Lady Bug Test Pattern!
I designed this for someone who was looking for a Lady Bug theme. It was so much fun to do. I tried to make the pattern easy enough for a new crocheter to follow. I think this will make a good "first big project". If you can double-crochet-- the bodice will be a breeze.
The ease of design should give plenty of growing room. Just cinch the waist with the ribbon for younger toddlers then use it for a cute top as they grow. I think it would look so in the winter with a white turtle-neck and a pair of tights!
I used Aunt Lydia's Fashion Thread size #3; 6 balls of red, 2 balls of black. If you are confused about threads or yarns please see my "favorites" page. Hook size E / 3.50
The finished dress size looks like it would fit a child up to 1 yrs old. Instructions are written in US crochet terms.
This dress is in the final stages of testing, so please email me any errors you find.
The PDF file is located on the following page. Click the gray arrow to go to the next page. The gray arrow is on the top right side of this page, next to the title "Lady Bug Pattern". There, you can click the file to view, download or print.
Pattern Typo Adjustments as of 7/2010:
It appears that rnd 18 has been left out. Actually, it should be included in Rnd 19-21--Just change to read: Rnd 18-21. On Rnd 27 I mention working 2 dc's last dc of each 5 dc group. It should read 6 dc group, as there are 6 dc's in each group. Same is true with the directions for the trim: there are 6 dc's in each group, not 5. Apparently these typo's transferred over to the final copy. Thank you to my faithful crocheter's for pointing this out!
As for dress size, I had no trouble fitting this dress on an averaged sized one year old that belonged to a friend. (Pictured). Size between infants varies. If you are worried, try an F hook or larger hook / yarn. Since there are no sleeves, and the length is obviously adjustable, the chest size would be the main factor to consider. I would not recommend this dress for most babies over one year.