Rose Garden Baby Dress Set Free Crochet Pattern

I named this set after my grandmother’s rose garden, with its dusty pink climbing roses, and I am so pleased with how it turned out! We will make a complete baby set together: a dress with a fitted yoke, a dreamy shell stitch skirt and a Peter Pan collar, plus a matching headband and sweet Mary Jane booties.

The dress is worked from the top down. The yoke starts flat for the back button opening, then we join to work the waistband and shell skirt in the round, pick up the little sleeves, and sew on the collar we make separately. A satin ribbon threads through the eyelet row at the waist for that classic vintage touch.

The set fits approximately 3 to 6 months, with a dress chest of about 17 inches and a length of about 13 inches. It looks intricate, but if you can work basic stitches and follow the counts carefully, you can absolutely make this heirloom gift with me!

Materials

• Color A (dusty rose / mauve): approximately 200 yards or 183 m of DK weight (light worsted, #3) yarn
• Color B (cream / ecru): approximately 300 yards or 274 m of DK weight (#3) yarn
• US E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle, for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers (at least 6)
• Four small buttons, approximately 3/8 inch or 10 mm, for the back closure
• Two small buttons for the bootie straps, approximately 3/8 inch or 10 mm
• Sewing needle and coordinating thread
• Satin ribbon, 3/8 inch or 1 cm wide, in dusty rose or mauve: 24 inches for the waistband, 12 inches for the collar bow, 8 inches for the headband flower centre, and two pieces of 5 inches for the bootie bows
• Optional: small amount of fiberfill or scrap yarn for stuffing the crocheted roses, rustproof pins and a blocking board

Abbreviations

• beg: beginning
• BLO: back loop only
• ch: chain
• ch-sp: chain space
• dc: double crochet
• dc2tog: double crochet 2 together
• hdc: half double crochet
• rem: remaining
• rep: repeat
• rnd: round
• RS: right side
• sc: single crochet
• sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch
• sp: space
• st/sts: stitch / stitches
• WS: wrong side
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

• Shell stitch (sh): work 5 double crochet stitches all into the same stitch or space. This fan-shaped shell is the signature stitch of the skirt.
• Scallop edging: skip 2 stitches, work 5 double crochet into the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, slip stitch into the next stitch, repeat across.
• Picot: chain 3, slip stitch into the first chain made, creating a tiny decorative bump.
• Bobble (3-dc bobble): yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain on hook). Repeat 2 more times into the same stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
• Crocheted rose: with Color A, chain 30. Row 1 (RS): work 2 double crochet into the 4th chain from hook, then work 2 double crochet into every chain across. Fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail. Roll the strip tightly from one end to form a rose shape, and use the tail to sew the base together.
• Button loop: chain 4, skip 2 stitches, slip stitch into next stitch. When working past this loop on subsequent rounds, work 4 single crochet into the chain 4 space.
• Eyelet row: chain 2, skip 1 stitch, double crochet into next stitch, repeat across. The chain 2 spaces form the eyelets through which ribbon is threaded.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: dress fits approximately 3 to 6 months; chest approximately 17 inches, length from collar to hem approximately 13 inches, sleeve length approximately 2 inches; headband circumference approximately 14 to 16 inches; bootie foot length approximately 3.5 inches (fits 0 to 6 months)
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet worked in rows with the US E-4 (3.5mm) hook; one complete 5-dc shell and its connecting sc = approximately 1.5 inches wide, and 8 rows of shell pattern = approximately 4 inches tall
• Construction: top-down raglan yoke worked flat then joined, shell stitch skirt in the round, sleeves picked up, separate collar sewn on, plus headband and booties
• Skill level: Intermediate

Yoke Pattern

The yoke is worked flat in rows initially, for the back opening, then joined to work in the round. Use Color A throughout the yoke. For single crochet, chain 1 at the beginning and it does not count as a stitch; all rounds are joined with a slip stitch to the first stitch unless otherwise stated, and we place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round.

Foundation Chain: With Color A and the E-4 hook, chain 53.

Row 1 (RS): Starting in the 2nd chain from hook, work 1 sc in each chain across. (52 sc)

Place markers after Row 1 to divide the neckline into sections: 7 sts left back, 1 marker st, 10 sts left sleeve, 1 marker st, 15 sts front, 1 marker st, 10 sts right sleeve, 1 marker st, 7 sts right back = 52 sts. Place a stitch marker in the single stitch at each raglan point, 4 raglan markers total, in sts 8, 19, 35 and 46 counted from the left.

