Crochet Doll Summer Dress

This is a simple pattern for a sleeveless doll dress crocheted in back loops, which gives the dress the pleated look and texture.

If you are confused at all during the pattern, please let me know!

Abbreviations used:

Sl st: slip stitch

Hdc: half double crochet

Sc: single crochet

What you'll need:

Medium weight yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft in Plum Wine color)

Hook to match gauge (I used 2.75 mm)

Stitch Marker

To begin the dress, you're going to start with the skirt, crocheting in vertical rows. To begin, chain 13.

Row 1: Turn your work, and sl st in second chain from hook. Sl st in next four chains. Sc in next four, and hdc in last three. That finishes the first row. You're just going to keep crocheting these rows until it fits around the doll's waist (About 50 rows). Crocheting hdc on one side of the project and sl st on the other makes the pleated ruffle look.

Row 2: Turn you work. (BLhdc in next three sts, BLsc in next four, BL sl st in next five).

Note: You're going to be working in the back loops from now on.

Row 3: Turn, sl st in next five sts, sc in next four, hdc in next three.

Repeat rows 2-3 for about twenty rows, or until it fits around your doll's waist.

Once all your rows have been completed, put the first row and the last row backsides together, and sl st down the side. I turned the skirt inside-out so you couldn't see the seam. Then, sc evenly around the top of the skirt, until you have about 30-35 sts. Now you're going to be working in rounds, so don't sl st to beginning, but place a stitch marker in your last stitch and move it up every round.

Then, sc evenly around the top of the skirt, until you have about 30-35 sts. Now you're going to be working in rounds, so don't sl st to beginning, but place a stitch marker in your last stitch and move it up every round.

Continue to single crochet in each back loop stitch, moving the stitch marker up every round, until you have about 18-20 rounds.

Still using a stitch marker, sc (in BL still) in next 11 stitches. (Sc, hdc, ch 1 in next st; hdc, sc in next; sl st in next) three times. This makes the three ruffles in the front. Sc in the rest of the stitches around.

You can either leave the dress sleeveless as it is, or add a strap for the neck. Cut a piece of yarn about a foot long, and fold it in half. Insert your hook in the ch-1 space of the middle ruffle in the front of the dress, and pull the folded part of the yarn through only half-way. Wrap the yarn around your hook and pull it through the loop. Tighten the loop, and it should look like the fourth picture. When you put the dress on the doll, tie the two pieces of yarn in bow at the back of the doll's neck.

Your dress is finished! Give as a gift to a friend or little sister. Enjoy!