Dusty Blue Sailboat Baby Dress Free Crochet Pattern

If there is one little dress that makes everyone at the playground stop and ask where you got it, it is this one. The Dusty Blue Sailboat Baby Dress is pure seaside sweetness: a crisp white bodice with the cutest anchor buttons down the front, a swishy dusty-blue lace skirt, and the sweetest little sailboats sailing right around the hem. I made this for my neighbor’s baby girl last summer and I swear the photos from that beach trip are still my favorite.

Do not let the appliques scare you off. The dress itself is built on simple stitches you already know, and the sailboats are just small shapes you whip-stitch on at the very end. Take it one section at a time and you will be just fine.

Materials You Will Need

Yarn Color A (white): Approximately 150 (175, 200, 225) yards of DK weight yarn
Yarn Color B (dusty slate blue): Approximately 250 (300, 350, 400) yards of DK weight yarn
Yarn suggestions: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Slate Blue and Paper White (100% acrylic, machine washable, excellent stitch definition), Drops Safran (50% cotton, 50% polyester, slight sheen that makes the lace pop), Lion Brand Pound of Love (economical, launders well, fewer ends to weave). Choose any DK weight yarn that achieves gauge. For baby garments, prioritize machine washable options. Avoid fuzzy or halo yarns as they will blur the lace pattern and applique details.
Hook: US size G-6 / 4.0 mm for all sections. Use whatever hook size achieves gauge for you.
Notions: Five anchor shaped shank buttons, approximately 0.5 inches wide; stitch markers (at least four, plus extras are helpful); yarn needle; scissors; rust proof pins for blocking; one additional anchor button or crocheted anchor for waist tie charm (optional)

Gauge

In single crochet flat with Color A: 18 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches, blocked
In shell lace stitch in the round with Color B: One full repeat of 6 stitches = approximately 1.25 inches wide, 4 rounds = approximately 1.5 inches tall, blocked

Gauge matters for a fitted garment. Please swatch and adjust your hook size if needed. A smaller hook creates smaller, denser fabric. A larger hook creates looser, larger fabric.

Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions

ch = chain: yarn over, pull through loop on hook
sc = single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops
dc = double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops
sc2tog = single crochet two together (a decrease): insert hook in first stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops
sl st = slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook in one motion
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es)
sp = space
pm = place marker
RS = right side (the public facing side)
WS = wrong side

Special Stitches

Shell Stitch: Work 5 double crochet stitches all into the same stitch or space. This creates a fan shaped shell. The shell is the signature stitch of the skirt section.

Scallop Edging: This creates the wavy decorative edge on the sleeves, neckline, and hem.

Slip stitch into first stitch.
Chain 1. Work single crochet in same stitch.
Work (skip 1 stitch, 5 double crochet in next stitch, skip 1 stitch, single crochet in next stitch) to end.
Slip stitch to first single crochet to join.

Pattern Notes Before You Begin

The yoke is worked flat in rows from the neckline down, creating the front button opening.
Raglan increases happen on every right side row by working 2 single crochet in each of the 4 raglan marker positions.
After the yoke, sleeves go on hold while you join and work the bodice in the round.
The skirt stitch count must always be a multiple of 6 for the shell pattern to work.
Color A (white) is used for yoke and bodice. Color B (dusty blue) is used for skirt and all edgings.
All turning chains are NOT counted as stitches unless explicitly stated.
Move your markers up as you work.

Step by Step Instructions

Yoke

The yoke is worked flat, beginning at the neckline. It divides into five sections marked for raglan shaping: left front, left sleeve, back, right sleeve, right front.

Foundation setup: With Color A and G-6 hook, ch 54 (58, 62, 66).

Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (53 sc, 57 sc, 61 sc, 65 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Place markers as follows for size 3 to 6 months on 53 stitches:

Stitches 1 to 3: Left front (3 sts)
Stitch 4: Raglan marker A
Stitches 5 to 9: Left sleeve (5 sts)
Stitch 10: Raglan marker B
Stitches 11 to 31: Back (21 sts)
Stitch 32: Raglan marker C
Stitches 33 to 37: Right sleeve (5 sts)
Stitch 38: Raglan marker D
Stitches 39 to 53: Right front (15 sts)

The right front has more stitches because it includes the button band area.

