"Amber" cardigan & knicker set

Amber Cardigan and Frilly Knickers Set by Caroline Richards

Project Overview

The Amber set is a charming knitted ensemble designed by independent designer Caroline Richards, featuring a coordinating cardigan and frilly knickers. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a complete outfit suitable for Reborn dolls ranging from 16 to 22 inches or for newborn babies aged 0-3 months, with sizing options accommodated throughout the pattern.

What is Being Made

This pattern produces two coordinating garments:

• Cardigan: A fitted knitted cardigan with button closures, designed to fit snugly on dolls or babies
• Frilly Knickers: Decorative knitted shorts featuring frilled detailing and an elastic or ribbon waistband

Size Options and Customization

The pattern accommodates three distinct size categories with corresponding needle and yarn requirements:

• 21-22" Doll or 0-3 Month Baby: Uses 3.25mm needles (smaller) and 4mm needles (larger) with 200 grams of double knit wool
• 16-18" Doll or Small Newborn Baby: Uses 2.75mm needles (smaller) and 3.25mm needles (larger) with 150 grams of 4-ply wool
• 19-20" Doll or Newborn Baby: Uses 3mm needles (smaller) and 3.75mm needles (larger) with 200 grams of double knit wool

Materials Required

The Amber set requires minimal materials, making it an efficient project:

• Yarn: Double knit wool or 4-ply wool depending on size selection (150-200 grams total)
• Needles: Two sizes of needles per size option, ranging from 2.75mm to 4mm
• Notions: Five buttons for cardigan closure and 7mm or 10mm satin ribbon for the knicker waistband

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Amber pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The primary stitch structure includes:

• Stocking Stitch (St. St.): The main fabric construction, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Garter Stitch (G-st): Used for textured sections and likely for edgings and ribbing details
• Yarn Forward (yfwd.): Creates decorative eyelet holes, particularly important for the frilly knickers design
• Slip Stitch (sl1): Used for shaping and stitch manipulation
• Increase (Inc) and Decrease (dec.): Techniques for shaping the garment pieces
• Make 1 (m1): An increase method created by picking up the loop between stitches and knitting into the back of it, providing invisible shaping
• Pass Slip Stitch Over (p.s.s.o.): A decorative decrease technique
• Through Back of Loop (t.b.l.): A twisted stitch variation for added texture or shaping
• Buttonholes (BH.): Integrated into the cardigan front for button closure

Tension and Gauge

Proper tension is essential for achieving the correct fit on these small garments. Using 4mm needles and stocking stitch, the pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows measuring 10 centimeters (4 inches) square. Achieving this gauge ensures the finished pieces fit appropriately on the intended doll or baby size.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Amber set assumes knitters have foundational skills in cast-on, basic stitches, and garment assembly. The pattern requires competency with shaping techniques, button bands, and the frilly detailing that distinguishes the knickers.

Pattern Format

This is a downloadable PDF pattern featuring comprehensive abbreviations and instructions. The pattern uses standard knitting notation including right side (RS) and wrong side (WS)