Puff Stitch Halter Dress
Crochet Pattern
Intermediate Skill Level
Designed by Jessie Rayot
Here is a fun summer dress I made for my daughter. The neck is made in a similar manner to my Puff Stitch Choker pattern, and the top is textured nicely with a combination of puff stitches and single crochet. The skirt is light and lacy and fun to twirl in! It can be worn over stretch pants or shorts, and it can be worn over a shirt as well for added warmth. There is also a video linked to help with the puff stitch neck.
SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate
YARN:
3 (4) Skeins Red Heart Baby TLC yarn ~ Miami used in the sample, sample is a size 5/6
HOOK:
US 8/H/5.00 mm
and
US 9/I/5.50 mm
GAUGE:
16 sc and 20 rows in a 4” square with smaller hook. If you have to change the hook, then make the second hook one size larger than the first.
SIZE:
Child 5/6 (23~25” chest)
~or~
Child 7/8 (26~28” chest)
TECHNIQUES AND ABBREVIATIONS USED:
ch ~ chain
sl st ~ slip stitch
sc ~ single crochet
dc ~ double crochet
st(s) ~ stitches
puff st~ Puff Stitch: [yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull through st] 4 times, all in the same st (9 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 9 loops, puff stitch made.
PATTERN:
Neck & Top
Watch this video to see how to make the connecting puff stitches used in the neck.
Row 1: Ch 3, puff st in first ch made, [ch 2, puff st in ch-2 sp on side of previous puff st] 59 (61) times. (60 (62) puff sts)
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), (sc, ch 2, sc) in the large loop at the bottom of the puff st, and in the bottom loop of each of the next 7 puff sts. (8 sets of (sc, ch 2, sc)
Row 3: Turn, ch 2, 2 puff sts in ch-2 sp, [skip 2, 2 puff sts in next ch-2 sp] 7 times, hdc in last sc. (16 puff sts)
Row 4: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in top of each puff st. (32 sc)
Row 5: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in first sc, sc in each st across until 1 st remains, 2sc in last st. (34 sc)
Row 6: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in first sc, ch 2, skip 1, [sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2] 6 times, sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 1, sc in last st (36 sts)
Row 7: Turn, ch 2, 2 puff sts in ch-2 sp, [skip 2, 2 puff sts in next ch-2 sp] 8 times, hdc in last sc. (18 puff sts)
Row 8: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in top of each puff st. (36 sc)
Row 9: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in first sc, sc in each st across until 1 st remains, 2 sc in last st. (38 sc)
Row 10: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in first sc, ch 2, skip 1, [sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2] 8 times, sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 1, sc in last st (40 sts)
Row 11: Turn, ch 2, 2 puff sts in ch-2 sp, [skip 2, 2 puff sts in next ch-2 sp] 9 times, hdc in last sc. (20 puff sts)
Row 12: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in top of each puff st. (40 sc)
Row 13: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in first sc, sc in each st across until 1 st remains, 2 sc in last st. (42 sc)
Row 14: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in first sc, ch 2, skip 1, [sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2] 9 times, sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 1, sc in last st (44 sts)
Row 15: Turn, ch 2, 2 puff sts in ch-2 sp, [skip 2, 2 puff sts in next ch-2 sp] 10 times, hdc in last sc. (22 puff sts)
For size 5/6 done with this section.
Row 16: (Size 7/8 only) Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in top of each puff st. (44 sc)
Row 17: (Size 7/8 only) Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in first sc, sc in each st across until 1 st remains, 2 sc in last st. (46 sc)
Row 18: (Size 7/8 only) Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in first sc, ch 2, skip 1, [sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2] 10 times, sc in each of next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 1, sc in last st (48 sts)
Row 19: (Size 7/8 only) Turn, ch 2, 2 puff sts in ch-2 sp, [skip 2, 2 puff sts in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, hdc in last sc. Fasten off. (24 puff sts)
Top Back Done
Top Front
Go back to the end of row 2, and skip 7 (8) of the large loops at the bottom of the puff sts from row 1, starting in the 8th (9th) large loop, repeat rows 2 – 19, do not fasten off.
