Preemie Gracie Dress
Free Crochet Pattern
This shell effect dress is made from the top down with a round yoke. It has a button opening at the back, so that it has plenty of space for putting over a baby's head.
The premium pattern that includes pictures with sizes newborn-4 years can be purchased here
Written in English US terms with abbreviations for UK
hdc = half double crochet (half treble crochet UK)
dc = double crochet (treble crochet UK)
inc = increase (2 crochet into the next stitch)
ch = chain
slst = slip stitch
shell = [3 dc, ch1, 3 dc] all in the same stitch (3 treble, ch1, 3 treble in UK terms)
[ ] = in the same stitch
* * = repeat between
Size
Preemie to fit 13 inch chest
Materials
250 meters of dk / weight 3 yarn (I used King Cole Cottonsoft in blush for this example 210meters in a 100g ball)
4mm crochet hook I use this set from Amazon*
1 x 10-15mm buttons
Gauge Square
With 4mm hook
Row 1: Ch12, dc in 4th ch from hook and each chain across. (9) Turn
Row 2-4: ch1, dc in base of ch1, hdc 8. (9) Turn
Square should measure approximately 2 inches x 2 inches.
If you're out with a 4mm hook try a 4.5mm hook.
If you have problems hitting the length but the width is ok, try dc (treble crochet) instead of hdc.
Always ch1 and sc / dc in same to start row, unless stated
Dress
Starting with white ch41
Round 1: 1 sc in second ch from hook, sc 1, inc, *sc 3, inc* x 9, sc 1. (50) Turn
Round 2: (in blo) ch1, sc in the same, sc to end. (50) Turn
Change to colour
Round 3: ch1, sc in the same, sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* x 9, sc 1. (60) Turn
Round 4: ch1, sc in the same, sc to end. (60) Turn
Round 5: ch1, sc in the same, sc 3, inc, *sc 5, inc* x 9, sc 1. (70) Turn
Round 6: ch1, sc in the same, sc to end. (70) Turn
Round 7: ch1, sc in the same, sc 4, inc, *sc 6, inc* x 9, sc 1. (80) Turn
Round 8: ch1, sc in the same, sc to end. (80) Turn
Round 9: ch1, sc in the same, sc 5, inc, *sc 7, inc* x 9, sc 1. (90) Turn
Round 10: ch1, sc in the same, sc to end. (90) Turn
Round 11: ch1, sc in the same, sc 6, inc, *sc 8, inc* x 9, sc 1. (100) Turn
Round 12: ch1, sc in the same, sc to end. (100) Turn
Round 13: ch1, sc in the same, sc 7, inc, *sc 9, inc* x 9, sc 1. (110) Turn
Round 14: ch1, sc in the same, sc 21, inc, *sc 21, inc* x 3, sc 21. (114) Turn
Next round will be slst to first to join and start working in the round.
Round 15: (Divide for Armholes) ch1, 1 sc in the same, sc 15, ch6, skip 24 (armhole) sc 34, ch6, skip 24 (armhole), sc 16, slst to the first to join. (66+ 12 chains)
Change to white
Round 16: (ch3, dc, ch1, 2 dc) in the same, *sk2, (2 dc, ch1, 2 dc) in the next* repeat to the end, slst to ch1 in the centre of the first shell. (26 shells)
Round 17: ch3, dc in same, ch1, 2 dc in same, *(2 dc, ch1, 2 dc) in each ch1 space* repeat to the end, slst to ch1 in the centre of the first shell. (26 shells)
Repeat Round 17 until work measures approximately 10.5” from the shoulder.
Last round : ch3, dc 4, sc in between shell, *5 dc in center of next shell, sc in between shells* repeat to end, slst to top of ch3.
Fasten off.
Collar
With the top of the dress nearest you join white yarn to the back of dress in the front loops from round 2.
Round 1: (Ch2, hdc in the same, ch1, 2 hdc in the same) *sk 2, (hdc 2, ch1, hdc 2) in the next* repeat to the other side.
Round 2: ch1, *5 sc in the ch1 space, sc between shell* repeat around.
Armholes
With the front of the dress facing you, join the white yarn to the under arm of the dress.
Round 1: (Ch2, hdc in the same, ch1, 2 hdc in the same) *sk 2, (hdc 2, ch1, hdc 2) in the next* repeat to the other side and slst to top of ch2.
Round 2: ch1, sc in same, *5 sc in the ch1 space, sc between shell* repeat around.
Button bands
With the back of the dress facing, join yarn at the bottom right side
Round 1: ch1, sc in same, sc up to the top.
Round 2: ch1, sc in same, ch1, sk1 (buttonhole) sc down to the bottom.
Fasten off.
Then join yarn at the top left side
Round 1: ch1, sc in the same, sc down to the bottom.
Round 2: ch1, sc in the same, sc back up to the top.
Fasten off.
Sew buttons to match the button holes
*COPYRIGHT 2022 This pattern is made for personal use only. You may not copy, share or sell this pattern, you may make and sell items made from my patterns but please credit me @BabyCrochetDesigns as the designer many thanks*