The Pretty Play Date Dress is a free crochet pattern for a mixed media t-shirt dress! All you need is a shirt in any size and this tutorial will show you how to add a crocheted skirt to it! A fun and colorful summer dress made with Caron Cotton Cakes. This dress would make a fabulous back to school item. This project is so quick and easy you could make several in different colors!
Crochet Dress / Skirt Pattern Details
The tool that makes this so easy to do is a Rotary Tool* with a Skip Stitch Blade and you will be all set to go! This tool is fantastic for adding crochet to any fabric item — towels toppers, fleece blanket edging, pillowcase edging — the possibilities are endless! A couple of years ago for Christmas I bought fleece fabric for each of my grandchildren large enough for a blanket in their favorite characters and added a crocheted edge. Those blankets are still some of their most beloved possessions!
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Caron Cotton Cakes by Yarnspirations* are a cotton / acrylic blend and are perfect for summer garments. I love the stitch definition in this yarn. Several of my designs feature this wonderful yarn — Boho Market Bag, Coiling Colors Cowl and the Retro Duster Vest, Gathering Rosebuds Market Bag, the Sea Shells by the Seashore Market Bag and the Lavender Garden C2C Scarf!
This pattern is easily customizable to any size. Would it work on an adult size shirt? Absolutely! The beginning row just needs to start in multiples of 2. If you end up with an uneven number of holes just put two sc stitches in the final hole to give you the correct number and you are all set!
The pattern as written here will create a very slim profile skirt. If you would like your skirt to be a little more full then go ahead and add sc stitches for your first row. Just make sure that you are adding stitches evenly — every 10 stitches, every 12 stitches, etc and that you also end up with a stitch count in multiples of 2.
The original dress I made was for a size 7/8 and in order to get the skirt to knee length I used 1 entire Caron Cotton Cake. I had just the smallest bit left and yet I wanted some kind of decoration for the top so I created a simple chain necklace and added plastic buttons for decoration.
I just tacked the necklace on to the top of the shirt at each side of the neck. An easy way to add a bit of fun color to your dress. You could certainly add appliqués or just buy a t-shirt that already has a favorite character design on it — either way would look great!
I couldn’t wait to use the blocked v-stitch again after using it for the pretty Candy Kisses Triangle Scarf. A fun and easy stitch pattern that creates a lacy open stitch. Since the stitch creates a see-through and lacy look I paired color coordinated leggings to the outfit. So trendy and fun!
Since all shirts are different lengths, shapes, etc. it is difficult to tell you just how many rows you will need for your skirt. However, just continue your rows until the desired length is reached.
I have a complete video tutorial for the Pretty Play Date Dress you can view here or on YouTube. (Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get notified whenever I post a new video)
This crochet skirt / dress pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
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You may also like the following free crochet patterns by Nana’s Crafty Home:
Crochet Skirt pattern free crochet pattern instructions
1 Caron Cotton Cakes Gerber Daisy 3.5 oz / 211 yards (for size child 7/8) as shown on model
Note: This pattern was designed when the Caron Cotton Cakes were much smaller than the current version of Cotton Cakes which now contain 530 yards – more than twice the amount of yarn per cake! Only one cake needed for most child sizes!
1 T-shirt in desired size
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Tapestry Needle
5 coordinated buttons in desired size (I used 1 1/4″)
Scissors
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
v-st = v-stitch (see special stitches section below)
Pattern Notes:
To customize pattern for any size shirt, beginning row needs to be in multiples of 2. If holes end up being an odd number, in last hole work two sc to bring stitch count to an even number.
Gauge: approximately 6 v-stitches & 9 rows = 4″
Special stitches: v-stitch (v-st): (dc, ch 1, dc) in same st
Approximately 1/4” from bottom hem of t-shirt run rotary cutter with skip stitch blade around bottom edge of shirt.
With RS of shirt facing:
Round 1: Working in holes made from rotary cutter blade, attach yarn to hole at side seam of the shirt and sc in each st to end. If there are an uneven number of holes, work two sc in last unworked hole to bring stitch count to an even number, sl st top of first st.
Round 2: ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch 1), dc in same st, sk next st, *v-st in next st, sk next st* repeat between * * to end, sl st top of ch 3.
Round 3: *sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, sc in same sp* repeat between * * to end, sl st into first ch 3 sp.
Round 4: ch 4 (counts as first dc + ch 1), dc in same sp, *v-st in next ch 3 sp,* repeat between * * to end, sl st top of ch 3.
Repeat rounds 3 – 4 to desired size ending on round 3. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
For the button chain:
Measure and cut approximately 120″ length of yarn.
Leaving tail long enough to sew to shirt, ch 10, *thread button onto yarn snugging button up close to chain and ch 10*, continue between * * 4 more times. Sew necklace to shirt at top shoulder seams on each side of shirt.
Hi! Thank you so much for being here! I am Tonya the designer behind Nana's Crafty Home. As a wife, mother, Nana of 9 & with 2 fur babies, my days are filled with love, laughter, hugs and yarn! Here you will find colorful and creative crochet designs for yourself or loved ones. My hope is that you will be inspired to learn and create along with me!
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