For sizes 6 to 12 months (57 sts): Left front: 3 sts, sleeve: 6 sts, back: 23 sts, sleeve: 6 sts, right front: 19 sts.
For sizes 12 to 18 months (61 sts): Left front: 3 sts, sleeve: 7 sts, back: 25 sts, sleeve: 7 sts, right front: 19 sts.
For sizes 18 to 24 months (65 sts): Left front: 4 sts, sleeve: 7 sts, back: 27 sts, sleeve: 7 sts, right front: 20 sts.

Row 2 (RS, raglan increase row): Sc across to 1 st before marker A, 2 sc in next st, pm, 2 sc in next st, sc across to 1 st before marker B, 2 sc in next st, pm, 2 sc in next st, sc across to 1 st before marker C, 2 sc in next st, pm, 2 sc in next st, sc across to 1 st before marker D, 2 sc in next st, pm, 2 sc in next st, sc to end. (8 sts increased, total 61 sc, 65 sc, 69 sc, 73 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Row 3 (WS): Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 for raglan shaping. Work a total of 10 (11, 12, 13) raglan increase rows. After all raglan rows are complete:

Size 3 to 6 months: 133 sc total
Size 6 to 12 months: 145 sc total
Size 12 to 18 months: 157 sc total
Size 18 to 24 months: 169 sc total

CHECKPOINT: Measure your yoke depth. It should be approximately 3.5 inches for size 3 to 6 months (4 inches, 4.25 inches, 4.5 inches for larger sizes).

Separating Sleeves from Body

Next row (RS): Sc across left front (13 sts), ch 2, skip left sleeve sts (25 sts), sc across back (41 sts), ch 2, skip right sleeve sts (25 sts), sc across right front (25 sts). (83 sts total) Ch 1, turn.

Next row (WS): Sc across all sts including into each ch. (83 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Row A: Sc in each st across. (83 sc) Ch 1, turn.

Row B: Sc in each st across. (83 sc) Do not turn. Do not fasten off.

Joining Bodice to Work in Round

Fold the piece so the right front overlaps the left front by approximately 0.75 inches (the button band extension). With RS facing, slip stitch the edges together at underarm level, working 3 slip stitches through both layers. Join Color A yarn at center front seam with slip stitch. Ch 1. Work sc around the entire bodice, adjusting stitch count to reach a multiple of 6. Slip stitch to first sc to join.

Target counts: 78 sc (84 sc, 90 sc, 96 sc)

Bodice

Work in the round in single crochet.

Rounds 1 through 6: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc. (78 sc, 84 sc, 90 sc, 96 sc)

For sizes 12 to 18 months and 18 to 24 months, work 2 additional rounds.

CHECKPOINT: Bodice section should measure approximately 2 inches tall. Full piece from neckline should measure approximately 5.5 inches for size 3 to 6 months.

Waist Join Row

This row creates the eyelets for the waist tie. With Color A: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next 2 sts) to end of round, ch 1, sk 1 st. Sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join.

Next round: Ch 1, sc in each dc and sc in each ch-1 sp around. Sl st to first sc to join. (78 sc, 84 sc, 90 sc, 96 sc) Cut Color A. Join Color B.

Skirt Increase Round

With Color B, ch 1. Work the following increase round:

Size 3 to 6 months: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) 26 times, then adjust to reach 102 sc (multiple of 6).
Size 6 to 12 months: Adjust to 114 sc
Size 12 to 18 months: 120 sc (no adjustment needed)
Size 18 to 24 months: Adjust to 126 sc

Skirt Body

The skirt uses a 6 stitch lace shell repeat.

Setup round: Sl st to first st, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st (half shell to begin), sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, (shell of 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts) to last 4 sts, 3 dc in last st. Sl st to top of ch-3.

Skirt Round 1: Ch 1, sc in first st (sc of previous round). (Sk 2, shell in next st, sk 2, sc in next st) around. Sl st to first sc.

