Dresses for babies are quickly outgrown (or spit up on) and dresses for older children run the risk of never even being worn. Trust me, if you really want to get the most out of a crochet dress, then these free crochet toddler dress patterns are where it’s at!
Ages 1-3 may get a bad rap (anybody heard of the terrible twos?) but they’re not actually all bad. One of the nice things about this age is that they usually still let you pick their clothes out. That’s great news for folks who are looking for free crochet toddler dress patterns!
I remember not always being thrilled at the clothes that my mother crocheted for me when I was growing up, although I can definitely appreciate them more now looking back. Luckily for the new generation, free crochet toddler dress patterns have certainly come a long way from the scratchy, ill-fitting dresses of my past.
That’s right, all of these free crochet toddler dress patterns are marvelously modern. I hope I don’t jinx it, but I daresay that you might not even need to do much convincing to make your toddler wear their new crochet dress. That’s how cute they are!
Actually, I feel like this post might need a bit of a disclaimer. Warning: making one of these adorable free crochet toddler dress patterns may make your toddler want an entire wardrobe full of handmade dresses. So don’t come crying to me when your toddler starts barking requests like you’re their very own tailor!
All jokes aside, I really think that you’re just going to have to see these free crochet toddler dress patterns to believe how cute they are! Start scrolling down and you’ll soon see what I mean.
Rainbow Dress
You can incorporate all of the colors of the rainbow into your toddler dress to really make your toddler’s day! This simple design is made with foundation single crochet stitches and garden variety double crochet stitches. It looks great by itself or you can layer it over leggings and a long sleeve tee.
Designer: Emily Keenan
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Paris (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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I Heart My Dress Set
I’m not sure that I could ever get away with wearing something with heart-shaped pockets on it but this toddler sure is rocking her dress! Special stitches for this design include v-stitches, post stitches, and reverse single crochet stitches. There’s also a free pattern available for the matching beret. Tres chic!
Designer: Patons
Yarn: Patons North America Beehive Baby (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free handmade dress pattern!
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Row of Tulips Dress
Adding a contrasting band around the middle of a dress is a great way to visually separate the top from the bottom and add a bit of interest too. It gives the look of a belted dress without actually having to crochet a separate belt. This pretty tulip dress pattern calls for double crochet and cluster stitches.
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Cotton (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Toddler Dress Elisa
Here’s a neat trick that free crochet toddler dress patterns use to help you save some time. You can attach a crochet yoke to a fabric skirt to finish a dress in half the time. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you could hand sew it instead. Special stitches for this yoke design include foundation single crochet, crossed double crochet, and picot stitch.
Designer: My Hobby is Crochet
Yarn: Red Heart Miami (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Vintage Toddler Dress
Vintage is made modern again in this marvelous toddler dress design. A solid yoke and a stunning lace pattern on the skirt are separated by a simple ribbon belt complete with a fake flower. The pattern calls for single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches along with v-stitches.
Designer: The Lavender Chair
Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream Solids & Denim (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet baby dress pattern!
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Kindergarten Dress
Here’s another one of our free crochet toddler dress patterns that will save you some time. This version has a crochet top and a longer fabric skirt. A ribbon is also made from the fabric and woven in and out of the yoke to tie everything together. Special stitches for this design include foundation single crochet and half double crochet in the front bar.
Designer: Ball Hank n’ Skein
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton 4ply (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Audrey Dress
It doesn’t get much cuter than a mommy and me set. If you are looking for free crochet toddler dress patterns to make for a photo shoot, then the Audrey Dress is where it is at. The pattern uses granny squares and granny stitch to make a gorgeous multicolor dress. It is very easy to adjust and can be made to any size (we really love that it comes in both adult and child’s size!).
Designer: Snakewood & Grace
Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Cotton 8 Ply (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free crochet dress pattern!
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Dandelion Tunic Dress
You may think that this dress is named the Dandelion Dress because of its warm yellow color, but the name is actually a reference to how quickly the dress can be crocheted. It’s like it popped up overnight! Special stitches include foundation single crochet and front post double crochet.
Designer: Salty Pearl Crochet
Yarn: Caron One Pound (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Children’s Summer Shell Dress
Skip the stiff acrylic and choose a yarn that your toddler will actually enjoy wearing. A good fingering weight yarn may take a little bit longer to work with but the effort will be well worth it. As you can see, the finished dress is nice and light with plenty of drape. Special stitches for this design include treble treble crochet and back post treble crochet.
Designer: Elaine Phillips
Yarn: elann.com Limited Edition Lino Pura (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Children’s Delaney Sweater Dress
Many free crochet toddler dress patterns either have short sleeves or no sleeves at all. Here’s a rare find for a dress with long sleeves that would be a great choice for cold weather wear. The pattern calls for herringbone double crochet stitches. It is also available in adult sizes if you’d like to make one for yourself as well. The perfect piece to add to your wardrobe!
Designer: Two Brothers Blankets
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Rainbow Jumper Dress
If your child is extra sensitive to textures, then you must take the utmost care when selecting your yarn. It doesn’t get much softer than velvet! The other nice thing about the recommended yarn for this design is that it’s a nice bulky weight that will work up fast. The pattern calls for half double crochet and reverse single crochet stitches.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Baby Velvet and Bernat Baby Crushed Velvet (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Adelaide Girl’s Dress
Crochet toddler dress patterns with a bit of lacework make for perfect poolside cover ups. This design uses both single and double crochet v-stitches to keep things interesting. It may look complicated, but the construction is very straightforward. You simply crochet 2 rectangles and then seam them together. A great addition to a vacation wardrobe.