Top Front Done
Waistband (worked in rounds)
Rnd 1: Turn, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in top of each puff st, ch 4 (8), 2 sc in the top of each puff st from the bottom of the top back, being careful not to twist the neckband, ch 4 (8), sl st to top of beg sc. (96 (112) sc)
Rnd 2 – 10: ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each st around, sl st to top of beg sc. Do not fasten off. (96 (112) sc)
Skirt
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 3 dc in same st, * skip 3, 4 dc in next st, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of 4 dc)
Rnd 2: Switch to larger hook, sl st in next dc, sl st in between 2nd and 3rd dc of 4 dc set, ch 3, 3 dc in same space, *4 dc in between 2nd and 3rd dc of next dc set, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of 4 dc)
Rnd 3~5: Sl st in next dc, sl st in between 2nd and 3rd dc of 4 dc set, ch 3, 3 dc in same space, *4 dc in between 2nd and 3rd dc of next dc set, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of 4 dc)
Rnd 6: Sl st in next dc, sl st in between 2nd and 3rd dc of 4 dc set, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same space, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in between 2nd and 3rd dc of next dc set, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc))
Rnd 7~10: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc))
Rnd 11: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in between next 2 sets of 2 dc, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, dc in between next 2 sets of 2 dc, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) with 24 (28) dc in between)
Rnd 12~15: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, sk 2 dc, dc in dc, sk 2 dc, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, sk 2 dc, dc in dc, sk 2 dc, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) with 24 (28) dc in between)
Rnd 16: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, sk 2 dc, 2 dc in dc, sk 2 dc, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, sk 2 dc, 2 dc in dc, sk 2 dc, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) with 24 (28) sets of 2 dc in between)
Rnd 17~20: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, sk 2 dc, 2 dc in the center of the next 2 dc, sk 2 dc, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, sk 2 dc, 2 dc in the center of the next 2 dc, sk 2 dc, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) with 24 (28) sets of 2 dc in between)
Rnd 21: Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 (28) sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) with 24 (28) sets of (dc, ch 1, dc) in between)
For size 5/6 end here
Row 22~25: (Size 7/8 only) Sl st in next dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (56 sets of (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)
Arm Hole
Use a yarn needle and the yarn tail from the start of your project to join the neckband into a full circle.
Rnd 1: Attach yarn to second ch in underarm (at waistband), sc in same st, sc in next 1 (5) sts sc2tog using last ch of waistband and the side of the hdc, sc in the side of the same hdc, * sc in the side of each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the side of the next hdc, rep from * to top of arm hole, 3 sc in the long loop at the edge of each puff st from the original next band, ** 2 sc in the side of the next hdc, sc in the side of each of the next 3 sts, rep from * to bottom of arm hole, placing only 1 sc in the side of the last hdc, sc2tog using the same hdc and the remaining unworked ch at the waistband, sl st to top of beg sc.
Rnd 2: sc 1 (4), sc2tog, sc in each st around until 2 remain, sc2tog, sl st to top of beg sc, fasten off.
Wear or give and enjoy!
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I’ve been looking for a pattern like this …forever! I have 2 grand daughters that are going to look FANTASTIC in this- assuming that I can make one that comes close to yours. THANK you SO much for sharing such a wonderful pattern in a completely understandable pattern/tutorial!!! (((cyber hugs)))
Tanya Moon
That is awesome! Have fun crocheting. 🙂
How do you make it larger to make it a size 12/14 for my daughter. I have been crocheting for about 6-8 months and am an Ok crocheter. People have bought my items (booties, shoes, hats, mittens, soap saver mitts, back scratcher/shower washer, boot cuffs, headbands, etc) I haven’t figured out how to increase patterns for different sizes. Thanks for your help.
I only wrote this pattern in one size. Changing the size isn’t always easy, and I can’t really explain it in a comment. You may just want to find a pattern in the size you need. The only thing I can think of is using a bigger yarn with a bigger hook and hoping for the best.
Trying to make the Puff St Halter dress in size 5/6. Instructions said after top front to cont. to waistband.huh??? How? And how do I get 96 sts just from the front piece?
Sorry, once you make the top back you have to move onto the top front, then move onto the waistband.
I made this 2 years ago, i made it too big for my daughter. She wore it today and she loves it! Asked me to make her another one in different color. She is 9.
Do you know what a halter dress is? This is not a halter! This is either a spaghetti strap or tank dress. I grew up wearing halter tops and dresses…..you are way off the mark,
I am actually aware of what a halter top is. I have a costume design degree, and I also grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. However, this is the kind of dress a lot of people are looking for when they look for a halter dress for a child, so that’s what I named it. Creative license. Happy Thanksgiving, remember to spread love and kindness my friend. 🙂