This gorgeous beach dress is crocheted in three colors — cornflower blue, sky blue and white — to represent the ocean, sky and clouds. Each block of color features a different stitch design, making this piece as fun to crochet as it is to wear. Combined with a flattering v-neck and a delicate scalloped edge, you’ll find yourself coming back to this piece every summer.
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Size: Finished Bust 32 (36, 40, 44)” / [81 (92, 102, 112) cm].
Sample shown in Size 36”.
Gauge: 20 sts and 12 rows = 4” [10 cm] on Skirt stitch pattern with larger hook; 20 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] on Top stitch pattern with larger hook.
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine (100% Pima Cotton, 136.7 yards [125 meters]/50 grams):
3728 White (A, 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins), 3731 Alaska Sky (B, 3 (3, 4, 4) skeins), 3772 Cornflower (C, 4 (5, 5, 6) skeins)
Hooks: US size C (2.5 mm), US size D (3.0 mm).
Notions: Tapestry needle, removeable stitch marker or safety pin.
Pattern Notes
This dress is worked in the round from bottom up.
Chain multiple of 4 stitches to start with.
Pattern
Skirt
With larger hook and C, ch 224 (256, 288, 320), sl st in first ch to form ring.
Set-up Rnd: Ch 1, sc in first ch, *ch 5, skip 3 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, ch 5, sl in first sc to join. (56 (64, 72, 80) ch-5 sps)
Rnd 1: Ch 6 (count as a tr and ch-2 sp), sc in next ch-5 sp, *ch 2, tr in next sc, ch 2, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * to last ch-5 sp, ch 2, sc in the first ch-6 sp to join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 5, sc in next tr; rep from * to last tr, ch 5, sl in first sc to join. (56 (64, 72, 80) ch-5 sps)
Rep Rnds 1-2, 19 (19, 20, 20) more times, ending with Rnd 2.
Break Color C.
With smaller hook and B, rep Rnds 1-2, 15 (15, 16, 16) more times, ending with Rnd 2.
Rep Rnd 1 once more.
Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, sc in next tr; rep from * to last tr, ch 3, sl in first sc to join. (56 (64, 72, 80) ch-3 sps)
Break Color B.
Top
Switch to larger hook and A.
Set-up Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *3 sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * to last ch-3 sp, sl in first sc to join. (168 (192, 216, 240) sc)
Set-up Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as a dc and ch 1), *sk 1 sc, dc in next sc, ch 1; rep from * before last sc, sl st in first ch-3 sp to join. (84 (96, 108, 120) squares)
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as a dc and ch 1), *dc in next dc, ch 1; rep from * to last dc, sl st in first ch-3 sp to join. (84 (96, 108, 120) squares)
Rep Rnd 1, 8 (8, 10, 10) more times.
Place removeable stitch markers or safe pins to first dc and 43 (49, 55, 61)th dc to divide the top equally to Front and Back pieces.
Armhole and Neckline Shaping
Left Front
Place a removable stitch marker or safe pin at 22 (25, 28, 31)th dc to identify the center of Front piece. With RS facing, start from the first dc.
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 19 (22, 25, 28) more times, dc in next dc, the center dc (neckline shaping), turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 14 (16, 18, 19) more times, dc in next dc (armhole shaping), turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 12 (14, 16, 17) more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 10 (12, 14, 15) more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as tr and ch 1), skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 8 (10, 12, 13) more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 6: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 8 (10, 12, 13) more times, turn.
Row 7: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 6 (8, 10, 11) more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 8: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 6 (8, 10, 11) more times, turn.
Row 9: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 4 (6, 8, 9) more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 10: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 4 (6, 8, 9) more times, turn.
Size 32” only
Row 11: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, turn.
Rows 12-18: Rep Row 11. Break yarn.
Size 36” only
Row 11: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 12: Ch 4 (counts as tr and ch 1), dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, turn.
Row 13: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, turn.
Rows 14-20: Rep Row 13. Break yarn.
Size 40” only
Row 11: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 6 more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 12: Ch 4 (counts as tr and ch 1), dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 6 more times, turn.
