The Chanel Dress is a special crochet pattern for a few reasons. The first reason that it’s special is that it’s named after one of my daughters. When planning my designs for 2022, I knew that I would design a dress, and my dear daughter decided to ask for a dress “down to here [ankles],” so I had to oblige. You may recall the unboxing of the yarn with my twin girls, and the cardigan is in the works…

The second reason that the Chanel Dress is a special crochet pattern is that it’s my first design just for children! It was inspired by a women’s dress, and I wanted to test out the design idea on a small scale. Children’s garments are a great way to practice new techniques and stitches before committing to an adult garment. If you want to learn more about making a crochet garment, check out the Q&A I completed with the Creations by Courtney Community.

I envision the Chanel Dress becoming a wardrobe staple that can be worn throughout the year, especially as a crochet summer dress. As a backless dress with adjustable straps and positive ease in the waist, this dress can stay in rotation for a while for your little fashionista. Whether its summer or fall, remove or add a top and leggings based on the weather. The criss cross straps help add coverage of the back for those that prefer a more modest look, and the positive ease make it easy to add a shirt underneath.

You’ll love how this crochet girl’s dress is very easy to make with simple stitch, minimal shaping, and a fun faux cable for the waistband, and hem. Have fun choosing some cute buttons for the straps, and it may be helpful to attach the button in a way that can be removed and adjusted as the young lady grows.

For the pre-teens and young teens that may wear this crochet dress, be sure to take their chest measurements and choose the size that will provide appropriate coverage. If additional fabric is needed, I recommend extending the edging on each side, or always pairing the dress with a top.

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Yarn

The Chanel Dress is made with King Cole Vogue DK, a 100% cotton yarn in a DK weight. Each skein comes in 113 yards / 103 meters per 1.75 ounces / 50 grams. This yarn was provided to me by King Cole Yarns, as I was one of five North American Brand Ambassadors from 2021 to 2022.

I have always enjoyed working with cotton yarns, and Vogue does not disappoint. As a 100% cotton, it did not shed as some worsted weight cottons may do. I really love the heathered coloring in each skein that creates a subtle striping effect when creating a larger fabric.

If you would like to get some King Cole Vogue DK to make your own version of the Chanel Dress, or to add to the stash (because it’s a great cotton yarn, in my opinion), find a local stockist HERE. It’s currently £1.99 through the LoveCrafts UK site with 5 of the 11 colors available.

ADD TO RAVELRY FAVORITES

MATERIALS

• King Cole Vogue DK (100% cotton, 113 yds/ 103 m, 1.75 oz/ 50 g): 
  • Color A: Melba x 3 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9) skeins
  • Color B: Petrol x 1 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins
  • TOTAL: 484 (598, 741, 863, 978, 1152, 1287, 1381) yds / 442.6 (546.8, 677.6, 789.1, 894.3, 1053.4, 1176.8, 1262.8) m
• Hook US 7/ 4.50 mm
• Stitch Markers
• Yarn needle
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• 4-6, 13 mm buttons

GAUGE

Approx. 15 hdc x 12 rows = 4″x 4″ [10 cm x 10 cm]

FINISHED SIZES

PATTERN KEY

2/2 tr-LC: left leaning 2 over 2 treble cross

2/2 tr-RC: right leaning 2 over 2 treble cross

Ch: chain

Cnr: corner

CSDC: chainless starting double crochet

Dc: double crochet

Fhdc: foundation half double crochet

Fsc: foundation single crochet

FO: fasten off

Hdc: half double crochet

M: stitch marker(s)

Rem: remain(s) 

Rep: repeat

Rnd(s): Round(s)

Sl st: slip stitch

Sc: single crochet

Sk: skip

St(s): stitch(es)

Tr: treble crochet

YO: yarn over

SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES

2/2 tr-LC: over the next 4 stitches, skip next 2 sts, tr in next 2 sts, working in front of sts just made, tr in each of skipped sts.

2/2 tr-RC: over the next 4 stitches, skip next 2 sts, tr in next 2 sts, working behind sts just made, tr in each of the skipped sts. 

CSDC: pull up a loop that is row height, holding loop in place and wrap yarn around hook (yarn over), insert hook in first st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] twice

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Intermediate

NOTES

• Pattern is written in US terms.
• Read entire pattern before beginning.
• Each size is color-coded to ease of reading in the ad-free PDF.
• The Chanel Dress is made in 6 parts: Bodice, Waistband, Skirt, Edging, Strap, and Finishing. 
• CSDC can be replaced with ch 3.
• Ch 1 does not count as a st.
• Changes in size are listed in parentheses in the following format Size 2 (Size 4, Size 6, Size 8, Size 10, Size 12, Size 14, Size 16).
• If one number is listed, it applies to all sizes.
• Refer to the Schematic to choose the size that is slightly larger than the body measurements for positive ease. If a size is chosen that is less than the body measurements, then there will be negative ease. 
• The Bodice length can be adjusted for fit by making fewer or more rows. Yarn amounts do not include any adjustments.
• The Waistband includes 3” of positive ease.
• The Waistband can be adjusted by making fewer or more fsc, but one will need to determine an equal number of dc before and after the treble cross stitches.
• The Skirt is worked in rows, and then worked in turned rounds.
• Straps length is designed for multiple buttons, so the straps can be adjusted for fit and any growth.

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Tester Appreciation

I wanted to take a moment to shine a light on the pattern testers and my tech editor! Without them, the pattern would not be ready for your enjoyment. Pattern testing not only checks for errors, but clarity of instructions and how well a garment fits. Whether you choose two colors, or one, the recipient will enjoy wearing this dress.

You may enjoy these patterns too

• Making Waves Waistcoat
• Miami Cotton Tote
• Stepping Out Coverup

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This pattern is not to be duplicated or resold, and not to be reproduced commercially. You may sell finished products on Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, but please credit Creations By Courtney as the pattern’s author.