Babies turn into toddlers so fast and once they learn to walk it is the perfect time to start making a crochet toddler dress. When my girl decided walking was better than crawling, I knew I needed to design a dress for her.
The problem is that there are so many cute details you can add to a little crochet dress. So I turned to my wonderful crochet community to help me decide. Over the course of a week, together we decided on all the details for this little crochet toddler dress.
Get the free crochet pattern below or purchase the Ad-Free Large Font Printable PDF for $3.49 here.
In order to have fun working with lots of color, but not requiring a lot of different skeins of yarn, we decided to use the Caron Pantone Bamboo yarn. It comes in these cute little packs with 5 colors of yarn. I needed to use 2 skeins for the 12 month size dress and 3 skeins will need to be used for the larger toddler dress sizes.
When choosing the details of this dress, the community voted on Facebook and Instagram. The final votes decided that we would make a halter style top, an A-line skirt with puff stitch details, and a mini arcade trim.
I have to say I am a little blown away by how adorable this dress came out. If you want me to have another Community Design It pattern like this one just let me know in the comments below.
If you love the Puff Stitch dress you may also like the Tulip Crochet Dress. This similar style of dress has a simpler design. It has more sizes from size 12 months to girl’s size 8. It can also be made into a summer top or crop top.
If you love to crochet, then you will love my crochet-themed weekly planner. This is a free printable available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers. You can subscribe to my newsletter below.
Looking for more fun girl patterns? Check out all my Free Crochet Patterns here and some of my favorite kid’s patterns below.
Plaid Ear Warmers | Bunny Headband | Simply Spring Dress
Puff Stitch Crochet Toddler Dress
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Materials
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2 (3, 3) Skeins of Caron Pantone Bamboo or another size 4 yarn.
7oz (14oz, 14oz) or 360 (540, 540)
Crochet Hook, Size H, 5.0mm
2 – ½” buttons
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Stitches and Abreviations:
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Sk – Skip
St(s) – Stitches
Slst – Slip Stitch
Puff Stitch
CCh – Closing Chain
Gauge
Gauge is very important in this pattern and will affect the size of the finished dress.
Gauge – 15 dc = 4″
2 rows = 1” or 8 rows = 4”
Difficulty – Intermediate
Crochet Toddler Dress Sizes
This pattern provide three sizes: 12 months, 18 months and 24 months.
The smaller size will be the first number provided in the pattern and the other two sizes will be in parenthesis. 12 months( 18 months, 24 months) Check the measurements below to help decide which size dress to make. All dresses can be adjusted by about an inch in the waist by wear you place the buttons.
Size measurements:
12 Months – 19 inches waist
18 Months – 20.5 inches waist
24 Months – 22 inches waist
Special Stitches
Puff Stitch – *Yarn over, insert your hook into the next Stitch and pull up a loop* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. (This will result in 10 loops on your hook) Yarn over once more and pull that last loop through all the loops on your hook.
This creates the puff stitch, we will then Chain 1 to close the stitch. For this pattern this last chain will be referred to as the “closing chain or CCh”.
Video Tutorial
Puff Stitch Crochet Toddler Dress Pattern
Notes:
– I do not count my turning chain as a stitch.
– Written in US terms.
– For this pattern the Puff Stitch is actually treated as two stitches, the puff stitch and the closing chain. This helps with understanding which stitches to skip.
Ch18(20,22)
R1: Sc in the 2nd Ch from the hook and every Ch across. 17sts(19, 21 )
R2: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc in the First St, Ch1, Work a Dc into the next St. *Ch1, SkSt, Work a Dc into the next St* repeat from *to* a total of 7(8,9) times, Ch1, Work a Dc into the last St. 10 Dc and 9 Ch Space (11 Dc and 10 Ch Space, 12 Dc and 11 Ch Space)
R3: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into every St and Ch space across. 19 Dc (21, 23)
R4: Ch2, Turn, Work 2 Dc into the first St, Work a Dc into the next 17(19,21) Sts, Work 2 Dc into the last St. 21 Dc(23, 25)
R5: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 21(23,25) Sts. 21 Dc (23, 25)
R6: Ch2, Turn, Work 2 Dc into the first St, Work a Dc into the next 19(21,23) Sts, Work 2 Dc into the last St. 23 Dc(25, 27)
R7: Ch2, Turn, Work 2 Dc into the first St, Work a Dc into the next 21(23,25) Sts, Work 2 Dc into the last St. 25 Dc(27, 29) Fasten off.
Note: We are going to start a new chain and use this to lengthen the sides of the dress. Create a new chain, then work into the stitches of row 7, then chain out some more. This will create the waist of the dress.
R8: Ch 24(26, 29), Working into Row 8, Work 2 Dc into the first St, Work a Dc into the next 23(25,27) Sts, Work 2 Dc into the last St. Ch 27(29, 30).
