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Lavender daisy sundress for babies: a shell stitch crochet pattern

Baby sundress in shell stitch (US) / treble group (UK), given both ways, with daisy granny squares and a flared skirt.

Lavender daisy sundress for babies: a shell stitch crochet pattern
Skill
Intermediate
Time
8-14 hours
Yarn weight
DK
Hook
3.5 mm

Intermediate

What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.

DK

What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.

8-14 hours

What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.

About this pattern

This is a four-size baby and toddler sundress (3 to 24 months) combining a single crochet (UK double crochet) bodice, a shell stitch (UK treble group) skirt with a scalloped hem, two sewn-on daisy granny squares, tie straps, and wooden button accents. It takes roughly 8 to 14 hours total, requires comfort with granny squares, shell stitch, foundation chains, and seaming, and is rated intermediate, though confident beginners can manage it.

This sundress belongs to the shell stitch (UK: treble group) family, where five double crochet (UK treble) stitches are worked into a single point to fan out into a scalloped shape. The skirt relies on that fan repeated across the hem, giving the flared, scalloped edge that defines the garment's cottage-core look, while the bodice is plain single crochet (UK double crochet) for structure and stability.

Construction is sectional rather than continuous. The bodice front and back panels are worked flat in rows and joined, the skirt is then worked flat in rows directly from the bodice waistband downward, and the two daisy granny squares are made separately before being sewn onto the front panel. Straps, wooden buttons, and seaming finish the piece, so each component stays simple even though the finished dress reads as far more elaborate.

Materials

  • Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (100% acrylic, 276 yards / 252 m per 100 g ball): This yarn is machine washable, widely available, and comes in a full range of pastels including shades of lavender, soft pink, yellow, and white. The stitch definition is excellent for showing the shell stitch texture. One ball of MC plus small amounts of A and B will complete most sizes.
  • Lion Brand Pound of Love (100% premium acrylic, 1020 yards / 932 m per 454 g ball): An affordable, machine-washable option with a soft hand suitable for baby garments. Purchase one ball of MC and small skeins or scraps for A and B.
  • Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash (100% superwash merino wool, 220 yards / 201 m per 100 g skein): A luxurious machine-washable option with excellent stitch definition and beautiful drape. Slightly more expensive but worth the investment for heirloom quality.
  • Any smooth DK or light worsted yarn with good stitch definition will work. Avoid fuzzy or textured yarns that will obscure the shell stitch pattern. Always check that your substitute is machine washable if the garment will be laundered frequently.

Yarn

  • DK weight / light worsted, approximately 200 to 350 yards total depending on size
  • Main Color (MC): lavender, approximately 175 to 300 yards

Color A

  • white, approximately 25 to 35 yards per dress (for daisy petals)

Color B

  • yellow, approximately 10 to 15 yards per dress (for daisy center)

Hook

  • US size E-4 / 3.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to match gauge)

Notions

  • 4 wooden buttons, approximately 15 mm diameter
  • Yarn needle for seaming and weaving ends
  • Scissors
  • Stitch markers
  • Blocking board and pins or blocking mats
  • Rust-proof pins

The list is the pattern's own wording.

Instructions

Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.

Daisy Granny Square (Make 2)

The finished daisy square measures approximately 3 in / 7.5 cm x 3 in / 7.5 cm after blocking. Work 2 squares for the front bodice.

With Color B (yellow), make a magic ring.

  1. Round 1

    Ch 1 (does not count as st), work 10 sc into magic ring, pull ring closed tight, join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc)

    Key3
    sl st
    slip stitch
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (20 sc) Fasten off Color B. Join Color A (white) in any st.

    Key3
    sl st
    slip stitch
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  3. (10)
    Round 3

    Petals Ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 8 ch (first petal made), sl st in same st at base of ch-10; sl st in next st, ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 8 ch (petal made), sl st in same base st; rep from 8 more times. Join with sl st to base of first petal. (10 petals)Fasten off Color A. Join MC (lavender) in any space between two petals.

    Key4
    sl st
    slip stitch
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    MC
    main color
  4. Round 4

    Square Frame Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in same sp (corner half made); dc in each of next 2 petal bases, ch 1, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next petal base (corner made), dc in each of next 2 petal bases, ch 1, 2 dc in next petal base, ch 1, 2 dc in next petal base; rep from 2 more times to complete the square, adjusting as needed to distribute 10 petals over 4 sides with corners; join with sl st to top of ch-3.

    Key5
    sl st
    slip stitch
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    dc
    double crochet
    sp
    space

The goal for Round 4 is 4 corner ch-2 spaces and a roughly square silhouette approximately 3 in / 7.5 cm across. End count: approximately 40 dc plus 4 corner ch-2 sps and several ch-1 sps.

