While looking through my Sitichionary (vol. 1), I happened to pause on a stitch pattern long enough for a dress to form in my mind. Looking at "rose stems" I imagined a gown with ribbons and roses. I remembered the first Easter dress my husband and I chose for our oldest daughter when she was only weeks old. It was pink and covered with lace and bows. A fancy, girly dress. I wanted to make a frilly dress for parents who would only choose one dress for their daughter's lifetime. I wanted bows, frills and flowers. I wanted a princess dress.
Rose Stem stitch #98Vogue Stitchionary vol. 1
I wove a pale green ribbon through the eyelet
holes on the "stems" and used pink ribbon with
ribbon roses attached around the waist.
Through three eyelet rows along the bottomof the I ran pink ribbons. The booties were knit
using Michelle's pattern. I may still add a rose to
the top of each one, I haven't decided yet.
I'm fairly certain I used the rolled brim hat butnot positive. I hadn't remembered that I even made it.
Again, ribbon was run through an eyelet row.
And finally, using an off-white flannel, I lined the dress. The waist and neck are tied with ribbons. The edges have a crocheted ruffle. It was knit on size 5 needles with Caron Simply Soft yarn (off-white, I think) and from no real pattern. (there are elements of, I believe, Little Sunshine Burial Gown, but I can't find that pattern online any longer. I just tried the best I could from memory when knitting the bodice.)fit for a princess...
12 comments:
I think that is simply lovely!
Why the tag "bereavement?" I am suddenly concerned, but have no idea why...
momma b, it will be donated to a local hospital for a preemie to be buried in. I'm guessing it would fit about a 3 to 4 pound baby. I started making things for hospitals after my baby niece died 4 yrs ago. I didn't think of knitting items for preemie babies until I read about it on Wool Winder's blog, around that same time.
Thank you, I'm glad you like it. :)
by the way, knitting these items gives me a very reflective feeling, joy at being able to hopefully bless even a little bit a family who is deeply hurting and also sorrow for the loss of a child. for the future of the parents and family. it's peaceful knitting (something knitting typically is not for me). it's contemplative. I feel like it takes me out of myself.
Well, sadly, we share in the same sadness, because my niece was 3 1/2 mos. old when she died, which led to my having some extra children living in my home. I still think about her and visit her grave when possible. It is really hard to lose a child, whether it be a family member's child, or your own. God, I really hope to never know the pain of losing my own. It has been hard enough losing both parents and my niece. Sorry, I got side tracked again! It has been a bad morning.
I am glad that you can do something that you enjoy and turn it into a beautiful way to help a grieving family. I personally make memorial quilts, which is hard enough emotinally! I can not imagine knowing a child will be buried in your creation. I could not even look at my niece when she was in her casket. I always look, because I think it is part of letting your mind know that what your heart is feeling is really real, but I just could not do it that time! It happened in 2004.
Please excuse the crazed typos!
i have the help of a 9 month old, at the keyboard!!!
This is the most beautiful dress I've ever seen!!! And, you expressed very well in your comment the mix of emotions that comes with knitting bereavement items. For me, it turns a hobby into an expression of love and is without a doubt the most important thing I've ever done with my knitting skills.
I agree, that is a very beautiful dress! It's hard to believe it's been 4 yrs.
The set is adorable. Thank you for sharing the details here.
Beautiful!!!!!!
Truly a princess dress. It's beautiful.
for the pattern for the gown go to our craft forum (we have a public area that now holds our free patterns) http://haincraftforum.org click on "patterns" :) Looks beautiful!
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