Buttercream Wildflower Crochet Dress Free Crochet Pattern

This buttercream wildflower dress is a true labour of love, and I mean that in the best way! A butter yellow cotton dress with a fitted single crochet bodice, a flowing diamond lace skirt, and three-dimensional roses, daisies and forget-me-nots sewn along the neckline and hem. It looks like something from a vintage garden party.

We work from the top down in joined rounds. First the bodice cups and back panel, joined in the round and shaped at the waist with decreases. Then the skirt opens up into the diamond lace pattern, with increase rounds between lace tiers to create that lovely A-line flare. The flowers are made separately at the end and arranged however feels right to you.

The pattern includes four sizes, written as Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large). This is an advanced project, so it is best if you have completed at least one fitted garment before. The source estimates 80 to 120 hours for the main dress, plus another 20 to 30 hours for all the flowers, so settle in and enjoy the journey.

Materials

• Butter yellow cotton yarn, DK weight (CYCA 3): approximately 1,800 (2,000, 2,200, 2,400) yards, main colour
• Dusty rose pink DK cotton yarn: approximately 60 yards, flower colour A
• Blush pink DK cotton yarn: approximately 50 yards, flower colour B
• White DK cotton yarn: approximately 80 yards, flower colour C
• Cornflower blue DK cotton yarn: approximately 60 yards, flower colour D
• Sage green DK cotton yarn, for leaves and stems: approximately 80 yards, flower colour E
• Pale lavender DK cotton yarn (optional accent): approximately 30 yards, flower colour F
• Bright yellow DK cotton yarn, for daisy centres: approximately 20 yards, flower colour G
• US D-3 (3.25mm) crochet hook, for the bodice and flowers
• US E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook, for the skirt lace sections
• Stitch markers (at least 6)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Rust-proof pins, for blocking
• Sewing thread and needle, for attaching flowers
• Fabric lining or slip in a matching colour (recommended)
• 1 yard of 1/4-inch elastic (optional, for waist comfort if adding lining)

Abbreviations

• beg: beginning
• BLO: back loop only
• ch: chain
• ch-sp: chain space
• dc: double crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• inc: increase, work 2 sc in the same stitch
• MR: magic ring
• rem: remaining
• rep: repeat
• rnd/rnds: round / rounds
• RS: right side
• sc: single crochet
• sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch
• sp/sps: space / spaces
• st/sts: stitch / stitches
• tr: treble crochet
• WS: wrong side
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

• Picot: ch 3, sl st into the first ch of the ch-3. This creates a small decorative loop used on the straps and hem.
• Shell: work 5 dc into the same stitch or space. This is the foundation of the skirt lace pattern.
• V-stitch (V-st): work (dc, ch 2, dc) into the same stitch or space.
• Beginning shell (beg-shell): ch 3, work 4 dc into the same stitch or space to complete a 5-dc shell.

Gauge & Size

• Finished sizes: bust 32 (36, 40, 44) inches, waist 26 (30, 34, 38) inches, total length 42 (42.5, 43, 43.5) inches
• Construction: bodice worked flat then joined in the round, waist shaping, diamond lace skirt in tiers with increase rounds, straps and flower appliques added last
• Skill level: Advanced
• Gauge: bodice 22 sc x 26 rows = 4 inches / 10cm in sc with the D-3 hook, blocked; skirt lace 1 full repeat (14 sts wide) = approximately 2.5 inches, 4 rows of lace = approximately 1 inch, blocked

Front Bodice

The front bodice is worked flat in rows of sc to shape the sweetheart neckline. We make the right cup first.

With main colour and the D-3 hook, ch 21 (23, 26, 28).

Row 1 (RS): Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [20 (22, 25, 27) sc]

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc across. [20 (22, 25, 27) sc]

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Inc in the first st, sc to the last st, inc in the last st. [22 (24, 27, 29) sc]

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. [22 (24, 27, 29) sc]

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Inc in the first st, sc to the last st, inc in the last st. [24 (26, 29, 31) sc]

Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. [24 (26, 29, 31) sc]

Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Inc in the first st, sc to the last st, inc in the last st. [26 (28, 31, 33) sc]

Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. [26 (28, 31, 33) sc]

Fasten off and set the right cup aside. Work the left cup in exactly the same way through Rows 1 to 8, but do not fasten off.

