Very easy frock/crochet pattern

There is nothing quite as timeless as a beautifully simple crocheted baby dress, and this design, with its soft color palette and lovely textured skirt, is an absolute classic. Featuring a clean white yoke, a delicate pink skirt worked in a repeating shell-like texture, and a sweet ribbon detail at the waist, this project is perfect for gifting or keeping.

This long, detailed pattern will guide you step-by-step through the top-down raglan construction and the beautiful stitch work to create a treasured piece for your little sweetheart.


Materials Needed

  • Yarn: Approximately 350-400 yards of DK Weight (Light Worsted / #3) yarn. A soft acrylic or cotton blend is ideal for comfort and washability.
    • Main Color (MC): Approx. 120 yards (Cream/White for the Yoke)
    • Contrast Color (CC): Approx. 250-300 yards (Soft Pink/Peach for the Skirt)
  • Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm (US E-4), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Ribbon: Approx. 1.5 yards of thin (1/4 inch wide) satin ribbon (White/Cream).
  • Button: One small (1/2 inch) button for the back neck closure.
  • Embellishments: One small pearl or bead for the flower center.
  • Tapestry Needle: For weaving ends, sewing the flower, and threading the ribbon.
  • Stitch Markers: 4 markers for the raglan corners.

Size & Gauge

  • Size: 3-6 Months (Finished Chest Circumference: approx. 17 inches / 43 cm)
  • Gauge: In DC (Yoke section) using a 3.5 mm hook: 16 DC stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square.

Skill Level & Notes

  • Skill Level: Intermediate. Requires knowledge of garment construction, raglan shaping, and working simple textured stitches.
  • Construction: The dress is worked top-down, beginning at the neckline. The yoke is worked flat in rows with a back opening, and the skirt is then joined to work in the round.
  • Chain Counts: The starting chain (e.g., ch 3) at the beginning of DC rows always counts as the first DC unless noted otherwise.

Abbreviations

AbbreviationDescription
chchain
sl stslip stitch
scsingle crochet
dcdouble crochet
st(s)stitch(es)
reprepeat
PMPlace Marker
ch-spchain space

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Special Skirt Stitch

V-Stitch Shell (VSS)

This stitch is used to create the textured, ribbed look of the skirt.

  • VSS: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all worked into the same stitch or space.

Part 1: The Yoke (MC – Cream/White)

The yoke is worked flat in rows with a back opening for the neck.

Row 1 (Foundation): Ch 54. Dc in the 4th ch from hook (counts as 2 dc). Dc in the next 3 ch (5 dc for Right Back). [Dc, ch 2, dc] in the next ch (PM in ch-2 sp). Dc in the next 8 ch (Shoulder). [Dc, ch 2, dc] in the next ch (PM). Dc in the next 16 ch (Front). [Dc, ch 2, dc] in the next ch (PM). Dc in the next 8 ch (Shoulder). [Dc, ch 2, dc] in the next ch (PM). Dc in the last 6 ch (Left Back). (50 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

Row 2 (Increase Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. [Dc, ch 2, dc] in the ch-2 sp. Rep [Dc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-2 sp] 3 times. Dc in each remaining st. (66 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

Rows 3-6: Repeat Row 2. Continue increasing by 4 dc each row (one at each raglan corner).

  • End of Row 6 Stitch Count: 130 dc, 4 ch-2 sps.

Row 7 (Armhole Joining Row): Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. Dc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (skips the first sleeve/shoulder section). Dc in the second ch-2 sp. Dc in each st until the third ch-2 sp. Dc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (skips the second sleeve/shoulder section). Dc in the fourth ch-2 sp. Dc in each remaining st. Do not join. (70 dc, 4 ch)


Part 2: The Skirt (CC – Soft Pink)

We now join for working in the round.

Round 1 (Ribbon Channel): Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first dc. [Ch 1, sk 1 st, sc in the next st] rep until the last st of the Left Back panel. Ch 1. Sl st to the beg sc to join, closing the back opening. (37 sc, 37 ch-1 sps)

Round 2 (Skirt Setup): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each sc and each ch-1 sp around. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3 to join. (74 dc)

Round 3 (Start VSS): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the same st. [Sk 3 sts, VSS (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next st] 18 times. Sk 3 sts. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3 to join. (19 VSS shells total)

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in the same st. [VSS in the ch-1 sp of the next shell] 18 times. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3 to join.

Rounds 5-15: Repeat Round 4. Continue working VSS into the ch-1 space of the previous round’s VSS shell.

  • Note: For a longer dress, simply add more rounds here.

Round 16 (Scalloped Hem): Ch 1. Sc in the first dc. [Work 7 dc in the ch-1 sp of the next shell (large scallop), sc in the middle of the next V-Stitch (between the 2-dc groups)] rep around. Finish with a sl st to the beg sc. Fasten off CC. Weave in ends.


Part 3: Finishing and Edging (MC – Cream/White)

A. Neckline and Armhole Edging

  1. Neckline: Attach MC at the bottom right corner of the back placket. Work a round of sc evenly around the entire neckline. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
  2. Armholes: Attach MC at the underarm. Work a round of sc evenly around the armhole opening. Sl st to join and fasten off. Repeat for the second armhole.

B. Back Button Placket

  1. Button Loop Side (Left Back): Attach MC to the bottom of the left back opening. Work a row of sc evenly up the entire edge. Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first few sts. Ch 2, sk 1 st (creates button loop). Sc in the remaining sts. Fasten off.
  2. Button Placement Side (Right Back): Attach MC to the bottom of the right back opening. Work a row of sc evenly up the entire edge. Fasten off.
  3. Sew the button onto the Right Back panel, aligning it with the button loop you just created.

Part 4: The Flower Appliqué

(Use CC – Soft Pink)

Round 1 (Center): Make a magic ring. Ch 2 (does not count as st). 6 hdc into the ring. Sl st to join. (6 hdc)

Round 2 (Petals): Ch 1. [Sl st into the first hdc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st] all into the same hdc. [Sl st into the next hdc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st] all into the next hdc. Rep 4 more times to create 6 petals. Sl st to the beg sl st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Video Tutorial:


Assembly and Final Touches

  1. Sew on Flower: Place the flower on the bodice, slightly off-center (as pictured), and use the long tail to sew it securely onto the white yoke.
  2. Add Pearl: Use fine needle and thread to attach the small pearl or bead to the very center of the flower.
  3. Thread Ribbon: Using the tapestry needle, thread the white satin ribbon in and out through the ch-1 spaces of the Ribbon Channel round. Tie a neat bow at the center front.

The Essential Step: Blocking

Blocking is vital for this dress to make the skirt drape beautifully and ensure the lace is crisp.

  1. Dampen: Gently wet the dress, focusing on the skirt and yoke. Squeeze out excess water.
  2. Pin: Pin the dress to a blocking mat or towel. Pin the hem points to define the scalloped edge. Ensure the skirt is fully stretched to show off the VSS texture.
  3. Dry: Allow the dress to dry completely before unpinning.

Your beautiful Little Sweetheart Sundress is complete! This classic piece is sure to be a cherished item for years to come.

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