Hello, magnificent makers! Get ready to crochet a dress fit for royalty: the Royal Sapphire Petal Dress. This stunning design features a simple, well-structured solid yoke that transitions dramatically into a skirt made from a beautiful, textured Petal/Pineapple Stitch. This stitch creates a dense, luxurious fabric with a fabulous drape and lots of movement. The single, vibrant color makes the texture truly pop.
This pattern is written for an Intermediate skill level. While the yoke is simple, the skirt stitch requires focus on count and placement to achieve that gorgeous, interlocking petal effect.
๐๏ธ Section 1: Materials & Gauge
๐งถ Supplies You’ll Need
- Yarn: Approximately 400 – 500 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn. The sample uses a saturated, solid royal blue. A soft cotton or acrylic blend is perfect for baby wear.
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Buttons: 3 small buttons (approx. 0.5 inches / 1.25 cm) for the back neck closure.
- Ribbon: About 1 yard (1 meter) of 1-inch wide white satin ribbon for the waist belt and bow.
- Embellishment: 1 small rhinestone or pearl button/brooch for the ribbon center.
- Tools: Stitch markers (essential for the yoke corners!), a tapestry needle, and scissors.
๐ Gauge Check
Work in Double Crochet (DC): 16 DC and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
- Your yoke sizing depends on this!
๐ Key Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Abbreviation | Meaning | |
| Ch | Chain | Dc | Double Crochet | |
| Sl St | Slip Stitch | V-st | V-Stitch (Dc, Ch 1, Dc in the same space) | |
| Sc | Single Crochet | Dc Cl | Dc Cluster (3 Dc in space) | |
| Hdc | Half Double Crochet | Dc Shell | 5 Dc in the same st/sp | |
| Sk | Skip | Ps | Petal Stitch (See Special Stitches) |
Export to Sheets
โจ Section 2: Special Stitches
Petal Stitch (Ps)
The petal stitch is worked in a cluster of 5 Dc into a single space, anchored by Sc stitches in the previous row’s cluster.
Ps Base (5-Dc Petal): Work 5 Dc into the designated space or stitch.
Ps Anchor: Sc into the center (3rd) Dc of the previous row’s 5-Dc Petal.
๐ธ Section 3: The Yoke (Top & Sleeves)
The yoke is worked flat in rows to create the back opening. This size is for 6-12 months.
Foundation & Shaping (Solid DC)
Row 1 (Foundation): Ch 76. Dc in the 4th Ch from the hook and in each Ch across. (74 Dc). Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc throughout), turn.
Yoke Shaping & Division
Divide the 74 stitches for the corners: 12 (Back Right) | 1 (Corner) | 12 (Sleeve Right) | 1 (Corner) | 24 (Front) | 1 (Corner) | 12 (Sleeve Left) | 1 (Corner) | 12 (Back Left).
- Row 2: Dc in the first 12 sts. (Dc, Ch 2, Dc) in the next st (corner). Dc in the next 12 sts. (Dc, Ch 2, Dc) in the next st (corner). Continue this pattern around. Ch 3, turn.
- Row 3: Dc in each Dc to the first Ch-2 corner sp. (Dc, Ch 2, Dc) in the Ch-2 sp. Rep this pattern around. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 4-8: Continue Row 3 until the yoke measures approximately 5-5.5 inches (12.5-14 cm) from the top.
Joining for Armholes
- Next Row (Solid Finish): Work Dc across the Back Panel up to the first Ch-2 sp. Dc in the Ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (underarm chain). Sk all stitches across the Sleeve Panel up to the next Ch-2 sp. Dc in the Ch-2 sp. Dc in all stitches across the Front Panel. Repeat the Ch 2, Sk Sleeve step for the second armhole. Continue the pattern across the Back Panel. Join with Sl St to the beg Ch 3 to form a circle. (Approx. 110-120 stitches). FO.
๐ Section 4: The Skirt (Petal Stitch)
The skirt is worked in the round using the Petal Stitch pattern.
Skirt Setup & Petal Start
- Round 1 (Base/Increase): Join yarn in any st. Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc). Work 1 Dc in the same st. Dc in the next 2 sts, 2 Dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. Join with Sl St. (Adjust count to be a multiple of 6 for the petal patternโapprox. 144 stitches).
- Round 2 (Petal Anchor): Ch 1, Sc in the same st. Ch 2, Sk 2 sts. 5 Dc Shell (Ps) in the next st. Ch 2, Sk 2 sts. Sc in the next st. Rep from the parentheses around. To end, Ch 2, Sk 2 sts. Join with Sl St to the beg Sc. (24 Petals).
Interlocking Petal Repeats
- Round 3 (Petal Row): Sl St into the Ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc), 2 Dc in the same Ch-2 sp. Ps Anchor (Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the next 5 Dc Shell). 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Rep from the parentheses around. Ps Anchor in the center Dc of the last shell. Work 2 Dc in the beg Ch-2 sp. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Round 4 (Anchor Row): Sl St into the next 2 Dc (to center the work). Ch 1, Ps Anchor (Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the shell). Ch 2, Sk 2 Dc. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Ch 2, Sk 2 Dc. Ps Anchor (Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the shell). Rep from the parentheses around. To end, Ps Anchor, Ch 2, Sk 2 Dc. Join with Sl St to the beg Sc.
- Round 5 (Petal Row): Rep Round 3.
- Round 6 (Anchor Row – Increase): To add flare, we will increase the chain between petals. Ch 1, Ps Anchor (Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the shell). Ch 3, Sk 2 Dc. 5 Dc Shell in the next Sc. Ch 3, Sk 2 Dc. Ps Anchor (Sc in the center (3rd) Dc of the shell). Rep from the parentheses around. Join with Sl St.
- Continue repeating the pattern (using Ch 3 between petals) until the skirt reaches the desired length, approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) from the waistline.
Final Scallop Hem
The Petal Stitch naturally creates a beautiful scallop. End on a Petal Row (Round 3 repeat). FO.
๐ Section 5: Finishing Touches
โจ Edging & Closure
- Neckline & Back Slit: Join yarn at the bottom of the back opening. Ch 1, Sc evenly up the edge, around the entire neckline (add a small scallop edge if desired: Sc, Sk 1, 3Dc in next, Sk 1), and back down the other side of the slit. FO.
- Sleeve Edging: The cap sleeves are the finished yoke edge. Work one round of Sc evenly around the armhole opening for neatness. FO.
โ๏ธ Button Closure
- Use one side of the back slit as the button band (Sc evenly up).
- Use the opposite side for the buttonhole band (Sc evenly up, then in the next row, create 3 buttonholes (Ch 1, Sk 1 st) evenly spaced). FO.
- Sew Buttons onto the solid button band.
๐ Ribbon Detail
- Waist Ribbon: Weave the white satin ribbon through the stitches of the final DC row of the Yoke (the join row). Tie a bow at the center front.
- Embellishment: Securely stitch the rhinestone or pearl accent to the center of the bow.
- Weave Ends: Weave in all loose yarn ends securely.
Video Tutorial:
Your magnificent Royal Sapphire Petal Dress is complete! The blue color and texture are truly spectacular.
Would you like me to suggest some other embellishments, like a matching flower pin or booties?
