Bambi is a classic shell, soft and summery with subtle texture and feminine touches. It is a stylish and practical addition to any girl’s wardrobe (or mum’s!).

Yarn: Any summery 4ply/sock yarn such as cotton, bamboo, linen or their blends. The pattern is suitable for plain yarn as the subtle texture creates interest. The pattern also works with gradient, variegated or striped yarns as the slipped stitches break any colour pooling.

Construction: Bambi is knit from the bottom up starting with a fun ruffled hem which is rapidly decreased to start the body. The body is knit in the round to the armholes with an easy slip-stitch pattern that creates a subtle texture that mimics ribbing. The front and back pieces are then knitted separately, back-and-forth, with armhole and neckline shaping. A simple garter ridge is used to form the neck and armhole edgings and then Bambi is finished with a cord to tie the front keyhole closed.

This pattern is an intermediate knit but suitable for an advanced beginner keen on gaining new skills.

Skills Needed:

• cast on
• cast off
• knitting
• purling
• slipping
• decreasing (k2tog, p2tog, ssk, ssp, cdd)
• increasing (m1L, m1R)
• knitting flat
• knitting in the round
• stockinette
• w&t (explained in pattern)
• three-needle join (explained in pattern)
• crochet (optional, explained in pattern)
• plaiting (optional, explained in pattern)

The top is sized with a finished chest from 42 to 82.5 cm / 19 to 32.5”, roughly corresponding to 1-16 years, and is meant to be worn with little to no ease. For best results, choose a size based on measurements rather than age.

Yardage:

Yardage is approximate.

Size (finished chest): m / yd

Size 1 (48 cm / 19”): 240 m / 265 yd
Size 1.5 (52 cm / 20.5”): 290 m / 320 yd
Size 2 (56 cm / 22”): 345 m / 375 yd
Size 4 (59.5 cm / 23.5”): 405 m / 440 yd
Size 6 (65 cm / 25.5”): 465 m / 510 yd
Size 8 (68.5 cm / 27”): 545 m / 600 yd
Size 10 (72.5 cm / 28.5”): 610 m / 670 yd
Size 12 (77.5 cm / 30.5”): 680 m / 745 yd
Size 14 (80 cm / 31.5”): 735 m / 800 yd
Size 16 (82.5 cm / 32.5”): 790 m / 860 yd

Note: the larger sizes overlap with small adult sizes.

File Size: Approximately 930 kb.

Acknowledgments: Many thanks to my testers Galaz, Angeldogknitter, Abelo, maritere, Mummywants2craft, grubbyknees, loutre, Jailou and namihn.

For pattern support and general interest please visit the SparrowPlay group here on Ravelry.

Copyright Statement: Please respect my copyright and do not duplicate this pattern other than for personal use. Do not steal this pattern by selling it for your own profit or giving copies of it away. I am an independent designer and it took a lot of work to create and write up this pattern.
If you have purchased this pattern, I regard any items you make from it as your own creative work and thus you may dispose of them as you wish – gifts, fundraising, charity knitting, even cottage-selling. I reserve the right to negotiate a different arrangement for any larger scale commercial enterprises.
By purchasing this pattern, you agree to these terms and conditions.