Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Baby & Children 41 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Lace chevron baby dress worked top-down in one piece
Top-down baby lace chevron dress worked in one piece: fan-stitch yoke, bodice, eyelet waistband, chevron-border skirt.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 18-24 hours
- Yarn weight
- DK
- Hook
- 3.25 mm
- Rounds
- 41
DK
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
41
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This dress is built from the neckline down in one continuous piece: a magic-ring foundation grows through an 11-round fan-increase yoke, separates at the underarms for sleeves, narrows into a 5-round bodice, gathers at a 2-round eyelet waistband, and falls into an 8-round skirt finished with a 6-round chevron border. Before the first stitch, have 350 to 400 yards of MC, 50 yards of CC, a D-3 (3.25 mm) hook, at least 6 stitch markers, scrap yarn for holding sleeve stitches, ribbon, and a button or snap on hand. Plan for 18 to 24 hours across several sessions.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Losing track of raglan marker placement
- Move each marker to the center dc of its new fan immediately after working an increase round, before starting the next plain round.
- Skipping the scrap-yarn hold at sleeve separation
- Use smooth, contrasting scrap yarn to hold the sleeve stitches rather than leaving them live; this makes picking up stitches for the Sleeves part far easier later.
- Reversing peaks and valleys in the chevron border
- Check that sc2tog stitches always fall at the valleys and 5-dc fans always fall at the peaks before working each of the 6 border rounds.
The materials list
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Dusty Lilac and White works beautifully for this project. It’s 100% acrylic, machine washable, and gives excellent stitch definition.
- Drops Safran (100% cotton) in shade 29 lavender and shade 17 natural creates a crisp heirloom look perfect for warmer weather and sensitive baby skin.
- Scheepjes Stonewashed in Lilac Quartz and Moonstone adds subtle texture without obscuring the lace pattern.
- Whatever you choose, avoid fuzzy or heavily textured yarns. They’ll hide all that gorgeous lacework you’re about to create.
Yarn
- DK weight (CYCA 3)
- Main Color (MC, lavender): 350 to 400 yards / 320 to 365 meters
- Contrast Color (CC, cream or white): 50 yards / 46 meters
Hook
- US size D-3 (3.25 mm) or size needed to achieve gauge
Notions
- At least 6 stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- 36 inches of 1/4 inch wide satin ribbon in white or cream
- One small button or snap, approximately 3/8 inch
- Sewing needle and thread
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 16 short forms
Neckline Foundation
With MC, leaving a 12 inch tail for seaming later, make a magic ring.
Round 1
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 71 dc into the ring, sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join. Pull the magic ring tail firmly closed. (72 dc)Place 4 stitch markers to mark the raglan increase points: After stitch 9 (right shoulder)After stitch 27 (left front shoulder)After stitch 45 (left shoulder)After stitch 63 (right back shoulder)This creates sections: 9 sts (right back), 18 sts (right sleeve), 18 sts (front), 18 sts (left sleeve), 9 sts (left back).
Waist Flowers (Make 2)
With MC, make a magic ring.
Round 1
Ch 1, 10 sc into ring, sl st to join. (10 sc)
Round 2
Petals [Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 3, sl st into next st] 5 times. (5 petals) Fasten off, leaving a 10 inch tail for sewing.
Yoke
The yoke is worked over Rounds 2 through 12. Each increase round adds a Fan at each of the 4 raglan markers, adding 16 stitches total per increase round.
Round 2
Increase Round Ch 3, dc in next 8 sts, [work Fan in marked st, dc in next 17 sts] 3 times, work Fan in marked st, dc in next 8 sts, sl st to join. (88 sts)
Round 3
Plain Lace Round Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (88 sts)
Round 4
Increase Round Ch 3, dc in next 8 sts, [work Fan in next marked-section center st, dc in next 21 sts] 3 times, work Fan in next marked-section center st, dc in remaining 12 sts, sl st to join. (104 sts)After each increase round, move your raglan markers to the center dc of each new fan.
Round 5
Plain Lace Round Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (104 sts)
Round 6
Increase Round Ch 3, work as established, working Fan at each of the 4 raglan marker positions. Sl st to join. (120 sts)
Round 7
Plain Lace Round Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (120 sts)
Round 8
Increase Round Ch 3, work as established with Fan at each raglan marker. Sl st to join. (136 sts)
Round 9
Plain Lace Round Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (136 sts)
Round 10
Increase Round Ch 3, work as established with Fan at each raglan marker. Sl st to join. (152 sts)
Round 11
Plain Lace Round Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (152 sts)
Round 12
Increase Round Ch 3, work as established with Fan at each raglan marker. Sl st to join. (168 sts)
Checkpoint: Your yoke should measure approximately 3.5 inches from center neckline to bottom edge. You should see 6 visible fan clusters radiating from the neckline when laid flat.
