The slow pace of a tropical getaway heals the soul almost as much as the comfortable, flowy dress you will be wearing as you stroll along the beach. This versatile dress is made by starting at the high-waist and working down to the skirt, then crocheting in the opposite side of the foundation chain, working upwards for the bodice. This pattern could be easily converted into a two-piece outfit by simply working the bodice separately; it would look particularly lovely in two complementary colors.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Small (Medium, Large, Extra-Large), Finished Bust Size 30 (34, 38, 44)” to fit bust sizes 32 (36, 40, 44)
2” negative ease recommended.
Shown in size 34”
Gauge: 2 repeats and 8 rows = 4” [10 cm] in pattern
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Sunseeker (47% Cotton, 48% Acrylic, 5% Metallic; 237 yards [217 meters]/100 grams): 10 Blue Turquoise, 5 (5, 6, 7) skeins
Hook: US size H/8 (5.00 mm)
Notions: Tapestry needle; stitch markers
Special Stitches
Gauge
Ch 26.
Row 1: Dc in 10th ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, dc in next ch, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, dc in next 3 ch, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, dc in last ch, turn
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in last ch-sp and dc (3rd ch of turning ch).
Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3), dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last dc.
Rows 4-8: Rep Rows 2-3 twice, then Row 2 once more.
Pattern Notes
The dress is worked in rows, in one piece with one seam at the side and shoulder straps.
The number of ch-5 spaces at the end of every increase row will remain the same.
Pattern
Skirt
Ch 136 (156, 176, 196)
Row 1: Dc in 10th ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, *ch 3, sk next 3 ch, dc in next ch**, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, dc in next 3 ch; rep from * across row, ending last rep at **, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across row, ending with dc in last ch-sp and dc, turn.
Row 3 (Inc): Ch 3, dc in next dc and ch-3 sp, *ch 5, sk next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across row, ending with dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 2 dc, turn – 13 (15, 17, 19) ch-5 sp.
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 3, dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 5: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3), sk next dc, * dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 6: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), *dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 2, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 7 (Inc): Ch 5, dc in ch-2 sp, *dc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next ch-5 sp, ch 5, dc in same ch-3 sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 8: Ch 6, sk next ch-2 sp and dc, *dc in next 5 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next dc; rep from * across, sk last ch-sp, ch 3, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 9: Ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next 3 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from* across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 10: Ch 3, dc in next dc and ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp and last 2 dc, turn.
Row 11: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, * dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 12: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, *sk next dc, ch 3, dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next 5 dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 13: Ch 3, dc in next dc, * sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next 3 dc rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 14: Ch 6, *sk next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3 rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last dc , turn.
Row 15: Ch 5, *dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next ch-sp, ch 5; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 2, sk next dc, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 16 (Inc): Ch 5, dc in next ch-sp, *dc in each of next 7 dc, (dc, ch 5, dc) in next ch-5 sp; rep from * across, (dc, ch 2) in last ch-2 sp, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 17: Ch 6, * sk next dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3; rep from * across, sk last ch-sp, ch 3, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 18: Ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, *sk next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp and dc. Turn
Row 19: Ch 3, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 20: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, ch 3, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 21: Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, *dc in next ch-sp, ch 5, sk next dc, dc in next ch-sp, dc in each of next 7 dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 4 dc, turn.
Row 22: Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, *ch 3, dc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 4 dc, turn.
Row 23: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, sk next dc, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 24: Ch 3, dc in next dc, sk next dc, * ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 25: Ch 6, sk next dc, *dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 26: Ch 5, *dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 7 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp*, ch 5, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 2, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 27 (Inc): Ch 5, dc in next ch-sp, *dc in each of next 9 dc, (dc, ch 5, dc) in next ch-5 sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 2, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 28: Ch 6, *sk next dc, dc in each of next 9 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, *dc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3 rep from * across, sk last ch-sp, ch 3, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 29: Ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp and dc, turn.
Row 30: Ch 3, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp and last 2 dc, turn.
