How to Crochet a Child's Dress

Materials and Tools:

crochet hook size F or size to obtain gauge
Patons' Grace 100% mercerized cotton yarn #60027 50g balls each, approx. 136 yards
- 2(3,3,4) balls #60027 Ginger
1/2(2/3,1,1) yard green toile fabric
large-eye yarn needle
sewing thread
sewing needle
trim

Gauge: 5 shells & 10 rows = 4" /10cm over shell pattern st

Sizes: 6m (1,2,3yr)

Finished Measurements:

chest: 18(20,22,24)"

length: 14(16,19,22)"

Shell Pattern Stitch:

Row 1: sc into 1st stitch, skip next stitch *3dc into next st (shell made), skip next st, sc in next st, skip next stitch* repeat between * to end, ch 3 turn

Row 2: 2dc in 1st st, *3dc in next stitch, sc in middle of 3 dc from last row* repeat between * ending 2 dc in last st, ch1 turn

Row 3: sc in 1st *3dc in next stitch, sc in middle of 3 dc from last row* ending sc in last st.

Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows for pattern

Back and Front: ch 46(52,56,62) sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across -45(51,55,61) sc, ch 1 turn. Begin shell pattern st and work even until piece measures 1(1 1/2,2,2 1/2)", ending ready for row 2, End yarn.

Armhole shaping: Skip the first sc and 3dc shell, join yarn with a sc in the next sc, continue in shell pattern st leaving the last shell and sc open - 37(43,47,53) sts. Keeping in shell pattern stitch, work even until piece measures 3(3 1/2,4, 4 1/2)", ending ready for row 2.

Left front: Keeping shell pattern st work across 9(13,13,13) sts. Work even until piece measures 4(5,6,7)"

Right front: Skip center 19(17,21,27) sts, shell pattern st join yarn with a sc in next st, finish row, 9(13,13,13)sts, Work even until piece measures same as the other side. End yarn.

Finishing: Sew the shoulder and side seams together.

Skirt: From fabric, cut two skirt pieces each 15(16,18,19)" x 20(22,23,26)". With right sides together and using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew side seams. Gather one long edge of skirt and adjust gathers to fit. Hand sew to lower edge of bodice. Press 1/4 inch to wrong side along remaining long edge of skirt and hem to desired length.