A toddler dress like this one makes the perfect gift for birthdays, flower girl duties, or family photos. This Blush Cherry Blossom Dress uses double crochet for the bodice, treble crochet fans for the lace hem, and sweet little applique flowers to bring the whole design together. It works up in a size 2 to 3 years, and the construction is straightforward once you get the hang of the two panel bodice. If you have been wanting to make something truly special for a little one in your life, this is the kind of project that gets framed in photos for years.
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The pattern calls for sport weight cotton yarn in blush pink, ivory, sage green, and small amounts of cream or contrast colors for the flower centers. You will need approximately 1,050 meters total before the small contrast colors. The finished dress has flutter sleeves, a scalloped lace hem, cherry blossom appliques along the skirt, and a ribbon or crocheted sash at the waist.
This is an intermediate to advanced level project. You will be working garment assembly, lace edging, small shaped motifs, and detailed applique work. But do not let that intimidate you. I am going to walk you through every section, and if you can double crochet and follow a repeat, you can absolutely make this dress.
Materials You Will Need
Before you start, gather everything so you are not hunting for supplies mid project.
Yarn (Sport or Fine Weight Cotton, approximately 125 meters per 50 grams):
Tools:
Optional:
Gauge
Getting gauge right is essential for a garment that fits properly.
Blocked gauge: 20 double crochet (dc) and 12 rows equals 10 x 10 cm.
To check your gauge, chain (ch) 32. Work a double crochet (dc) in the 3rd chain from hook and in each remaining chain. That gives you 30 dc. Work 18 rows total. Wash and dry the swatch the same way you plan to care for the finished dress, then measure the central 20 dc and 12 rows. If your measurements do not match, change your hook size and swatch again until both dimensions are correct.
Size and Fit
This pattern is written for one toddler size, approximately age 2 to 3 years. Always choose by measurements rather than age.
Target finished measurements:
Abbreviations and Terminology
This pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout. Here is every abbreviation you will encounter:
Counting rule: Turning ch 1 or ch 2 does not count as a stitch anywhere in this pattern. Join rounds to the first actual stitch. Mark that stitch and count every shaping row.
Front Bodice
The bodice is worked flat in rows, then the two panels are seamed together.
Rows 1 to 14:
With blush pink and 3.5 mm hook, ch 58.
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook and each remaining ch. (56 dc) Turn.
Rows 2 to 14: ch 2, dc in every st. (56 dc) Turn after each row. Do not add a stitch into the turning chain.
Armhole Row 15:
Sl st in the first 4 stitches. Ch 2, dc in each of the next 48 stitches. Leave the final 4 stitches unworked. Turn. (48 dc)
The 4 unworked stitches on each side form a 2 cm underarm ledge.
Rows 16 to 20:
Ch 2, dc in all 48 stitches. Turn. (48 dc)
At gauge, the full panel is now about 16.7 cm tall. Place removable markers around the outermost 10 stitches at each edge. The central 28 stitches form the neckline opening.
First Shoulder, Rows 21 to 26:
Ch 2, dc in the first 10 stitches. Leave the remaining 38 stitches unworked and turn. (10 dc)
Work 5 further rows of 10 dc, turning each row. Fasten off with a sewing tail.
Second Shoulder, Rows 21 to 26:
With the same face of the panel toward you, attach yarn at the opposite outer edge of Row 20. Work toward the center: ch 2 and dc across only the outermost 10 stitches. Turn. Work 5 further rows of 10 dc. Fasten off.
Both straps must have 6 rows above Row 20.
Front Bodice Checkpoint:
Back Bodice
Rows 1 to 14:
Using blush pink, make a second panel exactly as Front Rows 1 to 14. (56 dc each row)
Mark the center between stitches 28 and 29.
Left Half, Rows 15 to 23:
Row 15: sl st in first 4 sts, ch 2, dc in next 24 sts, stopping at the center marker. Leave the other half unworked. Turn. (24 dc)
Rows 16 to 23: ch 2, dc in each st. Turn. (24 dc) Fasten off.
Right Half, Rows 15 to 23:
Return to the unworked half of Row 14. Attach at the center marker and work toward the outer edge: ch 2, dc in the next 24 sts, leaving the final 4 sts unworked. Turn. (24 dc)
Work Rows 16 to 23 as for the left half. Fasten off.
