I had a very specific vision for this little dress. I wanted something that felt like summer in every stitch. A bodice that was simple enough to work up quickly, but a skirt that had real visual punch with those bold chevron stripes. And that sunflower? I knew from the start it had to be the star of the show.
The construction needed to be straightforward too. Flat bodice worked in rows, skirt picked up and worked in the round, sunflower made separately and sewn on. Nothing fussy. Nothing overly complicated. Just good solid technique with a gorgeous payoff.
I am SO pleased with how this turned out. The color combination of teal, rust, golden yellow, cream, and brown just sings together. This is the kind of dress that makes people stop and ask where you bought it. And you get to say you made it yourself.
About This Pattern
This cheerful baby sundress features a solid teal bodice worked flat and seamed into a tube, a stunning sunflower applique centered on the front, and a flared chevron skirt in warm earth tones. The skirt ends with a sweet scallop border that echoes the teal of the bodice. Two narrow spaghetti straps complete the sundress silhouette.
The dress fits a toddler approximately 12 to 18 months old. The chevron stitch pattern creates natural flare in the skirt, giving it that playful swing that looks adorable in photos. Trust me on this one.
Skill level: Intermediate. You need to be comfortable working in the round, executing chevron patterns with color changes, creating a granny square motif with dimensional petals, and seaming a flat piece. None of these techniques are difficult on their own. Together they require organization and attention to stitch counts.
Time estimate: Approximately 8 to 12 hours for an experienced crocheter, spread across three or four sessions.
Finished Measurements
Materials Needed
Yarn (DK weight, CYCA 3):
Total yarn needed: approximately 435 yards (398 m)
Suggested Yarns:
Use a smooth, tightly spun yarn for the clearest chevron definition. Avoid fuzzy or textured yarns. Cotton or cotton blends work best for summer baby garments.
Hook: US Size G-6 / 4.00 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Notions:
Gauge
18 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in single crochet (sc) with US G-6 hook, blocked.
For the chevron section: one full chevron repeat (12 stitches) = approximately 2.67 inches wide; 4 chevron rows = approximately 1 inch tall.
Gauge matters here. The bodice needs to fit properly. Please swatch before you begin.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me walk you through every abbreviation used in this pattern. If you are newer to crochet, read through this section first so nothing surprises you.
Special Stitches
Chevron Single Crochet: This is a 12 stitch repeat that creates peaks and valleys.
3dc-cl (3 double crochet cluster): Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Repeat two more times in the same stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. This creates a textured bump.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
1. The bodice is worked flat as a rectangle, then seamed into a tube. Easy peasy.
2. The skirt is picked up along the bottom of the bodice and worked downward in the round.
3. For color changes: drop the old color and draw the new color through the final loops of your last stitch. Carry yarns up the wrong side when working two round stripes.
4. There is no zipper or button closure. The slight stretch of single crochet allows the dress to go over baby’s head.
5. The sunflower is made separately and sewn on at the end.
6. When working chevron rounds, do not turn. Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round.
7. Chain 3 at the beginning of dc rounds counts as 1 dc unless noted otherwise.
Bodice Instructions
The bodice is worked flat from top to bottom, then seamed at the side to form a tube.
With Color A and G-6 hook, ch 83.
Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (82 sc)
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (82 sc)
Rows 3 through 28: Repeat Row 2. Turn after each row. (82 sc per row)
Your bodice panel should measure approximately 5.5 inches tall and 18 inches wide laid flat. Do not fasten off yet. Set aside.
Bodice Side Seam
Fold the bodice with right sides together, aligning the two short edges. Using Color A and your yarn needle, whipstitch or mattress stitch from top to bottom. This creates a tube.
Turn right side out. The top opening is your neckline. The bottom opening is where the skirt attaches.
Top Edge Finishing
With RS facing, join Color A at the side seam along the top edge.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the top edge, working approximately 28 sc across the front, skip the 2 edge stitches at each side seam point, and 28 sc across the back. Adjust to reach exactly 56 sc. Sl st to join. (56 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to join. (56 sc)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Straps
Mark the front top edge: count 14 stitches from each side seam and place markers.
