Baby & Kids Intermediate 4-6 hours DK yarn

Worked on the glider, counted out loud —

Mint garden baby dress with daisy trim

A mint cotton baby dress with a daisy-trimmed bodice, suited to confident improvers, about 12 to 18 hours of crochet.

Jump to the rounds

What this one is

This is the dress you make for the baby who's about to attend her first garden party, the one with mint lemonade and bare feet on grass. It's built for a special occasion but easy enough to wear just because the daisies make everyone smile. Make it for a granddaughter, a goddaughter, a niece, or any small person who deserves a dress with a story stitched into the yoke.

Your hands will spend most of their time on the fan-stitch bodice panel, worked flat in rows of five-double-crochet fans before you seam the straps and whipstitch the sides. Then you'll turn to the three little daisies and two leaves, worked in rounds with a magic ring, before sewing them onto the bodice. The finished dress fits babies 6 to 12 months, with a chest circumference of 18 inches and a total length of 14 inches from shoulder strap to hem, and the whole project runs about 12 to 18 hours across a few focused sittings rather than one long stretch.

Try it another way

If you want a different palette, swap the roles of MC and CC—work the bodice and skirt in cream and save the mint for the daisy petals, which start from eight sc into a magic ring before the chain-4 petal round. 24/7 Cotton or Drops Safran both work as substitutes for the Paintbox DK, and the acrylic blend in the Drops option will hold its shape a little better through hand-me-downs. For a bolder look, make more than the three daisies called for and scatter a few extra ones along the skirt's edge instead of clustering them at the bodice. If you need a different fit, work your gauge swatch first—that's the number to adjust, not the stitch pattern itself, since the 37 working stitches of the foundation row and the 5-dc fan repeat stay fixed. You can also change the button color to something that pops against the mint, since only two small 0.5 inch buttons close each strap. If the dress is a quick gift rather than a keepsake, consider working the whole daisy in one color and skipping the yellow AC center for a faster finish.

There's a particular satisfaction in watching the fan stitch bloom—five double crochets fanning out between chain-1 spaces, row after row, until the back bodice panel reads like a repeating scallop under your fingers. Working the daisies next feels like a palate cleanser: a quick magic ring, eight single crochets, then eight petals built from chain-4 loops, finished with a yellow magic-ring center sewn on last. The leaves take only one round each, done in minutes. And there's real craft in the construction itself—leaving the center of the neckline open as you build two separate straps, then whipstitching front to back along the top edge so the square neckline forms itself without any extra shaping.

The rounds, in full

Written out, round by round

Intermediate4-6 hours3.5 mmDK

Bring to the porch

Everything this one takes, in the order you will reach for it.

Yarn

  • Main Color (MC): DK weight cotton or cotton blend in mint green, approximately 300 yards / 275 meters
  • Contrast Color (CC): DK weight cotton or cotton blend in cream or off white, approximately 80 yards / 73 meters
  • Accent Color (AC): Small amount of yellow for daisy centers, approximately 5 yards / 5 meters

Recommended Yarn Options

  • Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Spearmint and Champagne White
  • Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Mint and Ecru
  • Drops Safran for a cotton/acrylic blend with added durability

Hook

  • US Size E-4 / 3.5 mm (adjust to meet gauge)

Notions

  • Tapestry needle
  • Two small buttons, approximately 0.5 inch / 12 mm diameter
  • At least 4 stitch markers
  • Scissors
  • Blocking mat and pins

Substitution tip

  • Any DK weight yarn that achieves the stated gauge will work. For baby items, choose machine washable yarns that are soft against sensitive skin. Avoid fluffy or textured yarns since the fan shell pattern needs clear stitch visibility.

Daisy Flower

Make 3

Fasten off CC after Round 2, leaving a tail for attaching.

Fasten off AC after Round 3, leaving a tail.

Sew the yellow center onto the daisy. Finished daisy measures approximately 1.25 inches / 3.2 cm across.

  1. Round 1With CC, make a magic ring; Ch 1, 8 sc into ring, sl st to first sc to join. (8 sc)
  2. Round 2(Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st into next sc of rnd 1) 8 times. (8 petals)(8)
  3. Round 3Center - AC With AC (yellow), make a magic ring; Ch 1, 6 sc into ring, sl st to join. (6 sc)

Daisy Leaf

Make 2

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching.

  1. Round 1Ch 8; Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch.

Back Bodice Panel

Checkpoint: After Row 8, the bodice panel should measure approximately 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm tall and 9 inches / 23 cm wide. If measurements differ by more than 0.5 inch, recheck your gauge.

You will now work two straps, each 1.5 inches / 4 cm wide. The center section remains open to form the square neckline.