R9: Work a Dc into the third Ch from the hook. Work a Dc into the next 24(26,27) Chs, Work a Dc into the next 27(29,31) Sts, Work a Dc into the next 24(26,29) Chs. 76Dc(82Dc, 88Dc)
R10: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 76(82, 88) Sts. 76Dc (82Dc, 88Dc)
R11: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 7(8,8) Sts, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the next St. *Work a Dc into the next 11(12,13) Sts, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the next St* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 8(8,9)Sts. 70 Dc(76Dc, 82Dc)
R12: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 8(8,9)Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 11(12,13)Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh* repeat for a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 7(8,8) Sts. 70 Dc(76Dc, 82Dc)
R13: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the first 7(8,8) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 11(12,13) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 8(8,9) Sts. 82 Dc(88, 94)
R14: Ch1, Turn, Slst to the top of the first two Sts, Ch2, Work a Dc into the next 7(7,8) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 13(14,15) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next 6 (7,7) Sts. Leave the last 2 Sts unworked. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 78Dc (84, 90)
Note: This will create two flaps in the back of the dress to add your buttons to and create the joined skirt. You will join at the end of every row from now on.
R15: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the first 6(7,7) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 13(14,15) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 7(7,8) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 90 Dc(94, 102)
R16: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 8(8,9) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 15(16,17) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next 7(8,8) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 90 Dc(96, 102)
R17: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the first 7(8,8) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 15(16,17) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 8(8,9) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 102Dc(108,114)
R18: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 9(9,10) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 17(18,19) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next 8(9,9) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 102Dc(108,114)
R19: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the first 8(9,9)Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 17(18,19) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 9(9,10) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 114(120,126)
R20: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 10(10,11) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 19(20,21) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next 9(10,10) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 114(120,126)
R21: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the first 9(10,10)Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 19(21,22) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 10(10,11) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 126(132,138)
R22: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 11(11,12) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 21(22,23) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next 10(11,11) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 126(132,138)
R23: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the first 10(11,11) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 21(22,23) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 11(11,12) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 138(144,150)
R24: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 12(12,13) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next 23(24,25) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next 11(12,12) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 138(144,150)
R25: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next 11(12,12) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next 23(24,25) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last 12(12,13) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. 150(156,162)
If working size 12 months continue to Trim rows.
R26: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next -(13,14) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next – (26,27) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next -(13,13) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. -(156,162)
R27: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next -(13,13) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next – (26,27) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last -(13,14) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. -(168,174)
Size 18 months continue on to Trim Rows.
R28: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next -(-,15) Sts, Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh, *Work a Dc into the next -(-,29) Sts. Skip the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch Space, Skip the Puff Stitch and CCh,* repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the next -(-,14) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. -(-,174)
R29: Ch2, Turn, Work a Dc into the next -(-,15) Sts, Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh. *Work a Dc into the next -(-,29) Sts. Work a Dc into the Puff Stitch, [Puff Stitch, CCh, Ch1, Puff Stitch, CCh] into the Ch space, Skip the Puff Stitch and Work a Dc into the CCh.* Repeat from *to* a total of 5 times. Work a Dc into the last -(-,14) Sts. Slst to the first Dc of this row. -(-,186)
Crochet Toddler Dress Trim
R1: Ch1, Turn, *Sc into the next St, Ch1, SkSt, Sc into the next St, Ch3, Sk 3 Sts,* repeat from *to* a total of 25(28,31) times. Slst to the first Sc. 50Sc, 50Ch Space. (56Sc, 56Ch Space, 62Sc, 62Ch Space)
R2. Do not turn, Ch1, * SkSt, Sc to the St below the Ch1 Space. Skst, Work 7 Dc into the Ch3 Space* repeat from *to* a total of 30(31,32) times. Slst to the first Sc. 25 Shells (28,31)
R3: Do not turn, Ch2, Sk 3 Sts, *Sc to the next St, Ch1, SkSt, Sc to the next St, Ch3, Sk 5 Sts,* repeat from *to* a total of 30(31,32) times. Slst to the first Sc. 50Sc, 50Ch Space. (56Sc, 56Ch Space, 62Sc, 62Ch Space)
R4: Do not turn, Ch1, * SkSt, Sc to the St below the Ch1 Space. Skst, Work 7 Dc into the Ch3 Space* repeat from *to* a total of 30(31,32) times. Slst to the first Sc. 25 Shells (28,31)
Fasten off and weave in all your ends. Sew two buttons to one of the flaps created in Row 14.
Crochet Toddler Dress Straps
Go back to row 9. Slip stitch to the eighth stitch from the center of the back (where the flap is). Chain 23(25,29) and slip stitch to the two stitches in the corner of the front bodice on the same side. Chain another 23(25, 27) and slip stitch to a stitch on the back 5 stitches from where you started the strap moving away from the center of the back.
Repeat this for the strap on the other side of the bodice.
Your crochet toddler dress is now complete. They can wear this for summer or throw a shirt under it and wear leggings for a fun fall look.
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