My amazing team of test knitters are knitting a cute dress design I’ve been working on. The dress is worked bottom up, in the round for the skirt which features a pretty lacy pattern. We changed colour (optional) for the upper bodice of the dress which features a garter waist band and a pretty dot stitch bib, patterned front and back. Front and back are worked separately and flat, no seaming though as the shoulders have 3 little button on each side. You’ll have a few ends to weave in, but not many.
Who is the Mary Eleanor Dress pattern named after?
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Mary Eleanor was my great Aunt, called Ciss by most people, she was my Granddad’s older sister. I have many happy childhood memories of visiting Great Gran and Ciss, who spoiled us rotten, made our favourite foods and gave the best cuddles.
Ciss never married, but was the best Mum ever to her many nephews and their families. She was much-loved and is still much-missed.
I used an affordable 100% cotton yarn to knit the Mary Eleanor Dress. I chose Patons 100% Cotton DK in two colours, Kiwi and Almond. They yarn is hard on the hand while knitting but softens on washing and has a subtle sheen to it. I’ll be making another for my cousin’s little girl, Isla, probably using some Stylecraft Special DK. Isla likes pink, purple and blue and looks fabulous in cool colours. The Stylecraft Special DK will be easy to wash for her busy Mum and wear well.
What colours would you use?
Mary Eleanor Dress by Loraine Birchall for Woolly Madly Deeply, photo copyright Loraine Birchall
Would you like to test knit this pattern?
I still have room for a couple of testers to knit the age 4-5yr and 6-7yr sizes. If interested, sign up here
Loraine is working on the sample in this episode of our vlog.
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Baby Yarns
Baby yarns, suitable for clothing, accessories and baby blankets
A busy Mum will really appreciate hand knits and crochet items you make for their new baby, but do think about your yarn type and colour choice.
Baby yarns are usually, but not always, machine washable. If it’s not machine washable, whilst it may be loved, it might be too much effort for a Mum of a newborn. You may need to wash that item for them.
We have a range of baby yarns including Lanas Stop Bambini which is listed as 4ply but knits to the same gauge/tension as Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino but at a much more affordable price. It washes really well too and is lovely for adult garments, I’m knitting myself a sweater with the Antique Pink right now.
Lanas Stop Peke comes in a range of pretty pastel colours suited for boys or girls, but if you’re not sure go for white or cream and you can’t go far wrong.
James Brett Flutterby Chunky is a beautiful soft chenille type baby yarn, beautiful colours and knits or crochets quickly for fast results.
Lion Brand Babysoft is a lovely yarn, sport weight (between dk and 4ply) and machine wash. We have a pretty yellow and Pompador Pink in stock.
Lion Brand Baby Wool is at the top end of wool yarns, it’s superwash merino in Aran weight (heavy worsted) and knits up quickly. The colours are really pretty and suitable for boys and girls.
If you have any worries about allergies or live in a warmer climate do consider Schoeller Pantino or Limone cotton yarns. Pantino is an Aran weight cotton and Limone is a 4ply/fingering weight mercerised cotton which has a slight sheen to it. Both wash beautifully and wear really well.