Crochet Baby Dress

Instructions

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1. 1FoundationCh 50/54/58. Row 1 (RS): dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across (48/52/56 dc; the skipped 2 ch do not count). The yoke is worked in rows with an opening at center back; every row starts with ch 2 (does not count) and you turn at the end.
2. 2Yoke increasesRow 2: *dc in next, 2 dc in next* 24/26/28 times (72/78/84). Row 3: dc in each st. Row 4: *dc in next 2, 2 dc in next* 24/26/28 times (96/104/112). Row 5: dc in each st. Row 6: *dc in next 3, 2 dc in next* 24/26/28 times (120/130/140). From row 7 work dc rows without increasing; finish the yoke after 8/9/10 rows in total.
3. 3Dividing for sleevesDividing row: ch 2, dc 20/22/24 (back half), ch 4, skip 20/21/22 sts (sleeve), dc 40/44/48 (front), ch 4, skip 20/21/22 sts (sleeve), dc 20/22/24 (other back half). At the end of the row join with sl st to the first dc; the back opening ends here. Body: 88/96/104 sts (including chains). From now on join each round with sl st and turn the work every round.
4. 4Skirt: V-stitchesRound 1: ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc in same st (first V), *skip 1 st, V-st in next st* around; sl st to 3rd ch (44/48/52 V-sts). Over the underarm chains, work into the chains. Rounds 2-4: sl st into the first V space, ch 4, dc in same space, V-st in each V space around; join with sl st.
5. 5Skirt: shellsRound 5: sl st into the first V space, ch 3 (counts as first dc), (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same space, shell in each V space around; sl st (44/48/52 shells). The shells gently flare the skirt. From round 6: sl st into the first shell space and work a new shell in each shell space. Continue until the skirt measures 20/23/26 cm from the underarm.
6. 6Skirt edgingLast round: sl st into the first shell space; in each shell space work (2 dc, ch 3, sl st in first ch = picot, 2 dc), and 1 sc between shells. Join with sl st and fasten off. The picot edge adds weight and helps the skirt drape nicely.
7. 7Flutter sleevesJoin yarn at the center of one underarm chain. Round 1: work 24/28/28 sc evenly around the armhole (into the skipped dc and under the chains); sl st. Round 2: *skip 1 st, 5 dc in next, skip 1 st, sc in next* 6/7/7 times; join with sl st. Repeat for the other sleeve.
8. 8Neckline and back openingJoin yarn at the bottom of the back opening. Work sc along one side of the opening, around the neck and down the other side (2 sc into the side of each dc row, 1 sc in each foundation chain). At the top left corner, ch 5 and sl st into the same st to make a button loop. Sew the button on the opposite corner to match the loop, using doubled strong thread, passing through 6-8 times and wrapping a shank underneath.
9. 9FinishingWeave in all ends. Wash the dress in lukewarm water, press out water with a towel without wringing, slip the yoke over a round form (such as a bowl), smooth out the skirt and dry flat. Cotton opens up noticeably with blocking and the shells become crisp.