Mint Lavender Shell Stitch Baby Dress Free Pattern

I set out to make a baby dress that feels truly special without being fussy, and this little beauty is exactly that. A soft mint bodice, a diamond lattice skirt, and a dreamy lavender shell hem with the sweetest scallops, all in one top-down piece.

We will work three simple single crochet bodice panels first, join them with little chain bridges at the underarms, then flow down the skirt in rounds. The flutter sleeves and back button loop finish it off, and because it is worked top-down, you can check the fit as you go and adjust the length easily.

It is sized for 12 to 18 months, with a chest of about 20 inches and a shoulder-to-hem length of about 15 inches. If you have worked shells before, you are ready. Let me walk you through it.

Materials

• DK weight yarn (CYCA #3) in cotton or cotton-acrylic blend: Colour A Mint Green approx. 220 yards, Colour B Lavender approx. 130 yards
• US G-6 / 4.0mm crochet hook, or size needed to meet gauge
• Yarn needle for weaving ends
• Stitch markers, at least 6
• 1 white button, approximately 3/8 inch diameter
• Scissors
• Blocking mat and pins

Abbreviations

• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• ch-sp: chain space
• sk: skip
• sc2tog: single crochet two together
• st/sts: stitch / stitches

Special Stitches

• Shell Fan Stitch: Work 5 double crochet into the same stitch or chain space. In this pattern, shells are separated by a chain-1 space and anchored to the middle stitch of the previous shell.
• Diamond Lattice Stitch: Row A works a V-stitch (dc, ch 1, dc) into one spot, skips a stitch, then works a single crochet, then skips another stitch. Row B reverses the positions, placing single crochets into the V-stitch chain spaces and V-stitches into the single crochets. The alternation creates the diamond pattern in the skirt.
• Flutter Sleeve Scallop: Work (slip stitch, chain 2, 4 double crochet, chain 2, slip stitch) all into the same stitch to form a little fan around the armhole.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: 12 to 18 months; chest circumference approximately 20 inches, total length about 15 inches (bodice 6 inches, skirt 9 inches)
• Gauge: 18 single crochet and 20 rows = 4 inches, worked flat with a US G-6 hook, blocked; one 6-stitch shell fan repeat measures about 1.33 inches wide and 0.75 inches tall
• Construction: three bodice panels worked flat, joined at the underarms, skirt worked in rounds downward, flutter sleeves added last
• Skill level: Intermediate

Back Bodice Panels

Back Bodice Right Panel: using Colour A, chain 23.

Row 1 (WS): Sc into the 2nd chain from hook and into each chain across. Turn. (22 sc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc into each stitch across. Turn. (22 sc)

Rows 3 through 12: Repeat Row 2, turning after each row. (22 sc)

After Row 12, the panel measures approximately 2.5 inches tall. Place a stitch marker at the armhole edge, which is the right edge when looking at the right side. Set aside but do not fasten off.

Back Bodice Left Panel: using Colour A, chain 23.

Row 1 (WS): Sc into the 2nd chain from hook and into each chain across. Turn. (22 sc)

Rows 2 through 12: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (22 sc)

Place a stitch marker at the armhole edge, which is the left edge when the right side is facing. Set aside but do not fasten off.

Front Bodice

Using Colour A, chain 41.

Row 1 (WS): Sc into the 2nd chain from hook and into each chain across. Turn. (40 sc)

Rows 2 through 12: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (40 sc)

Place stitch markers at both ends to mark the armhole edges. Set aside.

Yoke Joining Row

This row unites all three bodice panels with chain underarm bridges. With right side facing, hold the Back Right Panel with the yarn still attached at the top of the last row.

Joining Row (RS): Ch 1, sc across 22 stitches of Back Right Panel. Chain 4 for the underarm bridge. Sc across 40 stitches of Front Bodice. Chain 4 for the second underarm bridge. Sc across 22 stitches of Back Left Panel using the yarn attached to that panel, or join a new strand of Colour A with a standing sc. Turn.

