Dive into this exquisite project! This Aqua Lagoon Fan Shell Dress features a smooth, structured yoke contrasted by a dramatic, voluminous skirt made with a stunning Large Fan Shell (LFS) stitch. The seamless top-down construction and small white accent stripe make it both satisfying to create and an absolute showstopper for any baby girl.
This pattern is designed for the 6-12 Month size and is perfect for the Intermediate crocheter ready to master classic raglan shaping and a beautiful repeating lace motif.
Materials Needed 🧶
- Yarn: Approximately 400-450 yards of DK Weight (Light Worsted / #3) or soft Worsted Weight (#4) yarn. Cotton or a cotton blend is highly recommended for the skirt’s drape.
- Main Color (MC): Approx. 350-400 yards (Aqua Teal)
- Contrast Color (CC): Approx. 50 yards (Snow White)
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Ribbon: A small polka-dot or patterned ribbon for the bow accent.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving ends.
- Stitch Markers: 4 markers for the raglan corners.
Skill Level & Notes 💡
- Skill Level: Intermediate. You must be comfortable with top-down raglan shaping, joining new stitches, and maintaining a multi-row shell pattern repeat.
- Construction: The entire dress is worked seamlessly from the top-down, joining at the end of each round. There is a small back neck slit for easier dressing.
- Skirt Repeat: The Large Fan Shell pattern requires a stitch count that is a multiple of 6 stitches. Adjustments are made in the yoke separation round.
- Chains: The starting chain (ch 2) at the beginning of HDC rounds always counts as the first HDC unless noted otherwise.
Gauge 📏
In Half Double Crochet (HDC) (Yoke section) using a 4.0 mm hook: 14 HDC stitches and 10 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) square.
Abbreviations 📚
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rep | repeat |
| PM | Place Marker |
| sk | skip |
Special Stitch ✨
Large Fan Shell (LFS)
This stitch creates the dramatic, open scallops of the skirt.
- LFS: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all worked into the same stitch or space. (6 dc, 2 ch-1 sps)
Part 1: The Yoke (MC – Aqua Teal) ⬆️
The yoke is worked flat in rows with a back opening, then joined for the round.
Row 1 (Foundation): Ch 72. Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook (counts as 2 hdc). Hdc in the next 10 ch. [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM in ch-2 sp). Hdc in the next 12 ch (Shoulder). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the next 18 ch (Front). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the next 12 ch (Shoulder). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the last 11 ch. (76 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Rows 2-8 (Increase Rows): Ch 2 (counts as hdc), turn. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the ch-2 sp. Rep [Hdc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in ch-2 sp] 3 times. Hdc in each remaining st. (Increases by 4 hdc each row.)
- End of Row 8 Stitch Count: 104 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps.
Row 9 (CC – Stripe): Attach CC (White). Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st, increasing only in the ch-2 sps as before. Fasten off CC.
Row 10 (MC – Final Yoke): Attach MC. Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st, increasing only in the ch-2 sps as before.
Part 2: Body Separation and Skirt Setup 👚
Round 11 (Separation): Ch 2. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 4 (skips the sleeve stitches/PMs). Hdc in the second ch-2 sp. Hdc in each st until the third ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 4 (skips the second sleeve stitches). Hdc in the fourth ch-2 sp. Hdc in each remaining st. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-2 to join. (116 hdc, 8 ch = 124 sts)
Round 12 (Skirt Setup): Ch 2. Work 4 hdc into each ch-4 sp. Hdc in each hdc around. Sl st to join. (132 hdc)
- Note: 132 is a perfect multiple of 6 (132 / 6 = 22 LFS shells).
Part 3: The Skirt (MC – Large Fan Shell) 👗
The skirt is worked entirely in MC (Aqua Teal).
Round 13 (LFS Row): Ch 1 (does not count). Sc in the first st. [Sk 2 sts, LFS (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st] rep around. Sl st to the beg sc. (22 LFS shells)
Round 14: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1). Dc in the ch-1 sp of the next LFS shell. [Ch 1, sk 2 dc, dc in the next sc, ch 1, sk 2 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in the center (second) ch-1 sp of the next LFS shell] rep around. Ch 1, sk 2 dc, dc in the next sc. Ch 1. Sl st to the 3rd ch of beg ch-4 to join.
Round 15 (LFS Row): Ch 1. Sc in the first ch-1 sp. [LFS (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp] rep around. Sl st to the beg sc. (22 LFS shells)
Rounds 16-30: Repeat Rounds 14 and 15 until the desired skirt length is reached, ending on a LFS Row (Round 15 repeat).
Final Hem Edging: Sl st to the center of the first LFS shell. Ch 1. Work sc evenly around the entire skirt edge, placing 3 sc in each ch-1 sp of the LFS shells and 1 sc in the sc between the shells. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Part 4: Finishing and Edging 🎀
A. Neckline Edging (CC and MC)
- Round 1 (CC – White): Attach CC at the back neck opening. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the entire neckline. Sl st to join. Do not fasten off.
- Round 2 (MC – Aqua Teal): Ch 1. Sl st in each st around. Sl st to join and fasten off.
B. Armhole Edging (CC and MC)
- Round 1 (CC – White): Attach CC at the underarm. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the armhole opening. Sl st to join.
- Round 2 (MC – Aqua Teal): Ch 1. Sl st in each st around. Sl st to join and fasten off. Repeat for the second armhole.
C. Back Closure
- Sew a small button onto the top of the Right Back edge. Create a small ch-3 loop on the Left Back edge using CC for a button closure.
Video Tutorial:
Assembly and Final Touches 🫧
- Weave in all ends securely using the tapestry needle.
- Attach Bow: Securely tie the patterned ribbon into a small bow and sew it neatly onto the Aqua Teal yoke, slightly off-center below the neckline, as pictured.
- Blocking: Gently wet or steam block the dress. Pin the yoke to keep it flat and pin the points of the LFS shells to fully open the lace pattern and maximize the flare and drape of the skirt.
Your beautiful Aqua Lagoon Fan Shell Dress is complete! The skirt movement will be stunning.
