Crochet Preemie Dress - Free Pattern

Crochet Preemie Dress - Free Pattern

This is to fit a preemie about 5lb. Laying flat the measurements should be about 10" in length and 5 ½” from armpit to armpit.

You can make this smaller (or larger) by using a smaller (or larger) hook size, and/or a lighter (heavier) weight yarn.

Supplies:

#4 yarn

J hook

Abbreviations:

ch - chain
sc – single crochet

dc - double crochet
YO - yarn over
st – stitch

sl st - slip stitch
sp - space

Special Stitches:

Shell: 2dc, ch2, 2dc in one stitch

V Stitch: dc, ch1, dc in one stitch

Instructions:

Bodice

Ch 34

Row 1: dc in 3rd chain from hook, dc in next 4 ch, (dc ch1 dc) in next st., dc in each of next 6 ch, (dc ch1 dc) in next ch, dc in each next 6 ch , (dc ch1 dc) in next ch, dc in next 6 ch, (dc ch1 dc) in next ch, dc in the last 5 ch, turn

Row 2: Ch3, dc in dcs, (dc ch1 dc) in all ch1 spaces, turn (43 sts)

Rows 3-4: Repeat row 2. Row 3 will have 52 sts, Row 4 will have 59.

Row 5: (Armhole row) dc to first ch1, dc in ch1 space, skip all stitches to next ch1, dc in ch1 space to make an armhole, dc across to next ch1, dc in ch1 space, skip all stitches to next ch1, dc in ch1 space to make second armhole, dc to end, join with sl st to beginning dc.

From here on you will be working in rounds.

Rows 6-7: 1 dc in all stitches around. Join with sl st to beginning dc (34 dc)

Skirt

Row 8: Ch1, *skip one st, shell in next st, skip one st, V stitch in next st**. Repeat from * to ** around. Join to beginning ch1 with sl st. (9 shells, 8 V stitches)

Row 9: Ch1, *shell in ch2 space of shell stitch, V stitch in ch1 space of V stitch.** Repeat from * to ** around. Join to beginning ch1 with sl st. (9 shells, 8 V stitches)

Rows 10-16: Repeat Row 9. (You can do more or less rows to adjust the length of the dress as desired.) Fasten off.

Finishing: With right side of crochet facing, join yarn to bottom of left side back opening, sc up left side of back opening to top corner, ch 20, sl st back down chain, sc around neck to top corner of back opening, ch 20, sl st back down chain, sc down back opening on right hand side, fasten off, weave in ends.

Use the ties to close the neck opening. Alternatively, you can sew 2 buttons on the back opening to open and close the dress. In this instance, you would sc around the back opening and neck as above without making the two ch20 on each side of the neck opening.