Wide strips of bright color made this top-down dress exciting and fun to make. Playtime in spring weather will be a breeze!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Small 3-6 months (Medium 6-12 months, Large 18-24 months), Finished Chest Size 18 (20, 22)” to fit chest 16 (18, 20)”

2” positive ease recommended.

Shown in size Medium

Gauge: 3 repeats and 11 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Shell Pattern after blocking

Materials

Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn COBOO (50% Cotton, 50% Rayon from Bamboo; 232 yards [212 meters]/100 grams):

144 Magenta (A, 1 (1, 2) balls), 157 Yellow (B, 1 (1, 2) balls), 130 Grass Green (C, 1 (1, 2) balls), 133 Orange (D, 1 (1, 2) balls)

Hook: US size H/8 (5.0 mm)

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, one 0.75” button

Special Stitches

Shell (Shl): 5 dc in indicated place.

Lace Shell (LaceShl): Ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1 in indicated place.

Large Shell (LrgShl): 7 dc in indicated place.

Large Lace Shell (LrgLaceShl): Ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 3 times in indicated place.

Gauge Swatch

Make 17 rows Stacked Rows Foundation

Row 1: Turn to work along straight side of foundation rows, ch 2, sc in side of first sc row, *sk next hdc row, Shl in side of next sc row, sk next hdc row, sc in side of next sc row; rep from *, ending in last sc row.

Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in first sc, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc; rep from * until 1 Shl remains unworked before end of row, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in last sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc; rep from * until last sc of row, sk 2 dc, sc in last dc.

Rows 4-15: Alternate repeating Rows 2 & 3, ending with a Row 3.

Block swatch and measure, adjust hook size if needed to get gauge.

Pattern Notes

Each chain counts as a single stitch unless named as a chain space.

Bodice is started with a stacked rows foundation then worked top down in rows with 4 increase points, joined at underarm and work continues in turned rounds without increases. Bodice starts with 2 rows of solid shell pattern, then worked in open lace shell pattern for back, shoulders and sleeves with solid shell pattern at front. Opening at back of neck uses a small button and loop closure.

Skirt is continued in solid shell pattern with 2 increase points that are moved after every 3rd round. Increase points will move in a slightly spiraling pattern in skirt. It is important to mark the RS of your fabric, when moving st markers for skirt you will want RS of fabric facing you and looking at dress with bottom edge of skirt at top move markers over 1 shell to the right-hand of currently marked stitch.

Pattern

Stacked Rows Foundation

Row 1: With Color A, ch 2, sc in 2nd st from hook.

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, hdc in sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in hdc.

Rows 4- 37 (41, 45): Alternate repeating Rows 2-3, ending with a Row 2, ch 1, turn, sl st in sc. Do Not Fasten off.

Place stitch markers in Rows 7, 15, 23 (27, 31), 31 (35, 39) counting from the end of Foundation Rows. Markers should be in sc rows only, count includes hdc rows.

Dress

Bodice

Row 1 (RS): Turn to work along straight side of foundation rows, ch 4 (button loop made, make ch longer if using larger button), sc in side of first sc row, [*sk next hdc row, Shl in side of next sc row, sk next hdc row, sc in side of next sc row*; rep from * to * until work in last sc row before marked sc row, sk next hdc row, LrgShl in side of marked sc row, move marker to 4th dc of LrgShl just made, sk next hdc row, sc in side of next sc row] 4 times; rep from * to * until end of foundation. (5 (6, 7) Shls, 4 LrgShls, 10 (11, 12) sc)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, 2 dc in first sc, [*sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before LrgShl, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, Shl in marked dc, move marker to 3rd dc of Shl just made, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, Shl in next sc] 4 times; rep from * to * until 1 Shl remains at end of row, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in last sc of row. (12 (13, 14) Shls, 13 (14, 15) sc, 6 dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next st/sp*; rep from * to * until work in Shl before marked Shl, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked st/sp, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in Shl before marked Shl, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, **sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc**; rep from ** to ** until work in sc before marked Shl, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 dc, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in Shl before marked Shl, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked st/sp, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in last dc of row. (3 (4, 5) Shls, 10 Lace Shls, 18 (19, 20) sc, 4 ch-2 sp)

Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, 2 dc in first sc, *sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc*; rep from * to * until 1 LaceShl rem before marked ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LrgLaceShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to 4th st of LrgLaceShl just made, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until 1 LaceShl rem before marked ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LrgShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to 4th dc of LrgShl just made, sk 2 sts, sc in next dc, sk 2 sts, Shl in next sc, **sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc**; rep from ** to ** until 1 Shl rem before marked ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, sc in next dc, sk 2 sts, LrgShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker up to 4th dc of LrgShl just made, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until 1 LaceShl rem before marked ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LrgLaceShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to 4th st of LrgLaceShl just made, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until 1 LaceShl rem at end of row, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, 3 dc in last sc of row. (2 (3, 4) Shls, 6 LaceShls, 2 LrgShls, 2 LrgLaceShls, 13 (14, 15) sc, 6 dc)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp*; rep from * to * until work in ch-2 sp of LaceShl before marked LrgLaceShl, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp in LaceShl just made, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in ch-2 sp of LaceShl before marked LrgShl, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, Shl in marked dc, move marker to 3rd dc in Shl just made, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, Shl in next sc, **sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc**; rep from ** to ** until work in sc before marked LrgShl, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, Shl in marked dc, move marker to 3rd dc in Shl just made, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in ch-2 sp of LaceShl before marked LrgLaceShl, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp in LaceShl just made, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in last dc of row. (5 (6, 7) Shls, 12 LaceShls, 18 (19, 20) sc)

Row 6: Ch 3 counts as first dc, turn, 2 dc in first sc, *sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked LaceShl, sk 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked Shl, sk 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, **sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc**; rep from ** to ** until work in sc before marked Shl, sk 2 dc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 dc, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked LaceShl, sk 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until 1 LaceShl rem at end of row, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, 3 dc in last sc of row. (4 (5, 6) Shls, 12 Lace Shls, 21 (22,23) sc, 4 ch-2 sp, 6 dc)

Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp*; rep from * to * until work in LaceShl before marked ch-2 sp, sk 3 sts, LrgLaceShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to 4th st of LrgLaceShl just made, sk 3 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * to * until work in LaceShl before marked ch-2 sp, sk 3 sts, LrgShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to 4th dc of LrgShl just made, sk 3 sts, sc in next dc, **sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc**; rep from ** to ** until work in Shl before marked ch-2 sp, sk 3 sts, LrgShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker up to 4th dc of LrgShl just made, sk 3 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * to * until work in LaceShl before marked ch-2 sp, sk 3 sts, LrgLaceShl in marked ch-2 sp, move marker to 4th st of LrgLaceShl just made, sk 3 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * to * until work in last LaceShl at end of row, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in last dc of row. (3 (4, 5) Shls, 10 LaceShls, 2 LrgShls, 2 LrgLaceShls, 18 (19, 20) sc)

Row 8: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, 2 dc in first sc, *sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked LrgLaceShl, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp in LaceShl just made, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked LrgShl, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, Shl in marked dc, move marker to 3rd dc in Shl just made, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, Shl in next sc, **sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc**; rep from ** to ** until work in sc before marked LrgShl, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, Shl in marked dc, move marker to 3rd dc in Shl just made, sk next dc, sc in next dc, sk next dc, LaceShl in next sc, *sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-2 sp, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked LrgLaceShl, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in marked dc, move marker to ch-2 sp in LaceShl just made, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, sk next ch-1 sp, LaceShl in next sc; rep from * to * until work in last LaceShl at end of row, sk 2 sts, LaceShl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in last dc of row. (6 (7, 8) Shls, 14 LaceShls, 21 (22, 23) sc, 6 dc)

Size – (Medium, Large) Only

Rows – (9, 9)- – (10, 14): Rep Rows 3-8, ending with a Row – (4, 8). (- (5, 10) Shls, – (12, 20) LaceShls, 2 LrgShls, 2 LrgLaceShls, – (22, 31) sc, 6 dc)

Size Small (-, Large) Only

Row 9 (-, 15) (Joining for Armholes and Skirt): Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *sk 2 sts, Shl in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next st/sp*; rep from * to * until work in marked st/sp, remove st marker, ch 5, sk to next marked Shl, sc in marked dc; rep from * to * until work in sc before next marked Shl, sk 2 dc, sc in marked dc, remove st marker, ch 5, sk to next marked LaceShl, sc in marked ch-2 sp, remove st marker; rep from * to * until work in last dc of row, sl st to first sc of row to create rnd. (11 (0, 17) Shls, 14 (0, 20) sc, 2 ch-5 sps)

