Jacket, Beret, Shoes & Pants in Hayfield Bonus DK - 2483 - Downloadable PDF

Jacket, Beret, Shoes & Pants in Hayfield Bonus DK – Pattern 2483

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield provides instructions for creating a complete four-piece outfit designed to fit an 18-inch (46 cm) doll. The set includes a Jacket, Beret, Shoes, and Pants, making it an ideal project for dressing popular play dolls in a coordinated, handcrafted wardrobe. Rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, it suits knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and working across multiple small-scale pieces.

Yarn and Materials

The entire outfit is worked in Hayfield Bonus DK (shade 994), a double knitting weight yarn. Only one 50g ball is required, making this an economical and stash-friendly project. The pattern specifies the following tools and notions:

• 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles – used for the main fabric pieces
• 3¼mm (UK10 / USA3) knitting needles – used for finer details and garter stitch sections
• A stitch holder for managing live stitches during shaping
• 3 buttons for the Jacket
• 2 buttons for the Shoes

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential when working on doll clothing, as even small variations can significantly affect the fit. The pattern specifies:

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles
• 22 stitches and 42 rows to 10cm (4in) over garter stitch on 3¼mm needles

Knitters are advised to check their tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size accordingly — using a thinner needle if fewer stitches are produced, or a thicker needle if more stitches appear.

The Jacket

The Jacket is the most substantial piece in this set. It is worked in stocking stitch on the larger 4mm needles, with shaping to create a well-fitted garment scaled precisely for an 18-inch doll. The jacket fastens with 3 buttons, giving it a neat, realistic finish. Shaping techniques such as decreasing are used to form the garment's structure, including armhole and neckline shaping typical of a classic doll jacket. A stitch holder is used to hold stitches during construction, a common technique when working the back and fronts of a small garment separately before joining.

Key Techniques – Jacket

• Stocking stitch fabric construction
• Armhole and neckline shaping using decreases
• Stitch holder usage for live stitches
• Button band finishing with 3-button fastening

The Beret

The Beret is a charming accessory piece that completes the outfit's coordinated look. Worked in the round or flat and shaped with increases and decreases, berets at doll scale require careful attention to stitch counts to achieve the characteristic rounded crown and fitted band. The use of Hayfield Bonus DK gives the beret a soft, structured appearance suitable for a classic doll accessory.

Key Techniques – Beret

• Crown shaping with increases and decreases
• Ribbed or garter stitch brim band
• Small-scale shaping for a precise fit

The Shoes

The Shoes are knitted to fit the doll's feet and fasten with 2 buttons for a realistic and decorative detail. Knitted doll shoes are typically worked flat and seamed, using a combination of stocking stitch and garter stitch to create the upper and sole structure. The 3¼mm needles and garter stitch tension are likely employed here to create a firmer, more structured