Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Baby & Toddler Garments 51 Laid out for paper No account, no download
A flutter-sleeve toddler dress pattern in peach and butter yellow
Coral bodice, moss-stitch skirt, picot flutter sleeves. 6 armhole rounds, G-6 hook, sizes 12M-4T.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 12-18 hours
- Yarn weight
- DK
- Hook
- 4.0 mm
- Rounds
- 51
DK
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
51
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This dress pairs a structured coral-peach bodice with a flowing butter-yellow moss stitch skirt, joined at the waist with a gathered seam. The bodice builds from a front panel and two back halves, each worked flat in single crochet and shaped at the armholes and shoulders before seaming. Two flutter sleeves, worked separately as flat lace panels with picot edges, attach to the finished armholes. Before starting, have your G-6 hook, both yarn colors in the correct yardage for your size, six stitch markers, and three small buttons on hand.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Counting stitches instead of moss units
- In the skirt rounds, count each sc-plus-ch-1 as a single unit. Counting the individual stitches instead will throw off your increase placement.
- Picot worked into the wrong chain
- After chaining 3 for the picot, slip stitch into the first chain you made, not the last one. Slipping into the wrong chain changes the size and position of the bump along the flutter sleeve edge.
- Skipping the bodice measurement checkpoint
- Check that the front bodice measures about 2.5 to 3 inches tall at the end of the plain rows before starting armhole shaping. If it falls short, add a row rather than proceeding on schedule alone.
The materials list
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK works beautifully for this project. It produces a smooth, even fabric that is machine washable. Perfect for baby garments.
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK gives excellent stitch definition for the lace flutter sleeves and drapes wonderfully in the skirt.
- Drops Safran adds a slight sheen and extra durability thanks to its polyamide content.
- Any DK weight yarn that achieves gauge will work. Prioritize cotton or cotton-blend yarns for breathability and drape.
- Yarn A (coral peach): DK weight cotton or cotton-acrylic blend. You will need approximately 200 yards for size 12M, 230 yards for 2T, 270 yards for 3T, or 310 yards for 4T.
- Yarn B (butter yellow): DK weight cotton or cotton-acrylic blend. You will need approximately 300 yards for size 12M, 360 yards for 2T, 420 yards for 3T, or 490 yards for 4T.
Crochet hook
- US size G-6 (4.0 mm). Adjust as needed to meet gauge.
Notions
- Yarn needle, 6 stitch markers, scissors, three small buttons approximately 3/8 inch diameter, sewing needle and coordinating thread for buttons, rust-proof pins for blocking.
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 12 short forms
Main Pattern
Round 1
(RS): Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (46, 52, 58, 64 sc)
Round 2
(WS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (46, 52, 58, 64 sc)
Round 3
through 14 (12, 14, 14): Repeat Row 2. At end of last row, do not turn. (46, 52, 58, 64 sc)
Checkpoint: Front bodice body should measure approximately 2.5 inches (2.5, 3, 3 inches) tall at this point.
Back Bodice Right Half
This half holds the buttons.
With Yarn A and G-6 hook, chain 25 (28, 31, 34).
Round 1
(RS): Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (24, 27, 30, 33 sc)
Round 2
(WS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (24, 27, 30, 33 sc)
Round 3
through 14 (12, 14, 14): Repeat Row 2. (24, 27, 30, 33 sc)
Flutter Sleeves (Make 2)
The flutter sleeve is a flat lace panel shaped in a slight arc. It has a scalloped and picot-edged outer edge and a straight inner edge for attachment to the armhole.
With Yarn A and G-6 hook, chain 31 (33, 35, 37).
Round 1
(RS): Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, chain 1, skip 1 chain, single crochet in next chain , repeat from to across. Turn. (16, 17, 18, 19 sc and 15, 16, 17, 18 ch-1 spaces)
Round 2
(WS): Chain 3 (counts as dc), double crochet in same stitch, skip ch-1 space, lace shell in next single crochet , repeat from to across, ending double crochet in last single crochet. Turn.This row produces 7 (8, 8, 9) lace shells plus a double crochet at each end.
