Barbie Dress

Step 1.   Threading the knitting machine.  Leaving about 3-4 inches of yarn allow the yarn to catch on the first hook then pull it behind the next hook.  Continue catching every other hook while slowly turning the handle until it's back to the first hook.

Step 2.   Making the body of the dress (sweater, skirt).  Place the yarn between the first and second fingers of the left hand; this will allow you to control the tension of the yarn as it feeds the knitter.  There was a small gadget to thread the yarn through to control the tension but it never worked well for me.  I am crocheter and have always used the first and second finger to control tension, so I like to feel the yarn.  Consisted tension is key to any knitting machine, any needle work.  Turn the handle until you've completed about (15 rows for the sweater)23 rows for short dress (and skirt) and 35 for a long dress.

Step 3.   Take the piece off the machine.  Lift the yarn to center and turn the handle until all the stitches come off.  Some times you may have to take the last stitch off manually.

Step 4.  Pull the piece to even out the stiches.  Place the piece between the first and second fingers as close to the top and bottom of the piece as you can and gently pull.

 Step 5.  Crochet the top for dress and sweater.  Have two size H or I crochet hooks ready.  Gently pull out 2-3 rows until the stitches look even.  Take the first hook and pickup last 8 stiches, then turn the peice and picked up the remaining 8 stitches.  Working with the second hook, YO and pull through first loop on hook [YO and pull through two loops] 3x, chain three (this makes the arm hole) , [YO and pull through two loops] 4x

(at this point you should have only one loop on this hook) take the loop off the hook and set the hook aside.  Place the loop on the remaining hook [YO and pull through two loops] 4x,  chain three (this makes the second arm hole) , [YO and pull through two loops] 4x, slip stitch to first stitch.  cut, knot and weave in the end of the yarn.

Step 5 Top of skirt. Gently pull out 2-3 rows until the stitches look even.  You can use a yarn needle and thread the yarn through all 16 stitches  Do not pull to tightly or you will not be able to pull the dress all the way on.  Or you can use two size H or I crochet hooks.  Take the first hook and pickup last 8 stiches, then turn the peice and picked up the remaining 8 stitches.   Working with the second hook, pull the yarn through all 8 stitches.  Do not pull to tightly or you will not be able to pull the dress all the way on.  Working with the other hook, pull the yarn through the last 8 stitches.  Do not pull to tightly. Go back through the 16 stitches again. Cut off the excess yarn.  Take a 7.5 inch piece of yarn and pull in through 4 stitches where you want the front of the skirt to be.  Put a knot on each end.  You may want to add a Bead or two.

Step 6.  Finish the bottom.  After you pull the piece in step 4 the bottom will have very loose loops.  Gently pull the end of the yarn until the stitches in the last row are only slightly larger then the rest of the piece.  Do not pull to tightly are you will not be able to pull the dress all the way on.  If you are making a simple dress or sweater with either a crochet hook or a yarn needle pull the yarn through all the stiches a second time.  Cut off the excess yarn.

I find it is easiest to put this dress on the barbie arms straight, pull the dress up feet first lining up the arm holes. Once you have the hands through the arm holes pull the arm forward and push the dress the rest of the way up.

To put on the skirt wrap the yarn over the top of the skirt and tie. 

To make the dress below on the left follow steps 1-6.  I used a turquoise four ply yarn.  I found this eyelash and pomp-pomp yarn at the Dollar Tree in both Pink and turquoise.  I slip stitched across the top and double crocheted across the bottom.

To make the dress above in the middle follow steps 1-6. I used brushed pink varigated four ply yarn. which made beautiful stripes.Then I use a short haired fun fur yarn in bright pink and slip stitched across the top and bottom of the dress