Peach Blossom Baby Dress Free Crochet Pattern

This baby dress stopped me in my tracks, and I think it will stop you too! We have a sweet square neckline, a dramatic fan-stitch skirt that flares out in soft scalloped waves, and a tiny crocheted rose at the waist with its own little leaf. It is vintage-inspired, heirloom-worthy, and just perfect for a baby shower gift.

We will work the bodice flat in two pieces and seam it together, then join in the round for the skirt. The cap sleeves are picked up around the armholes after seaming, and that lovely cream picot-shell border finishes the neckline, sleeves and hem at the end. This pattern is written for size 6 to 12 months.

Finished measurements: chest approximately 18 inches or 46 cm, length from shoulder to hem approximately 14 inches or 35.5 cm, sleeve circumference at the cap edge approximately 7 inches or 18 cm, and waist approximately 17 inches or 43 cm. It is an intermediate-level project, but I will walk you through every section with checkpoints, so you have got this.

Materials

• About 400 yards or 366 meters sport weight yarn (CYCA #2) in peach or coral (Main Colour)
• About 80 yards or 73 meters sport weight yarn in cream or off-white (Contrasting Colour)
• US size E-4 or 3.5mm crochet hook
• US size D-3 or 3.25mm crochet hook, available for border sections if your tension runs loose
• Yarn needle for seaming and weaving ends
• At least 6 stitch markers
• About 24 inches or 61 cm of cream satin ribbon, 5/8 inch or 16mm wide
• One small button, approximately 3/8 inch or 10mm, or a ribbon tie for the back closure
• Scissors
• Rust-proof pins for blocking

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• sk: skip
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp: space
• ch-sp: chain space
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• MC: main colour (peach)
• CC: contrasting colour (cream)
• rem: remaining
• rep: repeat
• rnd: round
• sc2tog: single crochet decrease

Special Stitches

• Picot: work 1 sc in the indicated stitch, chain 3, slip stitch in top of the sc just made. This creates a small decorative knot.
• Shell stitch: work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in the same stitch or space.
• Fan stitch: work (dc, ch 1) 4 times, then dc once more, all in the same stitch or space. This places 5 double crochets separated by ch-1 spaces in a single location.
• Picot-shell border: work (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, picot, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) all in the same stitch or space.
• Sc2tog: insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, insert hook in following stitch, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: 6 to 12 months; chest about 18 inches or 46 cm, length about 14 inches or 35.5 cm
• Gauge: 22 sc = 4 inches or 10 cm and 24 rows of sc = 4 inches or 10 cm, worked flat with E-4 or 3.5mm hook after blocking; one complete 10-stitch fan repeat measures about 1.8 inches or 4.6 cm wide
• Construction: bodice worked flat in two pieces and seamed, skirt worked in the round, sleeves picked up around the armholes, borders worked last
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Notes: ch 1 at the beginning of sc rows does NOT count as a stitch, and ch 3 at the beginning of dc rows DOES count as the first dc. Work with RS facing for all in-the-round sections unless stated otherwise. The ribbon is threaded through the waist eyelets afterwards, not crocheted in.

Bodice Front Pattern

With MC and your E-4 hook, chain 51.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (50 sc)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (50 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (50 sc)

Rows 4-6: Repeat Row 2. (50 sc each row)

Row 7 (shoulder shaping setup): Ch 1, sc in first 13 sts, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. This begins the right shoulder strap. (13 sc)

Rows 8-18 (right shoulder strap): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (13 sc each row)

After Row 18, fasten off leaving a 12 inch or 30 cm tail for seaming.

Return to Row 6 stitches. Count from the left edge. Skip the center 24 stitches for the square neckline opening. Join MC in the 38th stitch of Row 6 (the 14th stitch from the left edge).

Row 7 (left shoulder strap): Ch 1, sc in same st and in each of the remaining 12 sts to left edge, turn. (13 sc)

Rows 8-18 (left shoulder strap): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (13 sc each row)

After Row 18, fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail for seaming. Each shoulder strap should measure approximately 2 inches or 5 cm tall and 2.4 inches or 6 cm wide. The neckline opening is 24 stitches wide, approximately 4.4 inches or 11 cm across.

Bodice Back Pattern

With MC and your E-4 hook, chain 51.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (50 sc)

Rows 2-6: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (50 sc each row)

Row 7 (right shoulder strap): Ch 1, sc in first 13 sts, turn. (13 sc)

Rows 8-18: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (13 sc each row)

After Row 18, fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail.

Return to Row 6. Skip center 24 stitches. Join MC in 38th stitch from right edge.

