Can we talk about that butterfly? I keep coming back to it — the big applique across the front of this dress, worked separately and sewn on so the wings sit perfectly framed on the bodice. If you’ve been wanting to make an heirloom piece, one of those projects that gets photographed at every family gathering and then tucked away for the next grandbaby, this is the one. It looks like a boutique window find, but if you can single crochet and double crochet, you’ve got the core skills already. It’s worked top-down in joined rounds, the butterfly is a separate piece, and there’s no complicated colorwork or carrying yarn. Just one section at a time, all the way through.
I won’t pretend this is a weekend project — for size 12 months it takes 30 to 45 hours total including all appliques and finishing, and the large butterfly applique alone accounts for about 8 to 10 hours. Add roughly 5 hours per size increase. But every technique breaks down into manageable steps. Intermediate crocheters will feel challenged in the best way, and advanced beginners ready to level up will learn so much. Let’s walk through it together.
About This Crochet Pattern
This heirloom-quality baby dress features a fitted bodice worked in the round from the top down. The bodice transitions into a full flared skirt with beautiful horizontal texture created by working in the back loop only on alternating rounds. The showpiece is that stunning large decorative butterfly applique centered on the front bodice — you work it separately and sew it on after blocking.
Three smaller butterfly appliques accent the skirt hem for extra charm. The hem finishes with a delicate shell and picot lace border that creates those gorgeous scallops. The dress closes at the center back with a simple button loop.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Finished Measurements
The sample shown is size 12 to 18 months.
- Size 0-3 months: Chest 14 in / 35.5 cm, Length 13 in / 33 cm
- Size 6-12 months: Chest 16 in / 40.5 cm, Length 15 in / 38 cm
- Size 12-18 months: Chest 18 in / 45.5 cm, Length 17 in / 43 cm
- Size 2T: Chest 20 in / 51 cm, Length 19 in / 48.5 cm
All instructions are written for size 12 to 18 months. Adjustments for other sizes appear in parentheses throughout as (0-3 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 2T).
Materials Needed for This Crochet Baby Dress
Yarn:
- Approximately 350 (275, 350, 425) yards / 320 (250, 320, 390) meters of DK-weight yarn in dusty rose (Color A)
- Approximately 80 yards / 73 meters of DK-weight yarn in cream (Color B) for butterfly appliques
Yarn Suggestions:
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Blush Pink and Vanilla Cream
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK in Rose and Ecru
- Drops Safran in Old Rose and Off White
Cotton or cotton-blend yarn is strongly recommended. It provides the structure needed for the skirt to flare naturally and washes beautifully for baby items. Avoid 100% acrylic for this project.
Hook:
- US size E-4 / 3.5 mm for main dress and appliques
- US size D-3 / 3.25 mm if your tension runs loose
Notions:
- Stitch markers (at least 6)
- Tapestry needle
- 5 pearl buttons approximately 10 mm diameter
- Scissors
- Blocking mat, pins, and spray bottle for wet blocking
- Sewing needle and matching thread
Gauge
20 stitches and 22 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in single crochet worked in the round, blocked.
One shell repeat (5 dc) in the skirt = approximately 1.25 in / 3.2 cm wide.
Gauge matters here because this is a fitted garment. Swatch before you begin. If your swatch measures larger than gauge, go down one hook size. If smaller, go up one hook size.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me break down every stitch you’ll need — the full name, the abbreviation, and exactly what to do.
ch (chain): Yarn over, pull through loop on hook. The foundation of most crochet.
sl st (slip stitch): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on hook in one motion. Used for joining rounds.
sc (single crochet): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops. The most basic stitch.
hdc (half double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
dc (double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain), yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops.
tr (treble crochet): Yarn over twice, insert hook, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops three separate times.
BLO (back loop only): Work only into the back loop of the stitch. This creates the horizontal ridge texture on the skirt.
sc2tog (single crochet two together): Insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop. Insert hook into following stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through all 3 loops. This decreases by one stitch.
Shell Stitch: Work 5 dc into the same stitch or space. Creates the fan-shaped shell unit.
Picot: Chain 3, slip stitch into the first chain of the chain-3. Adds the decorative points to the hem.
FSC (Foundation Single Crochet): A method of simultaneously making the foundation chain and first row of single crochet. This creates a flexible, non-curling neck edge.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
Read these carefully — they’ll save you confusion later.
- The dress is worked top-down. Start at the neck, shape the yoke with raglan-style increases, separate for armholes, work the body in rounds, then flare the skirt.
- All rounds are joined with a slip stitch. Begin each round with the appropriate starting chain.
- Place a stitch marker at each of the 4 raglan increase points and move them up each round.
- The large butterfly is worked separately in Color B and sewn to the front bodice after blocking.
