Linda Permann - Sweet Daisy Sundress: E-Pattern from Little Crochet

Fingering-weight yarn forms flowing, lightweight fabric thats perfect for spring and summer dresses. Embroidered daisies and a ribbon tie are the girly touches that will make this dress a favorite. Layer it with a cute skirt or slip, or even a pair of bloomers, to complete the look. Whether you crochet it for a special occasion or everyday wear, its sure to become a family heirloom.

SKILL LEVEL Intermediate

YARN 560 (610, 650, 725, 750) yds (512 [558, 594, 663, 686]m) of sock yarn

Sample Knit with Brown Sheep Company Cotton Fine (80% cotton, 20% wool; 1 oz/50g, 222 yds/204m): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) skeins #CF900 (Perrys Primrose) for sundress, plus a small amount each #CF210 (Tea Rose), #CF100 (Cotton Ball), and #CF345 (Gold Dust) for embroidery

CROCHET HOOKS Size D-3 (3.25mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

Size E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook

GAUGE 21 stitches and 14 rows = 4" (10cm) over hdc with smaller hook

OTHER MATERIALS Yarn needle 3 buttons, " (9mm) diameter Sewing needle and thread 1 yds (1.5m) satin ribbon, " (9mm) wide

NOTES You can use embroidery floss in place of the yarn for the embroidered details.

The bodice is worked from the waist up to the shoulders. The skirt is then worked from the lower edge of the bodice down to the hem.

With smaller hook, ch 56 (60, 66, 70, 74).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in third ch from hook (beginning ch does not count as a stitch) and in each ch across54 (58, 64, 68, 72) hdc.

Rows 24 (6, 6, 8, 10): Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), turn, hdc in each hdc across.

Row 1: Turn, sl st in first 0 (0, 0, 1, 2) hdc, ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in each hdc across to last 2 (2, 2, 3, 4) hdc, hdc2tog; leave any remaining stitches unworked52 (56, 62, 64, 66) hdc.

Rows 27: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each hdc across to last 2 hdc, hdc2tog40 (44, 50, 52, 54) hdc.

Row 8: Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 12 (12, 12, 13, 14) hdc; leave remaining stitches unworked (for second shoulder and neck)12 (12, 12, 13, 14) hdc.

Rows 914 (15, 16, 16, 17): Ch 2, turn, hdc in each hdc across.

Fasten off.

Sk next 16 (20, 26, 26, 26) unworked stitches following first shoulder, join yarn in next stitch.

Row 8: Ch 2, hdc in same stitch as join, hdc in each remaining hdc across12 (12, 12, 13, 14) hdc.

Rows 914 (15, 16, 16, 17): Ch 2, turn, hdc in each hdc across.

Fasten off. Sew bodice pieces together at side seams.

Note: The skirt is worked in the round, from the lower edge of the bodice downward. Do not turn at the beginning of the rounds.

With smaller hook, join yarn in underarm seam on lower edge of bodice.

Round 1: Ch 2, work 108 (116, 128, 136, 144) hdc evenly around lower edge of bodice108 (116, 128, 136, 144) hdc. Change to larger hook.

Round 2: With larger hook, ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1 here and throughout), dc in same stitch as join (beginning V-stitch made), sk next hdc, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next hdc (V-stitch made), sk next hdc; repeat from * around; join with sl st in third ch of beginning ch54 (58, 64, 68, 72) V-stitches.

Round 3: (Sl st, ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, 3 dc in each ch-1 sp around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch54 (58, 64, 68, 72) 3-dc groups.

Round 4: (Sl st, ch 4, dc) in next dc (center dc of 3-dc group), sk next 2 dc, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, sk next 2 dc; repeat from * around; join with sl st in third ch of beginning ch.

Round 5: Repeat Round 3.

Rounds 623 (25, 27, 29, 33): Repeat last 2 rounds 9 (10, 11, 12, 14) more times.

Round 24 (26, 28, 30, 34): *work (Dc, ch 2, sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st, ch 2, dc) in sp between next two 3-dc groups, sl st in sp between next two 3-dc groups (half flower made); repeat from * around; join with sl st top of beginning ch of previous round27 (29, 32, 34, 36) half flowers.

Fasten off.

Determine which side of the dress will be the front, and mark the front bodice with a stitch marker. Sew the right shoulder seam. Do not sew the left shoulder seam, as buttons will be attached later to make the dress easy to get on and off. With the smaller hook, join the yarn in the top back corner of the left armhole (unseamed shoulder).

Round 1: Ch 1, work sc evenly around entire armhole, across front shoulder, around neck edge, and across back shoulder, working 3 sc in each outer corner of shoulder; join with sl st in first sc.

Round 2: *Ch 4, sk next sc, sl st in next sc; repeat from * around armhole and across front shoulder.

Note: Ch-4 sps across front shoulder will serve as button loops.

Fasten off.

With smaller hook, join yarn in shoulder seam of right armhole.

Round 1: Ch 1, work sc evenly around entire armhole; join with sl st in first sc.

Round 2: *Ch 4, sk next sc, sl st in next sc; repeat from * around.

Fasten off.

Weave in all ends. Sew 3 small buttons on the top back of the left shoulder, opposite the 3 ch-4 button loops. Using small amounts of contrasting yarn (or embroidery floss), embroider daisies on the front bodice of dress (instructions follow).

Beginning in the center front of the skirt, thread a ribbon in and out of the V-stitches from Round 2 of the skirt. Tie a bow and trim the ribbon ends.

The plain bodice of this dress lends itself to embellishment. Decorate it with your own embroidered design, a monogram, or even crocheted or fabric flowers.

To download a printable copy of this chart, go to http://rhlink.com/mcp013

Weave the yarn through about 1" of stitches on the wrong side of the front bodice and leave a long tail to weave in later. Push your needle and yarn through to the right side of the bodice where youd like the center of the daisy to be. (a) Form a small " (13mm) loop with the yarn; this will be the petal. Reinsert the needle in the same spot where the yarn originally came through, then bring it back through to the bodice front just inside of the petal loop. (b) Reinsert the needle on the outside edge of the petal loop and pull the yarn through to hold the loop in place. Repeat to make 5 petals, or as many as desired, for each flower. Weave in all ends.