Sweet Dreams Crochet Baby Dress: Free Pattern

Looking for a beautiful and timeless project to crochet for a baby? This sweet little dress is perfect for a baby shower gift, a photo shoot, or just for a special little one to wear. The simple yoke is crocheted in double crochet stitches, and the skirt features a lovely, lacy shell stitch pattern that is both elegant and fun to make.

This pattern is written for a 0-3 month size, but can be easily adjusted to fit a larger baby. Let’s get started!

Skill Level:

Easy to Intermediate

Materials:

Yarn: DK weight yarn in a light color (I used a soft acrylic/cotton blend in white)
Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle
Stitch markers (optional)

Abbreviations (US Terms):

ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
hdc: half double crochet
sk: skip
sp: space
rep: repeat
FO: fasten off

Gauge:

4 rows of 16 dc = 4 inches (10 cm)

(Check your gauge before you start! It is important for the dress to fit correctly.)

Pattern Notes:

The dress is worked from the top down, starting with the yoke.
The ch 2 at the beginning of each dc row counts as a dc.
The dress is joined at the end of each round with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
You will increase the stitches in the yoke to create a flat, circular shape before joining the front and back to create the armholes.

Pattern Instructions

Part 1: The Yoke

Row 1: Ch 62. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a circle. Ch 2 (counts as a dc), dc in the next 61 ch. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2. (62 sts)

Row 2: Ch 2, dc in the same st. Dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. (77 sts)

Row 3: Ch 2, dc in the same st. Dc in the next 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. (92 sts)

Row 4: Ch 2, dc in the same st. Dc in the next 5 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. (107 sts)

Row 5: Ch 2, dc in the same st. Dc in the next 6 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. (122 sts)

Row 6: Ch 2, dc in the same st. Dc in the next 7 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. (137 sts)

Row 7: Ch 2, dc in the same st. Dc in the next 8 sts, 2 dc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. (152 sts)

Note: If you want a smaller yoke, you can stop at an earlier round. For a larger size, continue to increase for a few more rounds.

Part 2: Separating for the Sleeves

Now we will create the armholes by joining the front and back sections.

Round 8 (Divide for Armholes): Ch 2, dc in the next 20 sts (front panel). Ch 5, sk 35 sts (first armhole). Dc in the next 42 sts (back panel). Ch 5, sk 35 sts (second armhole). Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.

Note: You should have 42 stitches for the back panel and 21 stitches for each of the two front panels, making a total of 42 stitches for the front. The ch 5 will create the underarm.

Part 3: The Skirt

Now we will begin the beautiful shell stitch pattern for the skirt.

Round 9: Ch 2, dc in each st around, including the ch 5 sps. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2. (Total stitches will be your back panel stitches + front panel stitches + chain stitches from the underarms. In this case: 42 + 42 + 5 + 5 = 94 stitches)

Round 10 (Shell Stitch): Ch 2, sk 1 st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next st, sk 2 sts. Rep from * to * around, ending with sk 1 st. Sl st to join in the first dc of the round.

Round 11: Sl st into the first ch-1 sp. Ch 2, (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next ch-1 sp. Rep from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc of the round.

Rounds 12 – 25: Rep Round 11 until the skirt reaches your desired length.

Note: You can continue adding rounds to make the dress longer.

Part 4: The Scalloped Edging

To finish the hem, we will add a pretty scalloped border.

Round 26 (Edging): Ch 1, sc in the first st. Sk 2 sts, (5 dc) in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st. Rep from * to * around. Sl st to join and FO.