- Chain 3 at the beginning of dc rounds counts as first dc throughout.
- Blocking is essential. Wet block the finished dress before sewing on appliques.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
Yoke
The yoke is worked flat initially for the back opening, then joined.
Yoke Neck Foundation:
Using Color A and 3.5 mm hook, work 64 (56, 64, 72) FSC. Do not join.
Row 1 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Sc in each FSC across. (64 sc)
Now divide for yoke sections using stitch markers. The yoke is divided into: Left Back 8 (7, 8, 9) sts, Left Raglan 1 st marked, Left Front Sleeve 10 (8, 10, 12) sts, Left Raglan 1 st marked, Front 24 (21, 24, 27) sts, Right Raglan 1 st marked, Right Front Sleeve 10 (8, 10, 12) sts, Right Raglan 1 st marked, Right Back 8 (7, 8, 9) sts.
Yoke Row 2 (RS, increase row): Chain 1, turn. Sc in each st to 1 st before first marker, 2 sc in next st (inc), sc in marked st, 2 sc in next st (inc). Continue this increase pattern at each of the 4 markers. Sc to end. (80 sc)
Yoke Row 3 (WS): Chain 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (80 sc)
Continue alternating increase rows and plain sc rows:
- Row 4: Increase row. (88 sc)
- Row 5: Sc across. (88 sc)
- Row 6: Increase row. (96 sc)
- Row 7: Sc across. (96 sc)
- Row 8: Increase row. (104 sc)
- Row 9: Sc across. (104 sc)
- Row 10: Increase row. (112 sc)
- Row 11: Sc across. (112 sc)
- Row 12: Increase row. (120 sc)
- Row 13: Sc across. (120 sc)
- Row 14: Increase row. (128 sc)
- Row 15: Sc across. (128 sc)
- Row 16: Increase row. (136 sc)
Checkpoint: The piece should measure approximately 3.5 in / 9 cm from neck edge to bottom of yoke.
Join Yoke and Separate Sleeves
Setup Round (RS): Chain 1. Sc across Left Back section (20 sts), chain 4 for underarm bridge, skip all 26 Left Sleeve stitches, sc across Front section (44 sts), chain 4, skip all 26 Right Sleeve stitches, sc across Right Back section (20 sts). Join both back edges with slip stitch.
Bodice Round 1: Chain 1. Sc in each of the 20 left back sts, sc in each of the 4 underarm chain sts, sc in each of the 44 front sts, sc in each of the 4 underarm chain sts, sc in each of the 20 right back sts. Sl st to join. (92 sc)
Bodice Rounds 2 through 8: Chain 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (92 sc)
Waist Transition Round
Waist Round 1 (Increase Round): Chain 1. Sc in first st, 2 sc in next st. Repeat (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around. Sl st to join. (138 sc)
Skirt
This is where the magic happens. The BLO rounds create those beautiful tiered ridges.
Skirt Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as dc). Dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (138 dc)
Skirt Round 2 (BLO): Chain 1. Working in BLO only, sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (138 sc)
Skirt Round 3 (Increase Round): Chain 3. Dc in first st. (Dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st) repeat around. Sl st to join. (184 dc)
Skirt Round 4 (BLO): Chain 1. Sc in BLO of each st around. Sl st to join. (184 sc)
Skirt Round 5: Chain 3. Dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (184 dc)
Skirt Round 6 (BLO): Chain 1. Sc in BLO of each st around. Sl st to join. (184 sc)
Skirt Round 7 (Increase Round): Chain 3. Dc in first st. (Dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st) repeat around. Sl st to join. (230 dc)
Continue this pattern of BLO rounds, dc rounds, and increase rounds:
- Round 8 (BLO): 230 sc
- Round 9: 230 dc
- Round 10 (BLO): 230 sc
- Round 11 (Increase): (Dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st) repeat. (276 dc)
- Round 12 (BLO): 276 sc
- Round 13: 276 dc
- Round 14 (BLO): 276 sc
- Round 15 (Increase): (Dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st) repeat. (322 dc)
- Round 16 (BLO): 322 sc
- Round 17: 322 dc
- Round 18 (BLO): Work sc in BLO around, working sc2tog at 2 evenly spaced points to reduce count to 318 sc. (318 sc)
Hem Shell and Picot Lace Border
Border Round 1 (Shell Setup): Chain 1. Sc in first st. (Skip 2 sts, shell of 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st) repeat around. Sl st to first sc. (53 shells)
Border Round 2: Chain 3. (Sc in center dc of next shell, ch 3, dc in next sc, ch 3) repeat around. Sl st to join.
Border Round 3: Sl st into first ch-3 sp. Chain 1. (Sc in ch-3 sp, shell of 5 dc in next sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next dc) repeat around. Sl st to first sc.
