The pristine purity of this crochet wedding dress for your doll makes her big day all too real! Imaginations soar as you crochet in Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread. Watch your child’s face light up as she hosts her doll’s make-believe wedding. It might be too soon to plan your daughter’s nuptial, but help her imagine the perfect day with her dreams and her doll.
What you will need: AUNT LYDIA’S Classic Crochet Thread, Size 10: 2 balls 001 White Susan Bates Steel Crochet Hook: 1.6mm [US 6] 1161 White 4mm pearl beads (741 for Dress, 270 for Flowers, 30 for Neck, 120 for Collar), 33 yd (30 m) white tulle fabric 6” (15 cm) wide, five ½” (12mm) white buttons, white sewing thread beading needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers.
GAUGE: (Dc, ch 2) 14 times = 4” (10 cm); 16 rows dc = 4” (10 cm). CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
Dress fits 18” (45.5 cm) tall doll. Dress from Neck to lower edge measures 13” (33 cm). Underskirt measures 9½” (24 cm) long.
Special Stitches
V-st = (Dc, ch 2, dc) in indicated stitch or space. Shell = ([Dc, ch 2] 3 times, dc) in indicated stitch or space. Shell in Shell = Shell in center chain-2 space of indicated Shell; do not work into the other 2 chain-2 spaces of the Shell. Shell in V-st = Shell in chain-2 space of indicated V-st. dc2tog (double crochet 2 together) = [Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch or space and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook. dc3tog (double crochet 3 together) = [Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch or space and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on hook.
Special Techniques Adjustable ring:
Wrap thread into a ring, ensuring that the tail falls behind the working thread. Grip ring and tail firmly between middle finger and thumb. Insert hook through center of ring, yarn over (with working thread) and draw up a loop. Work stitches of first round in the ring. After the first round of stitches is worked, pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring. Join with sc: Place a slip knot on hook, insert hook in indicated stitch or space, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook. Bring up bead(s): Slide the indicated number of beads up the thread next to the last stitch made. Beads are drawn up while working wrong side rows/rounds, but will show on the right side.
String beads: Cut a length of sewing thread and fold it in half, bringing both ends together and forming a loop. Thread the two ends into eye of beading needle. Place end of crochet thread into loop. Pick up each bead with tip of beading needle, slide bead over sewing thread and onto crochet thread.
Notes
1. Dress is worked in two sections: Skirt and bodice. The skirt is worked from the waist down to the lower edge and the bodice is worked from the waist up to the neck edge.
2. An underskirt and veil are worked separately. Each consists of a crocheted band to which lengths of tulle are attached.
3. Beaded flowers are worked separately and sewn to the dress and veil.
DRESS
Skirt
Row 1: Ch 5, slip st in 5th ch from hook (first ch-loops made) *ch 5, slip st in 5th ch from hook; repeat from * until you have a total of 38 ch-loops. Hold strip of ch-spaces just made with the slip sts at the top.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in last ch-space made, [ch 3, sc in next ch-space] 37 times, turn—38 sc and 37 ch-3 spaces.
Row 3 (waistband): Ch 6 (counts as first dc and ch-3 space), skip first ch-3 space, dc in next sc, [ch 3, skip next ch-3 space, dc in next sc] 36 times—38 dc, 37 ch-3 spaces.
Note:
The piece is now joined into a circle and work proceeds in rounds. Do not join at ends of rounds, work in continuous rounds (spiral), until instructed.
Round 4: Taking care not to twist piece, dc in 3rd ch of Row 3 beginning ch-6 to begin working in rounds, place a marker in dc just made for beginning of round, move marker up as each round is started ch 2, skip next ch-3 space, V-st in next dc, [ch 2, skip next ch-3 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next ch-3 space, V-st in next dc] 18 times, ch 2—19 dc and 19 V-sts.
Round 5: [Dc in next dc, ch 2, V-st in next V-st, ch 2] 19 times.
Round 6: [Dc in next dc, ch 3, V-st in next V-st, ch 3] 19 times.
Round 7: [Dc in next dc, Shell in next V-st] 19 times—19 dc and 19 Shells. Round 8: [Dc in next dc, Shell in Shell] 19 times.
Rounds 9 and 10: [Dc in next dc, ch 1, Shell in Shell, ch 1] 19 times.
Rounds 11–13: [Dc in next dc, ch 2, Shell in Shell, ch 2] 19 times.
Round 14: [Dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, Shell in Shell, ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 1] 19 times—57 dc and 19 Shells.
Round 15: [Dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next ch-1 space, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, Shell in Shell, ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, skip next ch-1 space] 19 times.
