There’s nothing quite as timeless and adorable as a handmade crochet dress for a little one, especially in a classic red and white! This charming design features a sturdy double crochet yoke, a delicate openwork skirt, and a lovely ruffled hem, all topped with a pretty flower embellishment. Perfect for holidays, special occasions, or just everyday cuteness, this dress is sure to be a treasured piece.
This pattern is suitable for intermediate crocheters, or adventurous beginners comfortable with basic stitches and shaping.
Yarn:
- DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted Weight yarn in two contrasting colors (e.g., Red and White, as shown). Choose a soft, baby-friendly yarn like acrylic, cotton, or a cotton blend that is machine washable for easy care.
Hook:
- 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook (adjust hook size if necessary to achieve gauge and desired fabric).
Notions:
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Small buttons (2-3, for the back closure)
- Stitch markers (helpful for marking corners of the yoke)
- Small pearl or bead for the flower center (optional)
Gauge (Crucial for Sizing!):
- For the Yoke (DC): 18 DC and 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
- For the Skirt (Shell pattern): A section of (DC, Ch 1, DC) should measure approx. 0.75 inches wide.
- Please check your gauge before starting. Adjust hook size if needed.
Finished Measurements (Approximate for 6-9 Months):
- Chest Circumference: 18-19 inches (46-48 cm)
- Dress Length (from shoulder to hem): 14-15 inches (35-38 cm)
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- Ch: Chain
- Sl St: Slip Stitch
- SC: Single Crochet
- HDC: Half Double Crochet
- DC: Double Crochet
- Tr: Treble Crochet (or Triple Crochet)
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Sk: Skip
- Sp: Space
- FO: Fasten Off
- Yo: Yarn Over
- V-stitch: (DC, Ch 1, DC) in the same stitch/space
- Shell: 5 DC in the same stitch/space (for the ruffle)
Pattern Instructions:
Part 1: The Square Yoke (Main Color – Red)
The yoke is worked in rows, from the top down, with increases at the corners to create the square shape. We will create a small opening at the back for buttons.
- Ch 68. (This forms the initial neck opening).
- Row 1 (RS): DC in 4th Ch from hook (counts as 1st DC). DC in next 8 Ch (Front Panel: 9 DC total). (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) in next Ch (first corner increase). DC in next 10 Ch (Shoulder: 10 DC). (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) in next Ch (second corner increase). DC in next 18 Ch (Back Panel: 18 DC). (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) in next Ch (third corner increase). DC in next 10 Ch (Shoulder: 10 DC). (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) in next Ch (fourth corner increase). DC in next 9 Ch (Front Panel: 9 DC). Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), turn.
- Total stitches: 9 + 4 + 10 + 4 + 18 + 4 + 10 + 4 + 9 = 72 DC + 4 Ch-1 spaces.
- Row 2 (WS): DC in each DC to first Ch-1 sp. (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) in Ch-1 sp (corner increase). DC in each DC to next Ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to * for all 4 corners. DC in remaining stitches. Ch 3, turn.
- Repeat Row 2 for 5-6 more rows (until you have 7-8 rows total for the yoke, or until the yoke measures approx. 4.5-5 inches from neck to armpit). You should be on a RS row ready to join for the body.
- After 7 rows total, your yoke will be significantly larger. Ensure your armhole openings are wide enough to comfortably fit around the baby’s arm.
Joining for the Body:
- Row 8 (RS – Joining Row): DC in each DC to the first corner Ch-1 sp. Skip the Ch-1 sp and all stitches of the first armhole (shoulder section). DC in the first stitch after the skipped section (this joins the first armhole). DC across the stitches of the back panel to the next Ch-1 sp. Skip the Ch-1 sp and all stitches of the second armhole. DC in the first stitch after the skipped section (this joins the second armhole). DC in remaining stitches of the front panel. Sl St to join with the first DC of the row to form a circle. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC).
- You have now formed the armholes and joined the yoke into a round for the body of the dress.
- Count your total stitches now; this will be the stitch count for the top of your skirt. It should be approximately 96-104 stitches, depending on your increases.
Part 2: The Skirt (Alternating Colors – White & Red)
The skirt uses a pattern that looks like a repeated (DC, Ch 1, DC) in each V-stitch from the previous row.