  1. Round 1WS, setup row Foundation Chain: With MC, ch 38 (this yields 37 working stitches); Sc in 2nd ch from hook, (ch 1, sk 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, ch 1, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch) 6 times. Turn. (6 fans, 7 sc = 37 working sts)
  2. Round 2(RS): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same sc (half fan at edge), ch 1, sc in top of next fan (center of the 3rd dc of the 5 dc fan), ch 1, (5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in center of next fan, ch 1) 5 times, 3 dc in last sc (half fan at edge). Turn. (5 full fans, 2 half fans, 6 sc)
  3. Round 3(WS): Ch 1, sc in first dc, (ch 1, 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in center dc of next fan) 6 times, ending sc in top of turning ch. Turn. (6 fans, 7 sc)
  4. Round 4(RS): Repeat Row 2.
  5. Round 5(WS): Repeat Row 3.
  6. Round 6(RS): Repeat Row 2.
  7. Round 7(WS): Repeat Row 3.
  8. Round 8(RS): Repeat Row 2.
  9. Round 9WS, Left Strap Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 1, 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in center of next fan. Turn, leaving remaining stitches unworked. (1 fan, 2 sc)
  10. Round 10RS, Left Strap Ch 3, 2 dc in same sc (half fan), ch 1, sc in center of fan, ch 1, 3 dc in last sc (half fan). Turn. (2 half fans, 1 sc)
  11. Round 11WS, Left Strap Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 1, 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in top of turning ch. Turn. (1 fan, 2 sc)
  12. Rounds 12–15Left Strap Continue alternating Rows 10 and 11. Fasten off, leaving a 12 inch tail for seaming.
  13. Round 9WS, Right Strap With WS facing, skip the center 25 stitches (the open neckline), rejoin MC to the last fan group sc; Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 1, 5 dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in last sc. Turn. (1 fan, 2 sc)
  14. Rounds 10–15Right Strap Work same as Left Strap Rows 10-15. At end of Row 15: Ch 8, sc in 6th ch from hook (button loop made), ch 2, sl st to top corner. Fasten off. Repeat button loop at the left strap top corner.

Front Bodice Panel

  1. Rounds 1–8Work exactly as Back Bodice Panel through Row 8.
  2. Rounds 9–15Strap Shaping Work Rows 9-15 for both straps exactly as the back, but without adding button loops. Fasten off both straps.

Skirt

The skirt is worked by picking up stitches along the bottom edges of both bodice panels.

Setup Round: With RS facing and MC, join yarn at one side seam at the waist; Work 1 sc in each foundation chain stitch around the entire bottom edge; Work 2 sc in each corner to prevent pulling; Adjust your stitch count to achieve 78 sc total (this is divisible by 6 for the fan pattern). (78 sc)

Putting it together

Step 1

Place front and back panels with wrong sides together (right sides facing out). Using a tapestry needle and MC, whipstitch the side seams from the waist up to where the straps begin (the armhole). Do not seam the straps yet.

Step 2

Seam the left strap front to left strap back along the top edge using whipstitch.

Step 3

Seam the right strap front to right strap back along the top edge using whipstitch.

Step 4

Leave the button loops accessible on the back panel. Sew one button onto each front strap corner, aligned with the back button loops.

Marlene's notes

Note 01

The pattern calls for a US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, but treat that as a starting point and adjust until your swatch matches the fan-shell gauge of 1.5 inches per repeat.

Note 02

Use your stitch markers to hold the magic ring steady on Round 1 of each daisy and leaf, and to flag the point on the Back Bodice Panel where the two straps begin.

Note 03

Fasten off CC after Round 2 of each daisy and AC after Round 3, leaving tails rather than weaving them in right away—you'll need those tails to sew the yellow centers onto the petals later.

Note 04

Fan shell gauge: One full fan shell repeat (1 single crochet + chain 1 + 5 double crochet fan + chain 1) = 1.5 inches / 3.8 cm wide. Six rows of fan shell pattern = 3 inches / 7.6 cm tall.

Note 05

Alternate gauge check: 18 stitches x 10 rows in single crochet = 4 inches x 4 inches / 10 cm x 10 cm.

Note 06

Work a swatch of at least 20 stitches and 12 rows before starting. If your swatch is too small, go up a hook size. If it is too large, go down a hook size.

Note 07

Substitution tip: Any DK weight yarn that achieves the stated gauge will work. For baby items, choose machine washable yarns that are soft against sensitive skin. Avoid fluffy or textured yarns since the fan shell pattern needs clear stitch visibility.

Note 08

Fan Shell Stitch (FS): Work 5 double crochet stitches all into the same stitch or space. This creates one fan or shell unit. When placed over the chain space of the previous row, it fans outward and creates that beautiful petal like texture throughout the dress.

