Ocean Wave Baby Dress Free Crochet Pattern

This Ocean Wave baby dress is such a sweet handmade gift for a baby shower! The bodice uses simple single and double crochet stitches, while the skirt flares gently and finishes with a layered wave border in graduating shades of blue. Then comes my favourite part: little crocheted seashells, starfish and coral appliqués sewn along the hem, like a tiny ocean floor.

We work the bodice flat in three panels, join the shoulders and sides, then work the skirt in the round straight from the bodice edge. The sleeves, neckline ruffle and button bands come next, and each appliqué is worked separately and sewn on at the end, so you can place them exactly how you like.

This dress fits babies approximately 6 to 12 months, with a chest of approximately 18 inches and a length from shoulder to hem of approximately 14 inches. The button-front closure runs down the center bodice, which makes dressing and diaper changes so much easier.

Materials

• Light worsted weight yarn (category 3) in Aqua / Seafoam (Main Color), approximately 250 yards
• Light worsted weight yarn in Medium Blue (Color A), approximately 40 yards
• Light worsted weight yarn in Light Blue (Color B), approximately 30 yards
• Light worsted weight yarn in White (Color C), approximately 25 yards
• Light worsted weight yarn in Coral / Salmon (Color D), approximately 15 yards
• Light worsted weight yarn in Cream / Off-White (Color E), approximately 15 yards
• Light worsted weight yarn in Sage Green (Color F), approximately 20 yards
• 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook, for the main dress
• 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook, for the appliqués
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• 5 small buttons, approximately 10 mm diameter
• Sewing needle and matching thread for buttons

Abbreviations

• Ch: chain
• Sl st: slip stitch
• Sc: single crochet
• Dc: double crochet
• Hdc: half double crochet
• Inc: increase, work 2 stitches into the same stitch
• Dec: decrease, work 2 stitches together as one
• Sk: skip
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• st(s): stitch(es)

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: fits 6 to 12 months; chest approximately 18 inches; length from shoulder to hem approximately 14 inches; sleeve circumference approximately 6 inches
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet using a 4.0 mm hook
• Construction: three bodice panels worked flat and joined, skirt worked in the round from the bodice edge, appliqués made separately and sewn on
• Skill level: Intermediate (confident beginners can tackle it)

Bodice Back Panel Pattern

The bodice is worked flat in rows, starting from the bottom edge.

Foundation: With MC and the 4.0 mm hook, ch 42.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (41 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (41 sts)

Rows 3 through 20: Repeat Row 2. (41 sts)

You should now have a rectangular panel measuring approximately 9 inches wide and 4 inches tall.

Row 21 (armhole shaping): Ch 1, turn. Sl st in first 4 sts, ch 1, sc in next 33 sts, leave remaining 4 sts unworked. (33 sts)

Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (31 sts)

Row 23: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (31 sts)

Rows 24 through 30: Repeat Row 23. (31 sts)

Row 31 (right shoulder): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 8 sts, leave remaining sts unworked. (8 sts)

Row 32: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (7 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Left shoulder: Skip the center 15 stitches for the neck opening. Join MC to the next stitch with sl st.

Row 31: Ch 1, sc in same st and in next 7 sts. (8 sts)

Row 32: Ch 1, turn. Sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (7 sts)

Fasten off.

Bodice Front Left Panel Pattern

Foundation: With MC, ch 23.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (22 sts)

Rows 2 through 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (22 sts)

Row 21 (armhole shaping): Ch 1, turn. Sl st in first 4 sts, ch 1, sc in remaining 18 sts. (18 sts)

Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (17 sts)

Rows 23 through 28: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (17 sts)

Row 29 (neckline shaping): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 10 sts, leave remaining 7 sts unworked. (10 sts)

Row 30: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (9 sts)

Row 31: Ch 1, turn. Sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (8 sts)

Row 32: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc across. (7 sts)

Fasten off.

Bodice Front Right Panel Pattern

Work the same as the Front Left Panel through Row 20, reversing the shaping. This panel will mirror the left side.

Row 21: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 18 sts, leave last 4 sts unworked. (18 sts)

Continue reversing all shaping through Row 32 to create the matching shoulder. Fasten off.

Skirt Pattern

The skirt attaches directly to the bottom edge of the joined bodice and is worked in the round with increases for a gentle flare. First, join all three bodice panels at the shoulders using sl st or your preferred seaming method, and join the side seams from the bottom of the bodice up to the armhole openings.

