Newborn Shell Dress

The dress is made with a rounded yoke, it has a button opening at the back so it has plenty of space for putting over babies head.

The full pattern with sizes preemie - 4 years can be purchased here

Materials
280 metres dk / weight 3 / 8 ply yarn (I used King Cole Cottonsoft in blush for this example 210 meters per 100g)

4mm hook
1 x 10-15mm buttons

Written in English US terms with abbreviations for UK 

hdc = half double crochet (half treble crochet UK)

dc = double crochet (treble crochet UK)

fpdc = front post double crochet (front post treble crochet UK)

ch = chain

slst = slip stitch

shell = [3 dc, ch1, 3 dc] all in the same stitch ([3 treble, ch1, 3 treble] UK)

[ ] = in the same stitch

* * = repeat between

Gauge

With 4mm hook

9 hdc x 5 rows = 2” x 2”

Ch38 

Row 1: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc 3, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 3, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (44) Turn

Row 2: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 3, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 4, [2 hdc] in the next * x 7, hdc 4. (52) Turn

Row 3: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 4, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 5, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (60) Turn

Row 4: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 5, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 6, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (68) Turn

Row 5: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 6, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 7, [2 hdc] in the next* x 7, hdc 4. (76) Turn

Row 6: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc, 7, [2 hdc] in the next, *hdc 8, [2 hdc] in the next* 

x 7, hdc 4. (84) Turn

Row 7: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 8, [2 hdc] in the next *hdc 5, [2 hdc] in the next* 

x 11, hdc 8. (96) Turn

Row 8: ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 9, [2 hdc] in the next *hdc 6, [2 hdc] in the next* 

x 11, hdc 8. (108) Turn

Next row will be slst to the first to join and start working in the round.

Row 9: (Divide for Armholes) ch1, hdc in the same, hdc 14, [3 hdc] in the next, skip 22, 

[3 hdc] in the next, hdc 30, [3 hdc] in the next, skip 22, [3 hdc] in the next, hdc 15, slst to the first to join. (72)

Row 10: ch1, ch1, dc in the same, skip 1, shell in the next, *skip 1, dc 1, shell, skip 1* repeat to end, slst to first dc.  (18 shells and 18dc)

Row 11: ch1, fpdc in first dc, *shell in each ch1 space, fpdc each dc* repeat to end and slst to the first fpdc.  (18 shells and 18dc)

Repeat row 11 until work measures 12 inches.

Fasten off.

Back button band

Join yarn at the bottom left side of the back, ch1, dc from the bottom up to the top. 

Fasten off.

Then join yarn at the top right side, ch1, dc from the top right down to the bottom.

Fasten off.

Sew in all the ends, sew the flappy bit down, at the bottom and sew a button at the top left, that fits through the dc.

I would love to see your makes feel free to share #shelldress @babycrochetdesigns Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. 

*COPYRIGHT 2023 This pattern is made for personal use only. You may not copy, share or sell this pattern, you may make and sell items made from my patterns but please credit me @BabyCrochetDesigns as the designer many thanks*