In Part 1 of the Idlewild Dress pattern, we’ll make a gauge swatch and learn how to crochet the bodice front. Scroll down for the free kids’ pattern + video tutorial.
Remember you can find all the Idlewild Crochet Along resources, links to pattern stages and more photos here. You can find each stage of the free pattern there.
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Idlewild Dress Video Tutorial
Part 1
Links mentioned in the video:
• Find all relevant Idlewild Dress resources on the main page
• Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch charts
• Join the Make & Do Crew Facebook group
• Purchase a kit with all the Lion Brand Beautiful You yarn + printed copy of pattern
Idlewild Dress: Part 1
Children’s Sizes – Free Pattern
Explanation:
Sweet details and a modern color palette combine for a timeless, lace-accented dress. With multiple pattern combinations, you’ll choose your own crochet adventure with the option to customize the bodice length, the skirt length and the sleeve style. The Idlewild Dress makes a perfect celebration crochet dress , flowergirl dress or simply, the most adorable peplum top your little one has ever skipped off to school in.
Make a matching dress for yourself with the women’s Idlewild Dress pattern!
Supplies:
This pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• Lion Brand Beautiful You (Weight: 2/fine – 326 yds, 3.5 oz)
Aquatic (#165-105) – 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins [(approx. 140 (200, 240, 300, 360, 410, 440, 470) g]
Colors also pictured:
Arrowood (#165-194) (child’s peplum top)
Rooibos Tea (#165-138) (women’s dress)
• Size G (4.25mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers or safety pins
• An iron with steam setting or handheld steamer for blocking
• T-pins or rustproof straight sewing pins for blocking
Sizes + Measurements:
Sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16)
Fits: 20.5 (23, 25, 26.5, 28, 30, 31.5, 32.5)” bust
*Additional measurements included in printable PDF if desired.
Since length is easily customized, choose size by closest bust measurement. Bust is designed to fit with minimal positive ease. Size up for a looser look.
Gauge:
Bodice: 19 sts x 14 rows = 4” *
Skirt: 3 visual shells x 8 rows = 4” *
* Note that this is measured after blocking. Please make a gauge swatch, particularly for the bodice, steam block it and adjust your hook size if necessary before beginning the pattern. You’ll be glad you did!
To make a gauge swatch for Bodice:
1. Work preferred foundation row (see pattern below) so it contains 27 dc.
2. Rep Rows 2 and 3 of bodice 9 times each, for 19 rows total.
3. Gently steam block swatch without touching iron/steamer to yarn.
4. Measure number of stitches and rows in a 4” square. Adjust hook size if necessary to meet pattern gauge.
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
chLoop – a loop created from chain stitches
dc – double crochet
dc2tog – double crochet two together
dec – decrease
fdc – foundation double crochet
PM – place marker
rem – remain(ing)
rep – repeat
RS – right side
rsc – reverse single crochet (aka the crab stitch)
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
V-Loop – a loop created by (sc, ch 4, sc) in the same st
WS – wrong side
Overall Pattern Notes:
• Ch 3 at beginning of row or round counts as a dc throughout.
• Pattern is written in smallest sizes with larger sizes following in parenthesis.
• Watch video tutorial above this pattern for extra instruction.
• If you have a pattern question or just need some extra encouragement, please join the Make & Do Crew Facebook group where there are several thousand other kind crocheters supporting each other.
BODICE FRONT
Notes:
• To create a longer bodice section that hits closer to the waist, work additional repeats of Rows 2 and 3 before indenting for armholes. (Remember the number of rows worked as it will be repeated for Bodice Back.) Note that this adjustment may require more yarn.
• When beginning Foundation Row/Chain, leave a 25” tail of unworked yarn for seaming sides.
• See stitch chart and photos C, D, E and F in printable pattern PDF for additional visual guidance.
Make 1.
Preferred Foundation Row 1 (RS): Fdc 49 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 77). [49 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 77) fdc]
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Alternative Foundation Row: Ch 51 (57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77, 79).
