Simple Knit Doll Sweater
In this free step-by-step knitting tutorial, Madeline from Knitting House Square shows how to knit a simple and classic doll sweater. This sweater is designed to fit many doll types including Blythe and Barbie! Below I have linked the free PDF pattern as well as all of the supplies I used to create this project!
Size: One Size
• Fits Blythe or Barbie Dolls
• Sweater Length: 3.25” (8.26 cm)
• Sweater Chest Circumference: 6” (15 cm)
Gauge: 7 sts x 9.5 rds = 1” x 1” stockinette in the round on US 2 (2.75 mm) knitting needles
Materials
• 30-33 yds (27-30 m) Fingering (#1) weight yarn (8 - 9 grams)
• Shown in Sweet Georgia Breeze and Bluebell
• US 2 (2.75 mm) 40” Circular Knitting Needle Amazon
• 2 pieces of fingering weight waste yarn (approx 12” in length each)
• Tapestry Needle Amazon
• Scissors
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Abbreviations
M1L (Make 1 left) - Video Time 16:40: pick up the bar in between the stitch that was just worked and the one about to be worked with the left needle from front to back, then knit into the back of the stitch
M1R (Make 1 right) - Video Time 15:22: pick up the bar in between the stitch that was just worked and the one about to be worked with the left needle from back to front, then knit into the front of the stitch
Step 1 Cast On
Using a stretchy cast-on method, cast on 24 stitches. Divide the stitches in half and prepare to join in the round using magic loop.
Step 2 Ribbing
Work the ribbing round a total of 6 times.
Ribbing Round: *Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat between *’s across the round
Step 3 Increase Rounds
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: *Knit 2, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, knit until 3 stitches remain before the halfway point, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, Knit 2* repeat between *s for the second half of the round
*Optional: Join stripe color
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: *Knit 3, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, knit until 4 stitches remain before the halfway point, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, Knit 3* repeat between *s for the second half of the round
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: *Knit 4, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, knit until 5 stitches remain before the halfway point, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, Knit 4* repeat between *s for the second half of the round
*Optional: Switch back to background color
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: *Knit 5, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, knit until 6 stitches remain before the halfway point, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, Knit 5* repeat between *s for the second half of the round
Round 9: Knit
Round 10: *Knit 6, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, knit until 7 stitches remain before the halfway point, M1R, Knit 1, M1L, Knit 6* repeat between *s for the second half of the round
*Optional: Switch to strip color
Round 11: Knit
Once step 3 is complete you should have 64 stitches total on your knitting needles (32 on each side for magic loop). Cut your yarn (*both the background color and the strip color if you are doing the striped version) leaving an 8” tail to weave in later.
Step 4 Divide Stitches for Arms and Body
You will now need the two pieces of waste yarn to hold the stitches for each sleeve. In this round, we will just be slipping stitches purlwise and NOT working any of the stitches.
Waste Yarn Piece 1: Thread one piece of waste yarn onto a tapestry needle and slip the first 6 stitches of the round off the knitting needles and onto the waste yarn.
Slip the next 20 stitches from one knitting needle to the next (keep them on the knitting needles and do not put them on waste yarn
Waste Yarn Piece 2: Thread a new piece of waste yarn onto a tapestry needle and slip the last 6 stitches on the first knitting needle onto the waste yarn. Turn your work, and slip the first 6 stitches from the 2nd knitting needle onto the same piece of waste yarn. You should now have 12 stitches total on the waste yarn.
Slip the next 20 stitches from one knitting needle to the next (keep them on the knitting needles and do not put them on waste yarn
Thread the tapestry needle with the opposite end of Waste Yarn Piece 1, and thread the last 6 stitches of the round off the knitting needles and onto the waste yarn. You should now have 12 stitches total on the waste yarn.
Once you have completed Step 4 you should have 12 stitches on each piece of waste yarn, and 40 stitches total (20 on each knitting needle) remaining on the knitting needles.
Step 5 Body
Rejoin the yarn (*stripe colorway) and prepare to work the 40 stitches on the knitting needles in the round.
Body Set-Up Round: *Knit 20 stitches (one-half the total number of stitches) and before you turn your work to begin the next half of the stitches use the backward loop method to cast on 2 stitches* repeat between *s for the second half of the round. When complete you should now have 44 stitches (22 on each knitting needle) total.
Repeat Round: Knit
Work the Repeat Round a total of 10 times.
*If you are working a striped version: Work the Repeat Round a total of 2 times in the stripe color, followed by the Repeat Round a total of 8 times in the background color. Continue working the ribbing rounds described below in the background color.
Ribbing Round: *Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat between *s for the full round
Work the Ribbing Round a total of 4 times.
Loosely cast off the stitches and cut the yarn leaving at least an 8” tail.
Step 6 Sleeves
Start with either the left or right sleeve.
With the knitting needle, slide the 12 stitches off of the waste yarn and onto the knitting needle. Divide the stitches in half and prepare to join in the round using magic loop. Rejoin the yarn (*stripe colorway).
Sleeve Set-Up Round: Knit the 6 stitches on the first knitting needle, then turn work and knit the 6 stitches on the second knitting needle. Before you turn your work again to begin the next round, use the backward loop method to cast on 2 stitches. When complete you should now have 6 stitches on the first knitting needle and 8 stitches on the second knitting needle (14 stitches total).
Repeat Round: Knit
Work the Repeat Round a total of 13 times. If you are knitting a Barbie sweater (not Blythe) work the Repeat Round a total of 19 times (instead of 13).
*If you are working a striped version: Work the Repeat round a total of 2 times in the strip color, followed by the Repeat Round a total of 11 times in the background color. If you are working a striped version of a Barbie sweater (not Blythe) work the Repeat Round a total of 17 times in the background color (instead of 11).
Continue working the ribbing rounds described below in the background color.
Ribbing Round: *Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat between *’s for the full round
Word the Ribbing Round a total of 4 times.
Loosely cast off the stitches and cut the yarn leaving at least an 8” tail.
Repeat Step 6 for the second sleeve!
Step 7 Finishing
Starting with one of the underarms, use the closest yarn tail and the tapestry needle to close the gap between the sleeve and body of the sweater. Repeat for the second underarm. Once the underarms are complete, weave in the remaining yarn tails.
Soak the sweater in lukewarm water for approximately 15 minutes, then roll the sweater up in a towel to gently squeeze the excess water out. Lay flat to dry!
