Welcome, crocheters! Get ready to create a truly adorable and surprisingly simple baby dress, perfect for that special little one in your life. This “Sweet Dreams” dress combines a cozy top-down yoke with a flowing skirt, all adorned with a charming flower detail. The two-tone design adds a modern touch, making it a beautiful gift or a cherished item for your own family. This pattern is designed to fit a baby aged 3-6 months.
Materials
- Yarn: Approximately 150-200 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn in a main color (MC) like purple.
- Contrast Yarn: Approximately 200-250 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn in a contrasting color (CC) like turquoise.
- Hook: A 3.75 mm (F/5) crochet hook. (Adjust hook size if needed to meet gauge.)
- Accessories: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a small button or bead for the flower center (optional).
Stitches Used (US Terms)
- ch: Chain
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- sc: Single Crochet
- hdc: Half Double Crochet
- dc: Double Crochet
- inc: Increase (work two stitches in the same stitch)
- FPdc: Front Post Double Crochet
- BPdc: Back Post Double Crochet
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st into the 3rd ch from hook.
Gauge
For a successful project, achieving the correct gauge is important. 18 hdc x 13 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) using a 3.75 mm hook. Make a swatch and adjust your hook size if necessary to match the gauge.
Part 1: The Yoke (Main Color – Purple)
The yoke is worked seamlessly from the top down, in continuous rounds, which provides a smooth finish.
Row 1 (Foundation Chain): Using MC, ch 66. Join with a sl st to the first chain to form a loop, being careful not to twist. (66 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 2. (66 hdc)
Row 3 (Increase Round 1): Ch 2, hdc in the next 10 sts. inc (2 hdc in the next st). Hdc in the next 10 sts, inc. Repeat * to * around. Join with a sl st. (72 hdc)
Row 4: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (72 hdc)
Row 5 (Increase Round 2): Ch 2, hdc in the next 11 sts. inc. Hdc in the next 11 sts, inc. Repeat * to * around. Join with a sl st. (78 hdc)
Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (78 hdc)
Row 7 (Increase Round 3): Ch 2, hdc in the next 12 sts. inc. Hdc in the next 12 sts, inc. Repeat * to * around. Join with a sl st. (84 hdc)
Row 8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (84 hdc)
Row 9 (Increase Round 4): Ch 2, hdc in the next 13 sts. inc. Hdc in the next 13 sts, inc. Repeat * to * around. Join with a sl st. (90 hdc)
Part 2: Dividing for Armholes and Joining the Body
Now we’ll strategically divide the stitches to create the openings for the sleeves, bringing the front and back together to begin the main body of the dress.
Row 10 (Divide for Armholes): Ch 2, hdc in the next 14 sts (this forms half of the back section). Ch 10 (skip 17 sts for the first armhole opening), hdc in the next 28 sts (this is the front section). Ch 10 (skip 17 sts for the second armhole opening), hdc in the next 14 sts (this forms the other half of the back section). Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 2.
Row 11: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc st and each chain around the entire circumference. Join with a sl st. (66 hdc + 20 ch = 86 stitches in total).
Row 12: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (86 hdc). Fasten off MC.
Part 3: The Skirt (Contrast Color – Turquoise)
Now, we’ll transition to the contrasting color and work the main body of the dress in a simple double crochet stitch, allowing the color change and flow to stand out.
Change to CC (Turquoise): Attach CC with a sl st to any stitch.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. (86 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3, inc (2 dc in the next st), dc in the next 5 sts. Repeat * to * around. Join with a sl st. (100 dc)
Round 3-10: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (100 dc)
Round 11: Ch 3, inc (2 dc in the next st), dc in the next 6 sts. Repeat * to * around. Join with a sl st. (114 dc)
Round 12-18: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (114 dc)
Continue adding rounds of plain dc until the skirt reaches your desired length for a 3-6 month baby. Approximately 18-20 rounds in total for the skirt should be sufficient.
Part 4: The Finishing Touches
The Scalloped Hem (Main Color – Purple)
Adding a beautiful scalloped edge brings a polished and charming look to the bottom of the dress.
Change to MC (Purple): Fasten off CC. Attach MC with a sl st to the last stitch of the skirt.
Round 1 (Scallops): Ch 1. Sk 1 st, and in the next st, work (sl st, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st). Sk 2 sts, and in the next st, work (sl st, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st). Repeat * to * around the entire hem of the dress. Join with a sl st to the initial sl st. Fasten off MC.
The Neckline and Armholes (Main Color – Purple)
A simple single crochet border provides a neat and comfortable finish.
- Neckline: With MC, join yarn at the back of the neck. Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire neckline. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off MC.
- Armholes: With MC, join yarn at the bottom of one armhole. Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire armhole. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off MC. Repeat for the second armhole.
The Decorative Flower (Main Color – Purple)
This sweet little flower adds the perfect charming detail to the yoke.
Flower Base:
- Using MC, ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring.
- Round 1: Ch 1, 10 sc in the ring. Join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc)
Petals:
- Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the same sc, dc in the next sc, ch 3, sl st in the same sc. Repeat * to * around (5 petals formed). Ensure you’re working into the sc stitches from Round 1. Join with a sl st.
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
The Flower Center & Stem (Contrast Color – Turquoise)
- Using CC, ch 2, 6 sc in the second ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off, leaving a medium tail for sewing.
- Using CC, make a short chain (approx. 8-10 ch) for the stem, then make a picot at the end. Fasten off.
Assembly
- Sew the small turquoise flower center onto the middle of the purple petals.
- Sew the little picot chain stem below the flower.
- Sew the complete flower (with its center and stem) securely onto the front of the dress yoke. You can attach a small button or bead to the very center of the turquoise part for extra sparkle.
Video Tutorial:
Final Thoughts
Weave in all remaining ends with your yarn needle. Gently block the finished dress to help the stitches settle and the fabric lay beautifully. This “Sweet Dreams” Baby Dress is a wonderful expression of handmade love. Its easy construction and delightful details make it a joy to create and a treasure to receive!
