Advanced Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Garments 56 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Sunset ombre shell lace A-line dress pattern
Seamless A-line dress: scoop-neck bodice, dense sc waistband, 4-round shell lace skirt. E-4 and F-5 hooks.
- Skill
- Advanced Intermediate
- Time
- 60-80 hours
- Yarn weight
- DK
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
- Rounds
- 56
DK
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
56
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This midi dress pairs a fitted, flat-worked bodice with a seamless, in-the-round skirt. The front and back panels shape the scoop necklines separately before a chain bridge joins them at the underarm; from there, a dense single crochet waistband sets the waist and a 4-round shell lace repeat flares into the A-line skirt, finished with a two-round scalloped edging. Before you begin, have both hooks ready (E-4 for bodice and waistband, F-5 for skirt and ruffles), a gradient or two-color DK yarn in the full yardage for your size, and at least 8 stitch markers for tracking shaping and shell repeats.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Losing track of the Shell Lace repeat
- Place a marker at the start of every shell once per round, since the 4-round repeat shifts between shell and sc-mesh rows and is easy to misread without a visual anchor.
- Skipping the gauge swatch for shell lace
- Measure a full 6-stitch repeat at 1.25 inches before starting the skirt; cotton yarns especially have no memory and will drift from this measurement if unswatched.
- Joining skirt before checking bodice fit
- Try the bodice on at the waist first and adjust the waistband round count there, since unpicking a joined skirt to fix the waist afterward is far harder.
The materials list
- WeCrochet Chroma DK (70% superwash wool, 30% nylon, 200 yards per 100g skein) in colorway Autumn or Terracotta gradient. This yarn already shifts from peach through orange into rust naturally, which eliminates the need to manage separate color balls.
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (100% acrylic, 137 yards per 50g skein) in Peach Orange and Burnt Terracotta purchased separately. This is affordable, widely available, and machine washable. You will manage the color transition yourself.
- Drops Safran (100% cotton, 175 yards per 50g skein) in shades 02 and 50. Cotton provides excellent drape and structure for the A-line skirt. Note that cotton has no memory, so swatch carefully as your gauge may differ from wool blends.
- Choose any DK weight yarn with a smooth texture. Avoid fuzzy or highly textured yarns because the shell lace pattern details will get lost.
Yarn
- DK weight (CYCA 3 / Light) in a gradient colorway. The color shifts from peach-coral at the top to burnt orange terracotta at the bottom.
XS
- 1,400 yards / 1,280 m
- S: 1,600 yards / 1,465 m
- M: 1,800 yards / 1,645 m
- L: 2,000 yards / 1,830 m
XL
- 2,250 yards / 2,055 m
- 2XL: 2,500 yards / 2,285 m
Hooks
- US size E-4 (3.5 mm) for bodice and waistband
- US size F-5 (3.75 mm) for skirt and ruffles
Additional supplies
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- At least 8 stitch markers
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Blocking mats and rustproof pins
Optional
- thin cotton slip dress or lining if your yarn is not fully opaque at gauge
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 12 short forms
Main Pattern
Round 1
(RS): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same st (half shell at beg), sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, Shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts repeat to last 3 sts, 2 dc in same st as beg ch-3 (completes opening shell when joined), sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join.
Round 2
Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, sc in center dc of Shell, ch 2, sc in sc between Shells, ch 2 repeat around, end sc in center dc of last Shell, ch 2, sl st to first sc to join.
Round 3
Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in same ch-2 sp (half shell), sc in next ch-2 sp, Shell in next ch-2 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp repeat around, sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join.
Round 4
Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, sc in center dc of Shell, ch 2, sc in sc between Shells, ch 2 repeat around, end sc in center dc of last Shell, ch 2, sl st to first sc to join.Repeat Rounds 1 through 4 for pattern.
Scallop Edging (Used at Hem)
Round 1
Sc evenly around edge, 1 sc per st, sl st to join.
Round 2
Sl st into first sc, ch 3, 2 dc in same sc, sk 2 sc, sl st in next sc, sk 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc repeat around, sl st to join.