The center edges remain separate to create the back opening.
Back Shoulders, Rows 24 to 26:
On each half, attach yarn at the outer armhole edge of Row 23 and dc across the outermost 10 sts. Leave the inner 14 sts unworked. Turn. Work 2 more rows of 10 dc. Fasten off.
The two 14 st inner gaps make a 28 st back neckline.
Joining the Bodice
Block the panels to the target measurements. With right sides together, join each pair of 10 st shoulder tops using mattress stitch. To do mattress stitch, align matching edges and pick up one small strand from each edge alternately with a tapestry needle. Tighten gradually so the join lies flat.
Join side edges from the foundation edge through Row 14 only, matching rows carefully. Keep all upper edges open for armholes. Turn right side out.
Before the skirt: The lower edge has 56 foundation stitches on each panel, 112 total. The back slit begins above Row 14. Try the bodice on a correctly sized dress form, checking chest ease and head access before adding weight from the skirt.
Skirt Construction
The skirt is worked in the round, joined to the bottom edge of the bodice.
Round 1:
With ivory, join at a side seam of the 112 st lower bodice edge. Ch 2, repeat [dc in next foundation st, 2 dc in next foundation st] 56 times. Join. (168 dc)
Rounds 2 to 22:
Ch 2, dc in each st. Join and turn. (168 dc)
For the contrast stripe, use the bodice color (blush pink) for Rounds 18 and 19, then return to the skirt color (ivory). Carry no long floats on the inside.
Round 23:
Ch 2, repeat [dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st] 24 times. Join. (192 dc)
Round 24:
Ch 2, repeat [dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st] 24 times. Join. (216 dc)
Round 25:
Ch 2, repeat [dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st] 24 times. Join. (240 dc)
Hem Foundation:
Ch 1, sc in every st. Join. (240 sc)
Change to accent color for the fan border. The body of the skirt should measure approximately 21 cm.
Flutter Sleeves
Sleeve Foundation:
Use blush pink and 3.5 mm hook. On one armhole, identify the shoulder seam. Measure 6 cm down the front edge and 6 cm down the back edge. Mark both points.
Join at the front marker, work 30 sc evenly across the 12 cm upper arc to the back marker, crossing the shoulder seam. Do not work around the lower underarm.
Flutter Rows:
Turn.
Row 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each sc. (60 dc) Turn.
Row 3: ch 2, repeat [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] 30 times. (90 dc) Turn.
Row 4: ch 1, sc in every st. (90 sc) Fasten off.
Repeat on the other armhole, matching the marked arc and counts. This yields one softly ruffled cap on each side.
Lace Hem
Hem Round 1:
With blush pink, join in any of the 240 hem foundation sc. Ch 1 and sc in that same stitch.
Repeat 24 times: skip next 4 foundation sts, 11 tr in next st, skip next 4 foundation sts, sc in next st.
The last sc location is the starting sc. Instead of making a second sc there, join to the first sc.
Result: 24 fans of 11 tr and 24 sc anchors.
Hem Round 2:
Ch 1, sc in same anchor.
For each fan: ch 1, work dc in each of its 11 tr with ch 1 between adjacent dc, ch 1, sc in the next anchor.
On the last fan, join to the first sc instead of making a duplicate anchor.
Each fan has 11 dc and 12 ch 1 spaces.
Hem Round 3:
Ch 1, sc in each sc anchor, each dc, and each ch 1 space around. Join and fasten off. (576 sc)
Keep tension relaxed. Wet block individual fans into smooth rounded scallops without pulling the skirt waist wider.
Cherry Blossom Appliques
These sweet little flowers bring the whole dress to life.
Five Petal Center:
With cream, make a magic ring. To do this, make an adjustable loop around two fingers, insert the hook through it and draw up the working yarn. Ch 1, then work 5 sc into the ring. Pull the tail to close the center and join. (5 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in every st. Join. (10 sc) Fasten off.
Five Petals:
Join blush pink. Repeat 5 times: ch 2, work (2 dc, 1 tr, 2 dc) in the next center st, ch 2, sl st in the next center st.
All 10 center stitches are used. Join and fasten off.
