Rainbow Sherbet Lollipop Tunic Free Pattern – Knit a Sweet Baby Dress

Special Stitches & Abbreviations

• k2tog – knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• ssk – slip slip knit (left-leaning decrease)
• yo – yarn over (creates an eyelet hole)
• kfb – knit front and back (increase)
• pm – place marker
• rm – remove marker
• sc – single crochet (for buttons)
• sc2tog – single crochet two together (decrease)

Pattern Notes

• The tunic is worked in the round from the top down.
• Stripes are worked in 4-row repeats: 2 rows of color, 2 rows of white (A).
• The lollipop buttons are crocheted separately and sewn on at the end.
• Always join in the round carefully to avoid twisting your cast-on edge.

Yoke (Worked Top-Down)

Cast On: With smaller circular needle (16-inch) and color B (pink), cast on 72 (80) [88] stitches. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.

Rounds 1-4: Knit all stitches. This creates a neat garter ridge at the neckline.

Round 5 (increase round): *K8, kfb* repeat to end of round. You should now have 81 (90) [99] stitches.

Rounds 6-8: Knit all stitches.

Round 9: *K9, kfb* repeat to end. You now have 90 (100) [110] stitches.

Rounds 10-12: Knit all stitches.

Round 13: *K10, kfb* repeat to end. You now have 99 (110) [121] stitches.

Rounds 14-16: Knit all stitches.

Round 17: *K11, kfb* repeat to end. You now have 108 (120) [132] stitches.

Rounds 18-20: Knit all stitches.

Round 21: *K12, kfb* repeat to end. You now have 117 (130) [143] stitches.

Rounds 22-24: Knit all stitches.

Round 25: *K13, kfb* repeat to end. You now have 126 (140) [154] stitches.

Rounds 26-28: Knit all stitches.

Round 29: *K14, kfb* repeat to end. You now have 135 (150) [165] stitches.

Rounds 30-32: Knit all stitches.

Your yoke should now measure approximately 4-5 inches from the cast-on edge, depending on your size. The increases create a gentle, rounded shape that will fit beautifully over baby's shoulders.

Divide for Sleeves

Now it's time to separate the body from the sleeves. This is an exciting step—you'll see the tunic taking shape!

Round 33: Knit 20 (22) [24] stitches (this is the front right section). Place the next 28 (32) [36] stitches on a holder or waste yarn (this is the right sleeve). Knit 39 (42) [45] stitches (this is the back). Place the next 28 (32) [36] stitches on another holder (this is the left sleeve). Knit the remaining 20 (22) [24] stitches (this is the front left section).

You should now have 79 (86) [93] stitches on your needle for the body. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round if you haven't already.

Body

Now you'll work the body in the round, creating those beautiful rainbow stripes.

Stripe Pattern: Work 2 rounds in your chosen color, then 2 rounds in white (A). Repeat this sequence throughout the body.

Color Order: Follow this sequence for a rainbow effect: Pink (B), Yellow (C), Mint (D), Lavender (E), Peach (F), then repeat if needed.

Body Length: Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) in the stripe pattern until the body measures 6 (7) [8] inches from the underarm, ending with a white round. The fabric will gently flare as you go, thanks to the yoke increases.

Lace Hem

This delicate lace edge is the perfect finishing touch—and it doubles as buttonholes for the lollipop buttons!

Switch to color B (pink) and work the lace pattern:

Round 1: *K2tog, yo* repeat to the last stitch, k1.

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

Round 3: *Yo, ssk* repeat to the last stitch, k1.

Round 4: Knit all stitches.

Repeat these 4 rounds once more for a deeper lace edge. Then bind off loosely in pattern (knit stitches knit, purl stitches purl, and yarn overs as knit stitches). The eyelet holes created by the yarn overs will serve as buttonholes for the lollipop buttons.

Sleeves

Now let's finish those sweet little sleeves!

Transfer the sleeve stitches from the holder to your double-pointed needles. Join your yarn at the underarm. To avoid holes, pick up 2 stitches at the underarm where the body and sleeve meet.

Sleeve Length: Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) in the stripe pattern (2 rounds color, 2 rounds white) for 2 (2.5) [3]