Section 1: Front Bodice Panel
The front panel is worked flat, beginning at the center neckline chain. You will build up to shoulder width, then work downward to the underarm.
Front Neckline Setup: With E-4 hook and Color A, ch 61 [53 / 57 / 61 / 65 / 69 / 73].
Round 1
(RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (60 sc) [52 / 56 / 60 / 64 / 68 / 72 sc]
Round 2
(WS): Ch 1, 2 sc in first st (inc), sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st (inc). Turn.(62 sc) [54 / 58 / 62 / 66 / 70 / 74 sc]
Round 3
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (64 sc) [56 / 60 / 64 / 68 / 72 / 76 sc]
Round 4
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (66 sc) [58 / 62 / 66 / 70 / 74 / 78 sc]
Round 5
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (68 sc) [60 / 64 / 68 / 72 / 76 / 80 sc]
Round 6
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (70 sc) [62 / 66 / 70 / 74 / 78 / 82 sc]
Round 7
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (72 sc) [64 / 68 / 72 / 76 / 80 / 84 sc]
Round 8
Ch 1, sc in each st across (no increase). Turn. (72 sc) [64 / 68 / 72 / 76 / 80 / 84 sc]This completes the neckline curve. Rows 2 through 7 shape the gradual U-curve of the scoop neck.
Front Bodice Body:
Round 9
through 11: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (72 sc each row)
Round 12
Begin Shell Lace Pattern Row 1 worked flat: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st (half shell at beg edge), sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, Shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st across to last 3 sts, sk 2 sts, 3 dc in last st. Turn.(12 shells for M)
Round 13
(Shell Lace Row 2): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 2, sc in center dc of each Shell, ch 2, sc in sc between Shells, ch 2 across, sc in top of t-ch. Turn.
Round 14
(Shell Lace Row 3): Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in same sp (half shell), sc in next ch-2 sp, Shell in next ch-2 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp across, 3 dc in last ch-2 sp (half shell), ch 1. Turn.
Round 15
(Shell Lace Row 4): Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 2, sc in center dc of Shell, ch 2, sc in sc, ch 2 across, sc in top of last st. Turn.
Round 16
through 27: Repeat Shell Lace rows 1 through 4 three more times. Set aside. Do not fasten off.
Section 2: Back Bodice Panel
The back panel mirrors the front with a slightly shallower scoop (4 increase rows instead of 6).
With E-4 hook and Color A, ch 67 [59 / 63 / 67 / 71 / 75 / 79].
Round 1
(RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (66 sc) [58 / 62 / 66 / 70 / 74 / 78 sc]
Round 2
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (68 sc)
Round 3
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (70 sc)
Round 4
Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (72 sc)
Round 5
Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (72 sc)Rows 6 through 27: Work exactly as Rows 8 through 27 of the Front Bodice Panel. Do not fasten off.
Section 4: Bust and Upper Torso
Continue Shell Lace Pattern in joined rounds.
Round 1
through 16: Work Shell Lace Pattern Rounds 1 through 4 four times total. (156 sts each round for M)
Shell Stitch
Work 5 dc (double crochet) all into the same stitch or chain space. This creates a fan-shaped cluster that forms the primary decorative texture throughout the dress.
V-Stitch
Work 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc all into the same stitch or chain space. This creates a small open V with a chain-1 space at its center.
Section 5: Waistband
Round 1
Switch to E-4 hook. Work in sc only.
Round 2
Transition round: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Round 3
(156 sc)
Round 4
Waistband Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Round 5
(156 sc)
Round 6
Waistband Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Round 7
(156 sc)
Round 8
Waistband Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next 24 sts, sc2tog 6 times. Join.
Round 9
(150 sc)
Round 10
Waistband Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Round 11
(150 sc)
Round 12
Waistband Round 5: Ch 1, sc in next 23 sts, sc2tog 6 times. Join.
Round 13
(144 sc)
Round 14
Waistband Rounds 6 and 7: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Round 15
(144 sc)
Round 16
Waistband Round 8: Ch 1, sc in next 22 sts, sc2tog 6 times. Join.
Round 17
(138 sc)
Round 18
Waistband Rounds 9 and 10: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Round 19
(138 sc)
Section 6: Skirt
Round 1
Switch to F-5 hook. The skirt uses Shell Lace Pattern with regular increases every 4 rounds.
