Crochet dresses aren’t just for babies. Toddlers look cute in them too. This easy crochet dress for toddlers has a simple design but is perfect for the little girls in your life. Sizes go from 12 months up to 4T.
Below you will find the complete pattern and instructional photos for this easy crochet dress pattern. You will also find all the materials, stitches, gauge, and sizing information. If you would like all of this in a nicely formatted printable form, you can purchase the Ad-Free Large Print PDF Pattern.
A Crochet Dress that waited a Year
It is a funny thing how fast time flies. I had this toddler dress crocheted, pattern tested and ready to go a year ago. But I kept putting different patterns out before it until it was winter and a little too cold for this dress.
I can picture this easy crochet dress being worn in late summer and early fall with or without leggings and a light cardigan or cape, like this plaid cape.
So this cute little dress hung in my craft room until this fall where I had to remake it because little girls grow fast!
An Easy Crochet Dress
My goal for this pattern was to keep it as simple as possible. I created the Simple Baby Dress that was well-loved and thought we needed a toddler version.
For this dress, you will need to know how to chain, double crochet, and increase. The ruffle sleeves require that you know how to make a magic circle but I have a simplified method you can learn easily.
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The Premium Ad-Free PDF Pattern
Below you will find the free pattern with all the instructional photos and videos needed to complete the pattern, but I am also aware that several of us like to crochet on the couch, in the car, or in bed with a print out of the pattern. This is why I also offer a nicely formatted ad-free large font PDF version of the pattern. You can print the pattern and take it on the go with you or tuck it into your project bag or basket.
More Patterns you may Love
Don’t forget to check out all the free patterns at Winding Road Crochet. You may just find a new favorite project. Here are some great patterns you will love.
5. Easy Vintage Apron | 6&7. Ruffle Sweater | 8. Emma Dress | 9. Puff Stitch Dress
Easy Crochet Dress for Toddlers
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Materials Needed
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7-21 oz or 370-1200 yds of Red Heart With Love (Size 4 Yarn) 1-3 skeins
10 yards Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie Color Loofah (for Fringe, Optional)
Crochet Hook Size I (5.5 mm)
Yarn Needle
Scissors
3-4 One inch Buttons
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Stitches and Abbreviations
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
MC – Magic Circle
ST(s) – Stitch(es)
SLST – Slip Stitch
Gauge and Size
Gauge: 13 DC X 8 Rows = 4 inches
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SIZES: I found the waist size runs a little large because the pattern was made to fit the child before stretching. My daughter is a 2T and her 2T dress was a little looser in the waist then I liked. You can either make a size smaller or my preferred method is to add a second set of buttons. One set is for the dress to be fitted and the other set is for when they grow because toddlers grow very quickly.
Helpful Video Tutorials
Here are some video tutorials that will help you with making this pattern.
How to Change Colors
Magic Circle
How to Check Gauge
Easy Crochet Dress Pattern
Notes:
- Do not count your turning Chain (CH2) as a Stitch. This means you will work your first Stitch into the last stitch of the previous row and will not work a stitch into the top of the turning chain at the end of the row.
- Pattern Written in US Terms.
- Sizes are written 12m (2T, 3T, 4T).
Crochet Dress Bodice
CH66 (74, 82, 90)
Row 1: DC into 3rd CH from the hook, DC into next 63(71, 79, 87) CHs. (64, 72, 80, 88)
Row 2-8: CH2, turn, DC into the next 64 (72, 80, 88) Sts. (64, 72, 80, 88)
Size 2T will repeat Row 8 one more time.
Size 3T and 4T will repeat Row 8 two more times.
Crochet Dress Skirt
Row 1: Turn, SLST into next 2 Sts, CH2, *DC into next ST, 2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 30(34, 38, 42) times, Leave the last two STs unworked. SLST to the first DC. (90, 102, 114, 126)
Note: Starting now we will no longer turn at the end of the Row.
TIP – From now on we will be increasing 6 times each row. Instead of counting as you go, count out and find the stitches you will be increasing in and mark them with stitch markers.