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across, working 3 sc into each of the 4 marked raglan stitches. (60 sc)

Move the raglan markers to the centre stitch of each 3 sc group.

Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to 1 st before first marked st, 3 sc in marked st, sc in each st to 1 st before second marked st, 3 sc in marked st, sc in each st to 1 st before third marked st, 3 sc in marked st, sc in each st to 1 st before fourth marked st, 3 sc in marked st, sc in each st to end. (68 sc)

Row 4 (WS): Repeat Row 3. (76 sc)

Row 5 (RS): Repeat Row 3. (84 sc)

Row 6 (WS): Repeat Row 3. (92 sc)

Row 7 (RS): Repeat Row 3. (100 sc)

Row 8 (WS): Repeat Row 3. (108 sc)

Row 9 (RS): Repeat Row 3. (116 sc)

Row 10 (WS): Repeat Row 3. (124 sc)

After Row 10, the yoke should measure approximately 2 inches or 5 cm from the top neckline edge, and the piece should be 124 stitches wide.

Dividing Row (RS, Row 11): Ch 1, turn, sc across the first 22 sts (left back), chain 4 (underarm bridge), skip the next 25 sts (left sleeve), sc across the next 37 sts (front), chain 4 (underarm bridge), skip the next 25 sts (right sleeve), sc across the last 22 sts (right back). (81 sc plus 2 chain 4 bridges = 89 working positions)

Button Bands & Joining

Right Back Button Band: With RS facing, join Color A to the bottom right corner of the back opening, ch 1, work 22 sc evenly up the right back edge. (22 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (22 sc)

Fasten off. Left Back Button Band with Button Loops: With RS facing, join Color A to the top left corner of the back opening, ch 1, work 22 sc evenly down the left back edge. (22 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 2 sts, (ch 4, sk 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts) 3 times, ch 4, sk 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. (4 button loops made)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st and 4 sc in each ch 4 sp across. (22 sc)

Fasten off, and sew the buttons to the right back band opposite the button loops. Joining for Body in the Round: With RS facing, join Color A at the left back corner at the bottom of the button band.

Round 1 (joining round): Ch 1, sc across the 22 right back sts, work 4 sc across the right underarm bridge chain, sc across 37 front sts, work 4 sc across the left underarm bridge chain, sc across 22 left back sts (overlapping button bands), join with sl st to first sc. (89 sc)

Waistband Pattern

Continue with Color A.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (89 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (89 sc)

Round 4 (increase round): Ch 1, sc in first 88 sts, 2 sc in last st, join. (90 sc)

Round 5 (eyelet): Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (90 sc)

Round 6 (eyelet): Ch 3 (counts as dc), (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st) 44 times, ch 1, sk 1 st, join with sl st to top of ch 3. (45 dc + 45 ch 1 sps = 90 positions)

Round 7 (restore count): Ch 1, (sc in dc, sc in ch 1 sp) around, join. (90 sc)

After Round 7, the dress from neckline to bottom of waistband should measure approximately 4 to 4.5 inches or 10 to 11.5 cm. Change to Color B at the end of Round 7.

Skirt Pattern

Round 8 (set up for shells): With Color B, ch 1, sc in first st, (sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st) 14 times, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (15 shells, 15 sc = 90 working sts)

Round 9: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, (5 dc in next sc, sc in centre dc of next shell) 14 times, 5 dc in last sc, join with sl st to first sc. (15 shells, 15 sc = 90 sts)

Rounds 10 to 12: Repeat Round 9 three times. (15 shells, 15 sc per round = 90 sts per round)

Round 13 (expand to 7 dc shells): Ch 1, sc in sc below, (7 dc in sc between shells, sc in centre dc of shell) 14 times, 7 dc in last sc between shells, join. (15 shells of 7 dc + 15 sc = 120 sts)

Rounds 14 to 20: Ch 1, sc in sc below, (7 dc in sc between shells, sc in centre dc of shell) 14 times, 7 dc in last sc between shells, join. (120 sts per round)

The centre dc of a 7 dc shell is the 4th dc.

