Tabitha Dress

Tabitha Dress by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Tabitha Dress is a knitted baby dress designed by Martin Storey, featured in the collection Special Knits for Babies. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted dress suitable for infants ranging from newborn through 18 months of age. The dress is constructed with a classic silhouette featuring a fitted bodice and shaped armholes, designed to be both practical and elegant for baby wear.

Finished Sizes and Measurements

The Tabitha Dress is available in five size options to fit different age ranges:

• 0-3 months: Chest 50 cm (19¾ in), Length to shoulder 28 cm (11 in)
• 3-6 months: Chest 52 cm (20½ in), Length to shoulder 30 cm (11¾ in)
• 6-9 months: Chest 54 cm (21¼ in), Length to shoulder 32 cm (12½ in)
• 9-12 months: Chest 56 cm (22 in), Length to shoulder 34 cm (13½ in)
• 12-18 months: Chest 58 cm (22¾ in), Length to shoulder 38 cm (15 in)

Knitting Techniques Used

The Tabitha Dress employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques to create its structured shape and decorative details. Picot edging is incorporated as a decorative finish, adding a delicate detail typical of baby garment design. The pattern includes bobble stitches as textural embellishments throughout the design. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases, creating a fitted sleeve opening. Waist shaping is accomplished using decrease rows that taper the garment at key points, with decreases worked as P2tog (purl two together) sequences to create a defined silhouette.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and shaping. Knit and purl stitches form the base fabric, with knit stitches appearing on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side in stockinette sections. Yarn forward (yfwd) increases are used to create openwork details and lace elements. K2tog (knit two together) and skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) are the primary decrease stitches used for shaping the armholes and waist. P2tog (purl two together) decreases are worked on purl rows during the waist shaping sequence. Bobble stitches provide dimensional texture as decorative accents on the dress.

Yarn and Materials

The Tabitha Dress pattern offers flexibility in yarn selection, with three high-quality options provided. Knitters can choose Rowan Superfine Merino 4 Ply in Blush 266, a merino wool yarn offering softness and breathability ideal for delicate baby skin. Alternatively, Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply in Blossom 444 provides a lightweight, breathable option perfect for warmer seasons. For those preferring natural fiber, Patons 100% Cotton 4 Ply in Nougat 01715 offers a cool, washable alternative. All yarns are 4-ply weight, requiring 1 to 4 balls of 50g (or 2 to 3 balls of 100g for the cotton option) depending on the size being knitted.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two pairs of needles in complementary sizes to create the ribbed and stockinette sections. For Rowan Superfine Merino and Patons Cotton, use 3mm (US 2-3) needles for ribbing and 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the main fabric. For Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply, use slightly smaller needles: 2.75mm (US 2) needles for ribbing and 3mm (US 2-3) needles for the body. Needle sizes vary by yarn option to accommodate the specific characteristics of each yarn and achieve consistent gauge.