Dusty Rose Romantic Lace Dress Free Crochet Pattern

This romantic lace dress is such a special make! We work it top-down in joined rounds, starting with a dusty rose fan and pineapple lace yoke, then a cream bodice with gentle waist shaping, a pretty medallion hip panel, and a long chevron skirt that finishes with scalloped shells.

The colours do so much of the storytelling here: dusty rose (Colour B) for the yoke, cap sleeves, and chevron stripes, and cream (Colour A) for the bodice and the rest of the skirt. It is an advanced project, so I recommend practising the fan and chevron stitches on swatches first if they are new to you.

We will take it section by section, and I will give you a stitch count at the end of every round so you always know you are on track. Let us begin!

Materials

• 1,200 yards of fingering-weight or light DK cotton yarn in cream (Colour A)
• 500 yards of fingering-weight or light DK cotton yarn in dusty rose (Colour B)
• 3.5 mm crochet hook (US E-4)
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle
• Small button or snap for the back closure (optional)
• Blocking mats and pins

Abbreviations

• beg: beginning
• ch: chain
• ch-sp: chain space
• dc: double crochet
• dec: decrease
• hdc: half double crochet
• hdc2tog: half double crochet two together
• inc: increase
• lp(s): loop(s)
• pm: place marker
• rem: remaining
• rep: repeat
• rnd: round
• rs: right side
• sc: single crochet
• sc2tog: single crochet two together
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch
• sp: space
• st(s): stitch(es)
• tr: treble crochet
• ws: wrong side
• yo: yarn over

Special Stitches

• Fan stitch: skip 2 stitches, work 5 double crochets into the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, single crochet into the next stitch. One fan unit spans 6 stitches.
• Shell scallop edging: slip stitch into the first stitch, work 5 double crochets into the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, slip stitch into the next stitch, and repeat.
• Chevron ripple stitch: worked in the round over a multiple of 12 stitches, with 3 double crochets in each peak stitch and a dc3tog over 3 stitches at each valley. The full round instructions are given in the skirt section.
• Circular medallion: worked separately in 4 rounds and joined into the hip panel. Round 1: 12 sc in a magic ring (12 sc). Round 2: (2 dc, ch 1) in each st around (24 dc, 12 ch-1 sps). Round 3: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp around (12 shell pairs, 12 ch-2 sps). Round 4: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) into each ch-2 sp and sc into each ch-1 sp (12 petal shells, 12 sc connectors). Fasten off leaving a 12-inch tail.

Gauge & Size

• Gauge: 22 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet worked in the round with Colour A and a 3.5 mm hook; one 12-stitch chevron repeat = approximately 2.2 inches wide
• Finished size: total length from neckline to hem approximately 36 inches, skirt hem circumference approximately 72 inches, waist approximately 28 inches at the shaped bodice
• Construction: top-down in joined rounds with a flat-worked back neck opening, held sleeve stitches worked later as cap sleeves, and 10 medallions joined at the hip
• Skill level: Advanced

Neckline and Yoke Pattern

With Colour B and a 3.5 mm hook, loosely chain 120. Taking care not to twist the chain, join with a slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring.

Round 1 (right side): Ch 1. Sc in each chain around. Join with sl st to first sc. (120 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in first 30 sts. Turn work. We now work flat for 4 rows across these 30 centre back stitches to create the back neck opening.

Row 1 (ws): Ch 1. Sc in each of 30 sts. Turn. (30 sc)

Row 2 (rs): Ch 1. Sc in each of 30 sts. Turn. (30 sc)

Row 3 (ws): Ch 1. Sc in each of 30 sts. Turn. (30 sc)

Row 4 (rs): Ch 1. Sc in each of 30 sts. Do not turn. (30 sc)

Resume working in rounds along the remaining 90 sts of the neckline foundation, connecting with sc at the first unworked stitch after the back opening. You now have 120 total stitches in the round.

Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (120 sc)

Round 4 (Fan Lace Set-up): Ch 1. Work Fan Stitch across: (sk 2, 5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next st) 20 times. Join. (20 fans, 20 sc = 120 sts)

Round 5: Ch 1. (Sc in centre dc of fan, ch 3, sc in sc between fans, ch 3) 20 times. Join. (40 sc, 40 ch-3 sps)

Round 6 (Pineapple bodies begin): Sl st to ch-3 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc). 6 dc in same ch-3 sp (pineapple base of 7 dc). Sc in next ch-3 sp. Repeat (7 dc into next ch-3 sp, sc into next ch-3 sp) 19 times. Join. (20 pineapple bases of 7 dc each, 20 sc)