Round 21 (expand to 9 dc shells): Ch 1, sc in sc below, (9 dc in sc between shells, sc in centre dc of shell) 14 times, 9 dc in last sc between shells, join. (15 shells of 9 dc + 15 sc = 150 sts)

Round 22: Ch 1, sc in sc below, (9 dc in sc between shells, sc in centre dc of shell) 14 times, 9 dc in last sc between shells, join. (150 sts)

After Round 22, the skirt section should measure approximately 7 inches or 17.75 cm from the base of the eyelet waistband, and the total dress length from the neckline should be approximately 11 inches or 28 cm. Change to Color A at the end of Round 22.

Round 23 (Color A, scallop hem): Do not turn, sl st in first sc, sl st in each of next 2 dc, (5 dc in next dc, sl st in each of next 4 dc, sl st in next sc, sl st in each of next 4 dc) 14 times, 5 dc in next dc, sl st in each of next 2 dc, sl st in last sc, join. (15 fans of 5 dc worked)

Fasten off Color A and weave in the end.

Sleeves Pattern

The sleeves are worked in the round, picking up the skipped sleeve stitches from the Dividing Row plus the underarm bridge. With RS facing, join Color A at the centre of the underarm bridge chain.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 4 sc across the chain 4 underarm bridge, then sc in each of the 25 skipped sleeve stitches, join with sl st. (29 sc)

Rounds 2 to 4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (29 sc)

Round 5 (decrease round): Ch 1, (sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts) 5 times, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts, join. (23 sc)

Round 6 (sleeve edging, scallop): Sl st in first 2 sts, (5 dc in next st, sl st in next 3 sts) 5 times, 5 dc in next st, sl st in last 2 sts, join and fasten off.

Repeat for the second sleeve.

Collar Pattern

The collar is worked separately in Color B and sewn to the neckline. With Color B, chain 45.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (44 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st. (46 sc)

Row 3: Repeat Row 2. (48 sc)

Row 4: Repeat Row 2. (50 sc)

Row 5 (scallop edge): Ch 1, turn, sl st in first st, (sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st) across. Fasten off.

Pin the collar to the neckline with RS facing out, centring it at the front so the collar edges meet at the back opening, and sew it in place using whip stitch.

Headband Pattern

With Color A, chain 70, or until the chain measures approximately 14 inches.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (69 sc)

Rows 2 and 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (69 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail, and sew the short ends together to form a loop. For the headband flower, with Color B, chain 25.

Row 1: Work 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in each ch across. Fasten off leaving a 10 inch tail.

Roll the strip to form a flower shape and secure it with the tail. Tie the 8 inch ribbon into a small bow, sew the bow to the centre of the flower, then sew the completed flower to the headband.

Booties Pattern

Make 2. The booties are worked from the toe up. Start with the toe in Color B, ch 7.

Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, sc in next 4 ch, 2 sc in last ch, join. (14 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in each of last 2 sts, join. (20 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (20 sc)

Rounds 4 and 5: Repeat Round 3. (20 sc)

Round 6 (heel shaping): Ch 1, sc in first 6 sts, (sc2tog) 4 times, sc in last 6 sts, join. (16 sc)

Round 7: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (16 sc)

Rounds 8 and 9: Repeat Round 7. (16 sc)

Round 10 (ankle cuff, Color A): Change to Color A, ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (16 sc)

Round 11: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (16 sc)

Fasten off. For the bootie strap, with Color A, join yarn at the inside ankle, ch 12, sl st in the same st to form a strap loop, and work 12 sc along the chain. Fasten off, sew a button to the outside of the bootie opposite the strap, and tie a 5 inch ribbon into a bow and sew it to the top of each bootie.

Finishing & Assembly

Make 2 crocheted roses using the Crocheted Rose instructions in the Special Stitches section, and sew one rose to each side of the front waistband, positioning them at the points where the ribbon will tie. Thread the 24 inch ribbon through the eyelet round at the waist, centre the ribbon at the front, tie it in a bow, and tack the bow in place with a few small stitches if you like. Tie the 12 inch ribbon into a bow and sew it to the centre front of the collar, just below the neckline. Weave in all remaining ends.

Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, or machine wash on a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Lay flat to dry, steam block gently if needed to restore the shape, and store flat or loosely rolled to prevent creasing.

Tips

Gauge is mandatory for this garment, so work a 5 inch swatch in single crochet, wash and block it as you intend to treat the finished set, and measure again before starting.

Take your time with the yoke increases and trust the stitch counts. The shell pattern becomes almost meditative once you get into its rhythm.

When changing colours, complete the final yarn over of the last stitch in the current colour with the new colour for a clean change.

Break the set into sections over several evenings and celebrate each finished piece: dress first, then headband, then booties.