Round 1: With RS facing, join MC at center back. Ch 1, work 82 sc evenly around the entire bottom edge of the bodice, sl st to first sc to join. (82 sts)

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout skirt), dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-3. (82 dc)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (102 sts)

Rounds 4 through 6: Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (102 sts)

Round 7: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (122 sts)

Rounds 8 through 12: Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (122 sts)

Round 13: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (142 sts)

Rounds 14 through 20: Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st to join. (142 sts)

Fasten off MC.

Wave Border Pattern

This is where the ocean theme really comes to life. We work three rounds of wave edging in graduating blues.

Wave Round 1 (Color A, Medium Blue): Join Color A with sl st to any st. [Sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next st, sc in next st] repeat around, sl st to join. Fasten off.

Wave Round 2 (Color B, Light Blue): Join Color B in any sc from previous round. [Sc in sc, hdc in hdc, dc in next 2 dc, hdc in hdc, sc in sc] repeat around, sl st to join. Fasten off.

Wave Round 3 (Color C, White): Join Color C in any sc. Work scallop edging: [Sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st (shell made), sk 1 st, sl st in next st] repeat around. Fasten off.

Sleeves Pattern

Make 2. With RS facing, join MC at the center of the underarm.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 28 sc evenly around the armhole opening, sl st to join. (28 sts)

Rounds 2 through 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (28 sts)

Ruffle Round: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to join. (56 sts)

Edging Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. Fasten off.

Neckline and Button Bands

Neckline Edging — Round 1: With RS facing, join MC at center back neck. Work sc evenly around the entire neckline, sl st to join.

Neckline Edging — Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around for a ruffle effect, sl st to join.

Neckline Edging — Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. Fasten off.

Button Band (Right Front) — Row 1: With RS facing, join MC at the bottom of the right front opening. Work sc evenly up the front edge to the neckline. Turn.

Button Band (Right Front) — Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off.

Buttonhole Band (Left Front) — Row 1: With RS facing, join MC at the top of the left front opening (at neckline). Work sc evenly down the front edge. Turn.

Buttonhole Band (Left Front) — Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, [ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts] repeat 4 more times for 5 buttonholes total, sc to end. Fasten off.

Ocean Appliqués

These small pieces bring the whole dress together. Work each with the 3.5 mm hook for tighter stitches and better definition.

Seashell (Make 3 to 4): With Color C or Color E, ch 10.

Seashell — Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in last ch. Do not turn.

Seashell — Row 2: Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, hdc in first ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Starfish (Make 3 to 4): With Color D, make a magic ring.

Starfish — Round 1: Ch 1, 5 sc into ring, sl st to join. (5 sts)

Starfish — Arm 1: Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st into next sc of center ring.

Repeat the arm instructions 4 more times for the remaining arms. Fasten off.

Coral Branch (Make 2 to 3): With Color D or Color F, ch 12. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, [ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch, sl st in next ch of main chain] repeat twice more, sl st in remaining chains.

Fasten off.

Seaweed Strand (Make 2 to 3): With Color F, ch 20. [3 sc in 2nd ch from hook], sc in next ch, [3 sc in next ch], sc in next ch, continue alternating to create a wavy strand.

Fasten off.

Finishing & Assembly

Weave in all ends on the dress body and all appliqués.

Block the dress by wetting it gently and laying it flat to dry. This evens out your stitches and helps the skirt lay nicely.

Arrange the appliqués on the skirt before sewing. I recommend placing larger shells and coral near the wave border, with starfish scattered between. Pin everything in place first.

Sew the appliqués using matching thread and small whip stitches. Tack down securely since babies grab at everything.

Attach the buttons to the right front band, aligning with the buttonholes. Use sewing thread and secure tightly.

Tips

Feeling nervous about the appliqués? Start with just one or two seashells. You can always add more later, and for a simpler version you can skip the appliqués entirely, because the wave border alone creates a lovely ocean-inspired hem.

Worried about the wave border? Practice the shell stitch on a small swatch first. Once you get the rhythm, it works up quickly.

Not sure about colour placement? Lay your appliqués out on a towel in the shape of the skirt and take a photo to remember your favourite arrangement.

First time making a baby garment? This dress is more forgiving than fitted adult clothing. Babies grow fast, so a slightly larger fit just means more wear time. For larger sizes, add repeats to the foundation chain and adjust the increases proportionally.