Hello, fellow yarn lovers! Today, I’m so excited to share the pattern for this absolutely delightful crochet baby dress. With its sunny yellow skirt, crisp white bodice, and cheerful floral accents, it’s perfect for welcoming a new little one or for a special occasion. This dress works up beautifully and makes a wonderful gift!
This pattern is designed for an average 0-3 month size, but I’ll include notes on how you might adjust it for other sizes.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn:
- DK weight (Light Worsted / #3) yarn in White (approx. 100-120 yards)
- DK weight (Light Worsted / #3) yarn in Yellow (approx. 200-250 yards)
- Small amount of Green yarn for leaves (optional)
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers (helpful for marking first stitch of rounds)
- Ribbon: Approx. 1 yard of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide yellow polka dot or plain yellow ribbon
Gauge: Working in double crochet: 18 stitches x 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- sk: skip
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- rep: repeat
- FPhdc: front post half double crochet
- BPhdc: back post half double crochet
- V-st: V-stitch (dc, ch 1, dc in same st/sp)
Pattern Notes:
- Ch 2 at the beginning of a row/round counts as a hdc.
- Ch 3 at the beginning of a row/round counts as a dc.
- The bodice is worked from the top down, then the skirt is added.
- Join rounds with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch unless otherwise specified.
- Remember to check your gauge! This is crucial for getting the correct sizing.
The Bodice (White Yarn)
Yoke:
Start with White Yarn. Ch 56 (this creates the neckline). Sl st to the first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in each ch around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-2. (56 hdc)
Round 2: Ch 2, hdc in next 6 sts, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next st (corner), hdc in next 12 sts, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next st (corner), hdc in next 14 sts, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next st (corner), hdc in next 12 sts, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next st (corner), hdc in next 6 sts. Join with sl st. (64 hdc, 4 ch-2 corners)
Round 3: Ch 2, hdc in each st to first ch-2 sp, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in ch-2 sp, hdc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in ch-2 sp. Rep from * to * 3 more times. Hdc in remaining sts. Join with sl st. (80 hdc, 4 ch-2 corners)
Round 4 – 6: Repeat Round 3. You should have 16 stitches increasing each round.
- After Round 4: 96 hdc
- After Round 5: 112 hdc
- After Round 6: 128 hdc
Divide for Sleeves and Body:
Round 7: Ch 2, hdc in each st to first ch-2 sp. Hdc in ch-2 sp. Ch 2, sk all stitches across the “sleeve” section to the next ch-2 sp. Hdc in ch-2 sp. Hdc in each st across the “back” section to the next ch-2 sp. Hdc in ch-2 sp. Ch 2, sk all stitches across the next “sleeve” section to the next ch-2 sp. Hdc in ch-2 sp. Hdc in each st across the “front” section. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-2. (Counts approx. 32 hdc for front, 32 hdc for back, 2 ch-2 spaces under arms). Total stitches around the body: 64 hdc + 4 ch from underarms = 68 sts.
Bodice Body:
Round 8: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc and 2 hdc in each ch-2 sp under the arms. Join with sl st. (68 hdc + 2 hdc in each of 2 ch-2 sp = 72 hdc).
Round 9: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with sl st. (72 hdc)
Round 10 (Optional Ribbing): Ch 2, FPhdc around next hdc, BPhdc around next hdc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (72 hdc) Note: If you prefer a plain edge, just do hdc in each st around for Round 10.
Fasten off White yarn.
The Skirt (Yellow Yarn)
Attach Yellow Yarn with a sl st to any hdc from the last round of the bodice.
Round 1 (Foundation for Skirt): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st and in each st around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (72 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st. Sk 1 st, V-st (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (36 V-sts)
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in first V-st ch-1 sp. V-st in next V-st ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (36 V-sts)
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in first V-st ch-1 sp. V-st in next V-st ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (36 V-sts)
Round 5: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in same V-st ch-1 sp. V-st in next V-st ch-1 sp. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (36 V-sts)
Round 6 (Increase): Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in same V-st ch-1 sp. V-st in next V-st ch-1 sp. In the next V-st ch-1 sp, make (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc). Rep from * around, ending with (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in the last V-st ch-1 sp. Join with sl st. (Total of 36 V-sts + 18 extra dc = 54 V-sts if you count each (dc,ch1,dc) as a V-st or 108 dc stitches). Essentially, every other V-stitch space gets an extra (ch1, dc) to create an increase.
Round 7 – 15 (or desired length): Ch 3, V-st in each ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st. (You should now have 54 V-sts for the remainder of the skirt). Continue working V-stitches into the ch-1 spaces of the previous V-stitches until the skirt reaches your desired length. For a 0-3 month size, 15-18 rounds total for the skirt should be good.
Last Round (Edging): Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Crochet Flowers (Make 3 – Yellow Yarn)
Start with Yellow Yarn. Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), 9 hdc into the ring. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-2. (10 hdc)
Round 2 (Petals): Ch 3, dc in same st, tr in same st, dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st. Sl st into next hdc from Round 1. Rep from * 4 more times (5 petals total). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Crochet Leaves (Make 2-3 – Green Yarn – Optional)
Start with Green Yarn. Ch 7. Sl st into 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Video tutorial
Finishing:
- Weave in all ends neatly using your tapestry needle.
- Attach Flowers: Arrange the three yellow flowers across the front of the white bodice, just above the yellow skirt. Sew them securely in place using the long tails you left.
- Attach Leaves: Tuck 1-2 green leaves under each end flower, sewing them securely in place.
- Add Ribbon: Thread your yellow ribbon through the V-stitch spaces at the top of the yellow skirt (Round 2 of the skirt, or just below the last white row). Weave it in and out to create a decorative band. Tie a pretty bow at the front.
- Block your dress gently if desired to help it lay nicely and open up the stitches.
And there you have it! Your beautiful Sunshine Sweetheart crochet baby dress is complete. I hope you enjoyed making it as much as I enjoyed writing this pattern.
Don’t forget to share your finished dresses with me on social media! Use the hashtag #SunshineSweetheartDress so I can see your lovely creations!
Happy Crocheting!
