Cloudberry Cottage Baby Dress & Bloomer Set: A Heirloom Knitting Pattern

Wrap your little one in the softest hand-knit charm with this heirloom-quality dress and matching bloomers. Featuring a delicate textured yoke and a sweet ribbon tie, this timeless set makes every moment feel like a garden party. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner looking for a rewarding project, this pattern is designed to guide you through creating a beautiful, handmade keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.

The Cloudberry Cottage set is knitted top-down, which means you can easily try it on your baby as you go and adjust the length if desired. The subtle eyelet texture on the yoke adds a touch of elegance, while the soft cotton blend ensures comfort for your little one's delicate skin. Let's dive into this delightful project!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: DK weight cotton blend (e.g., Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend) in Cloudberry Pink (MC) and Cream (CC). You will need approximately 300g of MC and 100g of CC.
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 24-inch lengths, plus US 6 double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the sleeves.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and 1/4-inch elastic for the bloomers' waistband.
• Ribbon: A satin ribbon (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide) for threading through the eyelet row on the dress.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Always knit a gauge swatch to ensure your finished garment matches the intended measurements.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for sizes 0-3 (3-6, 6-12) months. Finished chest measurements are 16 (18, 20) inches. Follow the numbers in parentheses for your chosen size.

Abbreviations

CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit two together, YO = yarn over, PM = place marker, SM = slip marker, M1L = make one left, M1R = make one right, RS = right side, WS = wrong side.

The Dress (Worked Top-Down)

Yoke

With your Cream (CC) yarn and the 16-inch circular needle, CO 72 (80, 88) stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist, and PM at the beginning of the round.

Rounds 1-4: Work K1, P1 ribbing.

Round 5: Switch to your Main Color (MC). Knit all stitches.

Round 6 (Increase Round): (K8, M1L) repeat to end of round – you will now have 81 (90, 99) stitches.

Rounds 7-9: Knit all stitches.

Round 10 (Increase Round): (K9, M1L) repeat to end – 90 (100, 110) stitches.

Rounds 11-13: Knit all stitches.

Round 14 (Increase Round): (K10, M1L) repeat to end – 99 (110, 121) stitches.

Rounds 15-17: Knit all stitches.

Round 18 (Increase Round): (K11, M1L) repeat to end – 108 (120, 132) stitches.

Rounds 19-21: Knit all stitches.

Round 22 (Increase Round): (K12, M1L) repeat to end – 117 (130, 143) stitches.

Rounds 23-25: Knit all stitches.

Round 26 (Increase Round): (K13, M1L) repeat to end – 126 (140, 154) stitches.

Rounds 27-29: Knit all stitches.

Round 30 (Increase Round): (K14, M1L) repeat to end – 135 (150, 165) stitches.

Rounds 31-33: Knit all stitches.

Round 34 (Increase Round): (K15, M1L) repeat to end – 144 (160, 176) stitches.

Rounds 35-37: Knit all stitches.

Divide for Sleeves

Next Round: K 22 (24, 26) stitches (this is the front half). Place the next 28 (32, 36) stitches on a holder or waste yarn for the first sleeve. CO 6 (8, 10) stitches for the underarm. K 44 (48, 52) stitches (this is the back). Place the next 28 (32, 36) stitches on a holder for the second sleeve. CO 6 (8, 10) stitches for the second underarm. K 22 (24, 26) stitches to complete the front half.

You will now have a total of 100 (112, 124) stitches for the body.

Body

Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the body measures 4 (5, 6) inches from the underarm.

Next Round: Switch to your Cream (CC) yarn. Knit 1 round.

Next Round (Eyelet Row): (K2tog, YO) repeat to end of round. This creates the holes for your ribbon.

Next Round: Knit all stitches.

Switch back to your Main Color (MC). Continue in stockinette stitch until the body measures 7 (8, 9) inches from the underarm.

Next Round (Decrease Round): (K2tog, K2) repeat to end of round – you will now have 75 (84, 93) stitches.

Work K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Bind off all stitches loosely in pattern.

Sleeves

Transfer the sleeve stitches from the holder onto your double-pointed needles. Starting at the center of the underarm, pick up and knit 6 (8, 10) stitches from the cast-on underarm stitches. You will now have a total of 34 (40, 46) stitches on your needles. PM at the underarm to mark the beginning of the round.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 2 (2.5, 3) inches.

Next Round (Decrease Round): (K2tog, K2) repeat to end – you will now have 26 (30, 34) stitches.

Work K1, P1 ribbing for 3 rounds. Bind off all stitches loosely in pattern.

Finishing the Dress

Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle. Thread the satin ribbon through the eyelet row, starting and ending at the front center. Tie a small, neat bow. Block the dress gently to shape and even out the stitches.

The Bloomers (Make 2 Legs)

With your Main Color (MC) yarn, CO 40 (44, 48) stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist, and PM at the beginning of the round.

Work K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch.

Switch to stockinette stitch (knit every round).

Increase Round: (K4, M1L) repeat to end of round – you will now have 50 (55, 60) stitches.

Work even (knit every round) until the leg measures 3 (3.5, 4) inches from the cast-on edge.

Bind off all stitches loosely. Repeat this entire process for the second leg.

Seaming the Bloomers

Place both legs flat with the bind-off edges together. Using your tapestry needle and the same yarn, sew the crotch seam from the front to the back for 2 (2.5, 3) inches. Weave in all ends.

Fold the top edge of the bloomers down by 1 inch to the inside. Sew a casing, leaving a small opening to thread the elastic through. Cut a piece of 1/4-inch elastic to fit your baby's waist comfortably. Thread it through the casing using a safety pin, then sew the elastic ends together securely. Close the opening in the casing.

Your Cloudberry Cottage Baby Dress & Bloomer Set is now complete! This beautiful, handmade set is perfect for a special occasion, a baby shower gift, or simply to cherish on your own little one. The soft cotton yarn and delicate details make it a true heirloom piece. Happy knitting!