There’s something so special about creating something handmade for a new baby. The love and care you stitch into each loop become a tangible expression of your affection. Today, I’m thrilled to share a pattern for a simple yet charming crochet baby dress – the “Sweet Dreams Dress.” This design is perfect for beginners and seasoned crocheters alike, and it works up relatively quickly, making it a wonderful project for baby showers or welcoming a new arrival.
(Image: A beautiful photo of the finished crochet baby dress, perhaps on a hanger or a baby mannequin. Make sure the details of the stitches are visible.)
This dress features a sweet, rounded yoke, a gently gathered skirt, and delicate picot trim for a touch of elegance. You can customize it with your favorite colors and even add embellishments like small buttons or ribbon ties.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Worsted weight yarn in your desired color(s) (approximately 300-400 yards)
- Crochet hook size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Optional: Small buttons or ribbon for embellishment
Gauge:
- 14 double crochets (dc) and 8 rows = 4 inches in double crochet
Finished Size:
- Approximately 0-3 months (adjustments for larger sizes are noted within the pattern)
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble 1 crochet
- sp(s) = space(s)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- beg = beginning
- rep = repeat
- inc = increase (2 dc in the same st)
- picot = ch 3, sl st in the first ch
Video tutorial
Let’s Get Started!
Yoke:
- Ch 60 (adjust this number in multiples of 6 for a different neck size). Join with a sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.
- Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each ch around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (60 dc)
- Round 2: Ch 3, dc in the next st, *ch 1, skip 1 st, dc in the next 2 sts; rep from * around. Ch 1, skip the last st, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (40 dc pairs, 20 ch-1 spaces)
- Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the next st, *dc in the ch-1 sp, dc in the next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (60 dc)
- Round 4: Ch 3, dc in the next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, *dc in the next 2 sts, ch 1, skip 1 st; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (40 dc pairs, 20 ch-1 spaces)
- Round 5: Ch 3, dc in the next st, *dc in the ch-1 sp, dc in the next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (60 dc)
- Round 6: Ch 3, dc in the next 9 sts, ch 2 (for sleeve), skip the next 10 sts, dc in the next 20 sts, ch 2 (for sleeve), skip the next 10 sts, dc in the last 10 sts. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (10 dc for front, 20 dc for back)
- Round 7: Ch 3, dc in the next 9 sts, dc 2 in the ch-2 sp, dc in the next 20 sts, dc 2 in the ch-2 sp, dc in the last 10 sts. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (44 dc)
- Rounds 8-12: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (44 dc)
(Tip: For a larger size, add more rounds of double crochet to the yoke before separating for the sleeves.)
Skirt:
- Round 1: Ch 3, dc in the same st, *dc 2 in the next st; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (88 dc)
- Round 2: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (88 dc)
- Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same st, *dc in the next st, dc 2 in the next st; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (132 dc)
- Rounds 4-15 (or desired length): Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
(Tip: To make the skirt longer, simply add more rounds of double crochet.)
Edging (Optional):
- Ch 1, sc in the same st. *Ch 3, sl st in the first ch (picot made), sc in the next st; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sleeve Edging (Repeat for both sleeves):
- Join yarn with a sl st in any stitch around the armhole opening.
- Ch 1, sc in the same st. *Ch 3, sl st in the first ch (picot made), sc in the next st; rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing:
- Weave in all loose ends securely.
- If desired, add small buttons to the back yoke opening for easier dressing, creating small loops on the opposite side for fastening. Alternatively, weave in ribbon ties.