Stitch count: 22 + 4 ch-bridge + 40 + 4 ch-bridge + 22 = 88 stitches and 8 chain stitches.

Skirt Setup Round

Round 1 Setup: With right side facing, join Colour A with slip stitch to the first stitch at the centre front bottom of the joining row. Ch 1. Sc across all stitches, working 1 sc into each of the 4 underarm bridge chains on each side as well. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (88 sc)

At the waist joining round you should have 88 sc total forming a complete circle. The waist should measure approximately 19 to 20 inches when the back edges are pinned together.

Diamond Lattice Skirt

Worked in Colour A. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round.

Lattice Round 1: Ch 4, which counts as dc plus ch 1. Skip next stitch. Work (dc, ch 1, dc) into next stitch. Skip next stitch. Sc into next stitch. Skip next stitch. Repeat from (dc, ch 1, dc) into next stitch, skip next stitch, sc into next stitch around. End with slip stitch to 3rd chain of beginning ch-4. (22 V-sts, 22 sc)

Lattice Round 2: Ch 1. Sc into the first ch-1 space of first V-stitch. Ch 1. Dc into next sc. Ch 1. Sc into next ch-1 space. Ch 1. Dc into next sc. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (44 sc, 44 dc)

Lattice Round 3: Ch 4, which counts as dc plus ch 1. Dc into same space as beginning to form the first V-stitch. Skip the next dc. Sc into the next sc. Skip next dc. Work (dc, ch 1, dc) into next sc. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to 3rd chain of beginning ch-4. (22 V-sts, 22 sc)

Lattice Round 4: Repeat Lattice Round 2. (44 sc, 44 dc)

Lattice Round 5: Repeat Lattice Round 3. (22 V-sts, 22 sc)

Lattice Round 6: Repeat Lattice Round 2. (44 sc, 44 dc)

Expansion Round 7: Ch 1. Sc into the first ch-1 space. Work 2 sc into the next dc for an increase. Sc into the next sc. Work 2 sc into the next dc for an increase. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (110 sc)

Adjustment Round 8: Ch 1. Sc2tog over next 2 stitches. Sc across 53 stitches. Sc2tog. Sc across remaining 53 stitches. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (108 sc)

Now you have 108 stitches, which divides evenly by 4 for the lattice repeat.

Lattice Round 9: Ch 4, which counts as dc plus ch 1. Skip next stitch. Work (dc, ch 1, dc) into next stitch. Skip next stitch. Sc into next stitch. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to 3rd chain of beginning ch-4. (27 V-sts, 27 sc)

Lattice Round 10: Ch 1. Sc into first ch-1 space. Ch 1. Dc into next sc. Ch 1. Sc into next ch-1 space. Ch 1. Dc into next sc. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (54 sc, 54 dc)

Lattice Round 11: Repeat Lattice Round 9 structure. (27 V-sts, 27 sc)

Lattice Round 12: Repeat Lattice Round 10. (54 sc, 54 dc)

Lattice Round 13: Repeat Lattice Round 9 structure. (27 V-sts, 27 sc)

Lattice Round 14: Repeat Lattice Round 10. (54 sc, 54 dc)

After Round 14, the skirt from waist should measure approximately 6 inches.

Hem Expansion Round 15: Ch 1. Sc across each working position of Round 14, placing 2 sc into every 18th sc for 6 increases total. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (114 sc)

To distribute evenly, work 17 sc, then 2 sc into next stitch. Repeat 5 more times, then sc to end of round.

Colour change: at the end of Round 15, join Colour B. Before making the final slip stitch join, draw up Colour B through the loop on the hook to complete the slip stitch. Fasten off Colour A. Continue all remaining rounds in Colour B.

Shell Hem

Worked in Colour B.

