Something for a six year old Rainbow.

Hello, hello! And one more hello for good measure.

I do feel happy, because tonight's knitting group night, and I love it. My Wednesday night happiness. Do you have any groups you belong to that make you feel the same way?

I didn't forget my promise from yesterday, to show you the dress I crocheted for Millie, my Niece, who is soon going to be six years old. Like a Rainbow, Millie is a force of nature, and I love her to bits. I see her almost as a little sister. Much to Millie's delight, (but probably not her parent's delight), I've always encouraged her love of bling and bright colours.

Apart from knitting her cardigans, I've made her jewellery, my first necklace for her being this pink flowery thing in the photo above, which was crocheted.

I also made this necklace for Millie, above. Well, I made the flower, and then I crocheted the chain, for which Millie chose the colours.

Here's my little Rainbow modeling the necklace I made for her.

So, knowing that Millie likes an array of colours, I decided to bear that in mind when making her dress.

(There was also the small matter of not being able to bear the thought of crocheting a dress, however small, using only one colour).

Here we go! One very colourful dress!

I wonder if I could crochet one in a bigger size, for myself? Will give that a bit of thought.

The pattern is called "Flower Yoke Top", by Robyn Chachula. It was published in the July/August issue of an American magazine called "Crochet Today!" The pattern is for children from the ages of four to ten years old.

I made some slight changes to the pattern. I made it longer than the pattern required, to make it into a dress, rather than a top. And I added the ripple at the hem, by increasing the stitches in the last few rows. The pattern also tells you to do some extra crochet stitches around the completed flower shapes, but I decided not to do that, as I wanted the flowers to look delicate.

Above we have the flowers on the front of the dress.

And here we have the flowers on the back of the dress. 

Millie might decide she prefers the back as the front, and the front as the back! Whilst the colours of the flowers around the neckline are all different, the back and the front, which are crocheted seperately, and then sewn together, were done in the same coloured stripes, same order.

DK yarn was used throughout, and it was all the cheapest acrylic, in the brightest colours, no dull colours were allowed to stay in this one. I did try one more subdued colour, but had to take it out, it just didn't work, it had to be BRIGHT yarn all the way through.

I did enjoy crocheting this little number, a lot. It must have been working with all those bright colours that kept me happy. And it seemed to progress so quickly, but then that's crocheting for you, it is fast isn't it? If I'd been knitting this dress, it would have taken at least double the amount of time to make. So as a quick project for a small person in your life, I'd recommend this pattern.

So there we have it, one dress, hanging up on the Molly Brett picture, on a wall in my studio. I just need to sew my special 'a little something by vanessa' nametape on it, and then I can wrap it up and trust it to the postal system. hoping it arrives in good time for Millie's Birthday. Her sixth Birthday, so grown up!

And I am now off to my knitting group, for a lovely evening of chit-chat, tea and a biscuit. Cheerio! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Jacqueline]

The dress is lovely, I would like to see a photo of your niece in it. How are you getting on with the projects for yourself? We haven't seen photos of that yet! Enjoy your knitting group.

[Siobhan]

You have created a dream of a dress! Tons of inventiveness too - you've made the pattern your own. Any little girl would adore it - the perfect dress to flounce in, thanks to the little frill you have added. The flowers are all the better for being that bit smaller. A beautiful dress for a beautiful little girl - I bet she will want to put it on straight away. Those colours are really going to suit her too. I have to be careful - what I love to see, isn't necessarily what is OK on me (v pale skinned, so can't take some colours). It really is a special "little something by Vanessa". Hope you have a good knit and a good natter

[Anne@andamento]

It's lovely, lucky Millie!

[Kimbles]

Very Pretty lucky Millie!

[Tracie]

Gorgeous! I have a group, not a crafty one, but I play flute in a concert band and it's my Tuesday date. I look forward to playing music with my friends each week and it brightens up even the most wretched days!

[Sally anne]

Vanessa you are amazing, the dress is absolutely gorgeous and Millie is going to be so excited on her birthday. I hope someone will take a photo of her wearing it.

[Janice]

i'd like your colours on prescription please every time there is a rainy day! lucky Rainbow - love the necklace too.

[bakeandsewblog]

oh Vanessa - it is beautiful. I love it and agree they should make a pattern for big 'uns too. She is sure to love it.

[Lisa]

Absolutely adorable, Vanessa!

[wonderwoman]

gorgeous dress! beautiful colours.

x

[Kelly]

I love the dress - it is so vribant and happy. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

[Kate Bruning]

I am so tempted right now to start the boys cross-dressing now. I was always on the edge but I think this dress has pushed me over. Jonno won't mind, he used to take them into town to do farm jobs and the boys would have pretty clips in their hair. Nothing wrong with keeping hair out of your eyes...

[Naomi Rainford]

very cute!

[pixie]

I just love that dress!!!!!

[Erica K]

It's wonderful! And the color is just fabulous! She's such a lucky girl to have you as an aunt! :)

[gill]

hi vanessa
i love millie's dress and please please can we see her in it??!! it's such a bright and happy dress - can clothes be happy? i think they can!
gill xx

[Petit Filoux]

That is one super bright dress!!! A little bright for me, but I'm sure it'll look lovely on your niece, she seems very cute! Crochet does seem to be much quicker than knitting, I always find people who crochet churn out projects so much faster than I could ever hope for!!!

[paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com]

The dress will go down famously I'm sure. I remember having a poster of that Molly Brett picture! I used to draw endless woodland scenes like that when I was younger. I'm suffering from deep nostalgia now!!

[The Curious Cat]

Vanessa that is soo soo gorgeous and the necklace too! What a talented lady you are and I bet she is going to love it so so much! Let us know her reaction! xxx

[Lindsay]

Just lovely! All of those colors make me happy too!

Lindsay

[Acornmoon]

Hello,

I have just stumbled upon your very wonderful blog, so cheery and scrumptious. I shall be back soon for more!

I have been thinking about picking up some knotting needles again and this is just the incentive that I need, so thank you.

[Lucy@attic24]

Aww Vanessa, the dress is absolutely gorgeous, a work of art!! And do you know, I can SO imagine you wearing a bigger version, I really can!!

That crochet stitch looks very interesting. I think it'd make a lovely stripy blanket, was it complicated to work???

I visit your blog every day to keep up with you, but sadly it's hard to find enough time to write comments these days, I am really sorry for that, but know that I think of you and visit with you often.
Lots of love
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Hen]

Awww, I love that dress but you know, sadly it seems it's not going to find its way into my next parcel?! Maybe not quite my size! How I envy you the lovely MIlle. All my nieces are gown up (gulp!) so I have no little girls to indulge. It looks fab, Vaness, can't wait to see the young lady modelling it for us...
Hen x

[Natalie]

That is just beautiful..I love your blog and all of your creations, it always brightens my day. I'm currently a bit house bound recovering from surgery and I just loove to catch up with your blog ...so thanks for cheering me up each day..all the best from Natalie(in Australia)

[Marie]

Just beautiful,what a lucky niece to have such a thoughtful and creative aunty. I'm sure she'll love it

[Mildawg]

Absolutely lovely :)

[Katja]

Hello Vanessa,
you have no idea how much I enjoy your blog - HUGELY. It is my pick-me up! In fact via your tutorial for your sister's blanket I have re-learned to crochet. so very exciting. this dress for Millie is just fabulous. I might have to make one for a god-daughter, as she is the only child of the right age I know. Thank you for cheering me up with your bright colours on a regular basis.
Merry Christmas, can't wait to see your tree.

[myssja]

i will try something like yours for my little doll, thanks for the idea, just i learnd to do these flowers :-)