Border Round 4 (Picot Finishing): Sl st to center of first shell. Chain 1. (Sc in center dc of shell, picot, ch 2, skip to next shell center) repeat around. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Cap Sleeves
With RS facing, join Color A at center underarm.
Sleeve Round 1: Chain 1. Sc across the 4 underarm chain sts, sc in each of the 26 held sleeve sts. Sl st to join. (30 sc)
Sleeve Round 2: Chain 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (30 sc)
Sleeve Round 3 (Decrease): Chain 1. (Sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog) repeat around. (24 sc)
Sleeve Round 4: Chain 1. Sc in each st around. Sl st to join. (24 sc)
Sleeve Round 5 (Scallop Edging): Chain 1. (Sc in next st, skip 1 st, 3 dc in next st, skip 1 st) repeat around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Repeat for second sleeve.
Neck Edge Finishing
With RS facing, join Color A at top right corner of back opening.
Neck Edge Round 1: Chain 1. Work sc evenly around the neck edge, approximately 1 sc per FSC across front and back. Sl st to join.
Neck Edge Round 2 (Button Loop): Chain 1. Sc in each st around. When you reach the top of the right back opening, chain 6, skip 2 sts, sl st back into the skipped st to form loop. Complete round. Fasten off.
Sew one pearl button to the left back opening edge aligned with the button loop.
Large Butterfly Applique
The butterfly has 4 wing sections worked in Color B. Two upper wings and two lower wings, mirrored for left and right sides.
Upper Wing (Make 2):
Foundation Chain: Chain 14.
Wing Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across. (12 dc)
Wing Row 2: Chain 4, turn. Tr in same first st, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st, (dc, tr, ch 2, tr, dc) all in last st.
Wing Row 3: Chain 3, turn. Dc into ch-2 sp at tip. (Ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next st) repeat 5 times across. Ch 2, dc in top of ch-4.
Wing Row 4: Chain 3, turn. (3 dc in ch-2 sp) repeat across each ch-2 sp, dc in last dc. (20 dc)
Wing Row 5: Chain 1, turn. Sc in first dc. (Ch 3, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc) repeat across.
Wing Row 6: Chain 1, turn. (5 dc shell in ch-3 lp, sc between lps) repeat across.
Wing Row 7: Chain 1, do not turn. Work sc edging down the straight inner edge. Fasten off, leaving a 12-in tail.
Lower Wing (Make 2):
Foundation Chain: Chain 10.
Lower Wing Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across. (8 dc)
Lower Wing Row 2: Chain 3, turn. (Ch 2, skip 1 st, dc in next st) repeat 3 times. Ch 2, dc in turning ch.
Lower Wing Row 3: Chain 3, turn. (3 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc) repeat across. (17 dc)
Lower Wing Row 4: Chain 1, turn. Sc in first st. (Ch 2, skip 2, sc in next) repeat across.
Lower Wing Row 5: Sl st into first ch-2 sp. Chain 1. (3 dc shell in ch-2 sp, sc in next sc) repeat across. Fasten off, leaving a 12-in tail.
Butterfly Assembly:
Arrange all 4 wings on a flat surface. Upper wings angle upward and outward. Lower wings angle downward and outward. Whipstitch the straight inner edges together at a central vertical axis.
For antennae, chain 8 with Color B, fold in half, and attach at the top center of joined wings.
Create a small oval body using Color A. Sew to the center of the joined wings. Add pearl buttons along the body center.
Small Butterfly Appliques (Make 3)
Work smaller versions following the lower wing instructions. Sew to the skirt hem at center front and approximately 5 in to each side.
Finishing Your Butterfly Baby Dress
Weave in all ends securely. Wet block the entire dress before attaching any appliques. Lay flat on a blocking mat, pin the skirt into a full circle to encourage the flare, and allow to dry completely.
Pin the large butterfly to the center front bodice, positioning it so the wings frame the neckline and extend slightly onto the cap sleeves. Sew securely using matching thread.
Attach the three small butterflies to the marked positions on the skirt hem.
Give the dress a final steam or light press if needed.
This dress takes time and attention, but every hour shows in the finished piece. It’s the kind of project that becomes a treasured keepsake, passed down and photographed for years to come.
Save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you’re ready to start. And if you make one, I’d love to hear how it turns out for you!
Final Thoughts on This Pink Rose Butterfly Baby Dress Crochet Pattern
There’s something about a project like this that reminds me why I crochet in the first place. Yes, it takes 30 to 45 hours, and yes, the butterfly alone is a whole evening project — but when that dress is laid out on the bed, wings framed perfectly on the bodice and those three little butterflies dancing along the hem, you’ll forget every tedious round. Make it for a granddaughter, a niece, a friend’s new baby. Just don’t be surprised if you start a second one before the first one is even gifted.
