Create your own breezy crochet dress with this easy, beginner-friendly pattern. Perfect for beach days or casual summer dresses for women.
Summertime calls for breezy dresses, and nothing beats the satisfaction of wearing one you made yourself! If you’ve always wanted to learn crochet, this dreamy summer dress project is the perfect place to start. This pattern is surprisingly easy, even if you’re a beginner, and works up quickly for that instant gratification. Whether strolling along the beach, heading to a picnic, or simply relaxing in your backyard, this versatile dress will become your warm-weather favorite.
Overview
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Potential Uses: Beach cover-up, casual summer dress, festival attire
Materials
- Yarn: Fingering weight (1) yarn in your preferred color. Cotton or cotton blends are ideal for a breathable summer dress.
- Crochet Hook: Size 2.5 mm or the size recommended for your chosen yarn.
- Scissors
- Darning Needle: To weave in loose ends.
- Stitch Markers: Optional, but helpful for keeping track of your increases.
Crochet Terms & Techniques
Let’s review some of the crochet techniques you’ll use in this pattern:
- Chain Stitch (ch): The foundation of most crochet projects
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds or move across stitches
- Single Crochet (sc): One of the most basic stitches
- Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch, adds length
- Shell Stitch: A combination of double crochets forming a decorative shell
- V-Stitch: A combination of double crochets and chains, creates a V-shape
- Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Creates texture, wraps around the post of a stitch
- Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc): Similar to fpdc, creates a textured effect
Tips
- Practice the stitches: If any of the stitches are new to you, create a few practice swatches first.
- Check your gauge: Crocheting a small square (4″x4″) helps ensure you’re using the right tension.
- Use stitch markers: Markers help you keep track of the beginning of rounds and important increases.
Crochet Dress Pattern: Step by Step Written Pattern
Remember, there’s also a detailed video tutorial on the Yarns and Fins YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@YarnsandFins). Watching the video alongside these instructions can be very helpful, especially for visual learners. Get ready to make your own customized crochet dress!
Top
Instructions for the top portion of this dress can be found in another video tutorial.
Skirt
- Foundation Chain: Attach yarn to the bottom of the completed top. Chain a number of multiples of 3 (e.g., 33, 36, 39) until the chain comfortably circles your torso with a little ease. Join the first and last chain with a slip stitch to form a circle.
- Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as the first dc), skip 2 stitches. *Dc in each of the next stitches until you reach the chain-1 space from the beginning. Work a shell stitch (dc, ch 1, dc) in the ch-1 space. Repeat from * around the entire circle. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3.
- Round 2: Chain 3, *bpdc around each post (vertical strand) from the previous round. In the ch-1 space from the previous round, work a shell stitch. Repeat from * around the entire circle. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain 3.
- Repeat Rounds 2 and 3: Continue working rounds of bpdc and shell stitches until you reach your desired waist length.
Hip Increases
- Start Increases: Begin with a round of back post dc and shell stitches (like Round 2). Mark the first and last ‘posts’ of this round.
- Increase Round: Ch 3, *work a back post dc, ch 1, back post dc in the same stitch (around the first marked post), continue shell and post pattern, repeat increase at the other marked post. Repeat from * around, join with a sl st to the ch 3.
- Continue Rounds: Follow the increase round with a round of back post dc and shell stitches. Repeat this alternating pattern to widen the skirt.
Optional Shaping for a Fitted Silhouette
For a more fitted bodice that shapes around the bust, you can incorporate slight decreases in specific rows. Here’s an example:
- Decrease Row: Work the first half of the row as usual (dc and fpdc). Skip the next two stitches, then work two dc in the next stitch (decrease). Continue alternating dc and fpdc stitches, skipping two stitches and working two dc together at designated points across the row to achieve the desired shaping. You can experiment with the number of decrease points based on your body shape and the amount of shaping you prefer.
Armholes
- Mark Stitches: Decide on your desired armhole depth and mark the corresponding number of stitches on each side of the front bodice panel (e.g., 4-5 stitches).
- Decrease Row: Chain 2, work dc and fpdc stitches across the row as usual until you reach the marked stitches for the armhole. Skip the marked stitches and continue working dc and fpdc stitches across the back bodice panel. Turn your work.
- Continue Decreasing: In the following row, work dc and fpdc stitches until you reach the first decrease point from the previous row. Skip two stitches, then work two dc together. Continue with dc and fpdc stitches across the back bodice panel. Turn your work.
- Repeat Decrease Rows: Continue working rows with decreases at the armhole edges until you reach the desired armhole depth.
Neckline Shaping (Optional)
You can add a slight curve to the neckline by incorporating decreases at the beginning of each row worked on the front bodice panel only. Here’s a suggestion:
- Decrease Row (Neckline): Chain 2, work one dc, skip the next stitch, then work dc and fpdc stitches across the entire row (including the back bodice panel). Turn your work.
- Continue Decreasing: In the following row, work one dc at the beginning of the row, then continue with dc and fpdc stitches across the entire row. Repeat these decrease rows on the front panel only until you reach the desired neckline shaping.
Edging and Straps
- Edging: Work 1-2 rounds of sc around the bottom edge of the skirt and the top edges of the armholes for a clean finish.
- Straps: Create two long chains to your desired strap length. Single crochet back down each chain to create straps. Attach the completed straps securely to the top sides of the dress.
Finishing Touches
Weave in all ends and give your dress a gentle block if needed. Now your beautiful crochet summer dress is complete! Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram (@tubacrochets) or TikTok (@tubacrochet) – I’d love to see what you make!
Styling
- Straight Up and Down: For a classic silhouette, wear the dress as is.
- Cinch the Waist: Define your waist by adding a belt or tying a string around the middle section.
- Layered Look: Wear the dress over a cute flowy tank top or swimsuit cover-up.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a curious beginner, this crochet dress pattern opens a world of summery possibilities. Get creative with your colors, adjust the length, and let the satisfying rhythm of crochet carry you away. If you have any questions, please drop a comment below – happy crocheting!
