Full Crochet Dress Pattern (Child Size: Approx. Age 8–10)

Style: Classic First Communion / Flower Girl Dress
Inspired by: White hand-crocheted dress with shell and mesh motifs
Skill Level: Intermediate

🪡 Materials

Yarn: 4–5 skeins of DK (light worsted) cotton yarn, white
Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
Embellishments: White satin ribbon for belt (approx. 1.5 meters)
Optional: Lining fabric or underslip for modesty

✂️ Gauge (not critical, but approximate)

4” x 4” square = 18 dc x 10 rows using 4.0 mm hook

📌 Construction Overview:

Worked in pieces: Bodice (bottom-up), skirt (top-down), sleeves (joined later)
Seamless look: Bodice and skirt worked in the round
Pattern flow: Mesh bodice → Shell sleeve & skirt motifs → Optional waist shaping

🧵 Abbreviations (US terms)

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	chain
sc	single crochet
dc	double crochet
sl st	slip stitch
st(s)	stitch(es)
sk	skip
rep	repeat
shell	5 dc in one stitch
fan stitch	(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same st
v-stitch	(dc, ch 1, dc) in same st
dc2tog	double crochet 2 together

🌼 Bodice Instructions

Foundation Round (Waist):

Ch 120 (adjust in multiples of 4 to fit child’s waist), sl st to first ch to form ring.
Rounds 1–4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to join.

Mesh Section:
3. Rounds 5–20: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1, rep from * to end. Sl st to join.

Try it on the child or mannequin for size. Adjust number of rounds if needed.

Split for Front and Back (Work Flat):
4. Split the bodice into two halves for front and back. Work each section in rows (turn at each end).
5. Row 1–10 (both sides): Continue mesh pattern. Start decreasing 1 dc at each edge every 2 rows to shape armholes.
6. Shape neckline: On the front, start decreasing at center (dc2tog) every row to form rounded neckline.

Shoulder Seams:
7. Sew front and back together at shoulders using whip stitch or sl st.

🧵 Sleeves

Join Yarn at Armhole Edge:

Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around armhole edge. Join.

Shell Motif Section:
2. Rounds 2–12: (Shell in first st, sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2) repeat around. Join each round.

Edging:
3. Final Round: (sc, ch 2, sc) in top of each shell for a scalloped edge.

Optional: Add tiny picot edge for extra detail.

👗 Skirt

Join Yarn at Bottom Edge of Bodice:

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.

Start Lacy Skirt Pattern (worked in the round):
2. Round 2: (dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1) repeat around.
3. Round 3: (Shell in next ch-1 sp) repeat around.

Alternating Pattern:

Round A: (dc, ch 1, sk 1) around
Round B: shell in each ch-1 space

Repeat A and B rounds until desired length (usually mid-calf or just above ankles).

Shaping (optional):

To add fullness, increase by doing 2 shells in every 4th ch space on a few rounds.

Finish Hem:

Final round: (sc, ch 2, sc) in top of each shell) to create scalloped hem.
Fasten off, weave in ends.

🎀 Waistband (Ribbon Belt)

Cut a length of white satin ribbon (1.5 meters).
Weave it through the last sc row of the bodice or simply tie around the waist.
Make a bow at the back or side.

🧼 Finishing

Block the dress gently to shape and open up the lace.
Weave in all ends using a yarn needle.
Add a lining or slip if preferred, especially if dress will be worn for long ceremonies.
Optional: Add a crochet flower or pearl embellishment at the neckline or waistband.