Round 3
(RS): Chain 1, single crochet in first double crochet, chain 2, single crochet in center double crochet of lace shell , repeat from to across, single crochet in top of chain-3. Turn. (9, 10, 10, 11 sc and 7, 8, 8, 9 ch-2 spaces)
Round 4
(WS): Chain 1, single crochet in first single crochet, lace shell in ch-2 space, single crochet in next single crochet , repeat from to across. Turn. (7, 8, 8, 9 lace shells with single crochet between)
Round 5
(RS): Chain 1, single crochet in first single crochet, chain 3, single crochet in center double crochet of next lace shell , repeat from to across, single crochet in last single crochet. Turn.
Round 6
Outer Edge Picot Row (WS): Chain 1, slip stitch in first single crochet, chain 3, slip stitch in first chain of ch-3 to make picot, slip stitch in ch-3 space, chain 3, slip stitch in first chain to make picot, slip stitch in next single crochet , repeat from to across. Fasten off.Inner Edge: The straight edge formed by the foundation chain is your attachment edge. Rejoin Yarn A at foundation chain end, slip stitch evenly across all single crochets of Row 1 to stabilize. Fasten off.Make the second flutter sleeve the same way.
Hem Edging
With Yarn B:
Round 1
Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch around. Join with slip stitch. (68, 74, 82, 88 sc)
Round 2
Chain 3, slip stitch in same stitch to create picot, slip stitch in next 2 stitches , repeat from to around. Join. Fasten off.
Armhole Shaping for Front Bodice
(25, 29, 31) (RS): Skip first 9 (10, 11, 12) stitches (neck edge), rejoin yarn, chain 1, single crochet across remaining 8 (10, 12, 14) stitches. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)
Step by step: This half will have the button loops.
Work exactly as Back Bodice Right Half, but mirror all shaping. The armhole decrease begins at the end of RS rows on the opposite edge from the center back opening.
Round 15
(13, 15, 15) (RS): Slip stitch across first 4 stitches, chain 1, single crochet in same stitch as last slip stitch, single crochet across to last 4 stitches, leave last 4 stitches unworked. Turn. (38, 44, 50, 56 sc)
Round 16
(14, 16, 16) (WS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (36, 42, 48, 54 sc)
Round 17
(15, 17, 17) (RS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (34, 40, 46, 52 sc)
Round 18
(16, 18, 18) (WS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (32, 38, 44, 50 sc)
Round 19
(17, 19, 19) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (32, 38, 44, 50 sc)
Round 20
through 26 (18 through 24, 20 through 28, 20 through 30): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (32, 38, 44, 50 sc)
Checkpoint: Front bodice should now measure approximately 5.5 inches (5.5, 6, 6.5 inches) total height.
Armhole Shaping for Back Right Half
Round 15
(13, 15, 15) (RS): Slip stitch across first 4 stitches, chain 1, single crochet in same stitch as last slip stitch, single crochet across. Turn. (20, 23, 26, 29 sc)
Round 16
(14, 16, 16) (WS): Chain 1, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (19, 22, 25, 28 sc)
Round 17
(15, 17, 17) (RS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across. Turn. (18, 21, 24, 27 sc)
Round 18
(16, 18, 18) (WS): Chain 1, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26 sc)
Round 19
(17, 19, 19) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26 sc)
Round 20
through 26 (18 through 24, 20 through 28, 20 through 30): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26 sc)
Armhole Shaping for Back Left Half
Round 15
(13, 15, 15) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet across to last 4 stitches, leave last 4 stitches unworked. Turn. (20, 23, 26, 29 sc)
Round 16
(14, 16, 16) (WS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across. Turn. (19, 22, 25, 28 sc)
Round 17
(15, 17, 17) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (18, 21, 24, 27 sc)
Round 18
(16, 18, 18) (WS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26 sc)
Round 19
(17, 19, 19) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26 sc)
Round 20
through 26 (18 through 24, 20 through 28, 20 through 30): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26 sc)
Right Shoulder
Round 27
(25, 29, 31) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet across first 10 (12, 14, 16) stitches. Turn. Leave remaining stitches on hold. (10, 12, 14, 16 sc)
Round 28
(26, 30, 32) (WS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across. Turn. (9, 11, 13, 15 sc)
Round 29
(27, 31, 33) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)Step by step: Fasten off.Checkpoint: Each back bodice half should measure approximately 6.5 inches (6.5, 7, 7.5 inches) total height. Shoulder straps should be 8 (10, 12, 14) stitches wide, matching front shoulder strap width exactly.
