Pinafore Dress for Girls by Poochie Baby Introduction I love to crochet. This baby girl's pinafore dress is very easy to make. It is so feminine and lovely. The color choices are endless and it can be made with less than one 7oz. skein of yarn! The dress in this pattern is made with one color.... but you can make it in several different colors by simply switching out the yarn and making alternate color rows. It takes a few hours of solid crocheting to finish this dress but it is a perfect project to work on while settling down in front of the TV or while listening to a good audio book (that is my choice). I am the type of person who does not use patterns......... I absolutely hate them! I generally jot down notes when I need to but sometimes I forget what the notes mean a few months later. So, I decided that I should at least write full patterns for my favorite designs. I am also striving to write these patterns in more nontechnical terms, hopefully making them easier to understand. Perhaps someday, another person in my family will decide to pick up a crochet hook and carry on my work! I hope you enjoy the end product! Please note that this pattern may not be copied, resold or redistributed. You may sell the finished products. Happy Hooking! Materials There are some basic materials needed to complete this pattern. You will need the following supplies: G Hook or H Hook Scissors or Clippers 7oz. of Worsted Weight Yarn (Approximately) Tapestry Needle That's it! Basic Instructions and Pattern Information Difficulty Level: Easy/Novice Size of the dress : 6-9 Months with a G Hook 9-12 Months with an H Hook *This pattern does assume that you know the basics of crochet and how to work the stitches in the abbreviation chart. *Shell Stitch (for this pattern): 2 DC - CH 2 - 2 DC all in the same stitch. Abbreviation Chart : DC = Double Crochet SC = Single Crochet CH = Chain R = Row Pinafore Dress Pattern for Baby Girls With G hook for 6-9 Months or H Hook for 9-12 Months, CH 52. R1 - SC in the second CH from hook and in each stitch across (total of 51 stitches). R2 - CH 3 and turn, DC in the next two stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch (increase). DC in the next three stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch. Continue to DC in the next three stitches and 2 DC in the next stitch across the row (total of 63 stitches). *Remember, the first CH 3 counts as the first stitch for the row . R3 - CH 3 and turn, DC in the next three stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch (increase). DC in the next four stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch. Continue to DC in the next four stitches and 2 DC in the next stitch across the row (total of 75 stitches). *There will be three stitches left at the end of the row . R4 - CH 3 and turn, DC in the next three stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch (increase). DC in the next four stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch. Continue to DC in the next four stitches and 2 DC in the next stitch across the row (total of 89 stitches). *Leave five stitches at the end of the row to total 89. Do NOT increase in the last stitch! R5 - CH 2 and turn. SC in each stitch across (total of 89 stitches). R6 - *Begin shell stitch* CH 3 and turn. DC in the same stitch, skip one stitch, 2 DC - CH 2 - 2 DC all in the same stitch. Skip one stitch, 2 DC - CH 2 - 2 DC all in the same stitch (this makes the shell stitchs). Continue to skip one stitch, then 2 DC - CH 2 - 2 DC all in the same stitch across the row. At the end of the row, 2 DC in the last stitch (total of 43 full shells and one half shell at the beginning and end of the row). R7 - CH 3 and turn. DC in same stitch. Shell stitch in the next six shells (use the CH 2 space in each shell to make the next row of shells). CH 3 and skip the next ten shells. Shell in the next eleven shells. CH 3 and skip the next ten shells. Shell stitch in the next six shells, 2 DCs in the last stitch. (This row brings the dress together and forms the armholes. ) R8 - CH 3 and turn. DC in the same stitch. Shell in each shell across the row. When you reach the CH 3 section, simply make a shell stitch in the second CH (see picture below). At the end of the row, 2 DC in the last stitch. * You now have a total of 25 full shell stitches and one half shell at the beginning and end of the row . R9 thru R20 - CH 3 and turn. DC in the same stitch. Shell in each shell across the row. 2 DC in the last stitch. R21 - CH 3 and turn. DC in the same stitch. Shell in each shell across the row. 2 DC in the last stitch. Tie off and leave a very long end. You will use this end to stitch up the dress with a tapestry needle. Finishing the Dress: Starting at the bottom of the dress and placing the two seems together, stitch up the dress using a tapestry needle. Stitch the dress only to the point where the shell stitches begin. Tie off and weave in the extra yarn. Now, cut two lengths of yarn approximately four foot each (these lengths of yarn will be used to make the ties). Weave each length of yarn into the top, back edge of the dress (see picture). The yarn will be doubled. CH 20 and then secure with a knot. That's it! You are finished! Finished Dress Examples : This dress can be made shorter and used as a tunic blouse. Perfect to go with a pair of leggings. Or, you can make this dress longer... Add embellishments to your liking..... Make matching shoes and headband and you baby girl will step out in style! About The Author, Michele I am a busy mother and grandmother. By day, I work in social services. At all other times, I am busy helping to raise my two grandchildren and running my online stores. I have an online store and Etsy shop in which I sell my finished products. I also now sell patterns in the Amazon Kindle store, in my personal store, on Etsy and on Craftsy. I started crocheting around the age of seven and have loved it ever since. Many days it is what keeps me sane! I love to create new items that are both fun and functional. My family is huge and there are many babies that keep me inspired. I decided to start writing patterns recently. This is mostly in hopes of someone in my family learning to crochet and picking up the hobby. I won't be around forever! Running my shops keeps me very busy. There is so much involved from actually making the items, marketing the items and then managing the business and shipping details. But I enjoy it all. You can follow my blog, Poochie Baby, to keep up with new items and new patterns coming up for sale. You can also follow me on Facebook. Don't forget to click Like so you can get new information on your news feed. Links (copy and paste into your browser): Poochie Baby Blog: http://www.mypoochiebaby.com/ Craftsy Pattern Store: http://www.craftsy.com/user/815204/pattern-store Poochie Baby Online Store: http://www.poochie-baby.com/store.html Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poochie-Baby/206062482830506 Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/MyPoochieBaby Pinterest Page: http://pinterest.com/craftomania/ Copyright and Licensing Information Copyright 2012 Michele Gaylor This pattern is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This pattern may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this pattern with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. .