Ballerina Wrap (for MSD)

So I knit this free pattern by Little Cotton Rabbits over on ravelry for a knit doll but I thought with a little tweaking, it could work for an MSD size doll. This is the pattern: Ballerina Wrap Cardigan

And this is my outcome:

I think it looks really nice! The fit is pretty good. So I wanted to share how I changed the pattern to fit my doll.

First some info. My doll is an Impldoll Susu on the plump body. She’s likely wider and bustier than most dolls. And she’s a lot bigger than a Minifee. The mods you make will likely be different. Now unto the pattern mods!

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Follow “Ballerina Wrap Cardigan” by Little Cotton Rabbits. For me, the CO stitches were the correct amount, as well as the stitches at the shoulders and back neck. I used the recommended needles and yarn weight. (US 2 and fingering weight yarn.)


Body:

For front:
After row 4, add 6 st-st rows to front left and right pieces. Then continue pattern as written.

For back:
Add 6 st-st rows to back piece, (27 rows instead of 21)

Decrease on rows 21, 23, & 25: K1, ssK, K to 3 left, K2tog, K1

Continue pattern as written.

(When you finish the main body and come to the sleeves, the patterns instructs you to knit the sleeves separately and sew to the main body. I chose to pick up stitches along the edge.)

Sleeves:

Pick up 22 sts along edge

Purl first row

St-st until sleeve cuff, 41 rows starting and ending with Knit row,

Decrease on rows 11, 15, 19, & 31: K1, ssK, K to 3 left, K2tog, K1

Knit 3 rows

Bind off in Purl

I didn’t wet block when finished btw. I liked how it fit and didn’t want to risk it growing larger

 

Some more pics and info:

This is what the cardigan looks like after you finish the knitting. You just sew up the sleeves separately then down the side seam.


I sewed a snap closure to the inside flap to keep the cardigan closed in place. The pattern instructs you to leave a gap in the side seam and pull a cord through to tie it closed in the back. I changed this just as a style decision.


I made two braids of yarn to use as my ties on the outside flap. I like how this make a neat, skinny bow.

 

Front​

Back​

Posed​

 

Thank you! I took the snap closure idea from American Girl doll clothes. Their ballet wraps have snaps or Velcro, and I figured a small snap would be easier to sew on. If you want to add more length to the bottom but keep the slant in place, maybe sewing two snaps and two bows would hold it better? One to the top on the extra rows and one on the bottom?