Pareos are a thing of the past. Today, crochet (or knit) is what we wear in the heat. Light as a summer breeze and airy as a day by the sea – this crocheted beach dress is the perfect companion for sunny days by the water. The delicate lace pattern subtly covers the skin, while the loose knee-length cut ensures comfort. Sleeveless, yet with gentle shoulder coverage, it combines feminine elegance with casual ease – ideal to wear over a bikini or swimsuit on the way to the beach, or as a summery outfit at the beach bar. You can find the free pattern for this beach dress here.
Whether wide or fitted, short or long, with a slit or fully closed – the pattern can be easily customized to suit your style. The crochet dress is made up of repeating lace pattern, with an elastic hip section that visually separates the top from the bottom. And with this crochet bikini pattern, your set is complete for a DIY look on a hot day by the water.
Enjoy crocheting and wearing this beautiful crochet beach dress!
Material List:
- Yarn and Yarn Requirements:
- Woll Butt Primo Sina (65% cotton, 25% lyocell, 10% linen; 10 cm x 10 cm = 34 rows and 26 stitches) in the color Rosewood (102624):
- 1000 (1200 / 1400) m for sizes S (M / L)
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Darning needle
- Measuring tape
Abbreviations:
sc = single crochet | hdc = half-double crochet | dc = double crochet | tc = treble crochet | sl st = slip stich | ch = chain | ch-sp = chain space (space created by chain stitches) | st, sts = stitch, stitches | R = row | hdc2tog = work 2 stitches in a half-double crochet together (decreasing stitch count by 1)
Size:
Size S (34–36), M (38–40), L (40–42).
The larger sizes are shown in parentheses. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
Diagram:
Lace Pattern:
The crochet dress is worked in a sequence of the following lace pattern, see Crochet Chart A.
Lace pattern described in words:
(The 1st row of the dress starts with a foundation chain of single crochet stitches worked using the chainless foundation method.)
Row 1 of the lace pattern:
Ch 1, 1 sc in the first stitch, *[ch 4, skip 1 st, then work the next 5 sts into 4 dc together, skipping the middle (3rd) stitch, ch 4, skip 1 st, 1 sc in the next st]*, repeat from * to end of row. The last stitch is a sc. Turn work.
Row 2:
Ch 6 (= 1 dc and ch 3), *[1 sc into the 4-dc cluster, ch 3, 1 dc in the next sc, ch 3]*, repeat from * to end of row. The last stitch is a dc. Turn work.
Row 3:
Ch 3 (= 1 dc), 2 dc into the next ch-3 space, ch 4, *[1 sc into the next sc, ch 4, work 4 dc together over the next two chain spaces (2 dc into the next ch-space and 2 dc into the following ch-space), ch 4]*, repeat from * to the last sc, ch 4, work 3 dc together (2 dc into the last ch-space and 1 dc into the 3rd chain from the previous row). Turn work.
Row 4:
Ch 1, 1 sc into the 3-dc cluster, ch 3, *[1 dc into the next sc, ch 3, 1 sc into the next 4-dc cluster, ch 3]*, repeat to the end of the row, ending with 1 sc into the last 3-dc cluster. Turn work.
For the crochet dress, repeat rows 1–4 of the lace pattern in sequence. Depending on the number of stitches, you may start or end the rows in a different stitch.
Instructions:
- The beach dress is crocheted in two pieces: a front panel and a back panel. Both pieces are made the same way.
- The dress is worked from the bottom (hem) upward to the top.
- The stitch chart for the beach dress is Chart B (below). The gray areas indicate repeats of the lace sequence from Chart A above. This means there are more base stitches and rows to work than shown in Chart B. The row beginnings and endings in the chart correspond to the stitch sequence for size M.
Front / Back Panel:
- Begin with a foundation single crochet of 120 (128 / 144) sts.
- 👉 A foundation single crochet (fsc) combines a starting chain and the first row of single crochet into one step.
- Work in lace pattern (Chart A) for approx. 51 cm (20 in). After about 51 cm, you reach hip level.
- At hip level, work a band in half double crochet (hdc). In the 1st row of the hdc band, work 1 hdc into each single crochet or dc cluster, and 2 hdc into each chain space. In the following rows, insert the hook between two hdc stitches instead of into the top of the stitch. This creates a different texture and gives the band more stretch. While working the hdc band:
- In the first 5 rows, decrease 1 stitch at each side of the row.
- In the next 6 rows, decrease 1 stitch at each side of every 2nd row.
- Then work one final row of hdc without decreases.
- The hdc band measures approx. 6.5 cm (2½ in). If you want it narrower or shorter, adjust the decreases or work fewer hdc rows.
- Continue with the lace pattern (Chart A) for approx. 8 cm (3 in).
- Next, increase at each end of every 2nd row for the next 10 rows (increase rows are the ones with 4-dc clusters). In total, work about 5 repeats × 2 rows each of the increase pattern (see Chart C below).
- After approx. 7–7.5 cm (2¾–3 in) of increase rows, work straight in lace pattern (Chart A) for the next 20–21 cm (8–8¼ in). This is about 12 repeats × 2 rows each of the lace pattern.
- Fasten off and weave in all ends.
- Repeat the same steps for the back panel.
Joining:
Shoulder Seams:
- Place the front and back panels with right sides facing up, so that the neat side of the dc clusters will be on the outside when worn.
- Starting at the right armhole of the front panel, join new yarn, ch 3, sl st into the first stitch of the back panel’s matching armhole, ch 3, sl st into the next sc or dc of the front panel, ch 3, sl st into the next sc or dc of the back panel, and so on, alternating between front and back for approx. 10.5 (12 / 15) cm (4⅛ / 4¾ / 6 in) until you reach the neckline.
- For the other shoulder, measure the same number of stitches or 23 cm (9 in) for the neckline, join yarn at the end of the neckline, and join in the same way (to keep the same stitch direction).
- For the connection pattern, see Chart D or the illustrations below.
Side Seams:
- Join sides from the hem upward with slip stitches, alternating front and back stitches so the seam remains flat. Leave a slit at the bottom if desired. Alternatively, sew the sides together with the darning needle.
Your handmade crochet beach dress is now complete!
I hope you enjoyed working with my pattern and that your new crochet dress brings you joy!
