Well...I finally got to unveil the two crocheted halters I made Sara and the matching yellow ruffle skirt. I didn't get a good pic of her wearing the ruffle tank and skirt outfit together, but it looked SO CUTE! I was so excited that everything fit her and she looked adorable in it all. 
*Please note: This dress consists of two patterns combined. The first part is the top, or what I refer to here as the “bib”. It is taken directly from THIS pattern by Cassie Hennen and reprinted here with her permission. The bottom part…the skirt…is my own creation. This is a free pattern and can be shared under the condition that you provide a link back to this blog post.
MATERIALS
- 2 skeins Red Heart Soft Yarn or Bernat Satin (Pictured here: MC for bib - Bernat Satin “Flamingo”, CC for skirt - RHSY “Grape”)
- size H crochet hook
- yarn needle
- 2 buttons
- contrasting ribbon (optional)
*Pattern note: The dress pictured was made using sizing given for 18 months old. I feel that it turned out smaller than that and is more fitting for a 12 month size. However, if you have any questions regarding the sizing please feel free to ask myself or Cassie, whose contact information can be found at the link to her pattern provided above.
PATTERN - Size 12 months
*Stitch note: for the bib, the scalloped edge shaping created by the (sc, ch2, hdc) is referred to as an “S-edge cluster”.
BIB
With MC:
Row 1: Ch 59. hdc in 3rd ch from hook & in each st across, ch 1 turn
Row 2: sk first st,*(sc, ch2, hdc) in next st, sk next st, Rep from * across ending with sc in last st. ch 1 turn
Row 3: 2 sc in first st, then keeping ch2 sts from previous row S-edge clusters in front - 3sc in BACK LOOP ONLY of each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last st, ch 1 turn
Row 4: rep Row 2, ch 1 turn
Row 5: 2 sc in first st, then keeping ch2 sts from previous row S-edge clusters in front - 2 sc in BACK LOOP ONLY of each sc across ch 1 turn
Row 6: rep Row 2, ch 1 turn
Rows 7-10: rep Rows 3-6, ch 1 turn (55 S-edge clusters around bib)
Row 11 (Armhole Row): 2 sc in first st, *sk ch2 sp, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * 5 times, skip next 15 ch2 sps, 2 sc in next 11 sc sts, sk next 15 ch2 sps, 2 sc in last 7 sc sts. Join with sl st to first sc, ch1 turn
Row 12: sk first st, *(sc, ch 2, hdc) all in next st, sk next st, rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc, ch 3 turn
Row 13: dc in same sp as ch3, 2 dc in each sc around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Fasten off MC.
SKIRT
With CC:
Row 14: repeat Row 12
Row 15: 3 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st to first sc, ch 1 turn
Row 16: sk first st, *(sc, ch 2, hdc) in next sc st, sk next st, rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sc, ch 3 turn
Row 17: 2 dc in each sc sp around. Join with sl st to top of ch3, ch 1 turn
Row 18: 1 sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc, ch 3 turn
Row 19: 1 dc in each sc st around. Join with sl st to top of ch3, ch 3 turn
Row 20: 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3, ch 3 turn
Row 21 to desired length: 1 dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch3. Fasten off.
RUFFLE SKIRT EDGING
Join MC with sl st to top of ch3 from Row 21
3 sc in same st, 1 sc in next st, *3 sc in same st, 1 sc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
BACK OPENING
With MC:
Row 1: Join yarn with a sc at top right corner of opening, work 10 more sc down side of opening, sl st in bottom center st, work 11 sc up next side of opening, ch1 turn
Row 2: sc in first st, ch 1, sk next st (button hole made), sc in next 5 sts, ch 1, sk next st (button hole made), sc in last 3 sts, sl st in bottom center st, sc in each st to top, ch 1 turn
Row 3: sl st in each st and ch around opening. Fasten off.
BUTTONS
Sew buttons to opposite side of button holes made.
RIBBON
Weave ribbon through the spaces made in Row 13. Make center bow.
I actually like how it came out, considering I totally wung-it on the skirt part. I wrote it down as I went so one of these days I will post my modified pattern specs (as well as all the other stuff I said I'd do that with and haven't). Anyway, I found a baby for it and it's another Sara(h)! Steve on my LJ Friends List just had a baby...well, his wife did...and she is sure to fit into this one day soon (the baby, not the wife). I am excited to be sending out my first gift to someone that's not family...I hope they like it!
I intended this for Sara but it turns out that (a) the way the pattern is written is SO confusing to me and (b) it looks way too small for her. After MUCH anxiety and emailing with both the designer of the dress (found HERE) and someone at Crochetville, I could finally move past the bib of the dress and onto the body and skirt. I decided to change colors too, just for kicks, but you can't see it well in the pics. The top is bubblegum pink and the bottom color is plum. It's going to be really cute, but now I have to find a baby for it!
I used an H hook and Red Heart Soft Yarn.
The first one was so darn cute, I had to make another one in purple!
The pattern is called Slices of Sweet Halter and is HERE.
I made these modifications:
1) I used a G hook.
2) I did none of the Edging that the pattern calls for...meaning, I did Rows 1-8 as the pattern specifies, but I just kept using the yarn I used for the triangles (the variegated) in lieu of fastening off after Row 7.
3) Instead of doing a Ch 42 at the end of Row 8, I did a Ch 38 b/c my niece is so tiny. I would measure around your wearer's chest first, but I didn't have that chance so I wung it. Again, I haven't tried it on her so I'm hoping it fits!
4) I only did 8 rounds of the V-stitch pattern (in the pattern it's Rnds 10-24)...I know this will be long enough for my niece but again, I didn't measure.
5) For Rnd 9, I switched to the variegated yarn again and just did dc around the whole bottom edge in lieu of the clusters the pattern states in Rnd 25.
6) I didn't do the straps as the pattern states. I did this instead:
- sl st in an end stitch at the top of one triangle
- sc in top 3 stitches
- yo, pull through all 3 sts.
- make a Ch 50 for strap and continue to sc back down the strap.
- attach to top 3 sts of triangle.
ALSO, in order for both triangles to have the correct side facing front, you cannot join the tails together to join the triangles as the pattern states...one triangle has to be turned around.
I LOVE this! It's the cutest, easiest pattern (crochet) ever and the variations are endless. Sara turns 2 on July 30th and, funds being low, I'm planning on making her a few cute tops and maybe a skirt in lieu of buying out the entire "princess" section of Wal Mart.