Round 7: Ch 1. Sc in first dc. (Ch 1, sc in next dc) 6 times (7 sc across pineapple, 6 ch-1 sps). Ch 3. Sk sc. Repeat across all 20 pineapples. Join. (140 sc, 120 ch-1 sps, 20 ch-3 sps)

Round 8 (pineapple narrows): Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Sc in same sp. (Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp) 5 times (6 sc, 5 ch-1 sps per pineapple). Ch 3. Sk ch-3 sp. Repeat across. Join. (120 sc, 100 ch-1 sps, 20 ch-3 sps)

Round 9: Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Sc in same sp. (Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp) 4 times. Ch 3. Sk ch-3 sp. Repeat across. Join. (100 sc, 80 ch-1 sps, 20 ch-3 sps)

Round 10: Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Sc in same sp. (Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp) 3 times. Ch 3. Sk ch-3 sp. Repeat across. Join. (80 sc, 60 ch-1 sps, 20 ch-3 sps)

Round 11: Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Sc in same sp. (Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp) 2 times. Ch 3. Sk ch-3 sp. Repeat across. Join. (60 sc, 40 ch-1 sps, 20 ch-3 sps)

Round 12: Sl st to first ch-1 sp. Sc in same sp. Ch 1. Sc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 3. Sk ch-3 sp. Repeat across. Join. (40 sc, 20 ch-1 sps, 20 ch-3 sps)

Round 13 (pineapple tips close): (Sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-1 sp. Sc in each ch-3 sp. Repeat across. Join. (100 sc)

Round 14: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (100 sc)

Round 15: Ch 1. (Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts) 10 times, distributing the 10 decreases evenly across the round. Join. (90 sc)

After Round 15 your piece should measure approximately 5 inches from the top of the neckline to the bottom of the yoke, and the lower edge should have 90 stitches.

Bodice Pattern

On Round 16 we divide for front, back, and sleeves: 30 stitches front, 30 stitches back, and 15 stitches for each sleeve, which we place on holders for the cap sleeves later.

Round 16: Join Colour A at any point. Hdc in next 15 sts (right back). Place next 15 sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn (right sleeve). Hdc in next 30 sts (front). Place next 15 sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn (left sleeve). Hdc in next 15 sts (left back). Join. (60 hdc across front and back combined)

Round 17: Ch 2 (does not count as st). Hdc in each st around. Join. (60 hdc)

Round 18: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (60 hdc)

Round 19 (decrease round): Ch 2. (Hdc in next 9 sts, hdc2tog) 6 times. Join. (54 hdc)

Round 20: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (54 hdc)

Round 21: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (54 hdc)

Round 22 (decrease round): Ch 2. (Hdc in next 7 sts, hdc2tog) 6 times. Join. (48 hdc)

Round 23: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (48 hdc)

Round 24: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (48 hdc)

Round 25 (decrease round): Ch 2. (Hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog) 6 times. Join. (42 hdc)

Round 26: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (42 hdc)

Round 27: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (42 hdc)

Round 28 (lace row): Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1). (Sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1) around. Join to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4. (21 dc, 21 ch-1 sps)

Round 29: Sl st into ch-1 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in same sp. Ch 1. (2 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) around. Join. (42 dc, 21 ch-1 sps)

Round 30: Ch 1. Sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp around. Join. (63 sc)

Round 31 (increase round): Ch 1. (Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) 12 times. Sc in remaining 3 sts. Join. (75 sc)

Round 32: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (75 hdc)

Round 33: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (75 hdc)

Round 34 (hip increase round): Ch 2. (Hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 15 times. Join. (90 hdc)

Round 35: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (90 hdc)

Round 36: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (90 hdc)

Round 37 (hip increase round): Ch 2. (Hdc in next 8 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times. Join. (100 hdc)

Round 38: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (100 hdc)

Round 39: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (100 hdc)

Round 40 (increase round): Ch 2. (Hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times. Join. (110 hdc)

Round 41: Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Join. (110 hdc)

Round 42: Ch 2. (Hdc in next 10 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 10 times. Join. (120 hdc)

Medallion Hip Panel

Work 10 Circular Medallions in Colour A using the medallion instructions in Special Stitches. Each medallion measures approximately 3.5 inches in diameter after blocking. Set them aside.

