Dragonfly Toddler Dress

For me, one of the most beautiful articles of clothing you can make is the toddler dress; they always fascinate me whenever I browse different boards on Pinterest. I make one for fun every once in a while, though I am a bit hesitant to share them. That is because the dresses I like to make have two parts; a crocheted yoke, and a sewn skirt made out of cloth. Most people I have interacted with on the internet can crochet (or knit), but don’t necessarily have the skills for sewing.

Therefore, my design for a toddler dress in this post is a fully crocheted one. Nevertheless, in my next post I will share with you the original version I made, the one with the sewn skirt, for all of you out there who enjoy both crochet and sewing.

Level: intermediate

Materials:

• Yarn; Alize Diva baby silk effect, 100% microfiber acrylic, 100 g. / 350 mt. (3.5 0z. /383 yds), main color (A): 2 skeins, matching color (B): 1 skein.
• Hook size 3 mm/ US D-3, {3.5 mm/ US E-4 to get a larger size}.
• Six buttons, 1 cm diameter each.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.

Yardage: 750- 800 m/ 820- 875 yards.

Measurements

Age 2-3 years:

• Yoke circumference: 72 cm (28.5”).
• Yoke height: 21.5 cm (8.5”).
• Skirt length: 40 cm (16”).
• Full length: 61.5 cm (24.5”).

Age 4-5 years:

• Yoke circumference: 72 cm (28.5”).
• Yoke height: 21.5 cm (8.5”).
• Skirt length: 40 cm (16”).
• Full length: 61.5 cm (24.5”).

Gauge: 29 sts x 16 rows in double crochet.

Crochet Terms (US):

• ch: chain.
• sc: single crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• 3dctog: double crochet three together.

Instructions:

Notes:

• ch 3 in the beginning of every row is considered dc, so skip first st.
• In spite of the ch 3 each row beginning in the drawn pattern, I make ch 2 instead, for I see the work looks neater and less saggy. 
• The dragonfly pattern is very popular and has many versions, I recommend this tutorial video, and (sc in v shape of previous sc) is clear.

Yoke:

With (A) yarn, make 167 (187) ch:

Row 1: dc in the fourth ch from hook, dc in every ch to end, turn. 165 (185 sts)

Row 2: ch 3, dc in dc, *dc in dc 10 times, skip dc, ch 2, dc in dc nine times, repeat from * to last 3 sts, skip dc, ch 1 (buttonhole), dc in dc twice.

Row 3: ch 3, dc in dc, dc in ch 1 space, * dc in dc six times, skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, dc in dc seven times, repeat from * to last 2 sts, dc in dc twice.

Row 4: ch 3, dc in dc, * dc in dc six times, skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, dc in dc five times, repeat from * to last 3 sts, skip dc, ch 1 (buttonhole), dc in dc twice.

Row 5: ch 3, dc in dc, dc in ch 1 space, * dc in dc five times, dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in dc six times, repeat from * to last 2 sts, dc in dc twice .

Change to (B) yarn:

Row 6: ch 3, dc in dc to last st, turn. 165 (185 sts)

Row 7: ch 3, 12 dc in dc, * dc in dcnine times, skip dc, ch 2, dc in dc ten times, repeat from * to last twelve sts, dc in dc twelve times.

Row 8: ch 3, dc in dc eleven times, * dc in dc seven times, skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, dc in dc six times, repeat from * to last 13, dc in dc thirteen times.

Row 9: ch 3, dc in dc twelve times, *dc in dc five times, skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, dc in dc six times, repeat from * to last 12 sts, dc in dc twelve times.

Row 10: ch 3, dc in dc eleven times, * dc in dc five times, dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in dc six times, repeat from * to last 12 sts, dc in dc twelve times.

Put stitch marker into the 48th and 138th stitches, to divide the yoke into front (middle part) and two back parts (right and left).

