Crochet For Girls• Free Patterns• Tutorial• Video Tutorials

Free Crochet Baby & Toddler Dress Pattern: The Doli Dress

December 18, 2020

This post contains some affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase I will receive a small commission. This way I can continue creating my patterns and giving them to you for free.

The Perfect Beginner Dress Pattern

The Doli dress was one of my very first patterns and has been extremely popular ever since. It is named after a little town in Croatia called Doli. Some of the photos were taken there. I would totally recommend going there as it is a magical place and the water is so blue and beautiful!

This is the first time I am releasing the pattern for free here on my blog. The great thing about this dress is that is uses only simple stitches including half double crochet, chains, and double crochet. The dress is so wearable which I think is so important when designing children’s crochet clothes. There are so many sizing options from 0-6months up to 10 years!

Construction

The construction of this dress is so simple. It is made in a raglan style: worked top down. After the sleeve separation, turn on that tv and enjoy your favorite Netflix show because you are in half double crochet heaven!

Buy the Ad Free, Colour Coordinated Pattern

Why should I buy the pattern you may ask? My patterns are colour coordinated by size and so easy to read! The pdf is printable and total worth the money! You can purchase the ad free and colour coordinated pdf pattern on Etsy, Ravelry or LoveCrafts.

Materials

*4.00mm(U.S G/6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
*Cotton DK yarn. I used Sirdar Cotton DK in the colour Breaking Waves (538). I absolutely love this yarn so much. It doesn’t split and comes in a array of breath taking colours. I have also added two alternative yarns that would work perfectly for this design. They are Paintbox Yarns Cotton Dk and Rico Baby Cotton Soft. See chart below for approximately how much yarn you will need.
*1 small button
*tapestry needle

Make the Matching Crochet Crown

Video Tutorial

Gauge

17 stitches/12 rows= 10cmX10cm (4X4 inch) square in half double crochet
The Doli Dress is designed with a positive ease of approximately 8-12inches. It is a very loose fitting dress. Pictured is a 3.5 year old in size 3-4.

Do you need to do a gauge swatch??? YES and here is why…Click the photo below to find out.

Stitches & Abbreviations

st or sts- stitch or stitches
ch- chain stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
sl st- slip stitch

Sizing & Yarn Requirements

Size	Approx Chest Measurement of Child to Fit the Dress (the dress fits with a positive ease of 20-30cm/8-12in)	Dress Length (measured from shoulder to last row)	Yarn (approx length in meters and yards OR weight in grams)
0-6mo	48cm/19in	36cm/14in	424m/470yards/200g
6-12mo	51cm/20in	41cm/16in	530m/580yards/350g
1-2	59cm/ 23in	43cm/17in	530m/580 yards/350g
3-4	62cm/24.5in	47cm/18.5in	850m/928yards/400g
5-6	67cm/26in	58cm/23in	1100m/1200yards/500g
7-8	75cm/29.5in	68cm/27in	1300mm/1400yards/600g
9-10	80cm/31.5in	73cm/29in	1500m/1600yards/700g

Sizing is written as follows: 0-6monts(6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years)

The Pattern

Yoke
Ch 39 (47, 55, 63, 63, 71, 71)
ROW 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook, work a sc in each chain across, turn. [38 (46, 54, 62, 62, 70, 70) sc across]

Row 2
ch2 (does not count as a stitch here and throughout)
hdc in the next 7 (8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st
hdc in the next 3 (5, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st
hdc in the next 14 (16, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st
hdc in the next 3 (5, 7, 9, 9, 11, 11)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next st
hdc in the next 7 (8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11) sts
turn
[46 (54, 62, 70, 70, 78, 78) sts]

Row 3
ch2
hdc in the next 8 (9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch (see pic below)
hdc in the next 5 (7, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 16 (18, 20, 22, 22, 24, 24) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 5 (7, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 8 (9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12) sts
turn