Row 9 (join cups): Ch 1, turn. Sc across the left cup [26 (28, 31, 33) sc], ch 4 for the centre V bridge, sc across the right cup beginning at its first st. [56 (60, 66, 70) sc + 4 ch = 60 (64, 70, 74) working sts]

Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc across all sts and ch sts. [60 (64, 70, 74) sc]

Rows 11 to 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. [60 (64, 70, 74) sc]

Back Bodice

With main colour and the D-3 hook, ch 61 (65, 71, 75).

Row 1 (RS): Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [60 (64, 70, 74) sc]

Rows 2 to 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc across each row. [60 (64, 70, 74) sc]

Joining the Bodice

With the RS of the front and back bodice both facing outward, place the pieces together. The top edges become the underarms. Each piece should be 12 rows tall and 60 (64, 70, 74) sts wide.

Join main colour to the beginning of front bodice Row 12 with a sl st. Do not turn.

Round 1 (join round): Sc across the front [60 (64, 70, 74) sc], sc across the back [60 (64, 70, 74) sc], join with sl st to the first sc. [120 (128, 140, 148) sc]

Place a stitch marker at each side seam, at positions 60 and 120.

Rounds 2 to 6: Sc in each st around, join with sl st. [120 (128, 140, 148) sc each round]

Waist Shaping

Round 7: (Sc to 2 sts before the side marker, sc2tog, sc2tog after the marker) twice. [116 (124, 136, 144) sc]

Round 8: Sc around. [116 (124, 136, 144) sc]

Round 9: (Sc to 2 sts before the side marker, sc2tog, sc2tog after the marker) twice. [112 (120, 132, 140) sc]

Round 10: Sc around. [112 (120, 132, 140) sc]

Round 11: (Sc to 2 sts before the side marker, sc2tog, sc2tog after the marker) twice. [108 (116, 128, 136) sc]

Round 12: Sc around. [108 (116, 128, 136) sc]

Round 13: (Sc to 2 sts before the side marker, sc2tog, sc2tog after the marker) twice. [104 (112, 124, 132) sc]

Round 14: Sc around. [104 (112, 124, 132) sc]

Rounds 15 to 18 (waist band): Working in BLO, sc in each st around, join with sl st. [104 (112, 124, 132) sc each round]

The BLO rounds create a subtle ridge that defines the waistband visually.

Skirt Transition Round

Before beginning the lace, we adjust the stitch count so it is divisible by 14, the lace repeat width.

Size S: Work (sc 12, inc) 8 times. [112 sc]

Size M: Sc around, no increases. [112 sc]

Size L: Work (sc 62, inc) twice. [126 sc]

Size XL: Work (sc 16, inc) 8 times. [140 sc]

Skirt Lace Pattern

Switch to the E-4 hook.

Skirt Lace Round 1: Beg-shell in the first st, (sk 2, sc in next, sk 2, shell in next, sk 2, sc in next, sk 2) rep around to complete 8 (8, 9, 10) repeats. Join with sl st.

Skirt Lace Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Dc in the first ch-sp between the beg-shell and sc. Ch 1. (Dc in sc, ch 3, sc in the centre (3rd) dc of shell, ch 3, dc in sc, ch 1, dc in sp between shells, ch 1) rep around. Join with sl st to the 3rd ch of the beg ch-4.

Skirt Lace Round 3: Sl st to ch-1 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in the same ch-1 sp. (Sc in ch-3 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp, shell in ch-1 sp between dc clusters) rep around. Join with sl st.

Skirt Lace Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in the centre dc of the first shell. (Ch 3, dc in sc, ch 1, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, dc in sc, ch 3, sc in the centre dc of shell) rep around. Join with sl st.

Skirt Lace Round 5: Ch 1, sc in the first st. (Ch 3, shell in ch-1 sp, ch 3, sc in next sc) rep around. Join with sl st.

Rounds 6 to 8: Repeat Rounds 2, 3, and 4.

Rounds 1 through 8 form one complete diamond lace tier.

Skirt Increase Rounds

After every 2 complete lace tiers (every 16 rounds), work an increase round using the D-3 hook.

Increase Round 1 (after 16 lace rounds): Size S and M: (sc 7, inc) 14 times. [126 sc] Size L: (sc 8, inc) 14 times. [140 sc] Size XL: (sc 9, inc) 14 times. [154 sc]

Increase Round 2 (after 32 lace rounds): Size S and M: (sc 8, inc) 14 times. [140 sc] Size L: (sc 9, inc) 14 times. [154 sc] Size XL: (sc 10, inc) 14 times. [168 sc]

Increase Round 3 (after 48 lace rounds): Size S and M: (sc 9, inc) 14 times. [154 sc] Size L: (sc 10, inc) 14 times. [168 sc] Size XL: (sc 11, inc) 14 times. [182 sc]

Continue working 3 complete lace tiers with increase rounds between them.