Shell Round 1: Ch 3, which counts as first dc. Work 4 dc into same stitch as join to complete the beginning shell. Skip 2 stitches. Sc into next stitch. Skip 2 stitches. Work 5 dc into next stitch for a shell. Repeat around. End with slip stitch to top of beginning ch-3. (19 shells, 19 sc)

Shell Round 2: Ch 1. Sc into same stitch as join, which is the centre of the beginning shell. Ch 2. Work 5 dc into next sc. Ch 2. Sc into centre dc of next shell. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (19 shells, 19 sc)

Shell Round 3: Ch 3, which counts as dc. Work 4 dc into same sc for beginning shell. Ch 1. Sc into centre dc of next shell. Ch 1. Work 5 dc into next sc. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to top of beginning ch-3. (19 shells, 19 sc)

Shell Round 4: Ch 1. Sc into same stitch. Ch 2. Work 5 dc into next sc. Ch 2. Sc into centre dc of next shell. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (19 shells, 19 sc)

Shell Round 5: Ch 3. Work 4 dc into same sc. Ch 1. Sc into centre dc of shell. Ch 1. Work 5 dc into next sc. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to top of ch-3. (19 shells, 19 sc)

Scallop Round: Ch 1. Sc into same stitch. Work 5 dc into next sc. Sc into centre dc of next shell. Repeat around. Join with slip stitch to first sc. Fasten off. (19 shells, 19 sc)

The completed skirt from waist to hem should measure approximately 9 inches.

Flutter Sleeves

Each armhole opening spans the 12 bodice rows plus the 4-chain underarm bridge, giving approximately 30 stitch positions per armhole.

Flutter Sleeve Setup Round: With right side facing and Colour A, join yarn with slip stitch at the centre underarm bridge of one armhole. Ch 1. Work 30 sc evenly around the armhole opening: approximately 12 sc up the back armhole edge, 4 sc along the top shoulder curve, 12 sc down the front armhole edge, and 2 sc across the underarm chain bridge. Join with slip stitch to first sc. (30 sc)

Flutter Scallop Round: Work (slip stitch into next stitch, ch 2, 4 dc into same stitch, ch 2, slip stitch into same stitch) into every 3rd sc around. Work 10 scallops total. Join with slip stitch. Fasten off. (10 scallops)

Repeat for the second armhole.

Finishing & Assembly

Neckline and back opening edging: with right side facing and Colour A, join yarn at the top right corner of the back right panel.

Neckline Edging Round: Ch 1. Sc evenly along the right back opening edge, approximately 12 sc. Continue across the back neck, approximately 22 sc. Continue along the top of the front neckline, approximately 40 sc. Continue across the second back neck section, approximately 22 sc. Work down the left back opening edge, approximately 12 sc. Do not join. (approximately 108 sc)

Edging Row 2: Sc into each sc along the entire edging, working 3 sc into each corner stitch at the four neckline corners to keep the work flat. Turn. (approximately 112 sc)

Button loop: at the top of the right back opening, ch 6. Skip 3 sc. Slip stitch into next sc. Fasten off.

Sew the button to the corresponding position on the left back panel.

Weave in all yarn ends securely with your yarn needle, working the tails through the backs of stitches in multiple directions.

Blocking: soak the finished dress in cool water with a small amount of gentle wash for 15 minutes. Roll in a clean towel to remove excess water; do not wring. Lay flat on a blocking mat, pin the hem scallops outward to open them fully, pin the neckline corners to right angles and pin the flutter sleeves flat. Allow to dry completely before removing pins.

Tips

The back opening runs from the neck down approximately 2.5 inches, so the dress slips over baby’s head easily when the button is unfastened.

Keep a stitch marker at the start of every skirt round. The lattice pattern can distract your eye, and the marker keeps your place beautifully.

To lengthen the dress, add one more pair of lattice rounds before the expansion round; to shorten it, remove one pair. Always make sure your stitch count before the shell hem is divisible by 6.

Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cool water using a mesh laundry bag, and lay flat to dry.