Size Medium Only

Row 11 (Joining for Armholes and Skirt): Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *sk 2 sts, Shl in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next st/sp*; rep from * to * until work in ch-2 sp of LaceShl before marked LrgLaceShl, sk 2 sts, Shl in next sc, sk 3 sts, sc in marked dc, remove st marker, ch 5, sk to next marked LrgShl, sc in marked dc, remove st marker, sk 3 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc; rep from * to * until work in last Shl before marked LrgShl, sk 3 dc, sc in marked dc, remove st marker, ch 5, skip to next marked LrgLace Shl, sc in marked dc, remove st marker, sk 3 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in next st/sp; rep from * to * until work in last dc of row, sl st to first sc of row to create rnd. (12 Shls, 15 sc, 2 ch-5 sps)

All Sizes

Rnd 10 (12, 16): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first sc, [*sk 2 dc, sc next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before ch-5 sp, (sc, Shl, sc) in ch-5 sp, Shl in next sc] 2 times; rep from * to * until 1 full Shl rem at end of rnd, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc next sc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3 of rnd, completes first Shl of rnd. Fasten off and change to B. Capture new color loop in final sl st before tightening. (15 (16, 21) Shls, 15 (16, 21) sc)

Skirt

PM in sc at back of underarm, PM in a 2nd sc at back of underarm half way around from first marker for skirt increases.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, [*sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc*; rep from * to * until work in Shl before marked sc, sk 2 dc, LrgShl in marked sc, move st marker to 4th dc of LrgShl just made] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in last full Shl of rnd, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sl st to first sc of rnd. (13 (14, 19) Shls, 2 LrgShl, 15 (16, 21) sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first sc, [*sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked LrgShl, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 2, sk marked dc, sc in next dc, move st marker to ch-2 sp just made, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in sc before end of rnd, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in first sc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (15 (16, 21) Shls, 17 (18, 23) sc, 2 ch-2 sp)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, [*sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc*; rep from * to * until work in Shl before marked ch-2 sp, sc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sc in marked ch-2 sp, move st marker to sc just made, Shl in next sc] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in last full Shl of rnd, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sl st to first sc of rnd. Move st markers over 1 Shl to next sc – see pattern notes for further details. (17 (18, 23) Shls, 17 (18, 23) sc)

Rnd 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first sc, [*sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk dc, LrgShl in marked sc, move marker to 4th dc in LrgShl just made] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in sc before end of rnd, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in first sc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3, completes final Shl. (15 (16, 21) Shls, 2 LrgShl, 17 (18, 23) sc)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, [*sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc*; rep from * to * until work in 3rd dc of marked LrgShl, ch 2, sk marked dc, sc in next dc, move st marker to ch-2 sp just made] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in Shl before end of rnd, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sl st to first sc of rnd. (17 (18, 23) Shls, 19 (20, 25) sc, 2 ch-2 sp)

Rnd 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first sc, [*sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before marked ch-2 sp, sc in marked ch-2 sp, move st marker to sc just made, Shl in next sc] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in last full Shl of rnd, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in first sc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3, completes final Shl. Move st markers over 1 Shl to next sc – see pattern notes for further details. (19 (20, 25) Shls, 19 (20, 25) sc)

Rnds 7-23 (26, 29): Rep Rnds 1-6, ending with a Rnd 5 (2, 5) change to C after Rnd 8 (9, 10), change to D after Rnd 16 (18, 20). (29 (32, 39) Shls, 31 (34, 41) sc, 2 ch-2 sp)

Size Small (-, Large) Only

Rnd 24 (-, 30): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first sc, [*sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc*; rep from * to * until work in sc before Shl before marked ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 3 sts, LrgShl in marked ch-2 sp, remove st marker, sk next sc] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in sc before last full Shl of rnd, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in last sc of rnd, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-3, completes final Shl. Fasten off. (29 (-, 39) Shls, 2 LrgShl, 31 (-, 41) sc,)

Size Medium Only

Rnd 27: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, [*sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc*; rep from * to * until work in Shl before marked ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sk 3 sts, LrgShl in marked ch-2 sp, remove st marker, sk next sc] 2 times; rep from * to * until work in last full Shl of rnd, sk 2 dc, Shl in next sc, sl st to sc at beg of rnd. Fasten off. (32 Shls, 2 LrgShl 34 sc,)

Finishing

Gently block dress.

Weave in loose ends.

Sew button on right side of fabric at opposite end of neckline from button loop.