Right Backside:

Change to (A) yarn:

Row 11: make a standing dc (or join yarn and ch 3), 41 (dc in dc), 3dctog, turn.

Row 12: (ch 3 and 2 dc together), 7 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 19 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 9 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 1 (buttonhole), 2 (dc in dc), turn. (41 sts)

Row 13: ch 3, dc in dc, dc in ch 1 space, 6 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3,13 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, 5 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 14: ch 3, 3 dc in dc, skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 11 (dc in dc), skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 5 skip dc, ch 1 (buttonhole), 2 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 15: ch 3, dc in dc, dc in ch space, 5 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 11 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 4 (dc in dc), turn.

Change to (B) yarn:

Row 16: make a standing dc (or join yarn and ch 3), 40 (dc in dc), turn. (41 sts)

Row 17: ch 3, 21 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 18 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 18: ch 3, 14 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, 19 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 19: ch 3, 17 (dc in dc), skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 14 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 20: ch 3, 13 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 18 (dc in dc), turn.

Change to (A) yarn:

Row 21: repeat row 16. (41 sts)

Row 22: ch 3, 7 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 19 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 9 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 1 (buttonhole), 2 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 23: repeat row 13.

Row 24: repeat row 14.

Row 25: repeat row 15, Cut yarn.

Front (between the two stitch markers):

Skip 2 dc from the first stitch marker left side, with (A) yarn: 

Row 11: (ch 3 and 2 dc together), 79 (dc in dc), 3dctog, turn.

Row 12: (ch 3 and 2 dc together), 8 (dc in dc), * 10 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 9 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, 7 (dc in dc), 3dctog, turn. (77 sts)

Row 13: ch 3, 7 (dc in dc), * 6 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, 7 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, 9 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 14: ch 3, 8 (dc in dc), * 6 (dc in dc), skip dc and ch 3, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 and dc, ch 4, 5 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, 8 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 15: ch 3, 7 (dc in dc), * 5 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 6 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, 9 (dc in dc), turn.

Change to (B) yarn:

Row 16: make a standing dc (or join yarn and ch 3), 76 (dc in dc), turn. (77 sts)

Row 17: ch 3, 4 (dc in dc), * 4 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 15 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, 4 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 7 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 18: ch 3, 3 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, dc in dc, * 12 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, dc in dc, repeat from * 2 more times, 5 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 19: ch 3, 4 (dc in dc), * skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 11 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 3 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 20: ch 3, 2 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, * 11 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, repeat from * 2 more times, 5 (dc in dc), turn.

  

Change to (A) yarn:

Row 21: repeat row 16. (77 sts)

Row 22: ch 3, 8 (dc in dc), * 10 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 9 (dc in dc), repeat from * 2 more times, 8 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 23: repeat row 13.

Row 24: repeat row 14.

Row 25: repeat row 15.

Left strap:

Row: ch 3, 12 (dc in dc), turn.

Repeat the row above 14 more times, leave 10 inches and cut yarn.

Right strap:

Count 13 st from the right end of the front and join yarn, repeat the same row 15 times, leave 10 inches and cut yarn.

Left Backside:

Skip 2 sts from the second stitch marker left side.

With (A) yarn: 

Row 11: (ch 3 and 2 dc together), 42 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 12: ch 3, 11 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 19 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 7 (dc in dc), 3dctog, turn. (41 sts)

Row 13: ch 3, 4 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, 13 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, 9 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 14: ch 3, 7 (dc in dc), skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 11 (dc in dc), skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 4 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 15: ch 3, 3 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 11 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 8 (dc in dc), cut yarn.

Change to (B) yarn:

Row 16: make a standing dc (or join yarn and ch 3), 40 (dc in dc), turn. (41 sts)

Row 17: ch 3, 17 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 22 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 18: ch 3, 18 (dc in dc), skip 3 dc, ch 3, sc in ch 2 space, skip 3 dc, ch 3, 15 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 19: ch 3, 13 (dc in dc), skip dc and ch 3 space, ch 4, sc in v shape of sc, skip ch 3 space and dc, ch 4, 18 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 20: ch 3, 17 (dc in dc), dc 4 in ch 4 space, dc in v shape of sc, dc 4 in ch 4 space, 14 (dc in dc), turn.

