A new beginner crochet dress pattern – the Namib Dress – is now a free crochet dress pattern here on the blog. Read all about the inspiration, yarn and beginner construction below, scroll down to view the full free pattern or purchase an ad free PDF from my shop, Etsy shop or Ravelry shop.
No time right now? Pin this easy dress crochet pattern for later!
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Inspired by travels and refreshing time away, the Namib Dress is an easy crochet pattern that will make you feel like you just returned from an inspiring trip relaxed and ready for whatever this day has to throw at you. No airfare required.
This crochet dress pattern is available in sizes XS-5XL and is beginner-friendly (not even a single increase or decrease required!).
Grab your hook because this dress was made for all and is ready to be brought to life.
Gauge Magic for a Super Beginner-Friendly Construction
The Namib Dress crochet pattern is worked in 2 simple T-shaped panels sewed together. Although it has a flattering waist shaping, no increases or decreases are necessary!
How is that possible? Well, a bit of math (I took care of that for you!) and gauge magic is all you need. The shaping is entirely achieved thanks to the difference in gauge between the stitches used for the top and skirt section.
So changing stitch is all you need for the skirt section to widen out while keeping the same stitch count. Pretty cool, right?
The Yarn
The Namib Dress crochet pattern is designed with Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 yarn. It’s a classic 100% cotton yarn.
I love working and wearing cotton in the summer, it has a great stitch definition, gorgeous colors and is very affordable.
Downloadable PDF Namib Dress Crochet Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Namib Dress crochet pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry.
Before You Start the Namib Crochet Summer Dress Pattern Free
Materials
- 4 mm / US G – 6 hook.
- Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 (super fine (1), 50 g / 1.75 oz, 100% cotton, 170 m / 186 yd) in:
- Jeans Blue (029) (MC): 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) skeins
- Old Rose (046) (A): 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins
- Pastel Mint (025) (B): 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Sizes
The crochet dress pattern is available in following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL size. Sizes are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) throughout the pattern. Pictures illustrate the Medium size.
The dress is designed with a very close fit, 2” to 4”/ 5 – 10 cm negative ease at the bust.
Below are the final dress measurements for the different sizes.
- XS: bust 64 cm / 25”, hip 90 cm / 35.5”
- S: bust 74 cm / 29”, hip 103 cm / 40.5”
- M: bust 84 cm / 33”, hip 117 cm / 46”
- L: bust 94 cm / 37”, hip 130 cm / 51”
- XL: bust 104 cm / 41”, hip 146 cm / 57.5”
- 2XL: bust 114 cm / 45”, hip 159 cm / 62.5”
- 3XL: bust 124 cm / 49”, hip 172 cm / 67.5”
- 4XL: bust 134 cm / 53”, hip 186 cm / 73”
- 5XL: bust 144 cm / 56.5”, hip 201 cm / 79”
Sleeves are 15 cm / 6” long.
The total dress length is 94 cm / 37”. You can easily adjust the length by adding or removing rows (refer to the tips and tricks to try on your dress while you’re making it).
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern:
- In linen stitch is 25 st by 26 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
- In dc is 9 st by 12 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
Note: it’s important you meet gauge for both stitch patterns as the dress shaping is achieved thanks to the difference in gauge. Especially the number of stitches per 10 cm / 4” is important for a good fit. The number of rows is less important because lengths are always given in measurements.
If necessary, use a different hook size for the different sections.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- dc2tog = double crochet 2 stitches together
Notes
Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row / round.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row / round between < >.
The turning ch 1, ch 2 don’t count as stitches throughout the pattern except if mentioned otherwise.
The pattern is written in crochet shorthand. For example:
- “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch,
- “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches,
- and “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next st.
Construction
The dress is worked in 2 simple T shaped panels sewed together. The shaping for the skirt section is achieved only thanks to the difference in gauge between both sections; no increases or decreases are necessary.
The top section is worked in linen stitch alternating 3 colors of yarn while the skirt part is simply made of dc stitches.
Special Stitches
Linen stitch (worked over an uneven number of stitches):
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, [skip 1, sc] across, turn.
- Row 2: Ch 1, [ch 1, skip sc, sc in ch-1 space below] until last st, sc, turn.
- Repeat Row 2
Tips and Tricks
- Because you’re working the linen stitch for the top section with an uneven number of colors (3), you can easily carry the colors up the side, avoiding too many ends to weave in. You can then hide the float lines in the seams and sleeve border.
- To check the fit of the dress while you’re working on it (it would be a pity to crochet the entire project only to realize you don’t like the fit), you can work on both panels in parallel. Sew the sleeves and shoulder seams when the first part of both panels is completed to try the dress on as you go.
More Crochet Dress Patterns View All
The Actual Namib Easy Crochet Dress Pattern Free
Top Section
Using your 4 mm / US G – 6 hook and main color yarn, ch 157 (169, 181, 193, 207, 219, 231, 243, 257) + 1.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, [skip 1, sc] across, turn. <157 (169, 181, 193, 207, 219, 231, 243, 257) st>
Switch to contrast color A.
Row 2: Ch 1, [ch 1, skip sc, sc in ch-1 space below] until last st, sc, turn.
Switch to contrast color B.
Repeat Row 2.
Keep repeating Row 2 alternating colors: MC, A, B until you reach 16.5 (17.5, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5) cm / 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)”.
Bind off all 3 strands of yarn.
You will now continue by working only with the middle stitches to form the T shape of the top. Use the next color of yarn in alternation pattern.
Skip first 38 st, join yarn and work Row 2 over 81 (93, 105, 117, 131, 143, 155, 167, 181) st, skip last 38 st.
Keep repeating Row 2 in alternating colors (MC, A, B) until total length is 42 cm / 16.5”. Finish on a MC row.
Note: The Top section should end approximately 2 cm / 0.75” below your waist.
Skirt Section
Skirt row (all sizes): Ch 2, dc across, turn.
Repeat Skirt Row until skirt length is 52 cm / 20.5” or desired length.
Assembly
Start by sewing the shoulder seams leaving the middle 23 cm / 9” unseamed for the head.
Then sew up the sleeve underside and continue down until the bottom of the skirt.
Weave in all the ends.
Sleeve Edge
Repeat for both sleeves.
Round 1: With MC color yarn, join yarn at the sleeve underarm side and sc around the sleeve. Make approximately 2 sc per 3 rows of linen stitch. Spread them out evenly, avoiding to stretch or compress the sleeve fabric. The exact number of stitches doesn’t matter. At the end of the round, join with a sl st.
Note: Work this first row over the carried yarn floats to hide them in this first row of sc.
Row 2: Sc across, finish with a slip stitch.
Bind off and weave in the end.
Blocking
You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your dress even prettier, help even your stitches and make the textures come out even more, block your project.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
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You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern.
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