Aim for 4 to 5 cm diameter. For smaller forget me not style flowers, use a 2.5 mm hook.
Large Waist Flower:
Make the same center. For each petal, replace the middle group with (2 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc) and use ch 3 at both sides.
For a fuller bouquet, layer one small flower on a large one, offsetting the petals and sewing through both centers.
Leaves
Pointed Leaf:
With sage green and 3 mm hook, ch 9.
Working along one side: sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, and (sc, ch 2, sc) in the last ch.
Continue along the opposite side of the same chain: hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last. Fasten off with a sewing tail.
Embroider a straight vein down the middle if desired.
Tiny Filler Flower:
With a contrast color and 3 mm hook, make a magic ring.
Repeat 5 times into the ring: ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st.
Tighten, fasten off and sew the center securely. Embroider a contrasting center using three short straight stitches.
Quantities:
Make 4 large lower front flowers and 8 leaves, plus 1 large waist flower and 2 tiny flowers for the shoulder area.
Applique Placement
Lay the blocked dress flat. Mark the front center and both side seams. Arrange motifs 3 to 5 cm above the start of the lace hem, distributing them evenly between the side seams. Overlap only the leaf bases, not their tips.
Baste first, then sew around all edges and through every layered center with small matching stitches. For a child worn garment, secure every applique edge completely.
Waist Sash
Ribbon Option:
Use soft satin ribbon 2 cm wide. Cut one 60 cm piece for the waist, two 14 cm pieces for decorative tails, and one 26 cm piece for a small bow. Turn raw ends under 1 cm twice and stitch them flat.
Fit the waist piece around the 56 cm waist, overlap its finished ends at center back, and sew both long edges to the dress without constricting the fabric. Form a flat bow from the 26 cm piece, wrap its middle with a short matching crochet band, and sew at the front left waist. Sew the large flower at the front right waist.
Position the two tails diagonally below the large flower. Stitch down their full lengths and secure their turned ends. Sew the two tiny flowers near the front strap bases.
Important for child safety: Avoid detachable pins, clips, beads, or long loose ribbon ties.
Yarn Only Alternative:
With blush pink, ch 113 and sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (112 sc)
Work 3 more sc rows. Fasten off. Block to the actual waist measurement and sew flat.
Neckline Edge
Using blush pink, join at the back neck. Work 1 sc per horizontal stitch and approximately 2 sc per dc row end around the neck, excluding the vertical center back slit.
At inner corners, work sc2tog across the corner if needed to lie flat. Join. Work one further round of sc. Join and fasten off.
The exact edge count depends on your blocked row gauge. Keep both sides symmetrical.
Back Bands and Closures
Back Bands:
Along each vertical back slit edge, work 2 sc into each dc row end for Rows 15 to 23. (18 sc)
Turn. Work 2 more rows of 18 sc. Fasten off.
Lightly block the two bands so that they overlap by about 1 cm without pulling the back panel.
Closures:
Sew three snaps through small soft backing patches at approximately 1 cm below the top of the slit, its midpoint, and 1 cm above its bottom. Align paired halves before stitching. Cover exposed backing edges with soft fabric.
Confirm that the opening allows easy dressing without pulling the neckline.
Final Blocking and Care
Weave ends through several stitches, reverse direction, and secure. Wash according to the yarn label. Gently press out water in a towel. Do not wring.
Pin the bodice to 56 cm chest circumference, ease the skirt outward without stretching the waist, and shape the lace scallops, sleeve ruffles, and appliques. Dry completely on a flat surface.
Care instructions: Hand wash cool if compatible with all materials. Support the wet garment and dry flat. Do not hang while wet. Check snaps, seams, ribbon, and applique attachments before each wear. Repair any loose parts before use.
Wearable Details
The illustration may show decorative beads or ribbon. For a child worn sample, substitute embroidered centers for any beads, stitch sash and bow tails flat, and secure every applique edge.
Use with a sewn cotton slip or suitable underdress where the fabric is open. This design is occasion clothing, not sleepwear.
Sample Review Checklist
Before gifting or selling, measure your finished dress after blocking:
Verify the counts:
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I really hope you enjoy making this sweet little dress as much as I enjoyed putting together these instructions. If you make one, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in our Facebook group.
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