Vest, knickerbockers, trousers, skirt, jacket, hat & stockings to fit a boy & girl approximately 4” tall.

In 1846 Queen Victoria ordered a suit, from the official naval outfitters, for her son Prince Albert (later Edward V11) to wear aboard the royal yacht ‘The Victoria & Albert’. There is a painting by Franz Xaver Winterhalter which shows the 5-year-old in a white sailor suit with navy collar & cuffs. The young prince is wearing trousers, but knickerbockers were just as popular. A firm favourite for many years it was at its most popular in the 1870’s. The suit was also called a Middy Suit or a Jack Tar. Girls would often wear knickerbockers under their skirt.

MATERIALS: Size 20 knitting needles, 1ply cotton, 8 buttons, 4mm navy or black silk ribbon, shirring elastic and stitch holders. For the stockings: black Venne Colcotton 70/2 or Gutermann sewing silk or equivalent.

Suggested colour schemes:
Royal or navy-blue suit: blue collar with white bands, white vest with blue edging around neck & armholes, white beret with blue band.
White suit: Blue collar with white bands, white vest with blue edging around neck & armholes, white beret with blue band.
Red suit: red collar with white bands, white vest with red edging around neck & armholes, white beret with blue band.

Pattern designed by Lesley Roberts
Copyright © Nicola Smith 2018
The Knitting Lady