This cute little dress is crocheted from the top down. There will be one button at the back of the neck to fasten.
This free pattern comes in sizes preemie 1-2 lb, 3-4 lb and 5-6lb. Its good for making for charities that are in need of preemie clothing or even for dolls.
The full PDF pattern comes in sizes preemie to 10 years and can be purchased here
Written in English US terms with abbreviations for UK
sc=single crochet (double crochet in UK)
hdc=half double crochet (half treble crochet UK)
dc=double crochet (treble crochet UK)
ch=chain
cc = criss cross (skip 1, dc 1, 1 dc in the skipped stitch) (skip 1, treble crochet, treble crochet in the skipped stitch UK)
slst=slip stitch
[ ] = in the same stitch
* * = repeat between
Materials
dk / weight 3 yarn
4mm crochet hook
1 x 10-15mm button
Gauge
9 dc x 4 rows = 2” x 2”
Pattern notes
The ch1 and 2 do not count as a stitch.
The pattern is reversible so there is no right or wrong side.
If the pattern says cc x 3, this will be 6 stitches.
The dress can be made with or without sleeves.
Preemie 1-2 lb
ch39
Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, dc 4, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc ] in the next, dc 10, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 5. (44 including ch1s) Turn
Row 2: ch1, cc x 3, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 6, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 3. (60 including ch1s)Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 16, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 8. (76 including ch1s)Turn
Row 4: ch1, cc x 5, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 10, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 5, slst to the first. (94 including the ch1s) Turn
The next row will be dividing for armholes and then joined to start working in the round
Row 5: ch1, dc 12, skip the ch1 space, skip 20, skip the ch1 space, dc 24, dc in the ch1 space, skip 20, dc in the ch1 space, dc 12, slst to the first. (48) Turn
Row 6: ch2, cc x 24, slst to the first. (48) Turn
Row 7: ch2, [2 dc] in each stitch, slst to the first. (96) Turn
Row 8: ch2, cc x 56, slst to the first. (96) Turn
Row 9: ch2, dc 112, slst to the first. (96) Turn
Repeat rows 8 and 9 until work measures approximately 8” from the shoulder.
Edging
ch1, *skip 1, [4 hdc] in the next, skip 1, slst in the next* repeat to the end, slst to the first.
Fasten off.
Arms
Join yarn in the first unworked stitch at the side of arm, ch2, [3 dc] in each stitch, (under the arm across the sides of the dc) work 8 dc, slst to first and fasten off.
Preemie 3-4 lb
ch43
Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc ] in the next, dc 10, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 7. (48 including ch1s) Turn
Row 2: ch1, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 6, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4. (64 including ch1s)Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc 10, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 16, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 10. (80 including ch1s)Turn
Row 4: ch1, cc x 6, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 10, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 6. (96 including ch1s)Turn
The next row will be dividing for armholes and then joined to start working in the round
Row 5: ch1, dc 14, dc in the ch1 space, skip 20, dc in the ch1 space, dc 24, dc in the ch1 space, skip 20, dc in the ch1 space, dc 14, slst to the first. (56) Turn
Row 6: ch2, cc x 28, slst to the first. (56) Turn
Row 7: ch2, [2 dc] in each stitch, slst to the first. (112) Turn
Row 8: ch2, cc x 56, slst to the first. (112) Turn
Row 9: ch2, dc 112, slst to the first. (112) Turn
Repeat rows 8 and 9 until work measures approximately 9.5” from the shoulder.
Edging
ch1, *skip 1, [4 hdc] in the next, skip 1, slst in the next* repeat to the end, slst to the first.
Fasten off.
Arms
Join yarn in the first unworked stitch at the side of arm, ch2, [3 dc] in each stitch, (under the arm across the sides of the dc) work 8 dc, slst to first and fasten off.
Preemie 5-6 lb
ch47
Row 1: 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc ] in the next, dc 14, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 6, [1 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the next, dc 7. (52 including ch1s) Turn
Row 2: ch1, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 4. (68 including ch1s)Turn
Row 3: ch1, dc in the same, dc 9, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 20, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 10. (84 including ch1s)Turn
Row 4: ch1, cc x 6, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 12, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 8, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, cc x 6. (100 including ch1s)Turn
Row 5: ch1, 1 dc in the same, dc 13, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 20, [2 dc, ch1, 1 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 28, [1 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 20, [2 dc, ch1, 2 dc] in the ch1 space, dc 14. (114 including ch1s)Turn
The next row will be dividing for armholes and then joined to start working in the round
Row 6: ch1, cc x 8, skip the ch1 space, skip 24, skip the ch1 space, cc x 15, skip the ch1 space, skip 24, skip the ch1 space, cc x 8, slst to the first. (62) Turn
Row 7: ch2, dc 62, slst to the first. (62) Turn
Row 8: ch2, cc x 31, slst to the first. (62)Turn
Row 9: ch2, [2 dc] in each stitch, slst to the first. (124) Turn
Row 10: ch2, cc x 62, slst to the first. (124) Turn
Row 11: ch2, dc 124, slst to the first. (124) Turn
Repeat rows 10 and 11 until work measures approximately 11” from the shoulder.
Edging
ch1, *skip 1, [4 hdc] in the next, skip 1, slst in the next* repeat to the end, slst to the first.
Fasten off.
Arms
Join yarn in the first unworked stitch at the side of arm, ch2, [3 dc] in each stitch, (under the arm across the sides of the dc) work 8 dc, slst to first and fasten off.