Summer Cheer Dress and Kerchief Set
This dress and kerchief set is perfect for summer!
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This dress and kerchief set is perfect for summer. It doubles as a bathing suit cover up and when the weather turns cooler, throw it over leggings as a tunic! The kerchief is a boho throw back and cute and fun to wear.
I designed this set for 6-12 months, however, I’ve given you the “recipe” so you can make it for any size you like. I’ve also added some common standard sizes as a guide! I used Red Heart Creme de la Creme for my sample, but with the recipe you can really use any yarn you like (be sure to use a hook that is appropriate for you yarn).
Very often I start garments with a Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) versus a crocheting a long chain and then single crocheting in each one. I find that the FSC has a bit more stretch to it and with a garment makes it easier to get on/off. I’ve linked to my friend Rhondda’s tutorial if you need help with this stitch, but if you prefer the chain and single crochet method, feel free to use that instead.
Of course you can make the set in any color(s) you like, and I think it is also fun to experiment with ombres and self striping yarns too, so experiment for a fun and unique look!
As you can see by the photo below, this set is not only cute, but apparently it’s fun to wear and makes the model look really super cool!
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Instructions
Size: 6 – 12 months/20” Chest – Instructions for changes provided in pattern
Materials:
- 3 skeins (98 yards per skein)
- 4 stitch markers
Hook US H/5.00 mm
Gauge: 6 VSt x 5 rows = 4”
Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tr = treble stitch
FSC = foundation single crochet – you can find a tutorial HERE
VSt = [dc, ch1, dc] in same stitch
I designed this dress/tunic for 6 – 12 months, however, it is easy to size it for any size with a few tips included in the pattern written in red (please remember your stitch counts and yardage requirements will change accordingly). I use the Yarn Council Standard body measurements with an additional 2” added for ease in my pattern, here are some sizing recommendations for your convenience.
| Size | Finished Chest | Size | Finished Chest | |
| 0 – 3 months | 18” | 2 – 4 | 25” | |
| 3 – 6 months | 19” | 6 – 8 | 29” | |
| 6 – 12 months | 20” | 10 – 12 | 32” | |
| 18 – 24 months | 22” | 14 – 16 | 35” |
Dress –Stitch multiple = 2
Round 1: FSC70, join with sl st to first FSC to form circle. (70 FSC)
Note: FSC will give you a bit more stretch at the chest band of the dress, however, if you prefer you may start with: ch70 loosely, join with sl st to first ch, ch1, sc in each ch to end, join.
Sizing change: Start with a ch in increments of 2, long enough to meet the chest measurement.
Rounds 2 to 4: Ch1, working in back loop only, sc in each st to end, join with sl st to first sc. (70)
Round 5: Ch4 (counts as dc +ch1), dc in same st, skip 1, [Vst in next st, skip 1], repeat between [ ] to end, join with sl st in ch1 space of beginning ch4. (35 VSt)
Round 6: Ch4, dc in same space, VSt in center of each VSt to end, join with sl st in ch1 space of beginning ch4. (35 VSt)
Rounds 7 to 13: Repeat Round 6.
Round 14 (Increase round): Ch4, VSt in same space, VSt in center of next 6 VSt, *[dc, ch1, VSt] in next VSt, VSt in center of next 6 VSt*; repeat between * to end, join with sl st in ch1 space of beginning ch4. (40 ch1 spaces)
Sizing change: Add an increase row every 10th row. Add 5 increases each time as follows: I take the total number of VSts I have and divide by 5, the result minus 1 is the number of VSts between increases. Example: In the 6-12 month size I have 35 Vst in Round 13. 35 divided by 5 = 7; 7 minus 1 = 6, so I do an increase in the first VSt and then do one VSt in each of the next 6 Vsts. Sometimes your beginning number is not evenly divisible by 5, in this case you can try dividing by 6 or 7 to see If you get an even number, or you can simply adjust the number of of Vsts in the last repeat. The important thing is to get between 5 and 7 increases in each increase round. If you have too many increases, the dress will bell out more dramatically.
Rounds 15 to 22: Repeat Round 6. (40 VSt)
Sizing change: Continue to work rounds of VStitch until dress/tunic is desired length. Remember to add increases every 10th round.
Ruffled Border: Ch4 (counts as tr), work 4tr in each ch1 space and 1 tr in each dc to end, join to top of ch4. Fasten off.
Shoulder Ties: Measure 2 ½” to the left and to the right of center front and center back and mark these stitches, this is where you will join the ties. Join with a sl st in the marked st, ch40, turn, sl st in each back to first ch (at top band), join in top band, fasten off. Repeat for next 3 ties.
Sizing change: Placement of ties will increase for larger sizes or decrease for smaller sizes by ¼” on each side for each size. Example, 18-24 months would be 2 ¾” instead of 2 ½” as noted above.
Kerchief
Row 1: Ch5, VSt in 5th ch from hook, skipped chs count as dc + ch1. (1 VSt + ch 4)
Row 2: Ch4 (counts as dc +ch1), turn, VSt in each ch1 space (including the ch1 from the beginning ch4) to end. (2 VSt + ch 4)
To grow the triangle shape, you will work a VSt in each ch1 space from the beginning ch4 of each row. The number of VSt in each row will increase by one.
Rows 3 to 11: Repeat Row 2.
Sizing change: If you would like a larger kerchief or a shawl, continue to add repeats until it is the desired size.
Top Border Row: Ch1, turn, sc in each st to end.
Ruffled Border: Ch4, turn to work down side of kerchief, work 4tr in side of each row to point, work 5tr in point, work 4tr in side of each row along 2nd side to top.
Note: If you would like a more pronounced ruffle, work more tr in side of each row.
Ties: Ch40, turn to sl st in each ch to beginning of kerchief (first tie made), sl st across each sc at top of kerchief, ch40, turn to sl st in each ch to beginning of kerchief (second tie made). Fasten off.
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