Hello, dearest crochet community! Today, we’re making a truly special piece: the Coral Sunset & Lace Dress. This design is all about contrast and texture, featuring a vibrant coral yoke for the bodice and sleeves and a crisp white lace skirt for a flowing, classic look. The final touch? A simple ribbon belt to cinch the waist!
This pattern is written for an Intermediate skill level, combining solid yoke construction with a lovely, openwork skirt motif. Get ready to create a masterpiece!
๐๏ธ Section 1: Materials & Gauge
๐งถ Supplies You’ll Need
- Yarn A (Coral/Orange): Approximately 150-200 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn for the yoke.
- Yarn B (White/Ivory): Approximately 250-350 yards of DK weight (Category 3) yarn for the skirt.
- 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 ribbon for the waist belt.
- Embellishment: 1 small rhinestone or diamond button/brooch for the ribbon center.
- Tools: Stitch markers (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).
- Please check your gauge! The fit of the yoke depends entirely on it.
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 | Sp | Space | |
| Sk | Skip | Beg | Beginning |
Export to Sheets
๐ธ Section 2: The Yoke (Top & Sleeves)
The yoke is worked flat in rows using Yarn A (Coral). This size is for 6-12 months.
Foundation & Initial Rows (Solid Base)
Row 1 (Foundation): With Yarn A, 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). Dc in the next 24 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). Dc in the last 12 sts. Ch 3, turn. (82 Dc + 4 Ch-2 sps).
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. (90 Dc + 4 Ch-2 sps).
Integrating the Lacy Shell Pattern
The yoke in the image shows a slightly open pattern in the middle rows.
Row 4 (Lace Row): Dc in the first st. (Ch 1, Sk 1 st, Dc in the next st) until the Ch-2 sp. (Dc, Ch 2, Dc) in the Ch-2 sp. Continue the (Ch 1, Sk 1 st, Dc) pattern across all panels, putting (Dc, Ch 2, Dc) in each corner Ch-2 sp. Ch 3, turn.
Row 5 (Solid Row): Dc in each Dc and Ch-1 sp across all panels. Put (Dc, Ch 2, Dc) in each corner Ch-2 sp. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 6-8: Repeat Rows 4 and 5 (alternating lace and solid rows). Continue until the yoke measures approximately 4.5-5 inches (11.5-12.5 cm) from the top.
Joining for Armholes
- Next Row (Solid Finish): Dc in each Dc and Ch-1 sp across the first 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 up to the next Ch-2 sp. Dc in the Ch-2 sp. Ch 2. Sk all stitches across the second Sleeve Panel up to the last Ch-2 sp. Dc in the last Ch-2 sp and in all remaining Back Panel stitches. Join with Sl St to the beg Ch 3 to form a circle. (Approximately 110-120 stitches). FO Yarn A.
๐ผ Section 3: The Skirt (Lace & Flare)
The skirt is worked in the round using Yarn B (White). The skirt pattern is a beautiful repeating V-stitch and shell combination.
Lace Skirt Setup
- Round 1 (Base/Increase): Join Yarn B 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 to top of Ch 3. (Your final stitch count should be easily divisible by 3 or 4โaim for 140-160 sts for maximum flare).
- Round 2 (Lace Start): Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc). Dc in the same st. Sk 1 st, Sc in the next st. Sk 1 st, V-Stitch (Dc, Ch 1, Dc) in the next st. Sk 1 st, Sc in the next st. Sk 1 st, 5 Dc Shell in the next st (This is a simplified fan shell). Adjust the repeat to fit your stitch count perfectly, ensuring the pattern repeats every 6-7 stitches.
Let’s use a simpler, repeating V-Stitch/Shell that creates the lace panel effect:
Accurate Skirt Pattern (Multiple of 4 stitches)
- Round 1 (DC Base): Join Yarn B. Ch 3 (counts as 1st Dc). Dc in each st around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3. (Approx. 120-130 Dc – adjust to be a multiple of 4).
- Round 2 (Lace Row 1): Ch 3. Dc in the next st. (Ch 1, Sk 1 st, V-Stitch in the next st, Ch 1, Sk 1 st. Dc in the next 2 sts). Rep from the parentheses around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Round 3 (Solid Row 1): Ch 3. Dc in the next st. (Dc in the Ch-1 sp, 3 Dc in the Ch-1 sp of the V-st (a small shell), Dc in the Ch-1 sp. Dc in the next 2 sts). Rep from the parentheses around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3. (This round increases the stitch count by adding shells inside the lace spaces, creating the flare).
- Round 4 (Lace Row 2 – Increased): Ch 3. Dc in the next 2 sts. (Ch 1, Sk 1 st, V-Stitch in the next st, Ch 1, Sk 1 st. Dc in the next 3 sts). Rep from the parentheses around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Round 5 (Solid Row 2 – Increased): Ch 3. Dc in the next 2 sts. (Dc in the Ch-1 sp, 3 Dc in the Ch-1 sp of the V-st, Dc in the Ch-1 sp. Dc in the next 3 sts). Rep from the parentheses around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
Continue alternating Rounds 4 and 5 until the skirt reaches the desired length, approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) from the waistline. The continuous addition of stitches in the solid row will ensure the dramatic flare seen in the photo.
Final Scallop Hem
- Final Round (Scallop Edge): Sl St into the next st. Ch 1, Sc in the same st. Sk 2 sts, 5 Dc Shell in the next st. Sk 2 sts, Sc in the next st. Rep from * to * around, ending with a final Sc. Join with Sl St to the beg Sc. FO Yarn B.
Video Tutorial:
โจ Section 4: Finishing Touches
๐ Ribbon Belt & Embellishment
- Weave Ribbon: Weave the 1-inch wide white ribbon through the stitches of the final DC row of the Yoke (the solid row before the skirt began). Weave it over two stitches, under two stitches, etc.
- Tie & Decorate: Tie the ribbon into a neat bow at the center front. Securely stitch the rhinestone/diamond accent to the center of the bow.
โ๏ธ Edging & Closure
- Neckline: Join Yarn A at the bottom of the back opening. Ch 1, Sc evenly up the edge, around the entire neckline, and back down the other side of the slit. FO.
- Sleeve Edging: Join Yarn A at the center bottom of the armhole. Ch 1, Sc evenly around the edge. FO. Repeat for the second sleeve.
- Button Closure:
- Button Band: Use one side of the back slit. Sc evenly up the edge.
- Buttonhole Band: Use the opposite side. Work one row of Sc. In the next row, create the 3 buttonholes (Ch 1, Sk 1 st) evenly spaced. FO.
- Sew Buttons: Sew the 3 buttons onto the solid button band.
๐ Final Assembly
- Weave in all loose yarn ends securely.
Your magnificent Coral Sunset & Lace Dress is now ready! It’s a gorgeous garment perfect for any special occasion.