Round 16: *Dc in next dc, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] twice, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] twice; repeat from * 18 more times—95 dc and 19 Shells.
Round 17: *Dc in next dc, ch 1, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] twice, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] twice, ch 1, skip next dc; repeat from * 18 more times.
Round 18: *Dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next ch-1 space, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] twice, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] twice, ch 2; repeat from * 18 more times.
Round 19: *Dc in next dc, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 3 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 3 times; repeat from * 18 more times—133 dc and 19 Shells.
Round 20: *Dc in next dc, ch 1, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 3 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 3 times, ch 1, skip next dc; repeat from * 18 more times.
Round 21: *Dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next ch-1 space, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2, skip next dc] 3 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 3 times, ch 2, skip next ch-1 space; repeat from * 18 more times.
Round 22: *Dc in next dc, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 4 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 4 times; repeat from * 18 more times—171 dc and 19 Shells.
Round 23: *Dc in next dc, ch 1, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 4 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 4 times, ch 1, skip next dc; repeat from * 18 more times.
Round 24: *Dc in next dc, ch 2, skip next ch-1 space, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 4 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 4 times, ch 2; repeat from * 18 more times.
Round 25: *Dc in next dc, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 5 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 5 times; repeat from * 18 more times, join with slip st in first dc of this round—209 dc and 19 Shells.
Round 26: Ch 3, dc2tog over first 2 dc (beginning ch-3 and dc2tog count as first dc3tog here and at beginning of next round), *ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 4 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 4 times, ch 2, skip next ch-2 space**, dc3tog over next 3 dc; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3—152 dc, 19 Shells and 19 dc3tog.
Round 27: Ch 3, dc2tog over first dc3tog and next ch-2 space, *ch 2, [dc in next ch-2 space, ch 2] 4 times, Shell in Shell, [ch 2, dc in next ch-2 space] 4 times, ch 2**, dc3tog over next ch-2 space, next dc3tog, and next ch-2 space; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **; join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3—247 ch-2 spaces (including ch-2 spaces within the Shells). Fasten off.
Skirt Edging
String 741 beads. With wrong side facing, join thread with sc in any ch-2 space, sc in same ch-2 space, bring up 3 beads, *ch 1, 2 sc in next ch-2 space, bring up 3 beads; repeat from * around, ch 1; join with slip st in first sc—494 sc and 247 groups of 3 beads. Fasten off.
BODICE
String 120 beads. These beads will be used when making the collar. With right side of skirt facing and Row 1 at top, join thread with slip st in first ch-loop.
Row 1 (right side): Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), (dc, ch 1, dc) in same ch-loop as joining, *ch 1, dc in next ch-loop repeat from * to last ch-loop, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in last ch-loop, turn—42 dc and 39 ch-1 spaces.
Row 2: Ch 3, V-st in first ch-1 space, *ch 1, skip next ch-1 space, V-st in next ch-1 space; repeat from * across; dc in top of beginning ch-3, turn—2 dc and 20 V-sts.
Rows 3-5: Ch 3, V-st in next V-st, *ch 1, V-st in next v-st; repeat from * across, dc in top of beginning ch-3, turn.
Row 6 (Shape Armholes): Ch 3, V-st in next V-st, [ch 1, V-st in next V-st] 3 times, ch 3, 2 sc in next V-st, 2 sc in next ch-1 space between V-sts, 2 sc in next V-st, ch 3, V-st in next V-st, [ch 1, V-st in next V-st] 7 times, ch 3, 2 sc in next V-st, 2 sc in next ch-1 space between V-sts, 2 sc in next V-st, ch 3, V-st in next V-st, [ch 1, V-st in next V-st] 3 times, dc in last dc, turn—2 dc, 16 V-sts, 12 sc, and 4 ch-3 spaces.
Row 7: Ch 3, V-st in next V-st, [ch 1, V-st in next V-st] 3 times, ch 15, skip next 2 ch-3 spaces, V-st in next V-st, [ch 1, V-st in next V-st] 7 times, ch 15, skip next 2 ch-3 spaces, V-st in next V-st, [ch 1, V-st in next V-st] 3 times, dc in last dc, turn—2 dc, 16 V-sts, and 2 ch-15 spaces. Do not fasten off.
Collar
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first dc, [2 sc in next V-st, sc in next ch-1 space between V-sts] 3 times, 2 sc in next V-st, 17 sc in next ch-15 space, [2 sc in next V-st, sc in next ch-1 space between V-sts] 7 times, 2 sc in next V-st, 17 sc in next ch-15 space, [2 sc in next V-st, sc in next ch-1 space] 3 times, 2 sc in next V-st, sc in last dc, turn—81 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 5, skip next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn—40 ch-5 spaces.
