Break yarn, thread through rem sts, draw up tightly and use yarn to sew row ends together to form flower

POCKET (MAKE TWO)
Using 4mm needles and yarn B, cast on 17 sts
-Starting with a k row, work in st st until piece meas 6cm from beg, ending with a p row
-Change to yarn A and k two rows
-Change to yarn B and k two rows
-Change to yarn C and k two rows
-Change to yarn D and k two rows
-Cast off

To make up
Weave in all ends. Sew a flower to each pocket using yarn D and then work a French knot (see Knit wise panel) in the centre of each.
Sew pockets on either side of front of dress in positions as shown. Sew front and back of dress together at side seams.
Sew I-cord tie behind top edges of front and back yoke at each corner to tie over child’s shoulders. Sew a flower to end of each tie and work a French knot in the centre of each using yarn D

Hat
CROWN (WORKED FROM THE TOP DOWN)
Using 4mm needles and yarn A, cast on 9 sts
❑ Row 1 (RS): (k1, yfwd) eight times, k1. 17 sts
❑ Row 2: p
❑ Row 3: k1, (yfwd, k2) eight times. 25 sts
❑ Row 4: p
❑ Row 5: k1, (yfwd, k3) eight times. 33 sts
❑ Row 6: p
❑ Row 7: k1, (yfwd, k4) eight times. 41 sts
❑ Row 8: p
❑ Row 9: k1, (yfwd, k5) eight times. 49 sts
❑ Row 10: p
❑ Row 11: k1, (yfwd, k6) eight times. 57 sts
❑ Row 12: p
❑ Cont to inc eight sts each row in same way on next and every foll alt row until there are 89 (97, 105) sts
❑ P one row

EYELET PATTERN
❑ Next row: k5 (1, 3), [yfwd, k2tog, k4] 14 (16, 17) times
❑ Starting with a p row, work five rows in st st
❑ Next row: k2 (4, 6), [yfwd, k2tog, k4] 14 (15, 16) times, k3
❑ Starting with a p row, work five rows in st st
NOTE: these twelve rows form eyelet pattern
❑ Work another 10 (14, 16) rows of Eyelet pattern, ending with a p row

BRIM
Change to yarn B
❑ Next row (RS): * k1, m1, rep from * to last st, k1. 177 (193, 209) sts K one row
❑ Change to yarn C and k two rows
❑ Change to yarn D and k two rows
❑ Change to yarn A and k two rows
❑ Change to yarn B and k two rows
❑ Cast off

LACE EDGING
Using 4mm needles and yarn A, cast on 177 (193, 209) sts
❑ Row 1 (RS): k1, * yfwd, k2, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yfwd, k1, rep from * to end
❑ Row 2: p
❑ Row 3: k2, * yfwd, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yfwd, k3, rep from * to last seven sts, yfwd, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yfwd, k2
❑ Row 4: p
❑ Row 5: k3, * yfwd, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yfwd, k5, rep from * to last six sts, yfwd, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yfwd, k3
❑ Row 6: p
❑ Don’t cast off, instead hold needle, with RS facing, behind cast off edge of brim of hat and sew through stitches on needle to underside of cast off edge of brim

TIE
Using 3.75mm dpns and yarn D, cast on three sts
❑ K one row
❑ Next row: * without turning work, and RS facing, slide sts to other end of needle and, pulling yarn from LH side of sts to the right across the back, k1tbl, k2 *
Rep from * to *, remembering to pull yarntightly across back and always working a k row, until cord meas approx 105cm from beg
Cast off

Flower (make two)
Make as for flower on Christabel

To make up
Weave in all ends. Sew centre back seam of hat. Thread yarn through cast on edge stitches, draw up tightly and fasten off. Thread I-cord tie through lowest row of eyelets of hat and tie in a bow at centre back. The tie can be used to adjust the hat to fit child’s head. Work a French knot in the centre of each flower using yarn D and then sew a flower to each end of tie.

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

CHRISTABEL
Age: 6-12 months (1-2 yrs 2-3 yrs)
To fit chest (cm): 46 (51, 54)
Actual size, approx (cm): 48 (55, 60)
Length, excluding ties (cm): 30 (36, 42)

CARLA
Circumference, approx (cm): 40 (44, 47)