Row 31: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 32: Ch 3, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 7 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp dc in last 4 dc, turn.
Row 33: Ch 3, dc in each of next 4 dc, dc in next ch-sp, * ch 5, sk next dc, dc in next ch-sp, dc in each of next 9 dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 5 dc, turn.
Row 34: Ch 3, dc in each of next 4 dc, sk next dc, *ch 3, dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 9 dc, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 5 dc, turn.
Row 35: Ch 3, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 4 dc, turn.
Row 36: Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, sk next dc, * ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last dc, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 37: Ch 3, dc in next dc, sk next dc, * ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc rep from * across, dc in last dc, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 38: Ch 6, sk next dc, *dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 7 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, sk next dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in last dc. Turn
Row 39: Ch 5, dc in next ch-sp, *dc in each of next 9 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, dc in last dc, ch 2, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 40 (Inc): Ch 5, dc in next ch-sp, *dc in each of next 11 dc, (dc, ch 5, dc,) in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, ch 2, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 41: Ch 6, sk next dc, *dc in each of next 11 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next dc; rep from * across, sk last ch-sp, ch 3, dc in last dc, turn.
Row 42: Ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, *sk next dc, dc in each of next 9 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp and last dc, turn.
Row 43: Ch 3, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, *sk next dc, dc in each of next 7 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 44: Ch 3, dc in each of next 2 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, *sk next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, ch 3 rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 3 dc, turn.
Row 45: Ch 3, dc in each of next 3 dc, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 7 dc; rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp in last 4 dc, turn.
Row 46: Ch 3, dc in each of next 4 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 9 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp rep from * across, dc in last ch-sp, dc in last 5 dc, turn
Row 47: Ch 3, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, *ch 5, dc in same ch-sp, dc in each of next 11 dc, dc in next ch-sp; rep from * across, dc in last 6 dc, turn.
Row 48: Ch 1, sc in each dc and ch across.
Fasten off.
Bodice
Join in the opposite side of the last chain from the foundation and continue working on the opposite side of the chain.
Row 1: Ch 3, dc in each ch across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 3, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, sk next 3 dc**, dc in next 3 dc; rep from * across, ending with **, dc in last 2 dc, turn.
Row 3: Ch 6, *sk next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn.
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, *ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc**, dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, ending with **, turn.
Rows 5-15 (17, 19, 19): Rep Rows 3-4 – 26 (30, 34, 38) ch-3 sp.
Fasten off.
Shoulder Straps
With WS of Bodice, mark next dc or center dc (of 3-dc group) after the 2nd (3rd, 3rd, 4th), 9th (10th, 12th, 13th), 15th (18th, 20th, 23rd), and 22nd (25th, 29th, 32nd) ch-3 sp of the last row of Bodice, join with sl st in marked st.
Note: If your marked st is a dc in between ch-spaces, begin Strap with Row 1. If it is the center dc of a 3-dc group, begin with Row 2.
Row 1: Ch 3, dc in ch sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, sk next dc, ch 2, dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 2: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch-3), dc in next ch-sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sk next dc, dc in next dc, turn.
Work Rows 1-2 for 10 (11, 12, 13) rows.
Rep for remaining Straps.
Fasten off.
Assembly
Fold dress in half lengthwise (being careful to match up row ends) and sew seam along the side of dress using yarn needle.
Sew top of Shoulder Straps.
Edging
Armholes and Neck
Joining in center dc of bottom of armholes and center back dc of neck, work edging as follows:
Ch 1, sc in same st as join, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next dc, *5 dc in next ch-3 sp, sk next dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next dc; rep from * to Shoulder Strap, **turning to work in the row ends of Strap (5 dc in next row end, sc in next row end) around strap; rep from * around, join in first sc made.
Fasten off.
Weave in all ends and block to finished measurement.
Wow. “Breezy” is right. Perhaps a bathing suit coverup, but definitely not a dress.
Thanks for your feedback! We recommend wearing this dress over a simple slip as the model is wearing in the photographs, or wearing as a cover-up dress over a swimsuit. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor