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The Winter Solstice Dress

Girl tucking hair wearing teal crochet dress

This super cosy shaped jumper dress is made from side to side using a simple ribbing technique. It falls somewhere between a jumper dress and a body con shape with loose fitting sleeves and… my new favourite to rival pockets… thumb holes in the cuffs!

The pattern below is written in size small with guidance on how to adjust for an individual fit.

Skill’s Needed

  • Knowledge of basic crochet stitches is assumed
  • Working in the Back Loop Only
  • Simple decreases
  • Foundation stitches (see special stitches – modifications given)
  • Short row shaping (explained in the pattern)

Materials

5mm crochet hook (or size needed to meet gauge)

Approx 1400m / 1540yds of Medium / Worsted / Aran Weight Yarn

I used 7 and a half balls of Patons Decor which is a wool / acrylic blend. My step-mum gave me free range of her yarn stash when I was visiting her in Canada a couple of years back and I have a whole bunch of this so it is perfect for big projects – though not widely available in the UK.

You may find this post useful in helping you choose a suitable yarn substitute. Whatever yarn you choose, make sure it meets gauge by working a quick gauge swatch!

Gauge

17 sts x 12 rows in 10cm x 10cm of half double crochet worked in the back loop only using a 5mm hook or size needed to obtain tension.

Girl with hand on hip in crochet body con dress

Size and Measurements

The pattern describes a size S which is a UK size 8-10 (US 4-6).

You can easily adjust the pattern to fit any size by adding more stitches to the rows for the length and more rows for the width (i.e. to go up a dress size). Guidance is given throughout the pattern on how to do this. It will be helpful for you to take the following measurements to ensure you create a dress which fits.

A) Total length – 84cm / 33in measured from shoulder to  bottom of the hem

B) Shoulder to waist (top of hip) – 42cm / 16.5in

C) Waist – 72cm / 29in

D) Hips – 80cm / 32in

Because the dress is made using a ribbed stitch there is quite a lot of horizontal stretch in the body.

If you are making adjustments to the size, be sure to make a note of your stitch and row counts so you can repeat them on both sides! (You might think you will remember but you won’t… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this mistake!!

Pattern Notes

  • This pattern uses US crochet terms
  • Numbers in brackets at the end of a row / round indicate the number of stitches in that row / round and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change
  • Turning chains do not count as stitches
  • The dress is worked from side to side in vertical rows
  • The body and sleeve stitches are all worked in the back loop only (BLO) throughout the pattern. This is specified at the start of the pattern but not throughout
  • The body is made from two panels which are seamed up the side and at the shoulders
  • Odd numbered rows in the body are worked from the shoulder towards the hem and even numbered rows are worked from the hem up towards the shoulders
  • The sleeves are worked in rows at right angles to the body

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms)

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

blo = back loop only

ch = chain

fhdc = foundation half double crochet – see special stitches 

hdc – half double crochet (UK half treble)

rep = repeat

RS = Right Side

sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)

sc2tog = single crochet 2 together – see special stitches

sk = skip (UK miss)

ss = slip stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = Wrong Side

yo = yarn over

Special Stitches

Foundation half double crochet (fhdc):

Ch3, yo, insert hook into 3rd chain from hook, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).  *Yo and pull through 1 loop (this creates the base stitch of the next fhdc).  Yo and pull through all 3 loops to complete the st. To start the next st, yo and insert the hook into the v of the base stitch, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).  Repeat from * for required number of sts.

You can find more details on foundation rows including a tutorial in the Crochet Resources Section of this site.

If you struggle with this technique it can be replaced with making a chain of the number of stitches needed plus 1, then work 1hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each st across to achieve the required number of sts.

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 3 loops.

Front of crochet ribbed jumper dress

The Pattern

Body

Make 2

Length (Measurement A)

If you would like the dress to be longer or shorter, then increase or decrease the number of stitches in the foundation chain (row 1). I have worked a foundation row of 130 sts which gives a length of 77cm / 30in before you add the hem which measures 7cm / 3in.

Hip Shaping (Measurement B)

If you are changing the length of the dress, ensure that you work the hip shaping (rows 2 and 3 below) to the correct length. I have worked 60 sts up from the bottom leaving 70 sts for the body length from the top of the hip up to the shoulders (measurement B). If you have changed the length of the foundation row, use your shoulder to waist measurement (B) to ensure that the body length is correct.

ALL STITCHES  IN BODY PANELS ARE WORKED IN BLO

Row 1 (WS, working from shoulder to hem): 130fhdc, turn

Row 2 (working from hem to shoulder): Ch2, working in BLO here and throughout, 1hdc in next 58 sts, 1sc in next 2 sts, ss into next st, turn (61)

Row 3: Ch1, sk ss, 1sc in next 2sc, 1hdc in next 58hdc, turn (60)

Row 4: Ch2, 1hdc in next 60 sts, insert hook into ch1, yo, pull up a loop, insert hook into blo of where ss was made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all 3 loops, 1hdc in next 69 sts, turn (130)

Row 5: Ch2, 1hdc in each st to end, turn

Waist Measurement (C)

You will repeat row 5 across until the upper narrower part of the body panel reaches half of your waist measurement.  I have repeated this to row 45 which means I have 43 rows across the waist once I took the hip shaping (rows 2 and 3) out.

Row 6-45: Rep Row 5

Repeat the hip shaping using the same stitch count as row 2 and 3, as follows:

Row 46: Ch2, 1hdc in next 58 sts, 1sc in next 2 sts, ss into next st, turn (61)

Row 47: Ch1, sk ss, 1sc in next 2 sc, 1hdc in next 58 hdc, turn (60)

Row 48: Ch2, 1hdc in next 60 sts, insert hook into ch1, yo, pull up a loop, insert hook into blo where ss was made, yo, pull up a loop, yo,pull through all 3 loops, 1hdc in next 69 sts (130)

Fasten off

Girl looking over shoulder in crochet dress

Side Seams

Place the two body panels RS together. Working from the bottom up, ss the sides together matching stitch for stitch with WS facing. Leave 35 sts unjoined for the arm holes.

The arm holes are fairly relaxed but if you want more space, leave more stitches unjoined

Fasten off

Shoulder seams

With WS facing.

Working from the outside in, ss together the top of the first 10 rows on each side to create shoulder seams.

If you want to create a wider or narrower neckline, change the number of stitches in the shoulder seam to create your desired size.

Neckline

With WS facing, join yarn to shoulder seam, work through both loops

Row 1 : Ch1, work 1sc in the end of each row around the neckline, join to top of the first st with a ss, turn 

Row 2: Ch1, 1sc in each st around, join to top of the first st with a ss.

Fasten off and sew in ends

Hem

With WS facing, join your yarn to the bottom of one of the side seams, work through both loops

Row 1: Ch1, work 1sc into the end of each row around the hem, join to top of the first st with a ss, turn 

Row 2-15: Ch1, 1sc in each st around the hem, join to top of the first st with a ss, turn 

Fasten off, sew in ends

Girl hands in hair wearing crochet jumper dress

Sleeves

Repeat on each side

The sleeves are worked in rows at right angles to the body, using shaping similar to that used for the hips. If you have left a wider arm hole, you will need to work more row repeats until the two sides of the sleeves join. Each time you work a row 3 and 4 repeat you are decreasing the number of rows there will be in the cuff.

If you want longer or shorter sleeves then you can increase or decrease the number of stitches in the foundation row (as we did with dress length).

With WS facing, join yarn to top of side seam at underarm.

Round 1: Ch1, 1sc through both loops in each st around arm hole, join to top of the first st with a ss, turn (70)

Now we will work in rows at right angles to the body. All stitches are worked in the blo

Row 1: 65fhdc, turn (65)

Row 2: Working in blo here and throughout, ch1, 1sc in next 20 sts, 1hdc in next 45 sts, ss into the next 3sts  on round 1, turn

Row 3: Sk all ss, 1hdc in next 38 sts, 1sc in next 2 sts, ss into next st, turn

Row 4: Sk ss, 1sc in next 2 sts, 1hdc in next 38 sts, ss into next 3 sts on round 1, turn

Row 5: Sk all ss, 1hdc in next 65 sts, turn

Row 6: Ch1, 1sc in next 20 sts, 1hdc in next 45 sts, ss into next 3 sts on round 1, turn

Row 7-16: Rep row 5 and 6

Row 17-18: Rep row 3 and 4

Row 19-30: Rep row 5 and 6

Row 31-32: Rep row 3 and 4

Row 33-44: Rep row 5 and 6

Row 45-46: Rep row 3 and 4

The two sides of the sleeve should now meet.

Row 47: Seam the sleeve by ss the two sides together working through the blo of the previous row and the front loop of your original starting chain matching st to st.

Do not fasten off, continue to cuff

Cuffs

Repeat on either side

With WS facing and working through both loops

Note: If you have a different number of rows at the cuffs, work the decreases in a similar way to those below until your cuff reaches the desired size for your wrist. Just make sure you do the same on both sides!

Round 1: Ch1, 1sc in the end of each row, join to top of first st with ss, turn (38)

Round 2: Ch1, *sc2tog, sc in next 7sts*, 4 times, sc2tog, join to top of first st with ss, turn (33)

Round 3: Ch1, 1sc in each st around to end, join to top of first st with ss, turn

Round 4: Ch1, 1sc,  *sc2tog, 1sc in next 6 sts* 4 times, join to top of first st with ss, turn (29)

Round 5: Ch1, *8sc, sc2tog* twice, 7sc, sc2tog, join to top of first st with ss, turn (26)

Round 6: Ch1, 1sc in each st around, join to top of first st with ss, turn

Round 7-10: Rep round 6

Thumb hole

Round 11-15: Ch1, 1sc in each st around, do not join, turn

Round 16-20: Rep round 6

Fasten off, sew in all remaining ends

Turn right way round and enjoy your dress!

Girl in ribbed crochet jumper dress

I hope you enjoy this pattern and, as always don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @doraexplored, or use #hookmehappy. I’d love to see and share your efforts!

Happy Hooking

Dx

You may sell what you make from this pattern but the pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced without prior written consent. Photos may be shared with credit.

Copyright Dora Does 2018

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10 Comments

  1. It’s just me I’m sure, but I found myself getting very confused while reading the pattern. Do you happen to have a video instruction on YouTube? I’ve been wanting to crochet myself a dress like this for a long time, and this is the only pattern that has all of the qualities I’m looking for, but I’m just very confused in trying to understand the pattern.

    1. Hi there, I don’t have a video tutorial for this. I do have an updated version of the pattern available to purchase which has more detail and is graded for different sizes. Alternatively, if you let me know where you are stuck or which part you don’t understand I may be able to help explain it.

  2. Hi! It’s a cute dress, but I was wondering– should someone have a larger bust that would be too much for the ribbing, how would you add bust shaping? Thanks!

    1. So the bust should be relatively accommodating but if you wanted to add some extra shaping you could create darts on at the bust, using a similar method to the hip shaping. Alternatively, you could add shaping at the side seams. I hope that helps.

  3. Crumbs, Michelle ! – what next ? You really are an unending source of great designs.
    I wonder, quite often, what it’s like to have a body like yours – or of the great majority of women .. Never known that.
    But it’s a lovely design, and one I think will gain you ever more followers. You work hard: you deserve them all.

    1. Ahhh. You are so kind! And every body is perfect in its own uniqueness – mine with its bionic addition and yours with your epic life experiences ingrained! 😊😘

  4. I just love, love, love this dress. I like that it’s created by the BLO ribbing method- I’m sure it accents the body shape. I’d love to make this for my grand daughter-she could really rock your creation! You neglect to mention(unless I missed it) to list the yarn weight. This would be a great help and easy for you to add to your pattern. This is next on my list….

    1. Hi Val, thanks for your kind words!! The pattern uses aran / worsted weight yarn (listed in the materials with approx meterage needed).
      I hope your granddaughter loves it!! 😊

  5. I would wear this as a sweater with leggings rather than a dress but I’m very self conscious about my body. I just wish you had directions for all the sizes written out. I don’t have the best luck in trying to make something, figuring out the changes myself. Lol Oh well It’s a lovely pattern. You wear it well.

    1. Thank you!! It’s on my to do list to make a fully graded version of this pattern – this was mainly an adventure in dress making but I’ll be sure to shout loud when it’s finally done!!
      Thank you for your kind words x