Row 7 (left shoulder strap): Ch 1, sc in same st and in each of remaining 12 sts, turn. (13 sc)

Rows 8-18: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (13 sc each row)

After Row 18, fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail.

Skirt Pattern

First, seam the bodice. Align the front and back pieces with RS together and whip stitch or mattress stitch the right shoulder strap edges together across all 13 stitches, then repeat for the left shoulder strap. Seam the side edges from the bottom of each armhole opening (Row 7 level) down to the bottom edge, leaving the armhole openings unseamed. After seaming, the bodice tube should measure approximately 3.2 inches or 8 cm tall, with a chest circumference of approximately 18 inches or 46 cm at the base.

With RS facing, join MC at any back side seam at the bottom edge of the bodice.

Rnd 1 (joining round): Ch 1, work 100 sc evenly around the entire bottom opening of the bodice, sl st to first sc to join. (100 sc)

Rnd 2 (eyelet round for ribbon): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts) across, ending with ch 1, sk 1 st, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (67 dc plus 33 ch-1 spaces = 100 units)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in top of sl st join, sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-1 sp around, sl st to first sc to join. (100 sc)

The skirt fan stitch is worked over a multiple of 10 stitches, and your count of 100 divides evenly into 10 repeats.

Rnd 4 (increase round): Ch 1, (sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) 10 times, sl st to first sc to join. (120 sc)

Rnd 5 (fan base setup): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same joining st, (sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, shell in next st) 19 times, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (20 shells, 20 sc)

Rnd 6 (fan round 1): In ch-2 sp of each shell work a fan of 5 dc with ch 1 between each (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc). Then sc in sc of previous round. Continue around. (20 fans, 20 sc)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in top of sl st join. Working across each fan: (sc in first dc, hdc in ch-1 sp, dc in center dc of fan, hdc in ch-1 sp, sc in last dc of fan, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to first sc to join. (120 sts)

Rnd 8 (expansion to 132): Ch 1, (sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st) 12 times, sl st to first sc. (132 sc)

Rnd 9 (shell base, round 2): Ch 3, dc in same joining st, (sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, shell in next st) 21 times, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (22 shells, 22 sc)

Rnd 10 (fan round 2): In ch-2 sp of each shell work fan of 5 dc with ch 1 between, sc in each sc between fans. (22 fans, 22 sc)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, (sc in first dc of fan, hdc in ch-1 sp, dc in center dc, hdc in ch-1 sp, sc in last dc, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to first sc. (132 sts)

Rnd 12 (expansion): Ch 1, (sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st) 12 times, sl st to first sc. (144 sc)

Rnd 13 (shell base, round 3): Ch 3, dc in same st, (sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, shell in next) 23 times, sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (24 shells, 24 sc)

Rnd 14 (fan round 3): (Fan of 5 dc with ch 1 between in ch-2 sp of each shell, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (24 fans, 24 sc)

Rnd 15: Ch 1, (sc in first dc of fan, hdc in ch-1 sp, dc in center dc, hdc in ch-1 sp, sc in last dc of fan, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to first sc. (144 sc)

Rnd 16 (expansion): Ch 1, (sc in next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st) 12 times, sl st to first sc. (156 sc)

Rnd 17 (shell base, round 4): Ch 3, dc in same st, (sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, shell in next) 25 times, sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (26 shells, 26 sc)

Rnd 18 (fan round 4): (Fan of 5 dc with ch 1 between in ch-2 sp of shell, sc in sc between fans) around. (26 fans, 26 sc)

Rnd 19: Ch 1, (sc in first dc of fan, hdc in ch-1 sp, dc in center dc, hdc in ch-1 sp, sc in last dc of fan, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to first sc. (156 sc)

Rnd 20 (expansion): Ch 1, (sc in next 12 sts, 2 sc in next st) 12 times, sl st to first sc. (168 sc)

Rnd 21 (shell base, round 5): Ch 3, dc in same st, (sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, shell in next) 27 times, sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (28 shells, 28 sc)

Rnd 22 (fan round 5): (Fan of 5 dc with ch 1 between in ch-2 sp of shell, sc in sc between fans) around. (28 fans, 28 sc)

Rnd 23: Ch 1, (sc in first dc of fan, hdc in ch-1 sp, dc in center dc, hdc in ch-1 sp, sc in last dc of fan, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to first sc. (168 sc)

After Rnd 23, the skirt should measure approximately 5.5 inches or 14 cm from the waist join, with a hem circumference of approximately 30 inches or 76 cm.

Rnd 24 (pre-hem expansion): Ch 1, (sc in next 13 sts, 2 sc in next st) 12 times, sl st to first sc. (180 sc)

Rnd 25 (shell base, round 6): Ch 3, dc in same st, (sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, shell in next) 29 times, sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (30 shells, 30 sc)

Rnd 26 (fan round 6): (Fan of 5 dc with ch 1 between in ch-2 sp of shell, sc in sc between fans) around. (30 fans, 30 sc)

Rnd 27: Ch 1, (sc in first dc of fan, hdc in ch-1 sp, dc in center dc, hdc in ch-1 sp, sc in last dc of fan, sc in sc between fans) around, sl st to first sc. (180 sc)

Rnd 28 (hem foundation): Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (180 sc)

Fasten off MC and join CC.

Rnd 29 (hem border): With CC, ch 1, (sl st in next 2 sts, picot-shell in next st, sl st in next 2 sts) around, sl st to beginning sl st to join. For the hem version of the picot-shell, work (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st in top of first ch-3 sp made, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) all in the same stitch. Each 5-stitch group uses 5 stitches, and 180 divided by 5 equals 36 picot-shell groups. (36 picot-shells)

Fasten off CC and weave in ends. The completed skirt including the hem border should measure approximately 7 inches or 18 cm from waist to bottom of the picot hem.

Sleeves & Neckline Pattern

Each armhole is approximately 12 rows tall and spans the 13-stitch shoulder strap width. You will pick up approximately 38 stitches around each armhole. With RS facing, join MC at the underarm seam of one armhole.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 38 sc evenly around armhole opening, sl st to first sc. (38 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, (sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog) 7 times, sc in remaining 3 sts, sl st to first sc. (31 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (31 sc)

Rnd 4 (sleeve hem): Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc. (31 sc)

Fasten off MC and join CC.

Rnd 5 (sleeve border): With CC, ch 1, (sl st in next 2 sts, picot in next st) around ending with sl st in last st, sl st to beginning sl st. (approximately 10 picots)

Fasten off CC, weave in ends, and repeat for the second sleeve.

Neckline Rnd 1: With RS facing and CC, join at center back right shoulder seam. Ch 1, work sc evenly around the entire neckline opening: 13 sc across right back strap top edge, 13 sc across right front strap top edge, 24 sc across front neckline bottom, 13 sc across left front strap top edge, 13 sc across left back strap top edge, 24 sc across back neckline bottom, sl st to first sc to join. (100 sc) Place markers at each corner of the square neckline.

Neckline Rnd 2 (picot neckline border): Ch 1, (sl st in next 2 sts, picot in next st) around entire neckline, working 3 sl st at each corner marker instead of 2 to prevent puckering, sl st to beginning sl st to join. Fasten off CC.

For the optional back button loop, with CC join at the top right corner of the back neckline, ch 8, sl st to the same corner, and fasten off. Sew one small button to the corresponding left corner of the back neckline.

Rose & Leaf Pattern

With MC and the larger hook, chain 36.

Rose Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, (ch 3, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch) across. (17 ch-3 spaces, 18 sc)

Rose Row 2: Ch 1, turn, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-3 sp across. (17 petals)

Do not fasten off. Roll the strip tightly from one end, spiraling the petals outward. With your yarn needle, secure the base with several stitches through all layers. The rose should be approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm in diameter.

Leaf: With MC and the larger hook, chain 10. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch (tip of leaf). Working back along the opposite side of the foundation chain: sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch, sl st to first sc. (approximately 20 sts around leaf)

Fasten off. Thread the satin ribbon through the eyelet spaces of Rnd 2 of the waist section, beginning and ending at center front, and tie in a bow or square knot with tails of approximately 3 inches or 7.5 cm on each side. Sew the rose and leaf to the center front of the ribbon.

Finishing & Assembly

Block all pieces gently before final assembly if needed. This dress benefits from a light steam block to open up the fan stitches and help the skirt drape beautifully.

Weave in all remaining ends securely. For baby items, I like to weave ends back through themselves a second time for extra security during washing.

The completed dress should measure approximately 14 inches from shoulder to hem. Give it a final press, add the ribbon and rose, and step back to admire your work!

Tips

Take your time with the fan stitch pattern. The rhythm becomes second nature after the first couple of repeats, but those first few rounds need attention.

Use plenty of stitch markers. Mark the beginning of each round and the boundaries of pattern repeats, as it saves so much frogging later.

Count your stitches at each checkpoint. The pattern gives you specific measurements and stitch counts at key points, so use them.

The rose is more forgiving than it looks. Even if your petals are not perfectly even, the rolling and stitching hides a lot. Just keep it tight at the base.