Row 2: CH2, DC into the next 90(102, 114, 126), SLST to first DC. (90, 102, 114, 126)
Row 3: CH2, DC into next 7(8, 9, 10) Sts, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 14(16,18, 20) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 7(8, 9, 10) STs, SLST to first DC. (96, 108, 120, 132)
Row 4: CH2, *DC into next 15(17, 19, 21) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (102, 114, 126, 138)
Row 5: CH2, DC into next 8(9, 10, 11) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 16(18, 20, 22) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 8(9, 10, 11) STs, SLST to first DC. (108, 120,132, 144)
Row 6: CH2, *DC into next 17(19, 21, 23) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (114, 126, 138, 150)
Row 7: CH2, DC into next 9(10, 11, 12) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 18(20, 22, 24) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 9(10, 11, 12) STs, SLST to first DC. (120, 132, 144, 156)
Row 8: CH2, *DC into next 19(21, 23, 25) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (126, 138, 150, 162)
Row 9: CH2, DC into next 10(11, 12, 13) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 20(22, 24, 26) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 10(11, 12, 13) STs, SLST to first DC. (132, 144, 156, 168)
Row 10: CH2, *DC into next 21(23, 25, 27) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (138, 150, 162, 174)
Row 11: CH2, DC into next 11(12, 13, 14) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 22(24, 26, 28) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 11(12, 13, 14) STs, SLST to first DC. (144, 156, 168, 180)
Row 12: CH2, *DC into next 23(25, 27, 29) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (150, 162, 174, 186)
Row 13: CH2, DC into next 12(13, 14, 15) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 24(26, 28, 30) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 12(13, 14, 15) STs, SLST to first DC. (156, 168, 180, 192)
Row 14: CH2, *DC into next 25(27, 29, 31) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (162, 174, 186, 198)
Row 15: CH2, DC into next 13(14, 15, 16) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 26(28, 30, 32) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 13(14, 15, 16) STs, SLST to first DC. (168, 180, 192, 204)
Row 16: CH2, *DC into next 27(29, 31, 33) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (174, 186, 198, 210)
Row 17: CH2, DC into next 14(15, 16, 17) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 28(30, 32, 34) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 14(15, 16, 17) STs, SLST to first DC. (180, 192, 204, 216)
Row 18: CH2, *DC into next 29(31, 33, 35) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (186, 198, 210, 222)
Row 18 is the last Rows for Size 12 Months. Fasten off and weave in your ends. Then scroll down to learn how to make your sleeves.
Row 19: CH2, DC into next –(16, 17, 18) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(32, 34, 36) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(16, 17, 18) STs, SLST to first DC. (–, 204, 216, 228)
Row 20: CH2, *DC into next –(33, 35, 37) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (–, 210, 222, 134)
Row 21: CH2, DC into next –(17, 18, 19) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(34, 36, 38) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(17, 18, 19) STs, SLST to first DC. (–, 216, 228, 240)
Row 22: CH2, *DC into next –(35, 37, 39) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (–, 222, 134, 146)
Row 22 is the last row for Size 2T. Fasten off and weave in your ends. Then scroll down to learn how to make your sleeves.
Row 23: CH2, DC into next –(–, 19, 20) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(–, 38, 40) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(–, 19, 20) STs, SLST to first DC. (—, —, 240, 252)
Row 24: CH2, *DC into next –(–, 39, 41) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (—, —, 146, 158)
Row 25: CH2, DC into next –(–, 20, 21) STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(–, 40, 42) STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next –(–, 20, 21) STs, SLST to first DC. (—, —, 252, 264)
Row 26: CH2, *DC into next –(–, 41, 43) STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (—, —, 158, 170)
Row 26 is the last row for size 3T. Fasten off and weave in your ends. Then scroll down to learn how to make your sleeves.
Row 27: CH2, DC into next 22 STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 44 STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 22 STs, SLST to first DC. (276)
Row 28: CH2, *DC into next 45 STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (182)
Row 29: CH2, DC into next 23 STs, *2 DC into next ST, DC into next 46 STs* repeat *to* a total of 5 times. 2 DC into next ST, DC into next 23 STs, SLST to first DC. (288)
Row 30: CH2, *DC into next 47 STs, 2 DC into the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. SLST to first DC. (194)
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Ruffle Sleeves (Make 2)
Notes: The sleeves are worked in two sizes. One size for 12 month and 2T. The second size is for 3T and 4T. Where applicable the 3T/4T size will be in parenthesis.
Row 1: Work 6 DC into a Magic Circle. (6)
Row 2: CH2, turn, *2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (12)
Row 3: CH2, turn, * DC into next ST, 2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (18)
Size 12 month and 2T skip the next row.
Row 4: CH2, turn, * DC into next 2 STs, 2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (24)
Row 4(5): CH2, turn, *2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 18(24) times. (36, 48)
Row 5(6): CH2, turn, *2 DC into next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 36(48) times. (72, 96)
Edging
Ch 1 and turn your work so that you will work down the sides of the rows. Work 2 Single crochet into the side of each double crochet to create a clean edge. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Use a piece of yarn and yarn needle to sew your sleeves on to the dress bodice. If you lay your dress flat you will want to sew your sleeves as indicated below.
12-Months – 2 inches from the edge.
2T – 2.5 inches from the edge.
3T – 3 inches from the edge.
4T – 3.5 inches from the edge.
Buttons and Optional Fringe
After attaching your sleeves you will take your red heart scrubby smoothie yarn and cut several 9 inch pieces of yarn. Using this yarn you will create fringe on the front of the dress in between the sleeves.
To create the fringe take two strands of yarn and fold them in half.
Use your hook to pull the folded section of the two strands through the other side of your starting chain. Then, still using your hook, pull your yarn ends through the loop you have created. Pull everything tight and this will finish your first section of fringe.
Repeat this in every chain in between the sleeves.
Once completed with your fringe, you will want to sew 3 buttons onto one edge of the bodice. This will allow you to button up the back.
Now weave in any loose ends and your easy crochet dress is complete.
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