Round 30
(28, 32, 34) (WS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)
Round 31
(29, 33, 35) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)Fasten off. This is the right shoulder strap.
Left Shoulder
With RS facing, skip center 12 (14, 16, 18) stitches, rejoin Yarn A in next stitch.
Round 27
(25, 29, 31) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet across remaining 10 (12, 14, 16) stitches. Turn. (10, 12, 14, 16 sc)
Round 28
(26, 30, 32) (WS): Chain 1, single crochet across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (9, 11, 13, 15 sc)
Round 29
(27, 31, 33) (RS): Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)
Round 30
(28, 32, 34) (WS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)
Round 31
(29, 33, 35) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)Fasten off.
Back Right Shoulder Shaping
Round 27
(25, 29, 31) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet across first 8 (10, 12, 14) stitches for shoulder. Turn. Leave remaining 9 (10, 11, 12) stitches for neck edge unworked. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)
Round 28
(26, 30, 32) (WS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)
Round 29
(27, 31, 33) (RS): Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (8, 10, 12, 14 sc)Fasten off.
Front Neckline Shaping
On the next right side row, you will work across the first 10 (12, 14, 16) stitches only for the right shoulder. Leave the center 12 (14, 16, 18) stitches unworked. Then complete the left shoulder separately.
Skirt Round 1 (Set Up Moss Stitch)
Single crochet in first stitch, chain 1, skip 1 stitch , repeat from to around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet.
Units per size: 28 (31, 35, 38) moss stitch units.
Skirt Round 2
Round 1
Single crochet in ch-1 space, chain 1, skip single crochet , repeat from to around. Join with slip stitch to first single crochet. (28, 31, 35, 38 units)
Round 2
Repeat Skirt Round 2 throughout the skirt, working increase rounds as follows.
Skirt Increase Rounds
Round 1
Every 8 rounds, work an increase round to widen the skirt for an A-line silhouette.
Round 2
Place stitch markers at positions 14 and 28 (2T: 15 and 31, 3T: 17 and 35, 4T: 19 and 38) for increase placement.
Round 3
Increase Round (all sizes): Work moss stitch to marked position. Work (single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, chain 1) into same ch-space to create 2 units from 1. Remove marker. Continue in moss stitch to next marker, repeat increase, remove marker. Replace markers in new positions. Join with slip stitch. (adds 4 stitches or 2 units per increase round)
Round 4
Stitch counts after each increase round:Size 12M: Start with 56 stitches (28 units). After Round 8: 60 stitches (30 units). After Round 16: 64 stitches (32 units). After Round 24: 68 stitches (34 units).Size 2T: Start with 62 stitches (31 units). After Round 8: 66 stitches (33 units). After Round 16: 70 stitches (35 units). After Round 24: 74 stitches (37 units).Size 3T: Start with 70 stitches (35 units). After Round 8: 74 stitches (37 units). After Round 16: 78 stitches (39 units). After Round 24: 82 stitches (41 units).Size 4T: Start with 76 stitches (38 units). After Round 8: 80 stitches (40 units). After Round 16: 84 stitches (42 units). After Round 24: 88 stitches (44 units).
