Another Cath Kidston Colored Redheart Little Sweetie Dress

This past week I celebrated a crochet milestone -- the making of my first crochet dress! Because I've been busy and didn't have enough time to create my own design, I used Redheart's Little Sweetie Dress pattern for a Cath Kidston-colored dress, which you can learn more about here.

The first dress was for my oldest daughter's two month old and now I've finished a second dress for my second daughter's two month old. Two Cath Kidston-inspired dresses for two darling little babies.

And now, for the Big Reveal....

 

 

For Baby S

For Baby E

You'll find directions for the alterations I made to the pattern on the blog post linked at the end of the first paragraph. I've so enjoyed crocheting these dresses, especially with this pattern and these beautiful yarn colors. It's so much fun trying new things. What new creative pursuits and projects have you been trying?

Today I'm Linking Up With: Erika's Crafts Corner Link Yourself Monday
Memories by the Mile Treasure Box Tuesday
Kathe with an E You're Gonna Love it Tuesday
VMG206 Brag About it Tuesday Link Party 
Oombawka Design Weekly Link Party
Small Things Yarn Along Wednesday
Crochet Addict UK What Are You Doing Wednesday?
Easy Life Meal and Party Planning Four Seasons Blog Hop
Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party 
Crochet Addict UK "I've Made Friday"  
Create with Joy Friendship Friday 
The Stitchin' Mommy Get Creative Link Party 
Sincerely, Paula No Rules Weekend Blog Party  
Natasha in Oz Say G'Day Saturday
Beauty Observed Link Party 
Annemarie's Haakblog Link Party 

Cath Kidston Colors for Redheart Little Sweetie Dress

These past few months I've been doing a lot of crochet designing, and now I'm preparing to begin tour season (more on that in my next blog post). So, this past week I've transitioned to easy designs and ready-made patterns. Several people in my Google+ community, Go Crochet Crazy "All Things Handmade", have been sharing crochet dresses that they've recently made. That was one crochet project I'd never tackled, and I was really inspired by the pretty dresses I was seeing.

After a quick search, I found a free pattern for Redheart's Little Sweetie Dress. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I knew that with a few of my own alterations I'd be able crochet something pretty for the two two-month-old babies back home in the states. Plus, the pattern was easy and used stitches that I knew would get me to the finish line fast.

Since I've been using Cath Kidston-inspired colors for a giant rectangle granny I'm making for my bed, I decided to use those same colors for my Little Sweetie dresses. I've finished one completely and have started the other, and am over-the-moon with the results.

 

My Pattern Changes

There were a few things I changed about Redheart's pattern to make the dress look more like what I had in mind. Here they are:

1. The pattern instructs you to change to a bigger hook and also use a larger V-stitch. My change: I used a 5mm hook throughout and stuck with the smaller V-stitch to avoid flaring on the lower half of the dress, as well as a weightier look.
2. I didn't care for the fan-like edging at the bottom of the dress and wanted a softer look. My change: I added a soft, simple scallop edge by SC in one stitch, Ch 4, skip 3 stitches, SC in the next stitch, continuing this pattern all the way around.
3. I tried the picot edging because I love the picot stitch, but felt it distracted from the beauty of the overall dress. My change: I opted to go around the neckline and back opening with a SC for a finished look.
4. Again, I opted not to use the picot stitch around the arm holes. My change: I used the same soft scallop as is outlined in #2 for my armhole edging.
5. A waist tie is not called for in this pattern, but I liked it for two reasons...to add to the beauty of the dress and so it could be cinched in a little bit if it's too big. My change: A chain ribbon tie about 45 inches long, threaded through the first V-stitch row of the skirt.

And here's the dress as a work-in-progress...

Cath Kidston-inspired colors

The finished yoke and beginning of the skirt

The colors start coming alive

The finished dress without trim, pretty even like this.

My simple scallop edging for the skirt

A simple scallop gives the sleeve edge a soft look

And, again, the finished product, front and back...

 

Redheart's Little Sweetie Dress is crocheted from the top down. There's no piecing or sewing together, and it can be finished in a day or two. Using a Size H (5mm) hook, my dresses came out perfectly for a baby of about 3 months old. To make bigger sizes as the babies grow, I intend to just increase the size of the hook.

I'd love to hear what you think about the dresses I made. When you can take an existing pattern and add your own personal twists to it, the possibilities are endless. Have you made crochet dresses before? If so, do you use a favorite pattern or have one that you've designed? Let me know in the comments; it's great to share ideas. With the changes I've made, I'm certain I'll use this pattern again.

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Erika's Crafts Corner Link Yourself Monday
Memories by the Mile Treasure Box Tuesday
Kathe with an E You're Gonna Love it Tuesday
VMG206 Brag About it Tuesday Link Party 
Oombawka Design Weekly Link Party
Small Things Yarn Along Wednesday
Crochet Addict UK What Are You Doing Wednesday?
Easy Life Meal and Party Planning Four Seasons Blog Hop
Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party 
Crochet Addict UK "I've Made Friday"  
Create with Joy Friendship Friday 
The Stitchin' Mommy Get Creative Link Party  
Sincerely, Paula No Rules Weekend Blog Party  
Natasha in Oz Say G'Day Saturday  
Beauty Observed Link Party   
Annemarie's Haakblog Link Party