While it does not seem very popular here in France to have a special “coming home” outfit for the baby, I just could not help but to make something cute for my little princess for when we take her home from the hospital. I also wanted something bright and chearful to counter the grey skies of Normandy for her debut.
I purposely made it a little big. I figured it was better that it was too big than too small since she could still wear it and grow into it later. I have only ever crocheted blankets using a simple single stitchet – so this was quite a project for me. I learned a lot and cannot wait to make a cute little Thanksgiving dress for her for when we go visit my family in the States!
I started the dress using a free pattern that I found on youtube. I used a smaller hook and thinner yarn, so I had to modify her pattern to allow for more stitches. The pattern did not have sleeves and the bottom was only lace – not quite warm enough for a fall baby in Normandy so I made some modifications.
I figured out how to make sleeves through trial and error. I also created a 1/2 double crocheted a layer for under the lace to keep her legs warm. I varied the number of stitches in some rows to give it a little shape instead of the sides coming straight down. For the lace, I modified the stitch used in the video so that they were smaller circles.
The bonnet was done freehand with 1/2 double crochet stitching to match the dress. I used the same white pattern as on the lace part of the dress for edging. I kept comparing it to a regular bonnet I had on hand to make sure the size was correct.
The flowers were created by using another free pattern on youtube. I am not sure if I followed the instructions precisely as in the video… but they came out right at least. I tried to find the video to link to this post, but I am having trouble locating it.
All in all, I am very happy with the results! Now I need to figure out how to make matching booties.
Materials Used:
Crochet Hook: 3mm
Yarn: Phildar Phil Cotton 3 (1 x Grenadine and 3 x White)
The grenadine yarn was on sale for a little over a euro – this outfit costed a little less than 10 euros to make. Pas mal!
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