Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Construction
Flower Girls are knit in one piece from
the bottom-up. The doll’s body can be
knit flat on straight needles and
seamed, or knit in the round on dpns.
After knitting, the skirt is worked from
stitches picked up around the doll’s
waist and embellished with hand
embroidery stitches. Simple sewing
techniques are used to define the arms
and legs after knitting.
Gauge
Exact gauge is not important. I
Yarn
recommend choosing a needle 2 or 3
sizes smaller than recommended on the Models are knit from a variety of sport
ball band to create a dense fabric that and dk weight oddments.
will keep the stuffing hidden. The chart
Abbreviations
below lists suggested gauge and
finished sizes for the yarns I typically use. CO = cast on; K = knit; K2tog = Knit 2
stitches together; M1 = Make 1 using the
backwards loop method; P = purl; RS =
Fingering DK/Sport Worsted right side; St(s) = stitch(es); WS = wrong
side;
US1 2.25 mm US 3 3.0mm US 5 3.5mm
8 sts and 11 6.5 sts and 9 5 sts and 7
rows/inch rows/inch rows/inch
4 ¾ inches 5 ¼ inches 6 inches tall
tall x 2 ¼ “ tall x 2 ¾ “ x 3” wide
wide wide
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Circular Knitting Instructions Round 47 K1, * Knit 2, K2 tog, repeat
from *to last stich, K1.
Loosely cast on 32 stitches in black, Round 49 K1, * Knit 1, K2 tog, repeat
leaving a long tail for seaming. from *to last stich, K1.
Arrange stitches evenly on 4 needles Round 51 K1, * K2 tog, repeat from *to
(8,8,8,8). last stich, K1.
Refer to chart, or knit from pattern as Draw yarn through remaining stitches
follows: and pull to close. Secure yarn.
SHOES SKIRT
Rounds 1-2 Knit in shoe colour. SETUP: Pick up 32 stitches from around
the dolls waist. Join skirt dress colour.
Round 3 Knit 11 sts shoe colour, 3 K2, m1 around. (48 stitches total)
stitches white, 4 stitches shoe colour, 3
stitches white, knit in shoe colour to end Rows 1-10 Knit
of round.
Row 11 Purl
Round 4 Knit in shoe colour
Cast off purlwise.
SOCKS
Rounds 5-8 Knit in white
LEGS
Finishing Instructions
Refer to page 4
Rounds 9-14 Knit in skin colour
BODICE
Rounds 15-30 Knit in dress colour
FACE
Rounds 31-38 Knit in skin colour
HAIR
Rounds 39-42 Knit in hair colour.
Round 43 (begin decreases) K1, *Knit 4
K2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, K1.
Round 44 (and alternate even rows) Knit
Round 45 K1, * Knit 3 K2tog, repeat from
* to last stitch, K1.
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Straight Knitting Variation Row 44 (and all even (WS) rows) Purl.
Loosely cast on 34 stitches in shoe Row 45 K2, * Knit 3 K2tog, repeat from *
to last two stitches, K2.
colour leaving a long tail for seaming.
Knit from pattern as follows: Row 47 K2, * Knit 2, K2 tog, repeat from *
to last two stitches, K2.
SHOES Row 49 K2, * Knit 1, K2 tog, repeat from *
to last two stitches, K2.
Row 1 Knit
Row 51 K2, * K2 tog, repeat from * to last
Row 2 Purl two stitches, K2.
Round 3 Knit 12 sts in shoe colour, 3 Draw yarn through remaining stitches
stitches white, 4 stitches shoe colour, 3 and pull to close. Secure yarn.
stitches white, knit shoe colour to end of
round. SKIRT
Round 4 Purl in shoe colour. SETUP: Pick up 34 stitches from around
the dolls waist. K1, *K2, M1 *continue
SOCKS from star to last stitch, K1. (50 stitches
Rows 5-8 (Continue in white) Work in total)
stockinette stitch, knitting the RS (odd) Row 1 Purl
rows and purling the WS (even) rows.
Row 2 Knit
LEGS
Repeat these 2 rows 5 times more.
Rows 9-14 (Join skin colour) Work in
stockinette stitch. Row 11 Knit
BODICE Cast off purlwise.
