There’s something truly special about a handmade gift for a new baby, and this “Sweet Petals Dress” is sure to become a cherished keepsake. With its delicate texture and sweet scalloped hem, this dress is perfect for special occasions or just adding a touch of handmade charm to everyday wear. This pattern is designed for a beginner to intermediate crocheter and uses basic stitches to create a beautiful result.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 300-400 yards of DK weight yarn in your chosen color. Cotton or a soft acrylic blend is recommended for baby wear. (I used [mention yarn brand and color if you have it]).
- Crochet Hook: Size E/4 (3.5 mm) or the size recommended for your yarn.
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch Markers (optional, but helpful)
- Measuring Tape
Gauge:
While gauge isn’t critical for this project, knowing it can help you estimate the finished size. My gauge was approximately 18 double crochet stitches and 10 rows in a 4-inch square.
Finished Size:
This pattern is written for approximately 3-6 months. Instructions for adjusting the size are included in the notes.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rep = repeat
- beg = beginning
Special Stitches:
- Shell: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the same stitch.
- Picot: ch 3, sl st in the first ch.
Video pattern
Let’s Get Started!
Yoke (Top Portion):
- Foundation Chain: Ch 65.
- Row 1: Hdc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. (64 sts)
- Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the first st, *ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in the next st; rep from * across. (16 ch-3 spaces)
- Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the first ch-3 space, *ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-3 space; rep from * across, ending with a dc in the last sc. (16 groups of 3 dc, 15 ch-1 spaces)
- Row 4: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the first dc, *ch 3, sc in the middle dc of the next 3-dc group; rep from * across, ending with a sc in the top of the turning ch. (16 ch-3 spaces)
- Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in the first ch-3 space, *ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-3 space; rep from * across, ending with a dc in the last sc.
- Rows 6-12 (or until desired yoke depth): Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Dividing for Sleeves and Body:
- Next Row: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the first dc. Now we’ll mark for the armholes. Count 9 dc, place a stitch marker after the 9th dc. Count the next 14 dc (this will be the front), place another stitch marker after the 14th dc. Count the next 18 dc (this will be one sleeve), place a marker. Count the next 14 dc (back), place a marker. Count the final 9 dc (other sleeve).
- Joining for the Body: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in the next 8 sts (to the first marker). Ch 3 (skip the sleeve sts), dc in the next 14 sts (front, between the markers). Ch 3 (skip the next sleeve sts), dc in the next 9 sts (back to the beginning of the round), sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (40 dc and 2 ch-3 spaces)
Skirt:
- Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each st around, working 3 dc in each ch-3 space. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (46 dc)
- Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
- Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), *dc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st; rep from * around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (61 dc)
- Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
- Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), *dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st; rep from * around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (77 dc)
- Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
- Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), *dc in the next 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st; rep from * around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (93 dc)
- Rounds 8-desired length: Continue to work rounds of dc, increasing evenly as needed to create a gentle A-line shape. For a 3-6 month size, I worked approximately 10-12 rounds of dc after the last increase round.
Scalloped Hem:
- Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st around. Sl st to the first sc.
- Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *skip 1 st, shell in the next st; rep from * around. Sl st to the first sc.
- Round 3: Sl st into the first dc of the shell, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in the first dc, picot, sc in the ch-1 space of the shell, picot, sc in the second dc of the shell, picot. *Skip to the next shell, sc in the first dc, picot, sc in the ch-1 space, picot, sc in the second dc, picot; rep from * around. Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sleeves (Work in the round):
- Join Yarn: Join yarn with a sl st in any of the skipped sts of the armhole.
- Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each skipped st around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. (Approx. 22-24 dc)
- Rounds 2-4: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
- Edging: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st around. Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Repeat for the other sleeve.
Finishing Touches:
- Weave in all loose ends securely.
- You can add small crochet flowers, ribbons, or buttons to the bodice for extra embellishment if desired.
Notes on Adjusting the Size:
- Yoke: To make the yoke wider, increase the number of foundation chains in multiples of 4 + 1. Adjust the number of rows to achieve the desired depth.
- Body: The number of stitches for the front and back should be equal. Adjust the number of skipped stitches for the sleeves to achieve the desired armhole size.
- Skirt: Increase or decrease the number of rounds to adjust the length. You can also add more or fewer increase rounds to control the fullness of the skirt.
- Sleeves: Adjust the number of rounds to change the sleeve length.
Congratulations! You’ve created a beautiful handmade dress for a special little girl. I hope you enjoyed this pattern. Please feel free to share your creations – I’d love to see them! #crochetbabydress #handmadebaby #crochetpattern #babygirlfashion #sweetpetalsdress
Happy crocheting!
