Blue Sky Fibers Twinkle Toes Tutu Dress Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Twinkle Toes Tutu

Project Overview

The Twinkle Toes Tutu is a toddler skirt design from the Tiny Tots Collection, created by designer Sylvia Hager. This knitting pattern (No. 201621) is sized for toddlers from 18 months through 4 years old, making it an ideal garment for ballet practice or everyday play wear. The finished skirt features a drapey silhouette with a distinctive ruffle tier and decorative eyelet detailing at the waist.

Construction Techniques

This tutu is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create its elegant appearance and comfortable fit:

• Bottom-up construction: The skirt is knitted beginning from the hem and working upward toward the waist, allowing for easy length adjustments during the knitting process
• Seamless, worked in the round: The main body is knitted in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, continuous fabric
• Three-needle join: The ruffle tier is attached to the main skirt body using a three-needle join technique, a method that creates a secure, decorative seam while joining two live edges of knitting
• Eyelet detailing: Pretty eyelet stitches are incorporated at the waist, creating decorative openings through which the adjustable tie is woven

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern primarily uses stockinette stitch as the foundation fabric. Stockinette stitch, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows when working flat (or knitting all stitches when working in the round), produces the smooth, drapey fabric characteristic of this tutu. The eyelet detail at the waist incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create the openwork pattern through which the tie passes.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: This pattern is designed for use with Spud & Chloë Fine, a sock-weight yarn composed of 80% Superwash Wool and 20% Silk. This fiber blend provides both durability and a luxurious drape. Yardage requirements are 2 hanks for the 18-month and 24-month sizes, and 3 hanks for the 2T and 4T sizes. Each hank contains 248 yards and weighs 65 grams.

Needles and tools: The pattern calls for two Size 4 (3.5mm) 16-inch circular needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. A third needle of any type is used for the three-needle join technique. Additional tools include stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 35 rows over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch. Maintaining proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Finished measurements by size:

• 18 months: Length 8¾ inches, circumference at hips 21 inches
• 24 months: Length 9¼ inches, circumference at hips 21¼ inches
• 2T: Length 10 inches, circumference at hips 22 inches
• 4T: Length 12 inches, circumference at hips 23¼ inches

Adjustable Tie Detail

The tutu features an adjustable tie that weaves through the eyelet openings at the waist, allowing for a customizable fit. The tie is created using a twisted cord technique. A strand of yarn measuring 90 to 150 inches (depending on size) is folded in half and twisted at both ends in opposite directions, allowing the strand to twist upon itself. The cord is then folded in half again and the two ends are secured together, creating a finished twisted cord tie.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated for Advanced Beginner knitters, indicating that it assumes familiarity with basic knitting techniques while introducing more intermediate skills such as working in the round, gauge considerations, and the three-needle join method.