Round 2
Skirt Setup Round Ch 1, sc in each st around, placing markers at 6 evenly spaced points. Join.
Round 3
(138 sc)
Round 4
Work Shell Lace Pattern continuously. After every complete 4-round repeat, work an increase round.
Round 5
Skirt Rounds 1 through 4: Shell Lace Pattern.
Round 6
Increase Round A: Ch 1, sc in next 22 sts, 2 sc in next st 6 times. Join.
Round 7
Skirt Rounds 5 through 8: Shell Lace Pattern.
Round 8
Increase Round B Ch 1, sc in next 23 sts, 2 sc in next st 6 times. Join.
Round 9
Continue this pattern, adding 6 stitches every increase round until you reach the desired length. For size M, continue through:
Round 10
Increase Round C 156 sts Increase Round D: 162 sts Increase Round E: 168 sts Increase Round F: 174 sts Increase Round G: 180 sts
Round 11
Increase Round H 186 sts Increase Round I: 192 sts Increase Round J: 198 sts Increase Round K: 204 sts Finish with Scallop Edging at the hem.
Assembly, in order
Step 1Weave in all ends securely before blocking. For wool or wool blends, wet block by soaking the dress in lukewarm water with a drop of wool wash, then gently squeeze out excess water and lay flat to dry. For acrylic, spray blocking works well.
Step 2Pin the skirt flat to shape the A-line silhouette. Allow to dry completely before wearing or attaching the ruffle sleeves.
Step 3The ruffles are worked separately following the Ruffle Row technique described in the Special Stitches section, then seamed to the armhole openings. Work the ruffle into the armhole edge, creating that beautiful double-ruffle cap sleeve effect visible in the finished dress.
Check these before you start
- If working with two separate colors rather than a gradient skein, plan where the transition falls relative to the waistband so the color shift lands cleanly rather than mid-shell.
- Gauge matters more here than in most garments: one stitch off per inch across a 36-inch circumference becomes a 3-inch sizing error, so check both the sc gauge and the shell lace gauge before casting on.
On one line
| Rounds | 56 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 9 |
| Level | Advanced Intermediate |
| Time | 60-80 hours |
| Hook | 3.5 mm |
| Yarn | DK |
Set-up
- Confirm total yardage for your size against the chart (1,400 to 2,500 yards) before winding any balls, especially if you are managing a manual color transition rather than a gradient skein.
- Swatch the shell lace pattern at F-5 and count a full 6-stitch repeat to confirm it measures 1.25 inches; cotton especially will not match this without checking.
- Set out at least 8 stitch markers before starting the Front Bodice Panel; you will need them to track increases across 14 rows and again through the skirt's increase rounds.
- Read Round 1 of the Main Pattern once in full before picking up the hook so the half-shell at the start and the join back into it make sense before you are working it live.
Finishing
- Try the bodice on before joining the skirt. Add or remove a waistband round at this stage if the waist needs adjusting.
- Weave in all ends securely before blocking. Wet block wool or wool-blend yarn in lukewarm water with a drop of wool wash; spray block if you used acrylic.
- Pin the skirt flat to open the A-line shape and let it dry fully before attaching the separately worked ruffles or wearing the dress.
Construction
The front and back bodice panels are worked flat, row by row with paired increases at each row edge, because the scoop necklines on both sides need curved shaping that is simpler to control outside of a joined round.
The shift from flat bodice panels to continuous rounds happens at the underarm, where a chain bridge joins front to back; everything below that join, including the waistband and skirt, is worked seamlessly in the round.
Time per section
| Front and Back Bodice Panels | about 10-14 hours because the panels are worked flat across 14 and 5 rows with paired neckline shaping to track on each row |
|---|---|
| Waistband and Skirt (Shell Lace repeats) | about 30-40 hours because the skirt repeats the 4-round Main Pattern many times over while increasing for the A-line flare |
| Scallop Edging and finishing | about 4-6 hours because the 2-round hem edging, end-weaving, and blocking all happen after the last skirt round is complete |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.