"Poinsettia" Coat set

Poinsettia Coat and Leggings Set by Caroline Richards

Project Overview

The Poinsettia is a charming knitted coat and leggings set designed by Caroline Richards for reborn dolls measuring 16–22 inches or for newborn and 0–3 month old babies. This intermediate-level knitting project combines a structured coat or jacket with coordinating leggings, making it an ideal choice for creating coordinated doll clothing or baby garments with a polished, finished appearance.

What Is Being Made

This pattern provides instructions for creating a complete two-piece outfit consisting of:

• A fitted coat or jacket with button closures
• Matching leggings

The set is sized to accommodate three different measurements: 21–22 inch dolls or 0–3 month babies, 16–18 inch dolls or small newborns, and 19–20 inch dolls or newborn babies. Each size uses appropriately scaled materials and needle sizes to achieve proper fit and fabric drape.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Poinsettia set employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to create structure and shaping:

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric structure, creating a smooth, finished appearance on the right side
• Garter stitch – used for ribbing, edges, and textural detail
• Yarn overs and decreases – incorporated for shaping the garment pieces and creating fitted silhouettes
• Make 1 increases – used to add stitches by picking up loops between stitches and knitting into the back, providing invisible shaping
• Slip stitch techniques – employed for edge finishing and stitch management
• Buttonholes – integrated into the coat design for functional closures
• Through-the-back-loop stitching – used selectively for twisted stitch effects and reinforcement

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitch vocabulary, including:

• K (knit) and P (purl) – foundational stitches
• St st (stocking stitch) – primary fabric
• G-st (garter stitch) – textured edging
• Sl1 (slip next stitch) – edge and decrease technique
• Yfwd (yarn forward) and yo (yarn over) – lace and eyelet creation
• P.s.s.o. (pass slip stitch over) – decrease method
• Tog (together) – decrease indicator
• M1 (make 1) – invisible increase
• Tbl (through back loop) – twisted stitch variation
• Dec (decrease) and Inc (increase) – shaping abbreviations
• KFB (knit into front and back) – quick increase
• RS (right side) and WS (wrong side) – directional references
• BH (buttonhole) – functional closure
• CC (contrast colour) and MC (main colour) – color work notation

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Poinsettia set is worked in double knit (DK) weight or 4-ply yarn, both lightweight yet durable choices ideal for delicate doll clothing and baby garments. Material requirements vary by size:

• For 21–22 inch dolls or 0–3 month babies: 250 grams of double knit wool using 3.25mm needles (smaller) and 4mm needles (larger)
• For 16–18 inch dolls or small newborns: 200 grams of 4-ply wool using 2.75mm needles (smaller) and 3.25mm needles (larger)
• For 19–20 inch dolls or newborn babies: 250 grams of double knit wool using 3mm needles (smaller) and 3.75mm needles (larger)
• Six buttons for coat closure

Gauge and Construction Standards

The pattern