  1. Round 5

    Sl st to first ch-2 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same corner sp (corner made), dc in each st across to next corner ch-2 sp, ch 1 after any ch-1 sp mid-side to keep flat, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner sp; rep from around, ending dc in each st to first corner, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (approximately 48 sts plus 4 corner ch-2 sps)Fasten off MC. Weave in all ends. Block square to 3 in / 7.5 cm x 3 in / 7.5 cm.

    Key6
    sl st
    slip stitch
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    dc
    double crochet
    MC
    main color
    sp
    space

Checkpoint: Both daisy squares should measure approximately 3 in / 7.5 cm x 3 in / 7.5 cm after blocking. Set aside.

Bodice Front Panel

The bodice front panel is worked flat in rows of single crochet from the top edge down to the waistband.

Finished front panel dimensions: approximately (6, 7, 7.5, 8) in wide x (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) in tall before skirt.

With MC, ch (29, 33, 37, 41).

  1. Round 1

    (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (28, 32, 36, 40 sc)

    Key3
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (28, 32, 36, 40 sc)

    Key3
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
    WS
    wrong side
  3. Round 3

    Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (28, 32, 36, 40 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  4. Round 4

    through (20, 22, 25, 28): Rep Row 2, working sc in each st across and turning at end of each row. At end of last row, do not fasten off.After completing the bodice front rows, do not turn. Work 1 row of sl st along the bottom edge across all sts to create a firm waistband ridge. Then turn work.Buttonhole Row (RS): Ch 1, sc in first (2, 2, 2, 2) sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next (8, 10, 12, 14) sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in remaining sts to end of row, turn. (24, 28, 32, 36 sc plus 2 ch-2 buttonhole spaces)Next Row: Ch 1, sc in each st and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp across, turn. (28, 32, 36, 40 sc)Work 2 more rows of sc even.Fasten off. Total front bodice height: approximately (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) in / (10, 11.5, 12.5, 14) cm.

    Key7
    sl st
    slip stitch
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
    sc
    single crochet
    sk
    skip
    sp
    space

Checkpoint: The front bodice panel should measure approximately (6.25, 7, 8, 8.75) in / (16, 18, 20.5, 22) cm wide and (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) in / (10, 11.5, 12.5, 14) cm tall.

Bodice Back Panel

The back panel is worked identically to the front panel but is narrower.

With MC, ch (25, 29, 33, 37).

  1. Round 1

    (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (24, 28, 32, 36 sc)

    Key3
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    through (22, 24, 27, 30): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24, 28, 32, 36 sc)At end of last row, work 1 row of sl st along bottom edge for waistband ridge.Fasten off. Total back bodice height matches front panel.

    Key3
    sl st
    slip stitch
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet

Checkpoint: Back panel should measure approximately (5.25, 6.25, 7, 8) in / (13.5, 16, 18, 20.5) cm wide and the same height as the front panel.

Skirt

The skirt is worked as one long panel, then the side seams are sewn.

With MC, ch (109, 121, 133, 145).

  1. Round 1

    (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (108, 120, 132, 144 sc)

    Key3
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
    sc
    single crochet

Verify divisibility: All sizes are divisible by 6. This gives you (18, 20, 22, 24) shell repeats. Perfect for the shell pattern.

  1. Round 2

    (Transition to shell stitch, RS): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), sk 2 sts, work 5 dc in next st (shell made), sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts; rep from across to last 3 sts, work 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, dc in last st, turn. (18, 20, 22, 24 shells; 2 edge dc)

    Key6
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    dc
    double crochet
    RS
    right side
    sc
    single crochet
    sk
    skip
  2. Round 3

    Shell continuation, WS Ch 1, sc in first dc (edge), ch 2, work 5 dc in sc between shells, ch 2, sc in center dc of shell; rep from across, ending sc in top of ch-3 turning ch, turn.

    Key5
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    dc
    double crochet
    sc
    single crochet
    WS
    wrong side
  3. Round 4

    (RS): Ch 3, work 5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of shell; rep from across, ending dc in last sc, turn.

    Key5
    rep
    repeat
    ch
    chain
    dc
    double crochet
    RS
    right side
    sc
    single crochet
  4. Round 5

    through (24, 26, 28, 30): Rep Rows 3 and 4 alternately, maintaining shell pattern. Work in MC throughout.

    Key2
    rep
    repeat
    MC
    main color

Skirt height at this point: approximately (8, 9, 10, 11) in / (20.5, 23, 25.5, 28) cm.

Scallop Hem Row (RS): Join MC (or work continuously from last row). Ch 1, sl st in first st, ch 3, 4 dc in same st, sl st in next st; rep from across all sts to end. Fasten off.

Checkpoint: The skirt panel should measure approximately (24, 26.5, 29, 31.5) in / (61, 67.5, 73.5, 80) cm wide and (8, 9, 10, 11) in / (20.5, 23, 25.5, 28) cm tall including the scallop hem.

Straps (Make 2)

Each strap is a long chain of single crochet that ties into a bow at the shoulder.

With MC, ch 61 (all sizes; length can be adjusted).