[54 (62, 70, 78, 78, 86, 86) sts]

Row 4
ch2
hdc in the next 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 7 (9, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15) sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 18 (20, 22, 24, 24, 26, 26)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 7 (9, 11, 13, 13, 15, 15) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13)
turn

[62 (70, 78, 86, 86, 94, 94) sts]
*for size 0-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 1-2, 3-4 continue to Ruffle Row

Row 5
ch2
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,13, 14, 14)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,15, 17, 17)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,26, 28, 28)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,15, 17, 17)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,13, 14, 14)
turn

n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,94, 102, 102 sts)

Row 6
ch2
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,14, 15, 15)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,17, 19, 19)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,28, 30, 30)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,17, 19, 19)
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,14, 15, 15)
turn

n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,102, 110, 110 sts)

Ruffle Row Instructional Pictures

This video shows the technique used on the back and the front of the dress to make the ruffle.

This video shows the technique used on the sleeves of the dress to make the ruffle.

Ruffle Row [Row 5( 5, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7)]

Back (Side 1)
ch2
*[work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop) in hdc], repeat from * to the ch
[20( 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 32) sts]

Shoulder
hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch

*[work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop, 1 hdc in the front loop) in the first hdc], work (1 hdc in the back loop, 1 hdc in the front loop,1 hdc in the back loop) of the 2nd hdc * repeat from * to the st before the ch, work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop, 1 hdc in the front loop) in the st before the ch
[27( 33, 39, 45, 57, 63, 63) sts

hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch

Front of Dress
*[work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop) in the first hdc], repeat from * to the ch
[40( 44, 48, 52, 60, 64, 64) sts]

Shoulder
hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch

*[work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop, 1 hdc in the front loop) in the first hdc], [work (1 hdc in the back loop, 1 hdc in the front loop,1 hdc in the back loop) of the 2nd hdc * repeat from * to the st before the ch, work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop, 1 hdc in the front loop) in the st before the ch
[27( 33, 39, 45, 57, 63, 63) sts]

hdc/ch1/hdc in the ch

Back (Side 2)
*[work (1 hdc in the front loop, 1 hdc in the back loop) in the first hdc], repeat from * to the end of the row
[20( 22, 24, 26, 30, 32, 32) sts]
turn

Row 6( 6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8)
ch2
hdc in the next 21( 23, 25, 27, 31, 33, 33) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 29( 35, 41, 47, 59, 65, 65) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 42( 46, 50, 54, 62, 66, 66) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 29( 35, 41, 47, 59, 65, 65) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 21( 23, 25, 27, 31, 33, 33) sts
turn

[154 (174, 194, 214, 254, 274, 274) sts]

Row 7( 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9)
ch2
hdc in the next 22( 24, 26, 28, 32, 34, 34) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 31( 37, 43, 49, 61, 67, 67) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 44( 48, 52, 56, 64, 68, 68) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 31( 37, 43, 49, 61, 67, 67) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 22( 24, 26, 28, 32, 34, 34) sts
turn

[162 (182, 202, 222, 262, 282, 282) sts]

Row 8( 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10)
ch2
hdc in the next 23( 25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 35) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 33( 39, 45, 51, 63, 69, 69) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 46(50, 54, 58, 66, 70, 70) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 33( 39, 45, 51, 63, 69, 69) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 23( 25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 35) sts
turn

[170 (190, 210, 230, 270, 290, 290) sts]

Row 9( 9, 9, 9, 11, 11, 11)
ch2
hdc in the next 24( 26, 28, 30, 34, 36, 36) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 35( 41, 47, 53, 65, 71, 71) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 48(52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 72) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 35( 41, 47, 53, 65, 71, 71) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 24( 26, 28, 30, 34, 36, 36) sts
turn

[178 (198, 218, 238, 278, 298, 298) sts]