Sleeve Separation
Round 13
Separation Round Ch 1, sc in next 26 sts (right back), place the next 36 sts on scrap yarn (right sleeve), ch 4 (underarm chain bridge), sc in next 36 sts (front), place the next 36 sts on scrap yarn (left sleeve), ch 4 (underarm chain bridge), sc in next 27 sts (left back), sl st to join. (104 working sts)
Bodice
Round 14
Adjustment Round Ch 3, dc in each st around, working 1 extra dc evenly into each ch-4 bridge (5 dc across each bridge instead of 4). Sl st to join. (108 sts)
Round 15
Fan Lace Round Ch 1 (counts as sc), [sk 2 sts, work Fan into next st, sk 2 sts, sc into next st] 18 times, sl st to join. (108 sts)
Round 16
Connector Round Ch 3, [dc into each of the 5 dc of next Fan, ch 2, sk the sc] 18 times, sl st to join. (90 dc plus 18 ch-2 sps)
Round 17
Fan Lace Round Ch 1, [sc into ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, Fan into center dc of fan below, sk 2 sts] 18 times, sl st to join. (108 sts)
Round 18
Connector Round Repeat Round 16. (90 dc plus 18 ch-2 sps)
Round 19
Fan Lace Round Repeat Round 17. (108 sts)
Waistband Eyelet Round
Round 20
Eyelet Round Ch 3, [dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1 st] across, ending dc in remaining sts, sl st to join. (72 dc plus 36 ch-1 sps)
This creates the holes for threading your satin ribbon.
Round 21
Stabilizing Round Ch 3, dc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around, sl st to join. (108 sts)
Skirt
Round 22
(Skirt Increase Round 1): Ch 1, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] 36 times, sl st to join. (144 sts)
Round 23
Fan Lace Round Ch 1, [sk 2 sts, Fan into next st, sk 2 sts, sc into next st] 24 times, sl st to join. (144 sts)
Round 24
Connector Round Ch 3, [dc in each of the 5 dc of next Fan, ch 2, sk the sc] 24 times, sl st to join. (120 dc plus 24 ch-2 sps)
Round 25
Fan Lace Round Ch 1, [sc into ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc, Fan into center dc of fan, sk 2 dc] 24 times, sl st to join. (144 sts)
Round 26
Connector Round Repeat Round 24. (120 dc plus 24 ch-2 sps)
Round 27
Fan Lace Round with Increase Work fan lace pattern as established, adding 2 extra sc into 12 evenly spaced connector sc positions. Sl st to join. (156 sts)
Round 28
Connector Round Ch 3, [dc in each of 5 dc of Fan, ch 2, sk sc] 26 times, sl st to join. (130 dc plus 26 ch-2 sps)Rounds 29-32: Continue alternating Fan Lace Rounds and Connector Rounds as established. (156 sts)
Round 33
Fan Lace Round with Increase Work as Round 29 for 24 repeats, then add 2 sc in the next 2 connector positions. Sl st to join. (168 sts)Rounds 34-39: Continue alternating Fan Lace Rounds and Connector Rounds as established. (168 sts)
Chevron Border
Round 40
Setup Round, MC Ch 1, sc in each st and each ch-sp around, distributing to produce 168 sc total. Sl st to join. (168 sc)
Round 41
(Chevron Round 1, MC): Ch 1. [Sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, work 5 dc into next st (peak), sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 12 times. Sl st to join. (144 sts)
Round 42
(Chevron Round 2, CC): Join CC at any valley point. Ch 1. [Sc2tog over valley sts, sc in next 2 sts, 5 dc into peak dc, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog] 12 times. Sl st to join. Drop CC. (144 sts)
Round 43
(Chevron Round 3, MC): Pick up MC. Ch 1. Work chevron repeat as established. Sl st to join. (144 sts)
Round 44
(Chevron Round 4, CC): Pick up CC. Work as Round 42. Sl st to join. Fasten off CC. (144 sts)
Round 45
Final Chevron Round, MC Ch 1. Work as established. At each peak, work sl st into the peak dc to keep points tight. Fasten off MC. (144 sts)
Sleeves (Make 2)
Round 1
Place the 36 held sleeve stitches back onto your hook with MC. Attach yarn with sl st at the center of the underarm chain bridge. Pick up and sc into each of the 4 underarm ch, then work around the 36 held sts. Join. (40 sts)
Round 2
Sleeve Round 1 Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (40 sts)
Round 3
Sleeve Round 2 (Fan Round) Ch 1, [sk 2, Fan into next st, sk 2, sc into next st] 6 times, sc in remaining 4 sts, sl st to join. (40 sts)
Round 4
Sleeve Round 3 (Picot Edging) Ch 1, [sc in next st, work Picot] across, sc in each remaining st, sl st to join. Fasten off.Repeat for second sleeve.
