Tropical Vacation Dress for 18-inch Doll

Free Doll Dress Crochet Pattern

I wanted to crochet a summer dress with a vacation feel to it. This is it. The dress features a leaf motif in the skirt, which I emphasized by crocheting it in a lively green. It's the perfect dress for lounging on the deck of a cruise ship or wearing in the evening of tropical island getaway.

The top of the dress is sleeveless, with raglan styling of the shoulders. I crocheted this in white, to give the appearance of a two-piece outfit.

A tulle underskirt is optional for this dress, depending on the look you are going for.

You can purchase this dress from our Etsy store!

Materials: Aunt Lydia (affiliate link)'s Classic Crochet Thread size #10 (100% mercerized cotton), colors green – 1 ball and white or cream ¼ of ball.
4 mm plastic or metallic snaps for the dress, a piece of ribbon for a belt, a small ribbon flower (optional).

For the underskirt/chemise (optional)

Tulle for the underskirt (2 pieces 6” x 36”), tulle in rolls might be very helpful, a piece of single bound bias tape 12 1/2” long, 1 hook closure.

Hook: 0 (1.75 mm) OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

Gauge: 28 dc = 4" (10 cm)

Abbreviations:
Dc - double crochet
Ch – chain
sl st - slip stitch


Dress

The dress is worked top-down side-to-side to the hip line, leaving an opening at the back, then, you can either continue in rows, or in rounds, turning at the end of each round.

The groups of 3 dc in the beginning and 3 dc in the end of each row form a button band.


Yoke:

Chain with white or cream thread 65 sts.

Row 1: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in the next 8 chains, *2 dc in the next ch, chain 2, 2 dc in the next chain, 1 dc in the next 13 chains, repeat from * 3 times, 2 dc in the next chain, chain 2, 2 dc in the next chain, 1 dc in each of the last 9 chains. Turn.

Rows 2 - 5: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each dc till ch-2-space, *2 dc in the next ch-2 space, chain 2, 2 dc in the same ch-2-space, 1 dc in each dc till the next ch-2-space/or last stitch, repeat from * 4 times. Turn.

Divide for sleeves and bodice:

Row 6: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 18 dc, 1 dc in ch-2-space, ch 5, skip the next 33 dc, 2 dc in the next ch-2-space, 1 dc in each of the next 33 dc, 2 dc in the ch-2-space, chain 5, skip the next 33 dc, 1 dc in the next ch-2-space, 1 dc in each of the next 19 dc. Turn

Row 7: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each dc and chain across = 89 dc.
Tie off and cut the white/cream thread.


Skirt:

Continue with green thread.

Row 1: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3, skip 3 dc, 1 dc in the next dc, ch 3, skip 1 dc?, 1 dc in the next dc, ch 3, skip 3 dc, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, * ch 3 over ch-3-space, skip the next dc, 10 dc in the next ch-3-space, skip the next dc, ch 3 over the next ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 3: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3 over ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, 2 dc in the next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, ch 3 over the next ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 4: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3 over ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc, ch 2, (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) in the ch-1-space, ch 2, 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc, ch 3 over the next ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 5: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3 over ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, ch 2, skip (1 dc, ch-2-space, 1dc), 10 dc in the ch-3-space, ch 2, skip (1 dc, ch-2-space, 1dc), 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, ch 3 over the next ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 6: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3 over ch-3-space, skip 1 dc, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc, ch 2, skip 1 dc and ch-2-space, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, 2 dc in the next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next 4dc, ch 2, skip ch-2-space and 1 dc, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc, skip the next 1 dc, ch 3 over the next ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 7: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3 over ch-3-space,, skip 1 dc, dc in the next dc, skip the next dc, ch 2 over ch-2-space, 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc, ch 2, (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) in the ch-1-space, ch 2, 1 dc in the next 6 dc, ch 2 over ch-2-space, skip the next dc, 1 dc in the next dc, skip the next dc, ch 3 over ch-3-space, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Row 8: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *ch 3 over ch-3-space, skip (1 dc and ch-2-space), 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, ch 2, skip (1 dc, ch-2-space, 1 dc), 10 dc in the ch-3-space, ch 2, skip (1 dc, ch-2-space, 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc, ch 3 over the next ch-3-space, skip (1 dc, ch-2-space), 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc - repeat from * 7 times. Turn.

Repeat rows 6-8 three more times or to desired length. Finish the hem with a row of dc in each stitch.

Alternatively, after you work 10 rows, you can close the work into a round: work the row till the last 3 dc (left button band), work the first dc of the group,

then overlap both button bands, place the right button band under the left one, and join the newly made dc with the first dc of the right button band with sl st,

work the second dc on the left button band, join it with the second dc of the right button band with sl st,

work the third dc of the left button band and join it with the last dc of the right button band. Continue to work in rounds, but turn after each round.

Finishing

Weave in the ends of the threads. Press the dress. Sew plastic or metal snaps along the button bands. Thread a ribbon through the eyelet row.


The dress is rather lacy, your doll might need a chemise under the dress.


Underwear Chemise

Cut a piece of single bound bias tape 12 1/2" long. Fold the short ends 1/4 to the wrong side and press.

Cut 2 strips of tulle measuring 6” x 36”. Position them one on top of the other, align the edges. Baste the upper edge. Pull the ends of the threads and gather the fabric to 12", tuck the gathered edge in between the binding. Pin.

Tuck in the raw edges of the binding ends. Topstitch to sew the parts together. Cut 2 pieces of an organdy ribbon 4-5" long.

Put the chemise on the doll and mark the position of the shoulder straps.

Pin the ends of the ribbons to the marked points. Stitch them in place.

Sew a hook closure to the binding.

Have fun!

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