The First Little Dress: Jade Green with a Scalloped Edge

Sizes: 56–86 cm (0–18 months)

Dreaming of knitting something truly special for a little one? This jade green baby dress is a delicate and cosy first project—soft against the skin and utterly charming with its scalloped detailing.

Designed using Lana Grossa Ecopuno, a gentle cotton blend with alpaca and merino wool, this dress brings together softness, warmth, and stitch definition in perfect harmony. The curved edge—called the Bogenkante or scalloped edge—is worked separately for the bodice, then joined seamlessly with the skirt stitches, giving the dress its distinctive silhouette.

What Makes It Special

• Yarn blend: 72% cotton, 17% merino, 11% alpaca

• Weight: Light and breathable, yet warm enough for cooler months

• Scalloped detail: Worked at the hem, sleeve cuffs, and across the bodice

• Construction: Knit top-down in the round to the armholes, then separated for front and back

• Fastening: A small slit at the back neck, closed with a simple button loop

• Pattern sizing: Baby sizes 56–86 cm (approx. newborn to 18 months)

• Needles: 3 mm and 3.5 mm circulars (40 cm length)

• Yarn required: 100g (size 56–62), 150g (size 68–86)

A Delightful Knit for Gifting or Keepsakes

Whether you're knitting for your own child or as a heartfelt handmade gift, this little dress has timeless appeal. Its jade colourway adds a fresh, natural tone to any baby's wardrobe, while the gentle shaping and subtle detailing speak of skilled craftsmanship and care.

It’s also incredibly versatile—layer it with tights and a vest for cooler weather or wear it on its own as a breezy summer piece.

Pattern Notes

• Knit mostly in stockinette (plain) stitch, with garter stitch bands and decorative scallops

• Seamless bodice-to-skirt transition using live stitches

• Clear instructions with German abbreviations explained

• Baby measurement chart included for the perfect fit

Pattern 1 – Dress with Scalloped Edging in Jade

Sizes: 56–62 (68–74) 80–86
Instructions for larger sizes are given in brackets.

Materials

• Yarn: LANA GROSSA "Ecopuno" (72% cotton, 17% merino wool, 11% alpaca), 215m/50g

  • 100g for size 56–62

  • 150g for size 68–86

• Circular Needles: 1 x 3 mm and 1 x 3.5 mm (both 40 cm long)

• 1 button (Ø 12 mm)

Tension

10 x 10 cm = 26 stitches x 35 rows in stocking stitch with 3.5 mm needles

Stitch Patterns

• Stocking stitch in rows: Knit RS rows, purl WS rows

• Stocking stitch in the round: Knit all rounds

• Garter stitch in rows: Knit all rows

• Scalloped edge: Multiple of 11 sts, work as follows:
  Row 1: K1, [yo, K9, slip 1, pass 8 sts over], repeat to end
  Row 2: Knit all sts
  Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

Scallop Pattern for Bodice

Cast on 176 (187) 198 sts with 3.5 mm circular needle. Join to work in the round, place marker for beginning of round.
Work scallop edge as follows:
Row 1: K1, [yo, K9, slip 1, pass 8 sts over] repeat to end = 128 (136) 144 sts
K 2 more rounds in stocking stitch. Place side markers after 64 (68) 72 sts for front and back.

Dress Body (Back and Front)

With 3.5 mm circular needle, cast on 220 (242) 264 sts. Join to work in the round, knit 1 round.
Work scallop edging = 160 (176) 192 sts
Work in stocking stitch until work measures 20 (22) cm from scallop edge.
Distribute bodice sts evenly:

• 32 (40) 48 sts = 128 (136) 144 sts remain.
  K 2 more rounds.
  Work the bodice scallop edging and then join with the live sts from the skirt.

Work 1 scallop pattern row alternating 1 bodice st with 1 skirt st:
[yo, K1 from bodice, K1 from skirt, K9, slip 1, pass 8 sts over] repeat to end = 42 (50) 50 sts
K in stocking stitch for 2.5 cm to armhole, place markers for front and back.

Back Piece

Work back and forth in stocking stitch.
For armhole shaping, decrease 1 st at both edges every other row 4 (5) 5 times.
At 6 (7) cm from armhole start, begin neck shaping:
Bind off 1 x 3, 1 x 2, 3 x 1 sts at neck edge.
Bind off remaining 15 (16) 17 sts for shoulder at 9 (10) 11 cm armhole depth.

Front Piece

Work as for back until neck shaping:
At 10 (10) 12 cm armhole depth, shape neckline:
Bind off 1 x 3, 1 x 2, 3 x 1 sts at neck edge.
Bind off remaining 15 (16) 17 sts for shoulder.

Sleeves (Make 2)

With 3 mm circular needle, cast on 57 (68) sts. Work 1 scallop pattern row and continue in stocking stitch.
At 9 (10) 11 cm from edge, bind off 1 x 3, 1 x 2, 3 x 1 sts at sleeve cap.
Bind off remaining 22 (24.5) 27 sts.

Finishing

• Dampen pieces and block to measurements.

• Join shoulder seams.

• Pick up 68 sts around neckline and work 3 rows in garter stitch.

• At the upper back slit, sew on a button loop and reinforce the slit with overcast stitches.

• Set in sleeves, making sure sleeve centre matches shoulder seam.

• Sew side and sleeve seams.

• Sew on button.