Change to (A) yarn: 

Row 21: repeat row 16. (41 sts)

Row 22: ch 3, 7 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 19 (dc in dc), skip dc, ch 2, 9 dc in dc, skip dc, ch 1 (buttonhole), 2 (dc in dc), turn.

Row 23: repeat row 13.

Row 24: repeat row 14.

Row 25: repeat row 15.

Finishing the yoke:

Weave in loose ends, fold the yoke at stitch markers (under arms lines); sew the straps to back as shown in the pattern.

Reverse single crochet pattern edging:

With (B) yarn, work reverse single crochet along the right back, neckline and left back edges:

Start with left back edge: join yarn, ch 1, sc in first row, ch 1, reverse sc in second row, repeat to Neckline: reverse sc in first st, skip stitch, ch 1, repeat until you reach the strap, and so on.

Both right and left arm openings: begin the reverse single crochet pattern edging at the stitch marker.

Click here for HD version of the pattern

Skirt:

Put the left side back buttonholes band over the right side back band, and pin them in place with 5 sts overlap. Now you have (180 sts) in round to start the skirt. Sew buttons.

With (A) yarn, in sixth chain from left side back, join yarn and work as follows:

Round 1: ch 3 and 2 dc in first ch, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch, skip 3 ch, *3 dc in ch, ch 3, 3 dc in ch, skip 3 ch, repeat from * to last ch, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 2: ss to first ch 3 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch space, *(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch 3 space, repeat to end, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 3 and 4: ss to first ch 3 space, (ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, 4 dc) in ch 3 space, *(4 dc, ch 3, 4 dc) in next ch 3 space, repeat from * to end, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 5: ss to second dc of first 4 dc, ch 3, 2 dc in dc, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in ch 3 space, * 3 dc in dc, (4 dc, ch 3, 4 dc) in next ch 3 space, 3 dc in dc, skip 2 dc, repeat from * to end, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Repeat round 5 nineteen more times, cut yarn.

Skirt Dragonfly band:

With (B) yarn, join in the ch 3 space in back center of the skirt last round:

Round 1: ch 1, *3 sc in ch 3 space, ch 7, repeat from * to end, ss to first sc.

Round 2: ch 3 in first sc, 2 (dc in sc), dc 7 in ch 7 space, * 3 (dc in sc), dc 7 in ch 7 space, repeat to end, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 3: ch 3, * 6 (dc in dc), skip 4 dc, ch 4, sc in dc, skip 4 dc, ch 4, 5 (dc in dc), repeat from * to end, but in last repeat; 4 (dc in dc) instead of 5, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 4: ch 3, * 6 (dc in dc), dc in ch 4 space, dc 3, sc in v shape of previous sc, ch 3, dc in ch 4 space, 5 (dc in dc), repeat from * to end, but in last repeat: 4 (dc in dc) instead of 5, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 5: ch 3, * 7 (dc in dc), dc 3 in ch 3 space, skip sc, ch 1, dc 3 in ch 3 space, 6 (dc in dc), repeat from * to end, but in last repeat: 5 (dc in dc) instead of 6, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3.

Round 6: ch 3, * 10 (dc in dc), dc in ch 1 space, 9 (dc in dc), repeat from * to end, but in last repeat: 8 (dc in dc) instead of 9, ss to 3rd ch of first ch 3, cut yarn.

Skirt hem (edging):

With (A) yarn, join in center back st of skirt last round, ch 1, *reverse sc, skip st, ch 1, repeat from * to end, ss to first sc, cut yarn. Weave in loose ends.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram to see my upcoming projects @wiams_crafts.