by Dive into cuteness with this charming crochet baby dress! Inspired by the lovely two-toned design in the picture, this pattern features a classic, solid yoke in a calm cream, transitioning into a beautiful light blue lacy skirt. The generous white satin bow adds a touch of sweet elegance, making this dress perfect for any special occasion or a delightful everyday outfit.
Skill Level: Intermediate (familiarity with basic stitches, working top-down, joining in the round, and understanding basic lace/shell patterns is helpful).
Materials:
- Yarn: DK (Light Worsted) weight yarn. A soft cotton or cotton blend is highly recommended for baby comfort and drape.
- Main Color (MC): Light Blue/Aqua (for skirt) – approx. 200-300 yards, depending on size.
- Contrast Color (CC): Off-White/Cream (for yoke and skirt trim) – approx. 80-120 yards.
- Crochet Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends.
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers: Very helpful for marking increase points, armholes, and the beginning of rounds.
- Large Satin Ribbon: Approx. 1 inch wide, 18-24 inches long (or a pre-made large satin bow) for the embellishment.
Gauge (Crucial!):
Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the dress to fit properly.
- Yoke Gauge: 4 rows of hdc should measure approximately 1 inch.
- Lace/Shell Stitch Gauge: A 4-stitch pattern repeat should measure approximately 1 inch.
- Adjust your hook size if necessary to meet these gauges.
Finished Size (Approximate, 6-12 Months):
- Chest Circumference: 19-20 inches
- Length (Shoulder to Hem): 16-18 inches
- Adjustments for other sizes: Guidance will be provided.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- beg: beginning
- rep: repeat
- inc: increase (work 2 sts in the same st)
- dec: decrease (work 2 sts together)
- Shell: (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in same st/sp
- MC: Main Color
- CC: Contrast Color
- ( ): repeat instructions in parentheses a specified number of times
- [ ]: total stitches at the end of the round
Pattern for Ocean Breeze Baby Dress
Part 1: The Yoke (Top Down, Worked in Rows)
Using Contrast Color (CC – Off-White/Cream):
Initial Chain: Ch 76 (for 6-12 months). Adjust this number to fit around the widest part of the baby’s head comfortably, ensuring it’s a multiple of 4 plus 4 for symmetry of the yoke divisions.
Row 1 (Neckline/Foundation): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. [74 hdc] Do NOT join. You’ll work in rows for the back opening.
Row 2 (First Yoke Row – Increases): Ch 2 (counts as hdc). Hdc in first st. Hdc in next 10 sts (Right Back Panel). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 1). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 15 sts (Right Sleeve). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 2). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 20 sts (Front Panel). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 3). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 15 sts (Left Sleeve). (Hdc 2 in next st, ch 1, Hdc 2 in next st) in next st (Corner 4). Place stitch marker in ch-1 sp. Hdc in next 10 sts. Hdc 2 in last st (Left Back Panel). [86 hdc, 4 ch-1 sps] Ch 2, turn.
Row 3 (Yoke Increases): Hdc in first st. Hdc in each hdc until you reach the first ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 1). Hdc in each hdc until you reach the next ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 2). Hdc in each hdc until you reach the next ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 3). Hdc in each hdc until you reach the next ch-1 sp. (Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp, ch 1, Hdc 2 in ch-1 sp) in ch-1 sp (Corner 4). Hdc in each hdc until last st. Hdc 2 in last st. Ch 2, turn.
Repeat Row 3 for approximately 2-4 more rows, or until the yoke (measured across the widest part of the baby’s chest) reaches the desired width. Typically, 5-7 total yoke rows are sufficient for this age group. The dress in the picture has a relatively shallow yoke, so about 5-6 rows.
Joining for Armholes & Body:
Next Row: Ch 2. Hdc in each hdc until you reach the first corner ch-1 sp. Hdc 1 in corner ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (this creates the armhole space). Sk ALL sts between this corner and the next corner. Hdc 1 in the next corner ch-1 sp. Hdc in each hdc across the Front Panel until you reach the next corner ch-1 sp. Hdc 1 in corner ch-1 sp. Ch 2 (this creates the second armhole space). Sk ALL sts between this corner and the next corner. Hdc 1 in the next corner ch-1 sp. Hdc in each hdc until the end of the row. [Number of sts will depend on yoke size, approx. 60-70 hdc plus 4 chs for armholes]. Sl st to the first hdc of the row to join. You will now work in rounds for the skirt. Fasten off CC.
Part 2: The Lacy Skirt (Working in Rounds)
The skirt is the main feature, with a beautiful openwork shell pattern.
Using Main Color (MC – Light Blue/Aqua):
Round 1 (Foundation for Lace): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each st around. Sl st to join. Ensure your stitch count is a multiple of 4 for the skirt pattern.
Round 2 (First Lace Row – Shells): Ch 3 (counts as dc). (Dc 1, ch 1, dc 2) in same st (forms first Shell). *Sk 3 sts, (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in next st (Shell made).* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3 to join.
Round 3 (Shells in Shells): Sl st into the ch-1 sp of the first Shell. Ch 3 (counts as dc). (Dc 1, ch 1, dc 2) in same ch-1 sp (first Shell made). *Shell (dc 2, ch 1, dc 2) in the ch-1 sp of next Shell.* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3 to join.
Repeat Round 3 of the Skirt Lace Pattern until the skirt reaches your desired length, leaving about 0.5 inches for the final scallop trim. The picture shows a good number of repeats for a flowing skirt.
Part 3: Skirt Hem Trim (using CC)
Join Contrast Color (CC – Off-White/Cream) to the bottom of the skirt.
Round 1 (Scallop Edge): Ch 1. *Sk 1 st, (dc 3, sl st) in next st.* Repeat from * to * around the entire hem. You may need to adjust the very last repeat to fit evenly. Sl st to the first sl st to join. Fasten off CC.
Part 4: Finishing Touches
Neckline Edging (using CC): Join CC yarn to the top right corner of the back opening. Row 1: Ch 1. Sc evenly around the entire neckline opening. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off CC and weave in ends.
Sleeve Edging (using CC): Join CC yarn to the bottom of one armhole. Round 1: Ch 1. Sc evenly around the armhole opening. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off CC and weave in ends. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Back Closure:
- The picture doesn’t clearly show a back opening, but for ease of dressing, a small back opening is common. You can sew 2-3 small buttons directly onto one side of the back opening and create corresponding small chain loops on the opposite side.
Large Satin Bow Embellishment:
- Take your large satin ribbon. For the dress, cut an approximately 18-24 inch piece. Tie it into a large, full bow.
- Using a yarn needle, securely sew the center of the bow to the front of the dress, at the waistline where the yoke meets the skirt, as seen in the picture. Ensure it is very securely attached and baby-safe.
Final Touches:
- Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely.
- Block the dress gently to open up the lace pattern and ensure evenness.
Video Tutorial
Adjusting for Different Sizes:
- Initial Chain: Adjust the initial chain to fit the head circumference, always ensuring it works with your yoke increase formula (e.g., a multiple of 4 + 4 for the hdc rows).
- Yoke Rows: Add or subtract yoke increase rows (Row 3 repeats) to achieve the desired chest circumference and armhole depth. Measure regularly!
- Armhole Chain: For larger sizes, you might need to chain 3-4 stitches for the armhole bridge instead of 2.
- Skirt Length: Add or subtract repeats of the lace pattern rounds to achieve the desired length.
- Gauge Swatch: ALWAYS make a gauge swatch for garments to ensure the correct fit!
Enjoy crocheting this beautiful and charming little dress! It’s a wonderful project that results in a cherished handmade item.
