Sweet Little Flared Dress
As mentioned in my earlier post, I was on a mission to crochet my daughter a pretty dress. Isn't that one of the main reasons one learns to crochet--to make pretty little things for girls? I had some Vanna's Choice yarn in some of my favorite colors--pink, purple, and brown--that I bought to make a top to match a pretty skirt I bought at Goodwill. I decided to make a dress with it instead.
I knew I wanted this new dress to have a better shape to it than the yellow one I had made previously and figured that making it flare at the bottom would be the simplest shape to try out. The yellow dress also had a circular yoke which I didn't care for. I settled on trying a rectangular yoke for the new dress after seeing a lot of pictures of crochet dresses online with this type of top. Earlier in the week I learned the four double crochet shell stitch. I thought it was very pretty and decided to incorporate it into the design as well.
I knew I wanted this new dress to have a better shape to it than the yellow one I had made previously and figured that making it flare at the bottom would be the simplest shape to try out. The yellow dress also had a circular yoke which I didn't care for. I settled on trying a rectangular yoke for the new dress after seeing a lot of pictures of crochet dresses online with this type of top. Earlier in the week I learned the four double crochet shell stitch. I thought it was very pretty and decided to incorporate it into the design as well.
After making dresses and sweaters by sewing many pieces together, I knew I didn't want to deal with that again. So I decided to try to make the dress all in one piece. When constructing the dress in my mind I began with the top and worked my way down, focusing on ways to connect pieces as I went. This was very easy to do using a rectangular yoke and so the dress was made in one piece from the top down with the trim and button added last.
I did not write out a pattern before or after making this dress. I did take measurements, however, since they are the most important ingredient in a garment recipe. I made the top with single crochets to the bottom of the chest (empire waist). The skirt of the dress is the four double crochet shell stitch with increases in every third or fourth shell on each row. The dress worked up very quickly and the lightness of the yarn holds the flare shape quite well. The little belt was made with single crochets and weaved through the first row of shells to add a little contrast.
I did not write out a pattern before or after making this dress. I did take measurements, however, since they are the most important ingredient in a garment recipe. I made the top with single crochets to the bottom of the chest (empire waist). The skirt of the dress is the four double crochet shell stitch with increases in every third or fourth shell on each row. The dress worked up very quickly and the lightness of the yarn holds the flare shape quite well. The little belt was made with single crochets and weaved through the first row of shells to add a little contrast.
I am very pleased with this dress and plan to make many more like it!
Using the same techniques and different stitches, I made a top for my niece and little diaper cover to go with it. Instead of the four double crochet shell stitch I used the lacy stitch and used larger hooks on subsequent rows instead of stitch increases. Again I added a little belt for contrast. The little shorts I stitched up based on the shape and size of one of my daughter's diaper covers. I put elastic in the waist (first time I've used elastic). I was very pleased with this outfit as well! ;)
Using the same techniques and different stitches, I made a top for my niece and little diaper cover to go with it. Instead of the four double crochet shell stitch I used the lacy stitch and used larger hooks on subsequent rows instead of stitch increases. Again I added a little belt for contrast. The little shorts I stitched up based on the shape and size of one of my daughter's diaper covers. I put elastic in the waist (first time I've used elastic). I was very pleased with this outfit as well! ;)