Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who now have a sweet baby daughter and Prince George has a little sister. To commemorate the happy arrival of the baby princess I have created a FREE knitting pattern for a tiny baby in a Moses basket. The baby measures just 5cm and the basket is 9cm, the perfect size to sit on top of a Christening cake. I've dressed the baby in white and she has a pale pink blanket and pillow. FREE PATTERN MATERIALS REQUIRED: Pair of 2.75mm needles (US 2). Double knitting yarn (or 4ply) in following colours. Beige for basket. White for baby. Pink for blanket and pillow. Flesh colour for face. Small amount of stuffing. Brown sewing thread (or single strand of embroidery floss) for eyes. ABBREVIATIONS: K - knit P - purl St - stitch St-st - stocking stitch K2tog - knit two stitches together to make one * * - repeat the pattern within asterisks Kfb - Make 2 stitches out of one by knitting into the front and back of a stitch. I advise knitting the basket first as it is easier to make a baby that will fit the basket than a basket that will fit the baby! BASKET: Using beige yarn cast on 66 stitches. 1 – 2. Knit. Start basket pattern. 3 – 4. *K3, p3* repeat across row. 5 – 6. *P3, k3* repeat across row. 7 – 14. Repeat rows 3 – 6 four more times. 15 – 16. *K3, p3* repeat across row. 17. K4, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k15, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k15, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k4 (58st). 18. Knit. 19. K4,*k2tog* (twice), k13 ,*k2tog* (twice), k8 ,*k2tog* (twice), k13 ,*k2tog* (twice), k4 (50st). 20. Knit. 21. K3,*k2tog* (twice), k11 ,*k2tog* (twice), k6 ,*k2tog* (twice), k11, *k2tog* (twice), k3 (42st). 22. Knit. 23. K3, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k3 (38st). Cast off. Over-sew the two short sides together and then fold the basket in half with the seam at one end. Over-sew the cast-off edges together to create the base of the basket. HANDLES (make two) Cast on 12 stitches and then cast off loosely. Stretch the knitted piece. Stitch a handle to each side of the basket (use picture as a guide). BLANKET Cast on 20 stitches in pale pink. 1 – 3 Knit. 4. K3, p14, k3. 5. Knit. 6 – 23. Repeat rows 4 and 5 (x9) 24 – 26. Knit Cast off. Press lightly with cool iron if necessary. The baby can be wrapped in the blanket or fold the blanket to create a mattress. PILLOW Cast on 12 stitches in pale pink. Work in stocking stitch for 24 rows. Cast off. Fold in half and stitch each side seam. Put a tiny piece of stuffing into the pillow and over-sew the open end. BABY’S HEAD Cast on 6 stitches in flesh. Row 1. St-st starting with a purl row. Row 2. Kfb across row to last stitch, k1 (11st). Rows 3 – 9 . St-st. Row 10. K2tog across row to last stitch, k1 (6st). Cut the yarn leaving a 15cm tail and using a tapestry needle remove the 6 stitches onto the tail. This will be the top of the head so leave it open for stuffing. Over-sew the sides of the head together and stuff the head. The finished head should be approximately the size of a hazelnut. Gather the top and fasten off. Make the head ball shaped. BABY’S BONNET Cast on 18 stitches in white 1 – 2. Knit. 3 – 8. St-st. Cut the yarn leaving a 15cm tail and using a tapestry needle remove the 18 stitches onto the tail (don't gather, leave open). Wrap bonnet round the head as shown above. The gathered edge at the back should be left open until the eyes are stitched in place. Using a single strand of brown sewing thread or floss, push the needle from the back of the head to the front and make one or two stitches to create sleeping eyes. Fasten off at the back. Now gather the back of the bonnet and then stitch the white edges of the bonnet together at the base of the head. Fasten off. BABY’S BODY Cast on 15 stitches in white. 1 – 16. St-st. Cut the yarn leaving a 15cm tail and using a tapestry needle remove the 15 stitches onto the tail (leave open for stuffing). Whip-stitch the cast-on edge and gather. Stitch the sides together. Stuff the body (not too much) and gather the open end. Fasten off. Stitch the head to the body. ARMS Cast on 6 stitches in white. 1 - 8. St-st. Cast off. HAND Cast on 4 stitches in flesh. Cast off. Fold the white arm in half lengthways and tuck the flesh piece of knitting inside so that only two stitches are visible (these will create a tiny hand). Over-sew the arm seams. Bend each arm slightly and stitch them to the baby as shown below. Tuck the tiny baby into her cosy basket crib. Sweet Dreams There will be another FREE knitting pattern coming soon. You'll find regular updates on my 'Dollytime' Facebook page.