Mustard Yellow Baby Pinafore Dress Free Crochet Pattern

You know that gorgeous mustard yellow skein you have been saving for the perfect project? This is it! I love this little pinafore dress because the front bodice is covered in sweet bobble texture, while the back stays smooth and comfortable against baby’s skin. The A-line skirt flares out gently and finishes with the prettiest scallop hem.

We will work the dress in pieces: a front bodice, a back bodice and two skirt panels, all worked flat. Then we seam everything together and add two straps that button onto the back, with three button positions on each strap so you can adjust the fit as baby grows.

This dress fits babies 6 to 12 months old, measures approximately 18 inches around the chest, and runs about 13 inches from shoulder strap to hem. It layers beautifully over a long sleeve blouse or onesie for that vintage, heirloom look.

Materials

• Worsted weight (medium weight / CYCA category 4) yarn in mustard yellow, approximately 350 to 400 yards
• US size G-6 / 4.0 mm crochet hook
• 6 wooden buttons, approximately 3/4 inch diameter
• Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Rust-proof pins for blocking

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sk: skip
• rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• inc: increase, work 2 single crochet into the same stitch
• sc2tog: single crochet decrease
• t-ch: turning chain
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

• Bobble Stitch (bo): Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through 2 loops (2 loops remain). Repeat this incomplete double crochet 4 more times in the same stitch (6 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through all 6 loops at once, then chain 1 to close and lock the bobble. This chain counts as a stitch in your row. Bobbles push toward the right side, so always start bobble rows from the right side.
• Scallop Edging: Single crochet in the first stitch, skip 2 stitches, work 5 double crochet into the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat across. The scallop repeat uses 6 stitches, and the skirt has exactly 60 stitches at the bottom, giving 10 perfect scallops.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: fits 6 to 12 months, approximately 18 inches chest, about 13 inches from shoulder strap to hem
• Gauge: 17 single crochet stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches, worked flat in single crochet, after blocking. For the bobble section, about 16 stitches and 18 rows per 4 inches
• Construction: front bodice, back bodice and two skirt panels worked flat and seamed, with separate straps sewn to the front and buttoned to the back
• Skill level: Intermediate

Pattern notes: the front and back bodice pieces are worked separately from the bottom up, and the skirt panels are worked separately from the top down. For all single crochet rows, chain 1 and turn; this chain 1 does not count as a stitch, and you always work into the first stitch at the base of the turning chain. Mark your right side with a stitch marker at the beginning. Block your pieces before seaming.

Front Bodice Pattern

Foundation: Ch 41.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 3 (RS, Bobble Row): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st. [Bo in next st, sc in next st] repeat across to last st, sc in last st. Turn. (40 sts: 19 bobbles, 21 sc)

Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 5 (RS, Bobble Row): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts. [Bo in next st, sc in next st] repeat across to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Turn. (40 sts)

Row 6 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 7 (RS, Bobble Row): Repeat Row 3. (40 sts)

Row 8 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 9 (RS, Bobble Row): Repeat Row 5. (40 sts)

Row 10 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 11 (RS, Bobble Row): Repeat Row 3. (40 sts)

Row 12 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc)

Your front bodice body is complete. You should have 12 rows measuring approximately 2.5 inches tall, with the bobble texture visible and prominent on the right side.

Front Bodice Armhole and Strap Shaping

Left Front Strap — Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, turn. Sc across first 10 sts only. Leave remaining sts unworked. Turn. (10 sc)

Left Front Strap — Rows 14 through 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (10 sc each row)

Fasten off.

Right Front Strap: With RS facing, skip the 20 center sts (this creates the neckline opening). Rejoin yarn in the 31st stitch.

Right Front Strap — Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in each of the next 9 sts. Turn. (10 sc)

Right Front Strap — Rows 14 through 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (10 sc each row)

Fasten off. Your front bodice should measure approximately 5.5 inches tall and 9.5 inches wide. The center 20 stitches form the neckline opening.

Back Bodice Pattern

The back bodice matches the front in dimensions but uses plain single crochet throughout, so the back stays smooth against baby’s skin.

Foundation: Ch 41.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (40 sc)

Rows 2 through 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Turn. (40 sc each row)

Back Bodice Strap Shaping and Button Loops

Left Back Strap — Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, turn. Sc across first 10 sts. Turn. (10 sc)

Left Back Strap — Rows 14 through 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (10 sc each row)

Left Back Strap — Row 19 (Button Loop Row): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts. Ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts. Ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Turn. The ch-2 spaces form the button loops; you will have 2 button loops on each strap tab.

Left Back Strap — Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts. 2 sc in ch-2 sp. Sc in next 2 sts. 2 sc in ch-2 sp. Sc in last 2 sts. Turn. (10 sc)

Fasten off.

Right Back Strap: With RS facing, skip center 20 sts. Rejoin yarn in the 31st stitch.

