This easy little dress crocheted in soft cotton is crafted to be a special occasion spring dress, but feels as comfortable as everyday playwear. Its soft pink color is easy to match and the band of hearts around the waist adds the perfect, final sweet touch.
Originally published in the April 2020 issue of I Like Crochet, all photos (c) I Like Crochet, used with permission.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Finished Chest Size 22 (25, 26.25)” to fit sizes 2 (4, 6)
Shown in size 2
Gauge: 14 sts and 8 rows = 4” [10 cm] in dc
MATERIALS
Yarn: Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme DK (100% Cotton; 231 yards [211 meters]/100 grams): Color #705 Pink 2 (2, 3) balls
Hook: US size G/6 (4.25 mm)
Notions: Five 5/8” buttons, tapestry needle
PATTERN NOTES
Foundation chain is at the waist. The bodice is worked up from the chain and the skirt is worked down from the chain.
Ch-3 counts as 1 dc.
On Strap sections, beg ch-2 + first dc = a dc2tog decrease. When working the subsequent rows just work in top of dc and ignore the ch-2.
PATTERN
Bodice
Ch 80 (88, 96).
Row 1 (WS): Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 3, turn. (78 (86, 94) dc)
Row 2: Dc in next 3 dc, *ch 2, sk 3 dc, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 3 dc, dc in next 2 dc; rep from * across, ending with dc in last 2 dc, ch 3, turn. (8 (9, 10) 3-dc shells)
Row 3: Dc in next 3 dc, *ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next 2 dc; rep from * across, ending with dc in last 2 dc, ch 3, turn.
Row 4: Dc in next 3 dc, *ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, work (dc3tog, ch 1, dc3tog) over the next 5 dc, placing the first leg of the second dc3tog in the same (center) st as the last leg of the first dc3tog, ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 dc; rep from * across, dc in last 2 dc, ch 3, turn.
Row 5: Dc across, placing 1 dc in each dc, 2 dc in each ch-2 sp, 1 dc in each ch-1 sp, and 1 dc in top of each dc3tog, ch 3, turn. [78 (86, 94) dc]
Rows 6 – 8 (6 – 11, 6 – 14) : Dc across, ch 3 except for final row, ch 1, turn after final row.
Back Right Strap
Row 1: Sc in first 1 (2, 3) dc, dc2tog, dc in next 9 (10, 11) dc, dc2tog, ch 2, turn leaving rem sts unworked. (11 (12, 13) dc)
Row 2: Dc in next dc (see note), dc across to last 2 sts, dc2tog. (9 (10, 11) dc)
Rows 3-5 (5, 6): Rep Row 2. (3 (4, 3) dc)
Size 4 only
Row 6: Dc in next st, dc2tog. (3 dc)
All Sizes
Last Row: Dc2tog. Make a chain 8 (9, 10)” long, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, join with sl st to top of dc2tog just made. Fasten off.
Center Front Section
Row 1: Sk 10 (11, 12) dc from end of Back Strap, join yarn in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc (counts as dc2tog, see note), dc in each of next 24 (26, 28) dc, dc2tog, ch 2, turn.
Row 2: Dc in next st, dc across to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Ch 2, turn. (22 (24, 26) dc)
Size 2 only
Go to Front Right Strap.
Sizes 4 (6) only
Rep Row 2, 1 (2) time(s). (22 sts all sizes)
Front Right Strap
Row 1: Dc in next dc, dc in next 5 (6, 7) dc, dc2tog. Leave rem sts unworked. (7 (8, 9) dc)
Rep Rows 2-4 of Back Right Strap.
Size 4 only
Rep Row 6 of Back Right Strap.
All Sizes
Rep Last Row of Back Right Strap.
Front Left Strap
Sk 6 (7, 8) sts from end of Front Right Strap, join yarn with sl st in next dc and ch 2.
Rep all instructions of Front Right Strap.
Back Left Strap
Row 1: Sk 10 (11, 12) dc from end of Back Strap, join yarn in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc (counts as dc2tog, see note), dc in each of next 9 (10, 11) dc, dc2tog, ch 2, turn. (9 (10, 11) dc)
Rep all instructions from Back Right Strap beg with Row 2.
Skirt
Row 1: With RS facing, orient work so you can stitch across the opposite side of foundation chain, join yarn with sl st at beg of row, dc in same st as rnd join, 2 dc in each dc across, ch 3, turn. (156 (174, 192) dc)
Work even in rows in dc until Skirt meas approx. 3.5 (4.5, 6)” from start of Skirt, join Skirt in the rnd with sl st in first dc of row, ch 3, turn.
Next Rnd: Dc around, join rnd with sl st in top of first dc, ch 3, turn.
Rep last rnd until Skirt meas 8 (9.5, 11)” from start of Skirt.
On final rnd, increase 2 sts evenly spaced around, ch 1, turn. (158 (176, 194) dc)
Edging
Rnd 1: Sc in same st as rnd join, *sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next dc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc; rep from * around, eliminating final sc and joining rnd with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.
Finishing
Buttonhole Band Edging
Work 1 row in sc evenly spaced along right hand side of back opening from top to bottom. Do not fasten off, keep working up the other side for the button band.
Button Band Edging
Work 1 row dc evenly spaced along left hand side of back opening from bottom to top. Fasten off.
Align Buttonhole Band over Button Band, align buttons on the Button Band opposite the dc you wish to use as buttonholes, sew buttons into place.
Weave in all ends.