Create a fresh and beautiful dress for a special little one with this seamless, top-down crochet pattern. This design features a delicate lace yoke, a flowing skirt with a beautiful open pattern, and an optional crocheted flower and ribbon belt for a pop of color. The dress is a perfect fit for a 2-3 year old and is sure to become a treasured item.
Let’s pick up our hooks and create this charming and comfortable dress!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 400-500 yards of sport (size 2) or DK (size 3) weight yarn in a main color (e.g., the mint green shown). A soft, washable yarn like a cotton or acrylic blend is perfect for children’s clothing.
- Small amounts of contrasting colors for the flower (e.g., turquoise and yellow).
- A crochet hook appropriate for your yarn. A size G/6 (4.0mm) hook is a good starting point.
- Scissors
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch markers
- A length of ribbon for the belt (optional).
Key Stitches and Abbreviations:
- ch: chain
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- Shell/Fan st: fan stitch ([5 dc] in the same stitch)
- V-st: V-stitch (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- rnd: round
Pattern Instructions:
Part 1: The Yoke
The yoke is worked in the round from the top down, with increases to create a flat circular shape that will form the top of the dress.
- Rnd 1 (Neckline): ch 80 (or adjust for desired neck opening for a 2-3 year old), sl st to the first ch to form a ring. (80 sts)
- Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st around. Join with sl st.
- Rnd 3 (Lace Yoke): ch 3 (counts as dc), sk 2 sts, [3 dc] in next st (this is your fan stitch), sk 2 sts, dc in next st. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st.
- Rnd 4: ch 3, dc in each st and ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st.
- Rnd 5: ch 3, dc in each st and ch-1 sp around, evenly increasing by approximately 15-20 stitches to ensure the yoke lies flat.
- Rnd 6: Repeat Rnd 3, working your fan stitches in the dc spaces created by the increases.
- Continue working rounds of dc and the fan stitch pattern, increasing the stitch count as needed to form a flat, round yoke. Work until the yoke is wide enough to reach the armpits.
Part 2: Separate Armholes
Once the yoke is wide enough, you will separate the sleeves from the body and continue with the skirt.
- Split for Sleeves: Place stitch markers to divide the stitches into sections for the front, back, and two sleeves. A typical division for a toddler dress is about 30% for the front and back each, and 20% for each sleeve.
- Continue Body: ch 3, and continue your pattern across the stitches for the front panel. When you reach the first sleeve marker, ch 5 (or enough chains to create a comfortable armpit opening) and skip all the sleeve stitches to the next marker. Continue the pattern across the back stitches. When you reach the third marker, ch 5 and skip the remaining sleeve stitches. Join the round.
Part 3: The Skirt
The skirt is worked in continuous rounds from the armhole separation down to the hem.
- Rnd 1: ch 3, dc in each dc and ch st around, including in the ch-5 spaces under the armpits.
- Rnd 2 (Open Skirt Pattern): ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st. ch 1, sk 2 sts, [2 dc] in next st. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st.
- Rnd 3: ch 3, [2 dc] in the ch-1 sp. ch 1, sk 2 sts, [2 dc] in the ch-1 sp from the previous row. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st.
- Repeat Rnd 3 until the skirt reaches your desired length. To create the full, flared look of the dress, you can use a wider shell stitch (e.g., [3 dc] instead of 2) or by adding extra stitches in the chain spaces every few rows.
Part 4: Finishing Touches
- Scalloped Edging: Join yarn at the hem of the skirt. sc in first st, sk 1, [3 dc] in next st, sk 1. Repeat from * around. This will create a pretty, ruffled edge. Repeat this on the armhole openings and neckline as well.
- Crocheted Flower (Optional):
- With yellow yarn, ch 4, sl st to form a ring.
- ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Join with sl st. Fasten off yellow.
- With turquoise yarn, join to any sc. ch 2, [dc, tr, dc] in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st. Repeat from * 5 more times to create 6 petals.
- Fasten off and sew the flower to a ribbon.
- Belt: Sew the ribbon to the waist of the dress, or simply tie it on to create the decorative belt.
- Weave in Ends: Weave in all loose ends securely with your yarn needle.
- Blocking: Gently block the finished dress to help the lace pattern lay flat and define the stitches.
You’re Done!
Video tutorial
Video tutorial 2
Congratulations! You’ve just crocheted a beautiful and delicate toddler dress with a lovely lace pattern and a textured skirt. This project is a testament to your skill, resulting in a unique and heartfelt garment.
Share your finished dress with me on social media using #MintBloomDress – I’d love to see your color choices! Happy crocheting!