Note 09

Scallop Edge Stitch: Worked in CC. Slip stitch into next stitch, chain 3, 2 double crochet in same stitch, slip stitch into next stitch. Repeat across. Each scallop uses 2 stitches of the base edge, creating that rounded ruffle trim along the straps and hem.

Note 10

Picot Stitch: Chain 3, slip stitch in first chain of chain 3. Creates a small decorative loop.

Note 11

The dress is constructed in this order: back bodice panel, front bodice panel, strap seaming, skirt in the round, hem border, strap borders, daisy appliques.

Note 12

Both bodice panels are worked flat from the waist up to the shoulders. They are identical except the back panel has button loops at the top corners.

Note 13

The skirt is worked in the round from the joined waist downward.

Note 14

Fan shell rows that begin with single crochet use chain 1 as the turning chain. Rows that begin with a fan use chain 3 (counts as first double crochet).

Note 15

The fan shell pattern for flat panels uses a multiple of 6 plus 1 stitches. For the skirt in the round, it uses a multiple of 6 stitches.

Note 16

Right side of work is the smooth outward facing side. Keep this consistent throughout.

Note 17

Leave 6 inch tails when joining new colors and weave them in securely, especially for items that will be washed frequently.

Note 18

Finished size: this dress fits babies 6 to 12 months, with a chest circumference of 18 inches and a total length of 14 inches from shoulder strap to hem.

Note 19

Skill level: rated intermediate. The fan shell stitch itself is straightforward once you understand the rhythm, but you will need to pay attention to stitch counts to keep the pattern aligned properly. If you have completed at least two garment projects and feel comfortable working gauge swatches, you will do great here, since the construction involves seaming flat panels, picking up stitches in the round, and creating small crocheted appliques.

Before you sit down

  • Check that you have enough of each color on hand: about 300 yards of mint MC, 80 yards of cream CC, and just 5 yards of yellow AC for the daisy centers.
  • Set out at least 4 stitch markers before you begin—you'll want them to track the fan repeats across the back bodice panel's 14 rows and to mark where the straps start.
  • Work a swatch of at least 20 stitches and 12 rows with your E-4 / 3.5 mm hook first, and size up or down if it comes out too large or too small.
  • Read through Row 1 and Row 2 of the Back Bodice Panel before you start the foundation chain, since the ch-38 setup row and the fan placement in Row 2 set the stitch count for everything that follows.

How the hours go

Back Bodice Panel
about 5 to 7 hours because it runs 14 rows of fan-shell pattern plus the two strap sections worked at the top
Front Bodice Panel and Skirt
about 3 to 5 hours because the front panel is only 2 rounds and the skirt is a single long round
Daisies, leaves, and assembly
about 4 to 6 hours because of the 3 daisies at 3 rounds each, 2 quick leaves, and whipstitching the side seams and straps together

Looking after it

  • Since this dress is cotton or a cotton blend, wash it by hand or on a gentle cold cycle and skip the dryer—lay it flat on a towel so the fan-stitch bodice keeps its shape as it dries.
  • If the bodice looks a little uneven once dry, block it again on your mat with pins, and store the finished dress folded flat rather than hung, so the straps don't stretch out of shape.
FAQs

Asked on the glider

the ones that come up on the glider

Can I make this dress bigger for an older baby?

Yes—work your swatch first and go up a hook size if needed, since the fan-shell gauge of 1.5 inches per repeat determines the finished width. You'll want extra MC yarn on hand if you size up.

Do I really need stitch markers for this pattern?

You'll want at least four on hand, mainly to keep track of the fan repeats across the bodice panel's 14 rows and to mark where the straps begin. They're also handy for holding the center of each magic ring steady on the first round of the daisies.

What if I can't find buttons exactly 0.5 inch?

Any button close to 0.5 inch / 12 mm will do, since the strap closure is sized for a small button rather than a specific style. Just check the fit against your strap before sewing it on for good.

Can I skip the yellow daisy centers?

You can work the whole daisy in one color if you'd rather not carry a third yarn, though the yellow magic-ring center is what gives each flower its garden-party look. It only takes about 5 yards of AC total for all three flowers.

Why does my fan-shell bodice look narrower than it should?

Check your gauge against the swatch note—one full fan repeat should measure 1.5 inches / 3.8 cm wide, and six rows should come to 3 inches / 7.6 cm tall. If yours runs smaller, go up a hook size from the E-4 / 3.5 mm called for.

Is this a good project if I've only made a few crochet pieces before?

It's rated intermediate mainly because of the fan-shell shaping and the strap construction, not because any single stitch is difficult—sc, hdc, dc, and sl st are all you need. If you've made a shawl or an amigurumi piece before, the rows should feel manageable.