Right Back Strap — Row 13: Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 9 sts. Turn. (10 sc)

Right Back Strap — Rows 14 through 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (10 sc each row)

Right Back Strap — Row 19 (Button Loop Row): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts. Ch 2, sk 2 sts. Sc in next 2 sts. Ch 2, sk 2 sts. Sc in last 2 sts. Turn.

Right Back Strap — Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts. 2 sc in ch-2 sp. Sc in next 2 sts. 2 sc in ch-2 sp. Sc in last 2 sts. Turn. (10 sc)

Fasten off.

Skirt Front Panel Pattern

The skirt is worked from the top down. It starts with the same stitch count as the bodice and increases gradually to create the A-line silhouette.

Foundation: Ch 41.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (40 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (42 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (42 sc)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (44 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (44 sc)

Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (46 sc)

Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (46 sc)

Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 9: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 11: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 12: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (52 sc)

Row 13: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (52 sc)

Row 14: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (54 sc)

Row 15: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (54 sc)

Row 16: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (56 sc)

Row 17: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (56 sc)

Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (58 sc)

Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (58 sc)

Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. Turn. (60 sc)

Rows 21 through 28: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (60 sc each row)

Do not fasten off. Leave a long tail for seaming. Your skirt front panel should measure approximately 7.5 inches from Row 1 to Row 28. The bottom edge should measure approximately 14 inches wide and the top edge approximately 9.5 inches wide.

Skirt Back Panel Pattern

Work exactly as the Skirt Front Panel, Rows 1 through 28. (60 sc at completion of Row 28)

Leave a long tail for seaming.

Scallop Hem Edging

Work the scallop edging along the bottom of both skirt panels before seaming them together. This ensures the scallops curve outward evenly.

With RS facing, attach yarn at the right-hand corner of Row 28 (bottom edge of skirt panel).

Scallop Row: Sc in first st. [Sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st] repeat across to end. You will work 10 complete scallop repeats across your 60 stitches.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Repeat on the second skirt panel.

Straps Pattern

Make 2.

Foundation: Ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 sc)

Rows 2 through 26: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Turn. (6 sc each row)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attachment. Your finished strap should measure approximately 5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide.

Finishing & Assembly

Block all four pieces before seaming.

With wrong sides together and right sides facing out, align the front bodice and back bodice at the side edges. Using a tapestry needle and yarn, whipstitch the side seams of the bodice pieces from the bottom edge up to the armhole. Leave the armhole open.

Align the front skirt panel and back skirt panel at the side edges. Seam the skirt side seams from the top edge down to the bottom edge, stopping before the scallop edging. Leave the scallop edge unattached at the corners for a natural drape.

Seam the bodice bottom edge to the skirt top edge. Align the 40-stitch bottom edge of the joined bodice with the 40-stitch top edge of the joined skirt. Using mattress stitch, join these edges together all the way around.

Attaching the straps: Place the front bodice with RS facing up. Align one end of a strap with the top edge of the left front strap tab, centered over the 10 stitches. Using the long tail and tapestry needle, whipstitch the bottom of the strap to the top edge of the strap tab. Sew securely. Sew 3 wooden buttons to the strap, evenly spaced along its length (approximately 1 inch, 2.5 inches, and 4 inches from the attached end). Button the strap through the corresponding button loops on the back bodice strap tab. Repeat for the second strap. The three-button placement allows you to adjust the dress length as baby grows.

Armhole edging (optional): For a clean finish around the armholes, work one row of single crochet around each opening. With RS facing, attach yarn at the bottom corner of the armhole opening. Work sc evenly around, placing approximately 1 sc for every row end. Join to first sc with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Blocking: Weave in all loose ends securely, working each tail at least 1 inch in multiple directions. Wet block your finished dress: submerge in lukewarm water and gently press out the excess; do not wring or twist. Lay flat on a blocking mat or clean towel. Pin to shape, making sure the skirt hem lies flat and the scallop edging is spread open. Allow to dry completely, at least 12 to 24 hours. Sew on your wooden buttons using a double strand of matching thread or yarn.

Tips

For a larger size (12 to 18 months, approximately 19 to 20 inch chest): add 6 to 8 stitches to the foundation chains for both bodice pieces, adjust the skirt starting stitch count to match, work skirt increases over 2 additional rows to reach 66 stitches (divisible by 6 for the scallop), and add 2 extra rows to the skirt for length.

For a smaller size (0 to 3 months, approximately 16 inch chest): subtract 4 stitches from the foundation chains (foundation ch 37, yielding 36 working stitches), adjust the skirt starting count to 36, work increases to 54 stitches, and work 2 fewer skirt length rows.

Every 2 additional stitches adds approximately 0.5 inches to the chest width. Every 5 additional rows adds approximately 1 inch of skirt length.

For machine washable acrylic yarns, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry; never tumble dry or hang dry. For wool or wool-blend yarns, hand wash in cool water with a wool-safe detergent, press gently in a towel, and lay flat to dry. Store the dress folded flat, not on a hanger, to preserve its shape.