Row 13: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 6 more times, turn.
Rows 14-22: Rep Row 13. Break yarn.
Size 44” only
Row 11: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 7 more times, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 12: Ch 3, skip next dc, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 7 more times, turn.
Row 13: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 6 more times, turn.
Rows 14-26: Rep Row 13. Break yarn.
Right Front
With WS facing, start from 21 (25, 28, 31)th dc, join A, work same as Left Front through Row 18 (20, 22, 26).
Right Back
With RS facing, identify the center as before, start from 22 (25, 28, 31)th dc, join A.
Row 1: Ch 2 in first ch-3 sp from Right Front, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 19 (22, 25, 28) more times, dc in next dc, the center dc (neckline shaping), turn.
Work same as Left Front from Row 2 through Row 18 (20, 22, 26).
Left Back
With WS facing, start from the first dc, join A.
Row 1: Ch 2 in first ch-3 sp from Left Front, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc; rep from * 19 (22, 25, 28) more times, dc in next dc, the center dc (neckline shaping), turn.
Work same as Left Front from Row 2 through Row 18 (20, 22, 26).
Join the Shoulders
With RS facing inside, join shoulders with Single Crochet Join Method.
Edgings
Armhole Edgings (Left and Right)
With smaller hook, RS facing, and A.
Rnd 1: Work 94 (102, 118, 134) sc around the armhole, sl st in first sc to join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sc in next sc; rep from * to last sc, sl st in first sc to join.
Rnd 3: *Ch 3, skip next sc, sl st in next sc; rep from * before last sc, ch 3, sl st in first sc to join. Break yarn.
Neckline Edging
With smaller hook, RS facing, and A.
Rnd 1: Work 184 (200, 216, 248) sc around the neckband, sl st in first sc to join. Place removable stitch marker or safe pin under the center stitch of V shape.
Rnds 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sc in next sc; rep from * to last sc, sl st in first sc to join.
Note: Make sure to skip 2 sts at the center of V shape, one stitch on each side of removable stitch marker or safe pin.
Rnd 3: *Ch 3, skip next sc, sl st in next sc; rep from * before last sc, ch 3, sl st in first sc to join. Break yarn.
Skirt Edging
With larger hook, RS facing, and C.
Rnd 1: Sc in first Setup Rnd sc, *ch 5, sc in next sc; rep from * around the bottom of Skirt to last sc, ch 5, sl st in first sc to join. (56 (64, 72, 80) ch-5 sps)
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (count as dc), sc in next ch-5 sp, **(*dc, ch 1; rep from * 6 more times, dc) in next ch-5 sp, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from ** before last ch-5 sp, (*dc, ch 1; rep from * 6 more times) in next ch-5 sp, sl st in first sc to join. (28 (32, 36, 40) shell-shape sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, **ch 1, (*sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3; rep from * 4 more times, ch 1, sc in next sc); rep from ** to last shell-shape st. Break yarn.
Finishing
Weave in end. Block.
Is there a video tutorial for the Sarasota Beach Dress? I am better with using a visual tutorial.
Hi Migna, at this time I am not aware of a video for this pattern. – Nicola, Editor
I need some assistance with the upper portion of this pattern
Is there somewhere I can get help with this pattern?
The largest size of for a 44 inch bust. How much ease is in this pattern? I have a 46 inch bust. Thanks
I am making this cover . I feel it is very big . aprox how wide should the dress section be?. Im making the smallest size, the sarasota dress.
Thankyou
Thanks
Hello Shelley! I’ve reached out to the designer for advice and she or I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
Hi Shelley! The schematic for this pattern has now been added: https://www.ilikecrochet.com/wp-content/uploads/Sarasota-Beach-Dress-Schematic.jpg
Happy crocheting! – Nicola, Editor
My BFF lives in Sarasota, FL . This would look great on her! Definitely one of my planned WIPs!
So fun! I grew up visiting Sarasota and hence the inspiration for naming this pattern. Enjoy! – Nicola, Editor