Free Crochet'Carol' Frock Pattern How to Crochet a Child's Dress

This free crochet ‘Carol’ frock pattern (size 2 years) was originally published around 1942 in “Lovely Creations for Baby“, No. S16.

Follow the easy step-by-step instructions of this vintage crochet pattern to make this classic child’s dress. There is absolutely no charge for personal use of this crochet pattern for a child’s dress.

How to Crochet a Girl’s Dress

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Saltana Beautysheen (All Rayon), 11 balls

Steel Crochet Hook, Size 6

NOTE(s)

This frock is for a 2 year old child.

Gauge Before Blocking:

1 pattern = l inch; 17 rows = 2 inches

Measurements – Chest 22-23 inches. Length from lower edge to underarm 12 inches – to back of neck 16 inches. Width of skirt 32 inches. Sleeve – Width at underarm 9 inches.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Back

Ch 162 for lower edge.

First row (right side) – 1 s c in 2nd st from hook, 1 s c in each of next 2 sts, * ch 3, skip 2, 1 d c in next st, ch 3, skip 2, 1 s c in each of next 5 sts; repeat from *, end 1 s c in each of last 3 sts (16 patterns).

2nd row – Ch 1, turn, l s c in each of first 2 s c, * ch 3, skip 1 s c, 1 s c in next space, 1 s c in d c, 1 s c in next space, ch 3, skip l s c, 1 s c in each of next 3 s c; repeat from *, end last repeat 1 s c in each of last 2 s c.

3rd row – Ch 6, turn, skip first 2 s c, * 1 s c in next space, 1 s c in each of next 3 s c, 1 s c in next space, ch 3, 1 d c in center st of group of 3 s c, ch 3; repeat from *, end last repeat 1 d c in last s c.

4th row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in first d c, 1 s c in next space, * ch 3, skip 1 s c, 1 s e in each of next 3 s c, ch 3, 1 s c in next space, 1 s c in next d c, 1 s c in next space; repeat from *, end last repeat 1 s c in last space, 1 s c in 3rd st of turning ch.

5th row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in each of first 2 s c, 1 s c in next space, * ch 3, 1 d c in center s c of group of 3 s c, ch 3, 1 s c in next space, 1 s c in each of next 3 s c, 1 s c in next space; repeat from *, end last repeat lsc in last space, 1 s c in each of next 2 s c.

These last 4 rows complete pattern. Repeat pattern until piece measures 10 1/2 inches from beg. (89 rows), or 1 1/2 inches shorter than desired length to underarm, end with 5th row of pattern.

Beading

First row – Ch 1, turn, skip first s c, * 1 s c in each of next 2 s c, 1 s e in next space, 1 s c in top of next d c, 1 s c in next space, 1 s c in next s c, dec. 1 st as follows: draw up a loop in each of next 2 sts and work off as 1 s c; repeat from * across, end last repeat 1 s c in last space, decrease 1 st, 1 s c in end s c (112 sts).

2nd row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in each st of row below.

3rd row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in first s c, * ch 2, skip 2, 1 s c in next st, ch 2, skip 2, 1 s c in each of next 2; repeat from *, end last repeat ch 2, skip 2, 1 s c in last st.

4th row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in first s c, * 2 s c in next space, 1 s c in next s c, 2 s e in next space, 1 s c in each of next 2 s c; repeat from *, working 2 s c in each space and 1 s c in each s c of row below (112 s c in row).

5th row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in each st below, decreasing 1 st in center of row (111 sts).

Yoke

Ch 1, turn, slip st in each of 10 sts (for underarm), ch 1, 1 s c in each of next 3 s c, * ch 3, skip 2, 1 d c in next st, ch 3, skip 2, 1 s c in each of next 5 sts; repeat from * to within 10 sts of end of row (2nd underarm), end 3 d c.

Continue lace pattern for 3 more rows, then work opening down center of back as follows:

Work in lace pattern to center of row (4 1/2 patterns), end ch 3, 1 d c in center s c of group of 3 below.

Work even on these 4 1/2 patterns until yoke measures 3 3/4 inches above underarm, end at outside edge; fasten off.

Make a loop on hook, 1 d c in same place as last d c in first short row, then continue other half of yoke to correspond to first, end at neck edge. Fasten off.

Front

Same as back to underarm, end with last row of beading.

Yoke – Work same as for back yoke, but do not divide for opening, instead continue to work even on the 9 patterns in row until yoke measures 2 1/2 inches above underarm.

Neck Shaping – Turn, work over 2 1/2 patterns, then turn and work even until yoke measures 3 3/4 inches above underarm; fasten off. Skip 4 patterns at center of row (for front of neck); work even on remaining 2 1/2- patterns to correspond to first side. Fasten off.

Sleeves

Ch 57 for lower edge. Work 56 s c on ch, then follow directions for beading, beg. with 2nd row. There will be 55 sts in last row.

Next row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in each of 3 sts, * ch 2, 1 d c in next st, ch 2, 1 s c in each of next 5 sts; repeat from *, end 3 s c (9 patterns in row). From now on work even in lace pattern (beg. with 2nd row of pattern) until piece measures 3 inches from beg., including the beading.

Next row – Ch 1, turn, slip st over 1/2 pattern, then continue to end of row. Repeat last row 9 times; fasten off.

Finishing

Sew side and shoulder seams. Sew sleeve seams for 2 1/2 inches from beg., then sew in sleeves with seams matching the side seams and the 1/2 inch left open at top of sleeve to top of beading at underarms, gathering the extra fulness at top of armhole. Work a row of s c along lower edge of skirt, keeping edge flat.

Neck Border

Working from right side and beg. at lower edge of ba’cic opening, work a row of s c along back opening to top (33 s c), 3 s c in corner, continue in s c along neck edge, being careful to have edge lie flat (the total of sts around neck edge should be divisible by 7), work 3 s c in corner, then continue down back opening to end.

2nd row – Ch 1, turn, 1 s c in each of 5 sts, * ch 3, skip 2, 1 s c in each of next 7; repeat from * twice, then ch 3, skip 2, 1 s c in corner st, continue along neck edge, 3 s c in corner st, s c down side of back opening. Fasten off.

Turn, beg. in corner st at neck edge, work back and forth along neck edge only, following instructions for beading, beg. with 3rd row and omitting dec. in final row. Fasten off.

Block to given measurements. Draw 1/4 inch ribbon through headings.

Sew on buttons.