Row 3: Ch 7, sc in first ch-5 space, *ch 5, sc in next ch-5 space; repeat from * across, turn—40 ch-spaces (including the beginning ch-7 space).
Rows 4 and 5: Ch 8, sc in first ch-space, *ch 6, sc in next ch-space; repeat from * across, turn. Row 5: Ch 8, sc in first ch-space, *ch 6, sc in next ch-space; repeat from * across, turn.
Rows 6 and 7: Ch 9, sc in first ch-space, *ch 7, sc in next ch-space; repeat from * across, turn.
Row 8: Ch 10, sc in first ch-space, *ch 8, sc in next ch-space; repeat from * across, turn.
Row 9: Ch 3, (3 dc, bring up 3 beads, ch 1, 3 dc) in each ch-space across—Forty 3-dc groups and 40 groups of 3 beads. Fasten off.
NECK EDGING AND BACK BANDS
Notes:
Neck edging and back bands are worked at the same time. Round 1 is worked in one continuous round across the neck, down the right back edge then up the left back edge. Row 2 is worked across the neck only. The piece is then turned and Round 3 is worked across the neck, down the left back edge, and up the right back edge.
String 30 beads.
Fold collar down over bodice so that right side of collar is facing out.
Round 1 (right side): Working in the unworked sc sts of Row 1 of collar (these are the sc sts that were skipped when Row 2 of collar was worked), join thread with sc in first unworked sc, sc in same sc,*sc in next unworked sc, 2 sc in next unworked sc; repeat from * across to last unworked sc, 2 sc in last unworked sc; work 20 dc evenly spaced down right side edge of back opening, then 20 dc evenly spaced up left side edge of back opening; join with slip st in first sc, do not turn—61 sc and 40 dc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in next 61 sc across neck only, turn, leaving remaining sts unworked—61 sc. Round 3 (wrong side): Ch 1, sc in first sc, [bring up bead, ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc] 30 times; ch 1, working down left side edge of back opening, slip st in end of Row 2, [ch 3, skip next 2 dc, slip st in next 6 dc] twice, ch 3, skip next 2 dc, slip st in next 2 dc; working up right side edge of back opening, slip st in next 2 dc, [ch 3, skip next 2 dc, slip st in next 6 dc] twice, ch 3, skip next 2 dc, slip st in end of Row 2; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.
UNDERSKIRT
Band Ch 8.
Row 1 (right side): Dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped ch count as first dc), [skip next ch, 2 dc in next ch] twice, turn—Three 2-dc groups.
Rows 2–40: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc in space between first 2 dc, skip next 2 dc, 2 dc in next space between sts, skip next 2 dc, 2 dc in space between last dc and beginning ch, turn. Band should measure about 10½ (26.5 cm) without stretching.
Buttonhole Row: Ch 1, 2 sc in space between first 2 dc, ch 3, 2 sc in space between last dc and beginning ch. Fasten off.
Attach Tulle
Cut 40 lengths of tulle 22” (56 cm) long. Fold one length in half, forming a loop at folded end. Draw loop through one end of Row 1 of band, thread ends of tulle through loop and pull to tighten and secure. Repeat to attach a length of tulle to the same end of each row of band. Lay underskirt on table and trim ends to about 9” (23 cm).
VEIL
Band
Work veil band same as underskirt band.
Attach Tulle
Cut 10 lengths of tulle 24” (61 cm) long. Attach one length to center V-st of Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40.
BEADED FLOWERS
(make 45—38 for dress, 7 for veil) String 6 beads. Leaving a long tail to sew flower to dress, make an adjustable ring. Round 1 (wrong side): Ch 1, [sc in ring, bring up bead, ch 1] 6 times; join with slip st in first sc, turn—6 sc and 6 beads. Round 2: [Ch 5, slip st in next sc] 5 times, ch 5; join with slip st in beginning slip st—6 ch-5 loops. Fasten off.
FINISHING
Attach Flowers: Referring to photos for placement, sew one flower about 1” (2.5 cm) above each point at lower edge of skirt. Sew 19 flowers evenly spaced around skirt about 3” (7.5 cm) below Row 3 (waist). Sew 7 flowers evenly spaced across front of veil.
Attach Buttons: Sew buttons over the 3 ch-3 spaces on one side of back band, use the ch-3 spaces on the other side of back band for button loops. Sew a button to end of underskirt band opposite buttonhole. Sew a button to end of veil band opposite buttonhole.
Waist Sash: Cut a piece of tulle 32” (81 cm) long and weave through spaces in Row 3 of skirt for waist sash. Weave in any remaining ends.