Skirt Round 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st for partial beginning shell, (sc in center dc of next shell, sk 2 dc, shell in next sc between shells) around, ending with sc in center dc of last shell. Sl st to top of ch-3.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 alternately for a total of 14 (16, 18, 20) rounds.

CHECKPOINT: Skirt should measure approximately 4.5 inches (5.5 inches, 6 inches, 6.5 inches) depending on size.

Scallop Hem Edging

Adjust final stitch count to a multiple of 4 for scallop edging:

Size 3 to 6 months: 104 sts, 26 scallops
Size 6 to 12 months: 112 sts, 28 scallops
Size 12 to 18 months: 120 sts, 30 scallops
Size 18 to 24 months: 128 sts, 32 scallops

Scallop Round: Ch 1, sc in first st. (Sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st) around. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Weave in end.

Sleeves

Return to held sleeve stitches. Join Color A at center underarm.

Pickup round: Ch 1, sc in each held sleeve st, pick up and sc 2 sts from the ch-2 underarm bridge. Sl st to first sc. (27 sc, 29 sc, 31 sc, 33 sc)

Rounds 1 and 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc. Join Color B. Adjust stitch count to multiple of 4 (28 or 32 sts depending on size).

Sleeve Scallop Edging: Ch 1, sc in first st. (Sk 1, 5 dc in next st, sk 1, sc in next st) around. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Repeat for second sleeve.

Neckline Edging

With Color B and RS facing, join yarn at top right corner of neckline. Work sc evenly along right front edge (approximately 1 sc per row end), sc across back neckline, sc down left front edge. Work scallop pattern: sc in first st. (Sk 1, 5 dc in next st, sk 1, sc in next st) across. Fasten off.

Sailboat Appliques

Make 3 sailboats for size 3 to 6 months (2 to 4 depending on skirt circumference for larger sizes).

Hull: With Color A, ch 13.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. (12 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in each st across. (12 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog. (10 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. (8 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog. (6 sc) Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.
Edging: With Color B, work 1 round of sc evenly around hull. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Main Sail (Large Triangle): With Color A, ch 2.

Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (3 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in last st. (5 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in last st. (7 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in last st. (9 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in last st. (11 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 6: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in last st. (13 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 7: Sc in each st across. (13 sc) Fasten off.
With Color B, work 1 sc per st along all edges. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Jib Sail (Small Triangle): With Color A, ch 2.

Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (3 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in last st. (5 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in last st. (7 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in last st. (9 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Sc in each st across. (9 sc) Fasten off.
With Color B, work 1 sc per st along all edges. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

Sailboat Assembly: Place the hull flat. Position the main sail triangle above and slightly left of center on the hull, overlapping the base of the sail over the top edge of the hull. Position the jib sail to the right of the main sail. Using Color B and a yarn needle, whip stitch each piece securely in place. Finished sailboat measures approximately 2.5 inches wide and 2.75 inches tall.

Waist Tie

Create a 24 inch length of surface chain or twisted cord in Color B. Thread through the waist join row eyelets. Attach an anchor button or crocheted anchor charm to one or both ends.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely. Block the dress gently to measurements, using rust proof pins. Sew anchor shaped buttons evenly spaced along the front button band. Position and sew sailboat appliques evenly around the skirt hem, sitting just above the scallop edging.

Tips for Success

Take your time with the raglan increases. They seem repetitive, but consistent placement creates a professional looking yoke.
Count your stitches after every few rounds in the skirt section. The shell pattern is forgiving visually, but being off by one stitch will compound.
Block before attaching appliques. This lets the fabric relax to its true dimensions so you can place the sailboats evenly.
Use the checkpoint measurements. They are there to catch sizing issues early, before you have invested hours in the skirt.

Final Thoughts

You did it, mama! Or you are about to. Either way, I hope this little sailboat dress brings as much joy to your hook as it brought to mine. There is something so special about handmade baby clothes, and this one is going to look absolutely precious on your little sailor. If you make one, save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again, and leave a comment telling me which size you made. I read every single one and it truly makes my day!