Round 43 (joining round): Ch 1. Sc in first 6 sts. Holding the first medallion with right sides facing outward, sc through the next 2 sts of the dress and through 2 edge stitches on the outer petal of the medallion simultaneously, then continue sc through the medallion edge for 12 stitches total to span one medallion width. Sc in next 2 sts of dress only. Repeat the joining process for each medallion. Join. (120 sc total, 10 medallions joined)

Round 44: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (120 sc)

Round 45 (increase round): Ch 1. (Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) 20 times. Join. (140 sc)

Round 46: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (140 sc)

Round 47 (increase round): Ch 1. (Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) 20 times. Join. (160 sc)

Round 48: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (160 sc)

Round 49 (increase round): Ch 1. (Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st) 20 times. Join. (180 sc)

Round 50: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (180 sc)

Confirm your count before the chevron section: 180 is divisible by 12, giving 15 chevron repeats.

Chevron Skirt Pattern

The chevron stripes alternate 2 rounds of Colour B (dusty rose) with 2 rounds of Colour A (cream).

Round 51 (Colour B): Ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc in same st (peak start). Dc in next 4 sts. Dc3tog over next 3 sts (valley). Dc in next 4 sts. (3 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog, dc in next 4 sts) 14 times. Join with sl st to top of ch-3. (180 dc)

Round 52 (Colour B): Ch 3. 2 dc in same st. Dc in next 4 sts. Dc3tog. Dc in next 4 sts. (3 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog, dc in next 4 sts) 14 times. Join. (180 dc)

Round 53 (Colour A): Ch 3. 2 dc in same st. Dc in next 4 sts. Dc3tog. Dc in next 4 sts. (3 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, dc3tog, dc in next 4 sts) 14 times. Join. (180 dc)

Round 54 (Colour A): Repeat Round 53. (180 dc)

Rounds 55 through 62: Continue alternating 2 rounds Colour B and 2 rounds Colour A, following the same chevron pattern. (180 dc each round)

Round 63 (Colour B, Lace Chevron): Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1). Dc in same st. Ch 1. Dc in next 2 sts. Ch 1. Sk 1 st. Dc3tog. Ch 1. Sk 1 st. Dc in next 2 sts. Ch 1. (Dc, ch 1, dc) in peak st. Repeat across 14 more times. Join. (180 working positions)

Rounds 64 through 74: Continue alternating colours every 2 rounds, following the lace chevron pattern of Round 63. (180 positions each round)

Round 75: Ch 1. Sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp around. Join. (180 sc)

Round 76 (Shell Scallop Edging): Join Colour A at any sc. (5 dc in same st. Sk 2 sts. Sl st in next st. Sk 2 sts.) 30 times. Join. (30 scallops)

Fasten off Colour A and weave in the end.

Cap Sleeves and Neckline

Return to the 15 held stitches from one underarm sleeve and join Colour B.

Round 1: Ch 1. Sc in each of 15 held sts. Pick up and sc 3 sts along the underarm join edge. Join. (18 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (18 sc)

Round 3: Ch 1. (Sc2tog, sc in next st) 6 times. Join. (12 sc)

Round 4 (Shell Scallop Edging): Join Colour B. (5 dc in same st. Sk 2 sts. Sl st in next st.) 4 times. Join. (4 scallops)

Fasten off and repeat for the second sleeve. For the neckline, join Colour B at the back neck edge, ch 1, and sc evenly around the neckline edge for 2 rounds, working (sc, ch 1, sc) at each corner of the back neck opening on the final round. Fasten off and weave in ends. Add a small button and a ch-3 button loop at the back neck opening, or use a snap, if you like.

Finishing & Assembly

Weave in all ends on the wrong side with your yarn needle, working through the back loops of surrounding stitches to secure the cotton yarn, which tends to slip.

Wet blocking is strongly recommended. Soak the dress in cool water with a small amount of gentle soap for 20 minutes, press out the water without wringing, and lay it flat on blocking mats. Pin out the lace yoke fan points, the pineapple tips, the chevron peaks and valleys, and each scallop along the hem and sleeve cuffs, and allow 24 to 48 hours to dry fully.

For care, hand wash in cool water with a gentle, pH-neutral detergent, lay flat to dry, and store folded rather than hung so the skirt does not stretch under its own weight.

Tips

To resize, adjust the starting foundation chain in increments of 12 stitches to maintain the fan repeat. Each 12-stitch increase adds approximately 2.2 inches to the neckline circumference.

For length, add or remove solid chevron stripe rounds in the Rounds 51 to 62 section. Each 2-round set adds approximately 0.65 inch to the skirt length.

Change colours by completing the last yarn over of the last stitch of a round with the new colour before joining. It keeps the colour lines beautifully clean.

Count at every checkpoint. The yoke should measure about 5 inches deep with 90 stitches, the bodice about 6 inches from the underarm divide with a 42-stitch waist, and the skirt should reach 180 stitches before the chevron section begins.