Rows 15-30 (Join dress colour) Work in SEAM DOLL
stockinette stitch. Using tail from top of head, sew the
sides of the doll together with an
FACE
invisible seam.
Rows 31-38 (Join skin colour) Work in
stockinette stitch. SEAM SKIRT
HAIR Using tail from cast off edge, sew the
sides of the skirt together with an
Rows 39-42 (Join hair colour) Work in
stockinette stitch for four rows. invisible seam.
Row 43 (begin decreases) K2, *Knit 4
K2tog, repeat from * to last two stitches, Finishing Instructions
K2. Refer to page 4
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Embroidering the Skirt French Knot
I find it easier to embroider the skirt
before stuffing and sewing the doll. For
these dolls, I used the same yarn to
embroider the designs that I used for
knitting.
I have read conflicting advice about
embroidering on knit fabric. Some say This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
to knit in the “holes” of your fabric to
avoid puckering, some say to “split” the
stitches with your needle to avoid Lazy Daisy
having your stitches pull through to the
back of the fabric. You may want to
experiment with which technique you
prefer. I found it worked best to “split”
the fabric yarn with my needle.
Hand Embroidery Stitches
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
The following diagrams demonstrate the
embroidery stitches used in these motifs.
If you are not familiar with hand
Woven Rose (or woven wheel)
embroidery, you may find it helpful to
search for tutorials on these stitches
available on YouTube.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Embroidery Motifs Crochet Edging (Optional)
Refer to photos for placement and size. I added a white crochet edging to finish
the skirt.
Plain Edging
Rose
Attach yarn. Chain 2.
Single Crochet in each stitch around.
Slip Stitch to attach to starting chain.
Picot Edging
Attach yarn. Chain 1.
Daisy
Slip stitch in next 2 stitches. Chain 2. Slip
stitch in same stitch. Repeat around.
Slip Stitch to attach to starting chain.
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Finishing Instructions Define arms.
Stuff head. Using ends from neck seam, define arms
with tiny backstitches through all layers.
Sew a running stitch of matching yarn
Begin your arms 3 rows down from neck
across the first face row, then stuff the
and 4 stitches from back seam. Arms
head firmly. Draw up to form neck and
are 8 stitches wide. Secure yarn and
knot securely. Do not cut ends, as you
pull through body to hide ends. Repeat
will use these to define arms as noted
on opposite side for second arm.
below.
Embroider Eyes
Stuff body.
Embroider eyes in black. Pull a strand of
Sew a running stitch of matching yarn
black yarn under both legs of a stitch.
across cast-on edge, then stuff the
Knit 3 horizontal stitches in the same
body loosely. Draw up to close bottom
stitch, then pull the needle through the
of doll and knot securely. Do not cut
doll and bring up at the opposite side
ends as you will use this to define the
for the second eye. Make 3 horizontal
legs.
stitches, then pull the needle through
Define legs. the doll and bring up beside original
Begin at the back middle seam, and yarn tail. Tie a knot to fasten yarn
pull yarn through to the front middle. securely, then pull through body of doll
Using the chart as a guide, count 16 to hide ends.
stitches from the back middle seam to Cheeks
the front. Keeping the first few stitches
Referring to photo for placement, add
loose can also help guide a straight
small circles of powdered blush using a
seam. Pull snuggly to create leg
cotton swab.
definition as you continue to a few rows
below the sweater. Fasten yarn
securely.
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
Curly Hair When cool, pull from end to release the
coiled yarn from dowel. Cut into
Wrap yarn tightly in a single layer
desired lengths.
around a wooden skewer or dowel (I
use old bamboo dpns.) Insert a crochet hook through both
‘legs’ of a knit stitch.
Put wrapped dowels in a colander in
the sink and dampen yarn thoroughly Fold one of your strands of hair in half
with hot water. and pull through your knitted stitch,
keeping the loop on your crochet hook.
Transfer to a baking sheet. Place in
200degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 Wrap both ends of the strand of hair
minutes. around your crochet hook and pull
through your loop to secure.
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Flower Girls
a knitting pattern by Esther Braithwaite Designs
*NOTE: Chart reflects stitch count (32 stitches) for CIRCULAR KNITTING only. *
When knitting the pattern on straight needles you must add 1 stitch to either side of the
pattern for seaming (34 stitches required)*
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