Row 10( 10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12)
ch2
hdc in the next 25( 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 37) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 37( 43, 49, 55, 67, 73, 73) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 50(54, 58, 62, 70, 74, 74) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 37( 43, 49, 55, 67, 73, 73) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 25( 27, 29, 31, 35, 37, 37) sts
turn

[186 (206, 226, 246, 286, 306, 306) sts]

Row 11( 11, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13)
ch2
hdc in the next 26( 28, 30, 32, 36, 38, 38) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 39( 45, 51, 57, 69, 75, 75) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 52(56, 60, 64, 72, 76, 76) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 39( 45, 51, 57, 69, 75, 75) sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 26( 28, 30, 32, 36, 38, 38) sts
turn

[194 (214, 234, 254, 294, 314, 314) sts]

for size 0-6 mo & 6-12 mo continue to edging

Row n/a(n/a,12, 12, 14, 14, 14)
ch2
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,31, 33, 37, 39, 39 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,53, 59, 71, 77, 77 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a[n/a,62, 66, 74, 78, 78 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,53, 59, 71, 77, 77 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,31, 33, 37, 39, 39 sts]
turn

[n/a(n/a,242, 262, 302, 322, 322 sts]

Row n/a(n/a,13, 13, 15, 15, 15)
ch2
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,32, 34, 38, 40, 40 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,55, 61, 73, 79, 79 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next[n/a(n/a, 64, 68, 76, 80, 80 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,55, 61, 73, 79, 79 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,32, 34, 38, 40, 40 sts]
turn

[n/a(n/a,250, 270, 310, 330, 330 sts]
for size 1½-2, & 3-4 continue to edging

Row 16
ch2
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,39, 41, 41 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,75, 81, 81 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,78, 82, 82 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,75, 81, 81 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,39, 41, 41 sts]
turn

[n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,318, 338, 338 sts]

Row 17
ch2
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,40, 42, 42 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,77, 83, 83 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,80, 84, 84 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,77, 83, 83 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,40, 42, 42 sts]
turn

[n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,326, 346, 346 sts]
for size 5-6 continue to edging

Row 18
ch2
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,43, 43 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,85, 85 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,86, 86 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,85, 85 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,43, 43 sts]
turn

[n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,354, 354 sts]

Row 19
ch2
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,44, 44 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,87, 87 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,88, 88 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,87, 87 sts]
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next [n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,44, 44 sts]
turn

[n/a(n/a,n/a,n/a,n/a,362, 362 sts]
for size 7-8 continue to edging

Row 20 (Size 9-10 only)
ch2
hdc in the next 45 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 89 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 90 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 89 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 45 sts
turn

370 sts

Row 21 (Size 9-10 only)
ch2
hdc in the next 46 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 91 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 92 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 91 sts
hdc/ch1/hdc in the next ch
hdc in the next 46 sts
turn

378 sts
for size 9-10 continue to edging

Edging

Before we separate the sleeves, we will do a row of single crochet up the back, around the collar, down the back.

ch1, sc in each row up the back, sc in each st around the collar, sc in each row down the back.

Sleeve Separation
ch2
hdc in all sts to the ch
hdc in the ch st
skip the next 41 (47, 57, 63, 79, 89, 93)
hdc in the ch st
hdc in all sts to the ch
hdc in the ch st
skip the next 41 (47, 57, 63, 79, 89, 93)
hdc in the ch st
hdc all sts to the end of the row
sl st to the join the back of dress (see pics below)
turn

Slip Stitch to Join Back

Body
Row 1
ch2
skip sl st
hdc in the next hdc
hdc in each st across
sl st to join (see pictures below)
turn

Repeat row one, until the dress measures (from the shoulder) approximately 33.5cm/13in(38.5cm/15in, 40.5cm/16in, 44.5cm/17.5in, 55.5cm/22in,65.5cm/26in,70.5cm/28in) or your desired length, the edging will measure approximately 2.5cm or 1 inch.