Hem Border

Switch to the D-3 hook.

Hem Transition Round: Sc in each st around. [154 (154, 168, 182) sc]

Hem Scallop Round 1: Ch 1. (Sc in next 2 sts, sk 2, shell (5 dc) in next st, sk 2) rep around. Join with sl st. [22 (22, 24, 26) shells]

Hem Scallop Round 2: Sl st to the centre dc of the first shell. Ch 1. Sc in the same st. (Ch 3, sc in the centre dc of next shell) rep around. Join with sl st.

Hem Scallop Round 3: Sl st into the first ch-3 sp. Ch 1. (Sc, hdc, dc, picot, dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-3 sp around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Straps (Make 2)

With main colour and the D-3 hook, ch 121 (121, 125, 125).

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [120 (120, 124, 124) sc]

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. [120 (120, 124, 124) sc]

Picot edging (both long edges): Join main colour at a corner. (Sc in next st, sk 1, picot, sk 1) rep across. Fasten off.

Sew the straps to the inside of the bodice at the front sweetheart corners and back bodice top corners. The straps should span approximately 9 (9, 9.5, 9.5) inches over the shoulder.

Flower Appliques

Make all the flowers separately using these instructions, then arrange and sew them on.

Small rose, Row 1: With a flower colour, ch 31. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [30 sc]

Small rose, Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Inc across. [60 sc]

Small rose, Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in the same st. (Sk 1 st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st) rep across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Roll the strip into a spiral rose shape with Row 3 facing out, sewing the base together as you roll.

Large rose (for hem), Row 1: Ch 51. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [50 sc]

Large rose, Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Inc across. [100 sc]

Large rose, Row 3: Ch 3, turn. Dc in the same st. (Sk 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next) rep across. Roll and seam the same as the small rose.

Daisy: With white, make a MR, ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring, pull the ring closed, join with sl st. [6 sc]

Daisy, Round 2: For each of the 6 petals: sl st into the next sc, ch 8, tr into the 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st into the last ch, sl st into the base sc. Repeat for each st. Fasten off. Sew a yellow French knot or bobble to the centre.

Forget-me-not cluster: With cornflower blue, make a MR, ch 2, work 5 hdc into the ring, pull the ring closed, join with sl st. [5 hdc] Fasten off. Work 3 to 5 together in clusters.

Leaf: With sage green, ch 10. Sl st in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last, ch 1. Working along the opposite side: sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Flower quantities for the neckline: 5 small roses, 4 daisies, 3 forget-me-not clusters, 8 leaves.

Flower quantities for the hem, Size S: 10 large roses, 14 small roses, 18 daisies, 12 forget-me-not clusters, 20 leaves. Size M: 11 large roses, 16 small roses, 20 daisies, 14 clusters, 22 leaves. Size L: 12 large roses, 18 small roses, 22 daisies, 16 clusters, 24 leaves. Size XL: 14 large roses, 20 small roses, 24 daisies, 18 clusters, 26 leaves.

Pin all the flowers before sewing. Arrange the roses first, fill with daisies and forget-me-nots, and tuck leaves underneath. Sew through the bases only using matching thread.

Finishing & Assembly

Seam the back bodice closed using a slip stitch seam or mattress stitch through the edge stitches. This creates a centre back seam from neckline to waist.

Block the entire dress on a flat surface or dress form. Pin the lace sections open to show the diamond pattern, and allow to dry completely before wearing.

This dress is designed to be worn over a slip or lining in a matching colour.

Tips

Check your gauge carefully. This is a fitted garment, and a small gauge difference multiplied across hundreds of stitches creates major sizing problems. Block your swatch after washing, because cotton grows, and measure it once it has dried completely.

Make all the flowers before attaching any. You want to see your full collection laid out so you can create a balanced arrangement. Take photos during flower placement, step back, and look at the picture on your phone screen; it helps you spot gaps or awkward clustering.

Use the recommended lining. The lace skirt is open and airy, and a slip underneath makes the dress appropriate for more occasions and prevents any sheerness concerns.