Hello, master crocheters! Get ready for a project that radiates happiness: the Sunny Marigold Dress. This stunning dress is a study in texture, worked entirely in a repeating Shell Stitch pattern that creates a beautiful, dense fabric with a gorgeous drape and natural scalloped edges. From the simple yoke to the voluminous, flared skirt, this dress is sunshine captured in yarn.
This pattern is written for an Intermediate skill level. While the stitch itself is simple, maintaining the shell placement and managing the increases across the yoke and skirt for the dramatic flare require consistent counting and focus.
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 rich, solid yellow or gold. A soft, washable acrylic or cotton 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.
- Embellishment: 1 small white crocheted bow or flower with a pearl/bead center.
- Tools: Stitch markers (essential for the yoke raglan corners!), a tapestry needle, and scissors.
๐ Gauge Check
Work in Double Crochet (DC): 16 DC and 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
- Shell Stitch Gauge: 3 Shell repeats and 4 rows should measure 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall.
๐ Key Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Abbreviation | Meaning | |
| Ch | Chain | Dc | Double Crochet | |
| Sl St | Slip Stitch | Sc | Single Crochet | |
| Sp | Space | Shell | 5 Dc in the same stitch/space | |
| Sk | Skip | Shell Base | Sc in the center Dc of the previous Shell |
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๐ธ Section 2: The Yoke (Top-Down Construction)
The yoke is worked flat in rows from the neck down, which creates the back opening. This size is for 6-12 months. The yoke uses the Shell Stitch pattern for shaping and texture.
Foundation & Raglan Setup
- 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.
- Marking Corners: Divide the 74 stitches for the raglan. Front/Back Panels must be equal, and the Sleeve Panels must be equal. We will divide the Front Panels in half since we are working flat.
- 12 (Front Left) | 1 (Corner) | 10 (Sleeve Right) | 1 (Corner) | 26 (Back) | 1 (Corner) | 10 (Sleeve Left) | 1 (Corner) | 12 (Front Right). Place markers in the corner stitches.
Raglan Increases with Shell Stitch
- Row 2 (Shell Start): Dc in the first st. Sk 2 sts, Shell in the next st, Sk 2 sts, Sc in the next st. Continue the pattern across the first Front Panel.
- Corner 1: Work (Shell, Ch 2, Shell) into the corner st.
- Continue the (Sk 2, Shell, Sk 2, Sc) pattern across the Sleeve Panel.
- Corner 2: Work (Shell, Ch 2, Shell) into the corner st.
- Repeat the pattern across all panels, placing (Shell, Ch 2, Shell) in each corner. End with Dc in the last st. Ch 3, turn.
- Row 3: Work Shell into the center (3rd) Dc of the Shell from the previous row. Work Sc into the Sc from the previous row.
- Corner: Work (Shell, Ch 2, Shell) into the Ch-2 sp.
- Continue the pattern across all panels. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 4-7: Repeat Row 3. Continue until the yoke measures approximately 5-5.5 inches (12.5-14 cm) from the top. The natural scalloping of the shells forms the cap sleeves.
Joining for Armholes
- Next Row (Divide): Work the established pattern across the Front Panel up to the first corner Ch-2 sp. Sl St to the Ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (underarm chain). Sk all stitches across the entire Sleeve Panel up to the next corner Ch-2 sp. Sl St to the Ch-2 sp. Continue the pattern across the Back Panel. Repeat the Ch 2, Sk Sleeve step for the second armhole. Continue across the final Front Panel. Join with Sl St to the beg Ch 3 to form a circle. (Approx. 28-32 Shell repeats). FO.
๐ Section 3: The Skirt (Continuous Shell Flare)
The skirt is worked in the round and continues the Shell Stitch pattern, with regular increases to achieve the wide, wavy flare.
Skirt Start & Continuous Texture
- Round 1: Join yarn at the center of the Ch-2 underarm chain. Ch 3, 4 Dc in the same Ch-2 sp (starting Shell). Shell Base (Sc into the center (3rd) Dc of the next Shell). Shell into the next Sc. Rep the pattern around. Work 4 Dc into the starting Ch-2 sp. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Round 2: Ch 3. Work Shell into the next Sc. Shell Base into the center (3rd) Dc of the next Shell. Rep the pattern around. Join with Sl St to top of Ch 3.
- Rounds 3 – 6: Repeat Round 2. (Work Shell into Sc, work Sc into center Dc of Shell).
Adding Flare
- Round 7 (Increase Row): Continue the established Shell pattern, but introduce a full Shell repeat (Shell into Sc, Sc into Shell) twice within the round to increase the overall stitch count. Space the increases evenly.
- Round 8 – 12: Repeat Round 2 (no increases).
- Round 13 (Increase Row): Repeat the Increase Row (Round 7), introducing 3-4 extra Shell repeats this time.
- Rounds 14 – Final Length: Continue the alternating pattern of 4-5 rounds of regular Shell repeats followed by one Increase Row (introducing 3-4 new Shell repeats) until the skirt reaches the desired length, approximately 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) from the waistline. This consistent increase creates the dramatic, full ruffle at the hem.
Final Hem
The nature of the Shell Stitch creates the perfect scallop. End on a Shell Row. FO.
โจ Section 4: Finishing Touches
๐ Embellishment
- Bow/Flower: Securely stitch the white crocheted bow or flower onto the front yoke, slightly off-center on the neckline, as shown in the image.
โ๏ธ 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, and back down the other side of the slit. FO.
- 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 onto the solid button band.
Video Tutorial:
๐ Final Assembly
- Weave in all loose yarn ends securely.
Your beautiful Sunny Marigold Dress is complete! The rich texture and vibrant color are sure to brighten any day.
Would you like me to find a simple pattern for a sun hat to coordinate with this bright dress?