A. White Skirt Section:
- Round 1 (White Yarn): Join White yarn with a Sl St to any stitch. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC). Ch 1, DC in same stitch (forming a V-stitch). Sk 2 stitches, V-stitch (DC, Ch 1, DC) in next stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Sl St to top of beginning Ch 3.
- Ensure your total stitch count from the yoke is a multiple of 3 for even V-stitch placement. If not, make minor adjustments by skipping 1 or 3 stitches occasionally to make it work.
- Round 2: Sl St into the Ch-1 sp of the first V-stitch. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC). Ch 1, DC in same Ch-1 sp (V-stitch in a V-stitch). V-stitch in the Ch-1 sp of the next V-stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Sl St to top of beginning Ch 3.
- Repeat Round 2 for 10-12 more rounds (or until the white section of the skirt measures approx. 6-7 inches / 15-18 cm from the join).
- For increased fullness, you can add an extra DC to some V-stitches occasionally, turning a (DC, Ch1, DC) into (DC, Ch1, 2DC) or by changing the pattern to (2DC, Ch1, 2DC) at some point.
B. Red Ruffle Border:
- Change to Main Color (Red): Join Red yarn with Sl St into the Ch-1 sp of any V-stitch.
- Round 1 (Foundation for Ruffle): Ch 1. SC in same Ch-1 sp. SC in next DC, SC in next DC, SC in next Ch-1 sp. Repeat from * to * around, working SC evenly. Sl St to first SC.
- Round 2 (Shell Ruffle): Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC). 4 DC in same stitch (first Shell made). Sk 2 SC, Shell (5 DC) in next SC. Repeat from * to * around. Sl St to top of beginning Ch 3.
- Round 3 (Shell Ruffle – optional for more fullness): Sl St into the center DC of the first Shell. Ch 3, 4 DC in the same center DC (first Shell made). Sk 4 DC, Shell (5 DC) in the center DC of the next Shell. Repeat from * to * around. Sl St to top of beginning Ch 3. FO.
Part 3: The Flower Embellishment (White & Red)
A. Inner Swirl (Red Yarn):
- Ch 25.
- Row 1: 3 DC in 4th Ch from hook. Sk 1 Ch, Sl St in next Ch, Ch 3, 3 DC in same Ch as Sl St. Repeat from * to * across the chain. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- To form the swirl: Carefully roll the strip, starting from one end, to create a tight rose-like center. Stitch through the base to secure.
B. Outer Petals (White Yarn):
- Ch 30.
- Row 1: Sl St in 2nd Ch from hook. Ch 3, Sl St in same Ch as previous Sl St (small picot). (Repeat Ch 3, Sl St into same Ch once more for a fuller base). Sk 2 Ch, Sl St in next Ch. Repeat from * to * across the chain.
- Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), turn. Work 5 HDC into each Ch-3 space, Sl St into the next Sl St. Repeat from * to * across the row. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly of the Flower: Position the white outer petal strip around the base of your red swirl. Gather and shape the white petals to frame the center, and use the long tail to stitch them securely to the back of the swirl, forming the full flower. Sew a small pearl or bead to the very center if desired.
Video tutorial
Finishing Your Dress:
- Weave in all loose ends neatly with your tapestry needle.
- Back Closure:
- For the back opening of the yoke, you may want to add a simple SC border along each side of the opening to create a clean edge and buttonholes.
- Along one side of the back opening: SC evenly up the edge.
- Along the other side: SC evenly up the edge. On the way back down, work (Ch 2, Sk 2 SC, SC) for your buttonholes. Make 2-3 buttonholes evenly spaced.
- Sew 2-3 small buttons onto the opposite side of the back opening to align with your buttonholes.
- Armhole Edging (Optional): SC evenly around each armhole opening for a neat finish.
- Attach Flower: Position the completed flower embellishment on the center front of the dress, just below the yoke seam. Securely stitch it in place.
- Block (Optional but Recommended): Gently wet the dress, reshape it to the correct measurements, and pin it to a foam board or towel. Allow it to air dry completely. This will even out your stitches and give the dress a beautiful drape and professional finish.
Congratulations! You’ve just created a stunning handmade crochet dress perfect for a precious little one. This dress is sure to bring joy and be a cherished item.
Happy crocheting!