Designer: Stitching Together
Yarn: Lion Brand ZZ Twist (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Cake Pop Dress
Variegated yarns with lots of colors can be a bit too busy for some projects, but they’re perfect for free crochet toddler dress patterns! Your toddler is sure to delight in the vivid array of hues in this darling dress design. The pattern calls for single, half double, and double crochet stitches along with some working into the 3rd loop only.
Designer: Hand Knits and Hygge
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Ruffle Edge Tunic
There’s no denying that crochet toddler dress patterns can take a good chunk of time to complete, so you want to make sure your toddler can get lots of wears out of it! When your toddler gets too tall for this ruffle edge tunic dress, she can wear it as a tank top instead. The pattern calls for single, half double, and double crochet stitches.
Designer: Bernat Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Baby Cakes (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Easy Peasy Toddler Dress
Easy doesn’t have to mean boring! Even a beginner crocheter can find a way to make a plain dress a little more exciting. The addition of the contrasting ruffle in the Easy Peasy Toddler Dress pattern makes all the difference. The pattern calls for all the basic stitches and it has you do some stitches into the front loops only and some stitches into the back loops only.
Designer: Ball Hank n’ Skein
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Sweet Little Cupcake Dress
Using a contrasting color of yarn for the trim of a dress is an easy trick to make a piece look more polished. It doesn’t add anything to the difficulty either, so this pattern could definitely be tackled by an ambitious crochet beginner. The design calls for single and half double crochet stitches.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Merino Extra Fine (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Striped T-Shirt Dress
Horizontal stripes might be a fashion don’t for adults, but toddlers can get away with wearing pretty much anything. You can crochet this adorable Striped T-Shirt Dress using all half double crochet stitches. The neat thing about this design is that the relaxed fit and knee length will grow with your child.
Designer: Pardon my Chaos
Yarn: (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Ella’s Request Toddler Dress
When your toddler asks you to add lots of pink buttons to the bottom of the dress, the answer is always yes. The pattern calls for foundation single crochet stitches along with regular single and half double crochet stitches. It’s worth it to learn how to do foundation stitches if you don’t already know, because it makes the neck opening of this dress much stretchier so that it can accommodate large toddler heads.
Designer: Stitch11
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Autumn Lovin’ Dress
Your toddler is sure to feel like a princess in this spaghetti strap dress complete with full skirt. The difference is in the details with this one. Notice the contrasting ruffle trim and the centerpiece flower on the bodice. The pattern calls for just single and double crochet stitches.
Designer: Melody’s Makings
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Solids & Heathers (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Toddler Joyful Jumper
Everything about the Toddler Joyful Jumper is just plain pure fun. The design features a solid single crochet yoke and a striped moss stitch skirt. Bright colors and bold design choices make this a playful favorite that your child is sure to love wearing.
Designer: Cristina Mershon for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs Medium (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Gemstone Lace Dress
Free crochet toddler dress patterns made with crochet thread may take a little longer than their yarn counterparts, but the result is well worth the effort. You can tell just by looking at it that the Gemstone Lace Dress is sure to become a treasured family heirloom. Special stitches for this design include foundation single crochet and double crochet shell stitches.
Designer: The Lavender Chair
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet (Size 10 Thread)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Rainbow Granny Stripe Summer Dress
I honestly never get tired of granny stitch because it works up so quickly and it’s so fun to do. The only thing that could be better than granny stitch is rainbow granny stitch, especially when it comes to fun toddler dress designs. The little model in the photograph certainly seems pleased with it!
Designer: Cozy Crochet Creations
Yarn: The Women’s Institute Soft & Silky (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Garden Party Dress
If you are looking for crochet toddler dress patterns that feel a little bit fancy, then you are definitely going to want a full and flouncy skirt. The Garden Party Dress design certainly fits the bill! The pattern calls for single and half double crochet stitches along with double crochet shell stitches. It has a button closure on the back for easy on and off.
Designer: Simply Collectible Crochet
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Soften Than Suede Dress
This toddler has more style than me! This adorable dress pattern is crocheted in two pieces: front and back and each piece is really just one big half double crochet chevron. That doesn’t sound too tricky, does it? Of course, you can’t forget the fringe, because it really gives this dress a ton of personality. But after that, it’s ready to wear.
Designer: Stitching Together
Yarn: Lion Brand Jeans (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Lillian Jumper
If you like free crochet toddler dress patterns that incorporate multiple colors but you don’t want to have to change colors a bunch of times (and weave in all those extra ends) then color block is where it’s at. The Lillian Jumper features a simple solid yoke and a pretty rippled skirt separated by a faux belted waist complete with a bow.
Designer: Karen McKenna for Willow Yarns
Yarn: Willow Yarns Farmhouse Cotton (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free crochet pattern!
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Crochet Toddler Dress Video Tutorial:
If you like this video, you have got to check out her other toddler dress patterns on her YouTube channel! I’ve been obsessed with this channel lately. 😍
Final Thoughts on Crochet Toddler Dress Patterns
Who knew that there were so many great designs out there for crochet toddler dresses? I hope you’ll consider making one of these crochet dresses for a little girl in your life, whether it’s for everyday wear or for special occasions. With one of these crochet patterns, some yarn and a crochet hook, you can turn her into a little princess in no time!
We tried to find dress patterns for every skill level, from beginner to advanced, with clear pattern instructions and some with helpful video tutorials. So, with just a little crochet experience you can make a cute little dress with simple stitches and a lot of love.
I look forward to seeing you all again next week for another free crochet pattern round-up. I hope that you all have as much fun reading these posts as I do writing them! Do make sure and click follow so you can get notified when the next post is live.
Wait, one more thing! Don’t forget to save this page to your Pinterest board for crochet or add a bookmark in your browser. This is one free crochet pattern round-up that you will definitely be using again and again.
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda