This is the first garment I have ever designed. What I wanted to achieve was something exquisitely simple. Something that anyone with hook, wool and patience could make. It uses a bog-standard hook, bog-standard wool and is made in one piece following very easy instructions. I have only provided the pattern for my size. However, down the bottom I have written some instructions for how to adapt it to fit you, on the off-chance that you aren’t shaped like a beanpole 🙂

This pattern is written is American crochet notation and uses 8ply wool and a 4 mm hook.

Round 1: ch 100, slip stitch in first stitch to form a ring (BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO TWIST THE CHAIN!!!)

Rounds 2 – 80: sc in each stitch around

You have now completed the top of the dress (wasn’t that easy?) and are now about to start the skirt

Round 81 – 83: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 84 – 87: sc in each stitch around

Round 88: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 89 – 92: sc in each stitch around

Round 93: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 94 – 97: sc in each stitch around

Round 98: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 99 – 102: sc in each stitch around

Round 103: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 104 – 107: sc in each stitch around

Round 108: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 109 – 116: sc in each stitch around

Round 117: increase in first stitch, then sc in the next 4 stitches – repeat

Rounds 118 – 138: sc in each stitch around

Fasten off and weave in end.

How to adapt the dress for your size

Make a chain big enough to put on over your shoulders and bring down to rest on your hips. Crochet sc rounds until the top reaches your hips. Then commence following the instructions for the skirt. Keep going with the final sc rounds until you reach your desired length.

Tip: once I had pranced around the house a few times in my dress the wool started to stretch a little bit at the top so that I was worried I might have an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. One way to prevent this is to thread some wool between the stitches of the top row, pull it tight, and discretely tie it somewhere at the back. Or a friend suggested using elastic, that probably makes more sense.