Hello, fellow yarn enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a project that’s as sweet as can be: this beautiful pink crochet baby dress. With its textured bodice, flowing skirt, and delicate ribbon details, it’s a perfect gift for a baby shower or a lovely outfit for a special occasion.
This pattern is designed for an average 0-3 month size, but I’ll provide tips for adjusting it for other sizes.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn:
- DK weight (Light Worsted / #3) yarn in a main Pink color (approx. 300-350 yards)
- Small amount of a slightly darker or contrasting pink for the skirt edging (optional, but highly recommended for the look!)
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers (helpful for marking the beginning of rounds)
- Ribbon: Approx. 1 yard of 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide white or light pink satin ribbon, and a small pre-made bow or extra ribbon to create one.
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)
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st into first ch.
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 (Main Pink Yarn)
Yoke:
Start with Main Pink 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 (Texture Round): Ch 2 (counts as hdc), FPhdc around next st, BPhdc around next st. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-2. (56 hdc, alternating FPhdc/BPhdc)
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 (approximately 32 hdc stitches). 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 (approximately 32 hdc stitches). 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 (Texture Round): Ch 2, FPhdc around next st, BPhdc around next st. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (72 hdc, alternating FPhdc/BPhdc)
Round 10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with sl st. (72 hdc)
Fasten off Main Pink yarn.
The Skirt (Main Pink Yarn)
Attach Main Pink Yarn with a sl st to any st from the last round of the bodice.
Round 1 (Foundation for Skirt): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (This creates a slight increase for the start of the skirt, you should have around 96 dc).
Round 2 (Ribbon Weaving Round): Ch 3, dc in next st. Ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts. Rep from * around. You should end with a dc or ch 1 space before joining. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (You will have 32 dc groups of 2, and 32 ch-1 spaces). This round creates the holes for the ribbon.
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next st. Dc in ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (96 dc)
Round 4 (Increase Round for Skirt Flare): Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts. 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts. Rep from * around. Join with sl st. (approx. 120 dc)
Round 5 – 12 (or desired length): Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join with sl st. (120 dc). Continue working dc stitches until the skirt reaches your desired length, ending a few rounds before the final length for the ruffle.
Skirt Ruffle Edge (Main Pink Yarn and Darker Pink Yarn)
For the two-tone ruffle effect, you’ll work alternate rounds with your main pink and then the darker pink.
With Main Pink Yarn: Round 1 (Ruffle Start): Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in same st. Sk 1 st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
With Darker Pink Yarn (or continue with Main Pink if you don’t want two-tone): Round 2: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
With Main Pink Yarn: Round 3: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
With Darker Pink Yarn: Round 4 (Edging): Ch 1, sc in first dc, (sc, Picot, sc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Video tutorial
Finishing:
- Weave in all ends neatly using your tapestry needle.
- Add Ribbon: Thread your white/light pink satin ribbon through the ch-1 spaces created in Skirt Round 2. Weave it in and out to create the decorative band. Tie a small bow at the front.
- Attach Bow: Secure your small pre-made bow (or a bow you’ve tied with extra ribbon) to the center of the ribbon band.
- Block your dress gently if desired to help it lay nicely and open up the stitches.
Your beautiful Pretty in Pink crochet baby dress is now ready to be worn by a precious little one! I absolutely love the texture of the bodice and the playful ruffle at the bottom.
Don’t forget to share your finished dresses with me on social media! Use the hashtag #PrettyInPinkDress so I can see your lovely creations!
Happy Crocheting!