For each strap:
With Color A, join yarn at the marked stitch on the front.
Ch 32 (approximately 7 inches long).
Sl st into the corresponding stitch on the back (14 stitches from side seam).
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in each ch across (32 sc), sl st into the front stitch where you began.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Repeat for the second strap.
Skirt Instructions
The skirt creates that gorgeous chevron effect you see in the photos. We need 96 stitches for 8 complete chevron repeats.
Setup Rounds
With RS facing, join Color A at the side seam along the bottom of the bodice.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 96 sc evenly around the bottom edge. Place marker. Sl st to join. (96 sc)
Pick up approximately 1 sc in most row ends, and 2 sc in every 3rd row end to reach your target count.
Round 2 (Color A): Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to join. (96 sc)
Chevron Color Sequence
Chevron Rounds
Here is the pattern for each chevron round. The stitch count stays at 96 throughout.
Round 3 (Color B): Change to Color B. Ch 1, (3 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 4 sc, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sc) 8 times. Sl st to join. (96 sc)
Rounds 4 through 16: Repeat Round 3, changing colors according to the sequence above.
After Round 16, your skirt should measure approximately 6 inches from the bodice join.
Hem Scallop Border
Join Color A at any valley point (the lowest stitch between two peaks).
Border Round 1: Ch 1, sc in valley st, ch 2, (5 dc in next peak stitch, ch 2, sc in next valley stitch, ch 2) 8 times, ending with 5 dc in last peak, ch 2. Sl st to join.
Border Round 2: Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (5 dc in center dc of 5-dc shell, sc in next ch-2 sp) around. Sl st to join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sunflower Applique Instructions
This is approximately 4 inches in diameter with layered petals. It gets sewn onto the bodice front.
Sunflower Center
With Color F (Dark Brown), make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc into ring. Sl st to top of ch-3. Pull ring closed. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each dc around. Sl st to join. (24 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, working in blo only, sc in each sc around. Sl st to join. (24 sc)
Inner Petal Ring (Color C)
Join Color C in any unused front loop from Round 2.
(Ch 3, 2 dc in same front loop, ch 3, sl st in same front loop, sl st in next front loop) 12 times. (12 petals)
Fasten off.
Outer Petal Ring (Color C)
Join Color C in any front loop from Round 3.
(Ch 4, 3 dc in same front loop, ch 4, sl st in same front loop, sl st in next front loop) 12 times. (12 larger petals)
Fasten off.
Outer Edge Ring (Color B)
Join Color B in any sc of Round 3.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to join. (24 sc)
Round 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around. Sl st to join. (48 sc)
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Attaching the Sunflower
Position the sunflower centered on the front bodice, approximately 2 inches down from the top edge. Pin in place. Using Color A and your yarn needle, whipstitch around the entire outer edge to secure.
Finishing
Weave in all remaining ends throughout the dress.
Blocking: Soak the dress in cool water for 10 minutes. Gently press out excess water with a towel (do not wring). Lay flat on a blocking mat and pin the scallop points into shape. Let dry completely.
Check all seams and reinforce any weak spots with a few extra stitches.
If using decorative buttons at the strap tops, sew them on securely with coordinating thread.
Size Customization Tips
To size up (2T to 3T):
To size down (6 to 12 months):
Care Instructions
Machine wash cold on gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry, iron, or dry clean.
This baby dress is one of those projects that looks far more complicated than it actually is. The chevron creates drama. The sunflower adds personality. And the whole thing comes together in a weekend or two of happy crocheting.
I hope you love making this as much as I loved designing it. If you have any questions as you work through the pattern, do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I would absolutely love to see your finished dress! Tag me on Instagram or share in my Facebook group so I can cheer you on.
If this pattern is calling your name but you are not quite ready to start today, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it easily later. And if you do make this little sunflower dress, please drop a comment below. Seeing your creations honestly makes my whole day.