Skirt Length
Continue working moss stitch rounds without further increases until skirt measures the following from joining round: Size 12M: 8 inches
Size 2T: 9.5 inches Size 3T: 11 inches Size 4T: 12.5 inches
Approximate total rounds worked including increase rounds: Size 12M approximately 40 rounds, Size 2T approximately 47 rounds, Size 3T approximately 55 rounds, Size 4T approximately 62 rounds.
Skirt Hem Round
When skirt has reached desired length, work 1 round of single crochet. Work 1 single crochet into each single crochet and 1 single crochet into each ch-1 space around to close the moss stitch and create a clean hemline. Join with slip stitch. Do not fasten off.
Assembly, in order
Step 1Weave in all remaining ends using your yarn needle. Take your time with this step. A garment this pretty deserves tidy finishing.
Step 2Blocking: Wet block your finished dress by soaking it in lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing. Lay flat on a blocking mat or clean towel. Shape the bodice, smooth out the skirt, and gently arrange the flutter sleeves. Pin if needed. Allow to dry completely before moving.
Step 3Blocking makes such a difference in how professional your finished dress looks. The moss stitch opens up beautifully, and the lace on the flutter sleeves becomes crisp and defined.
Check these before you start
- Use the G-6 (4.0 mm) hook and adjust it if needed to hit gauge, since the bodice stitch counts only fit correctly when your swatch matches the stated measurements.
- Skirt stitch counts refer to the sc-plus-ch-1 unit, not to individual stitches. Recount by units partway through a round if your total feels off.
- The back bodice is worked as two separate flat halves, with the right half carrying the buttons. Keep your tension consistent across both halves so the two sides match in width once seamed.
On one line
| Rounds | 51 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 16 |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time | 12-18 hours |
| Hook | 4.0 mm |
| Yarn | DK |
Set-up
- Weigh or measure out your yarn before casting on. Confirm you have the correct yardage of Yarn A and Yarn B for your chosen size before committing either skein to the project.
- Work a gauge swatch in plain single crochet with the G-6 hook. The stitch counts given for the bodice only produce the stated measurements if your swatch matches.
- Read through the moss stitch setup rounds before starting the skirt. Understand that each sc plus ch-1 counts as one unit, since the stitch counts in that section are written in units, not single stitches.
- Have all six stitch markers ready before the armhole shaping sections. You will place and move them across six rounds of shaping on each bodice piece.
Finishing
- Weave in all remaining ends with a yarn needle before you begin seaming, since loose ends are much harder to secure once pieces are joined.
- Seam the front bodice to the back right and left halves at the shoulders and sides, set the flutter sleeves into the armholes along their straight inner edge, join the skirt at the waist, then sew the three buttons to the back right half.
- Wet block the finished dress: soak 15 minutes in lukewarm water, squeeze out excess water without wringing, lay flat, shape the bodice, smooth the skirt, arrange the flutter sleeves, pin if needed, and let dry completely before handling.
Construction
The back bodice is built as two separate flat halves rather than one panel, with the right half carrying the buttons, so a center-back overlap closure can be sewn in after seaming.
The flutter sleeves work flat, with a plain single crochet inner edge formed in row 1 and a lace shell and picot outer edge built up over the following rows, so the straight edge seams cleanly into the armhole while the scalloped edge stays free.
Time per section
| Bodice pieces (front and back halves) | about 3 to 4 hours, because each piece repeats plain single crochet rows across 12 to 14 rows and works up quickly |
|---|---|
| Flutter sleeves (make 2) | about 2 to 3 hours, because the 6-row lace shell and picot pattern is worked twice and needs careful stitch placement |
| Skirt and finishing | about 6 to 10 hours, because the moss stitch texture and increase rounds take longer per round, with extra time needed for blocking and assembly |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.