Assembly, in order
Step 1Using the starting tail at the neckline, whipstitch the two back edges together for 1/2 inch. Create a button loop by chaining 6 and attaching at the back neck opening. Sew on your button or snap.
Step 2Thread the satin ribbon through the waistband eyelets, starting and ending at center front.
Step 3Wet block your finished dress by soaking in cool water for 15 minutes, gently squeezing out excess water in a towel, then pinning to measurements on a blocking mat. Let dry completely before removing pins.
Step 4Once the dress is fully dry, sew the two waist flowers to the front waistband at the point where the ribbon emerges.
Check these before you start
- Count stitches after every increase round in the yoke. The pattern moves from 72 to 88 to 104 stitches, and a missed fan is hardest to fix once later rounds are worked over it.
- Hold sleeve stitches on smooth scrap yarn in a contrasting color at the Sleeve Separation round rather than a stitch holder; it keeps picking the stitches back up for the Sleeves part clean and visible.
- Choose a smooth, well-defined yarn such as a DK cotton or acrylic. Fuzzy or heavily textured fiber will blur the sc2tog valleys and 5-dc fan peaks of the Chevron Border.
- 18 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet, blocked. One 12-stitch fan lace repeat measures approximately 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall. Gauge matters here: this is a garment, and fit depends on hitting these numbers. Make a 6-inch swatch in the fan lace pattern, wet block it, then measure. Adjust your hook size up or down until you match.
- Size 12 to 18 months. Chest circumference: 19 in / 48 cm. Total length (shoulder to hem): 14 in / 35.5 cm. Yoke depth: 3.5 in / 9 cm. Bodice length: 2.5 in / 6.5 cm. Skirt length: 8 in / 20.5 cm. Cap sleeve circumference: 8 in / 20 cm. The lace fabric has slight stretch, and the dress includes about 1 inch of ease for comfortable fit.
- Blocking is not optional: wet blocking opens the lace pattern significantly and is essential for this design. The two waist flowers are made separately and are sewn on after blocking, not before.
On one line
| Rounds | 41 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 9 |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time | 18-24 hours |
| Hook | 3.25 mm |
| Yarn | DK |
Set-up
- Confirm yardage before casting on: 350 to 400 yards of MC and 50 yards of CC for a DK-weight project this size leaves little margin for a second dye lot.
- Have at least 6 stitch markers ready; 4 mark the raglan fan points and the rest are useful for tracking the center dc of each fan after increase rounds.
- Work a swatch in the chevron stitch pattern first, since sc2tog at the valleys and 5-dc fans at the peaks need to sit correctly before you commit 8 skirt rounds to the rhythm.
- Read Round 1 of the Neckline Foundation and the marker placement notes before starting; placing all 4 raglan markers correctly after stitch 9, 27, and 45 sets up every increase round that follows.
Finishing
- Weave in the 12 inch neckline tail and the two 10 inch tails from the Waist Flowers before assembly.
- Whipstitch the back neckline edges together for 1/2 inch, chain 6 for a button loop, and sew on the button or snap.
- Thread ribbon through the waistband eyelets starting and ending at center front, then wet block by soaking 15 minutes, blotting, and pinning to shape.
- Once the dress is fully dry, sew the two flowers at the point where the ribbon emerges.
Construction
The 4 raglan markers placed after stitches 9, 27, and 45 on Round 1 mark the fan-increase points; each increase round adds a fan at all 4 points for 16 new stitches, which is what produces the raglan-angled armhole shaping across Rounds 2 through 12.
The join at the end of every round (sl st to top of beg ch-3) confirms the piece is worked in continuous joined rounds rather than spirals, which is why a stitch count is given at the end of each round for checking.
Time per section
| Yoke | about 3 to 4 hours, because 11 rounds of fan increases need marker checks and stitch counts after every round |
|---|---|
| Skirt | about 8 to 10 hours, because the 8 rounds cover the widest part of the dress and take the most yardage to work |
| Finishing and embellishments | about 2 to 3 hours, because sewing the button loop, flowers, ribbon, and wet blocking all happen after the last stitch |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.