Alternative Foundation Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end of row; turn. [49 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 77) dc]
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, (sc, dc) in first dc, sk next dc, *(sc, dc) in next dc, sk next dc; rep from * across to last st, sc in tch; turn. [49 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 77) sts]
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, sk first st, dc in each st; turn.
Rep Rows 2 and 3 two (three, four, seven, nine, nine, nine, nine) more times.
Rep Row 2 once more.
There should be 8 (10, 12, 18, 22, 22, 22, 22) Rows including Foundation Row 1 and piece should measure approx. 2.25 (2.75, 3.5, 5.25, 6.25, 6.25, 6.25, 6.25)” high.
If a longer Bodice is desired, work additional repeats of Rows 2 and 3 ending with a Row 2 before moving on to Indenting for Armholes.
Indent for Armholes:
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sl st in first 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5) sts, ch 3, PM in third ch, dc in next st, dc in each dc until 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4) sts remain, PM; turn. [45 (51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 67, 69) sts]
Remaining rows are worked between marked stitches only, move markers up each row if desired.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, (sc, dc) in first dc, *sk next dc, (sc, dc) in next dc; rep from * across, sc in tch; turn. [45 (51, 55, 59, 63, 67, 67, 69) sts]
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, sk first st, dc in each st; turn.
Rep Rows 2 and 3 two (three, four, three, four, four, five, five) more times.
Rep Row 2 once more.
Piece should have 16 (20, 24, 28, 34, 34, 36, 36) rows total. Do not fasten off. Now we’ll divide for the neck. With yarn attached:
First Side of Neck:
Decreasing:
Note: In Row 2, marker is placed in dec st because it can be hard to see on the next row. See tutorial at end of pattern or photos A or B for how to work decreases.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, sk first sc, dc in next 16 (16, 16, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24) dc, dc2tog; turn, leaving rem sts unworked. [18 (18, 18, 22, 22, 26, 26, 26) dc]
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, PM in dec, dc in same st as second leg of sc2tog, *sk next dc, (sc, dc) in next dc; rep from * across to last 2 sts, sk next dc, sc in tch; turn. [17 (17, 17, 21, 21, 25, 25, 25) sts]
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, sk first sc, dc in each st until 2 remain, dc2tog; turn. [16 (16, 16, 20, 20, 24, 24, 24) dc]
Rep Rows 2 and 3 two (two, two, four, four, five, five, five) more times, then Row 2 once more for a total of 8 (8, 8, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14) rows. When repeating Row 2, dc2tog is worked in marked st and st before marked st.
Counting from bottom of Front, you should have 24 (28, 32, 40, 46, 48, 50, 50) total rows on this side. You should have 11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13) dc
Fasten off leaving a 25” tail for seaming.
Second Side of Neck:
Counting in from opposite edge, attach yarn in 19th (19th, 19th, 23rd, 23rd, 27th, 27th, 27th) st. There will be 7 (13, 17, 13, 17, 13, 13, 15) sts unworked at center of neckline.
Decreasing:
Row 1 (RS): Ch 2, dc in next st, (counts as dc2tog), dc in each st across; turn. [18 (18, 18, 22, 22, 26, 26, 26) dc]
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, (sc, dc) in first dc, *sk next dc, (sc, dc) in next dc; rep from * across until 2 dc remain, sc2tog, leave tch unworked; turn. [17 (17, 17, 21, 21, 25, 25, 25) sts]
Rep Rows 1 and 2 three (three, three, five, five, six, six, six) more times, ending with a Row 2, for a total of 8 (8, 8, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14) rows and 11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13) dc on the last row.
Counting from bottom of Front, you should have 24 (28, 32, 40, 46, 48, 50, 50) total rows on this side. Piece should measure approximately 6.75 (8, 9.25, 11.5, 13.25, 13.75, 14.25, 14.25) inches.
Fasten off leaving a 25” tail for seaming.
If You Can’t Wait to Keep Crocheting
Grab the the pattern PDF and you’ll have instant access to the full pattern so you can keep up your crochet momentum. Otherwise, we’ll see you back next week for Part 2 of the Idlewild Crochet Along!
(Remember, you can always find each new CAL stage linked on the main Idlewild Dress page here.)
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