  1. Round 1

    Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (60 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 12 in / 30.5 cm sewing tail.

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet

The strap is approximately 13.5 in / 34 cm long. This length allows for a generous bow at the shoulder. Adjust chain by adding or removing stitches in increments of 2 if a longer or shorter strap is desired.

Making up

  1. Step 1Before assembly, wet block all crochet pieces if using wool or lightly steam block if using acrylic. Use a cloth between your iron and yarn, and never place the iron directly on acrylic. Pin each piece to a blocking board to the stated finished measurements and allow to dry fully. After assembly, lightly steam the seams from the WS to flatten them. Weave in all ends securely, working each end in two different directions for security.

Notes from the pattern

  • Use a US size E-4 / 3.5 mm hook throughout and check gauge against 18 sc x 20 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in single crochet before starting, since the bodice sizing depends on it.
  • The daisy squares are made with three colours (B for the centre, A for petals, MC implied by the bodice), so weave in ends from each colour change promptly to avoid confusion during assembly.
  • Place stitch markers at the start of bodice and skirt rows, since the row counts differ by size (29, 33, 37, 41 chains for the front panel) and it is easy to lose track across 8 to 14 hours of work.
  • Block every piece before assembly: wet block wool, lightly steam block acrylic with a cloth barrier, and never rest the iron directly on acrylic fibres.

The essentials

Rounds
17
Parts
5
Level
Intermediate
Time
8-14 hours
Hook
3.5 mm
Yarn
DK

Stitches you will use

  • Shell stitch (UK treble group) Used throughout the skirt to create the scalloped hem; keep stitch count even across the row so the fans sit symmetrically.
  • Granny square construction Used for both daisy motifs, worked in rounds from a magic ring with colour changes between rounds 2 and 3; fasten off cleanly before joining the new colour to avoid bulky joins.
  • Flat seaming and panel joining Needed to join the front and back bodice panels and attach the daisy squares and straps; match row counts carefully so the waistband sits level before starting the skirt.

Troubleshooting

The daisy petals look uneven or twisted

This usually comes from inconsistent chain tension on the ch-10 petal loops in round 3; keep tension even across all ten petals and block the square firmly to even them out.

The skirt hem doesn't lie flat and ripples

Rippling happens when shell stitch groups are miscounted along the row; recount the 5-dc shells against the pattern's stitch total before moving to the next row, and block the skirt pinned to the stated finished width.

The bodice front and back panels don't match up at the side seams

This points to a mismatched row count between panels; recount against the stated row ranges (front has 4 rounds listed, back has 2) for the size being made and adjust before seaming.

Substituting yarn

100% cotton, DK weight
Gives crisper shell definition and a cooler-wearing fabric for warm climates, but has less give than acrylic or wool, so straps and waistband may need slightly looser tension; same E-4 / 3.5 mm hook works.
100% superwash merino wool, DK weight
Adds softness and drape against baby skin and blocks beautifully, but requires wet blocking rather than steam and is not suitable for very frequent machine washing without a wool cycle.
Acrylic-wool blend, light worsted
Balances easy care with a softer hand than pure acrylic; stitch definition stays good for the shell pattern, though yardage needs may shift slightly from the stated 200-350 yards depending on blend thickness.

Washing and care

  • If using acrylic (Paintbox Simply DK or Pound of Love), machine wash and lay flat to dry; reshape the skirt scallops by hand while damp and let dry fully before storing folded.
  • If using superwash merino wool (Cascade 220 Superwash), hand wash in cool water or use a gentle wool cycle, roll in a towel to remove excess water, then lay flat and re-pin the scalloped hem to the original blocked measurements before it dries.

FAQs

Questions

Can the daisy squares be made in different colours than lavender and white?

Yes, Colour A and Colour B are used only for the petals and centre, so any contrasting pastel pair will work. The main bodice and skirt colour (MC) is independent of the daisy colours.

How much yarn is actually needed for the smallest size?

the 3-6 months size, expect to use less than the stated maximums: roughly 175 yards of MC, 25 yards of white (A), and 10 yards of yellow (B) is a safe minimum within the ranges given. One ball of MC in either listed brand covers most sizes.

Is the skirt attached to the bodice or worked as one piece?

The skirt is worked flat in rows directly from the bodice waistband down, so there is no separate seam between bodice and skirt. The only seaming needed is joining the front and back bodice panels at the sides.

What do the wooden buttons attach to?

The pattern lists 4 wooden buttons, approximately 15 mm diameter, used as accents alongside the tie straps on the bodice front. They are decorative fastenings rather than structural, consistent with the strap-tie closure system.

Is this pattern beginner-friendly despite the intermediate rating?

A confident beginner who has finished several small projects and is comfortable with granny squares, shell stitch, foundation chains, and basic seaming can manage it with patience. The individual components (daisy square, panels, straps) are each simple; the complexity comes from assembling four separate pieces correctly.

These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.