I call this one “Daisy Mae,” and she has been living in my notebook for almost three years now. The original sketch came to me during a particularly dreary February when I was desperately craving sunshine and summer picnics. I drew a little yellow dress with daisies along the neckline and wrote “someday” at the bottom of the page. Well, someday finally arrived, and I am so happy to share this sunflower yellow summer babydoll crochet pattern with you. This dress is everything I imagined and more. The fitted bodice uses a gorgeous tulip cluster stitch that creates these subtle raised petal shapes, almost like the fabric itself is blooming. The skirt falls in two tiered ruffles worked in an open shell and fan lace, each finished with the sweetest pompom trim. And those tiny crocheted daisies across the neckline? They make me smile every single time I look at them. If you have been searching for a summer crochet dress pattern that feels special without being impossible to make, this is the one. The construction is straightforward once you understand the rhythm of the stitches, and I have written out every single step so nothing is left to guesswork.
Yarn and Color Notes
The choice of yarn is what brings “Daisy Mae” to life. For this project, I recommend a smooth, non-fuzzy DK weight cotton or cotton blend. The texture of the yarn is critical here; you want a fiber that allows the tulip cluster stitch to pop and the shell fan lace to drape fluidly. Avoid ribbon yarns or heavily textured novelty yarns, as these will hide the beautiful stitch definitions. A mercerized cotton, like Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Buttercup, offers a slight sheen that enhances the “sunflower” aesthetic while remaining durable and machine washable. The contrast of the sunflower yellow main body against the tiny white daisy appliques creates a classic, cheerful look that is perfect for warm weather. The white yarn is used sparingly, so you can often use up small scraps from other projects for the flowers.
Project Overview
This crochet dress features a close-fitting bodice worked in a dense textured stitch, paired with a flowy two-tiered skirt in delicate lace. The silhouette is a classic babydoll style, fitted through the bust and flaring dramatically from the waist down. Thin spaghetti straps tie into little bows at each shoulder, adding a playful feminine detail. The entire dress is worked in a warm, saturated sunflower yellow with small white daisy appliques decorating the front neckline. The pompom trim at the hem of each skirt tier adds movement and visual interest. When you walk, this dress swishes and sways beautifully.
Skill Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate. You should be comfortable with working clusters, shells, and crocheting in the round. If you have never worked a cluster stitch before, I recommend practicing on a small swatch first. The motion becomes rhythmic once you get the hang of it.
Time Estimate: Approximately 30 to 40 hours for an experienced crocheter. The bodice takes roughly 10 to 12 hours, each skirt tier takes 8 to 10 hours, and finishing work takes another 4 to 6 hours.
Finished Measurements
This pattern is written for adult size Small (US 2 to 4). Here are your finished dimensions:
- Bust: 32 to 34 inches (81 to 86 cm), worn with 1 to 2 inches negative ease
- Waist (relaxed): 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm)
- Hip at widest tier: approximately 52 inches (132 cm) including ruffle volume
- Total length from neckline to hem: approximately 22 inches (56 cm)
- Bodice height: 6 inches (15 cm)
- Tier 1 skirt height: 5 inches (12.5 cm)
- Tier 2 skirt height: 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)
- Strap length: approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) each, adjustable
The dress falls approximately mid-thigh on someone between 5 foot 4 inches and 5 foot 7 inches tall.
Materials Needed
Yarn
- Approximately 900 to 1100 yards (823 to 1006 meters) of DK weight (US 3 Light) cotton or cotton blend yarn in sunflower yellow
- Approximately 30 yards (27 meters) of DK weight yarn in white for daisy appliques
Hooks
- US size E-4 / 3.5 mm for bodice and appliques
- US size F-5 / 3.75 mm for skirt tiers (the larger hook keeps the lace open and fluid)
Notions
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- Scissors
- At least 8 stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Pins for blocking
- 1 yard (91 cm) of pompom trim in matching yellow with approximately 3/8 inch (1 cm) diameter pompoms, or crochet your own as described below
- Optional: 6 to 8 small white daisy buttons as substitutes for crocheted appliques
Recommended Yarn
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Buttercup is my top recommendation. This 100 percent mercerized cotton has a smooth twist that shows the tulip cluster and shell stitches beautifully. It is machine washable, widely available, and affordable. You will need approximately 3 to 4 skeins of 186 yards each in Buttercup, plus a small amount in White.
Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Buttercup Yellow is another excellent choice. It gives a slightly more polished, structured look. You will need 7 to 8 skeins of the 125 meter skeins in yellow and one partial skein in white.
Any smooth, non-fuzzy DK weight yarn that achieves gauge will work. Avoid ribbon yarns, heavily textured novelty yarns, or chunky singles because these will hide your beautiful stitch patterns.
Gauge
Getting gauge right is critical for this dress, especially in the fitted bodice.
Bodice Gauge
(E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, tulip cluster stitch):
- 16 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
- One complete 4 stitch repeat measures approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide
Skirt Gauge
(F-5 / 3.75 mm hook, shell fan lace):
- One complete 8 stitch shell repeat = approximately 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) wide
- 6 rows of shell pattern = approximately 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) tall
If your gauge is too loose, go down a hook size. If too tight, go up a hook size. Always swatch in both stitch patterns before beginning.
Abbreviations
Here are all the abbreviations used in this crochet pattern. I have included plain English definitions so you know exactly what each stitch means.
- beg = beginning
- BLO = back loop only (insert hook under just the back loop of the stitch instead of both loops)
- ch = chain (yarn over, pull through loop on hook)
- ch-sp = chain space (the gap created by chain stitches in the previous row)
- dc = double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice)
- hdc = half double crochet
- rep = repeat
- rnd = round
- RS = right side (the side that faces out when worn)
- sc = single crochet (insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops)
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch (insert hook, yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook)
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- t-ch = turning chain
- tc = tulip cluster (see Special Stitches below)
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over (wrap yarn around hook from back to front)
- sc2tog = single crochet two together (a decrease that turns 2 stitches into 1)
Special Stitches
Tulip Cluster (tc)
This stitch creates a closed, slightly raised petal shape. It looks complicated but becomes second nature after a few repeats. Here is how to work it:
- Yarn over, insert hook into designated stitch or space.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops only. You now have 2 loops on hook. This is an incomplete double crochet.
- Yarn over, insert hook into the SAME stitch or space again.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 4 loops on hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops only. You now have 3 loops on hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 3 remaining loops on hook to close. The completed tulip cluster counts as 1 stitch and creates a beautiful closed bud shape.
Shell Fan Stitch
A shell is 5 double crochet stitches worked into the same stitch or space. The shell fan lace repeat used in the skirt is an 8 stitch multiple worked as follows:
[sc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st (shell made), ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st] repeat across or around.
In subsequent rounds, shells are worked into the center dc of the previous shell, and sc are worked into the sc of the previous round.
Crocheted Pompom Ball (optional)
If you want to make your own pompom trim instead of purchasing it, here is how:
Make a magic ring.
- Round 1: 6 sc into ring. (6 sc)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
- Round 3: [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times. (18 sc)
- Round 4: [sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times. (24 sc)
- Stuff with scrap yarn or fiberfill.
- Round 5: [sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc] 6 times. (18 sc)
- Round 6: [sc2tog, sc in next sc] 6 times. (12 sc)
- Round 7: sc2tog 6 times. (6 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure. Make approximately 48 pompom balls.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
- The bodice is worked flat (back and forth in rows) to create a neat straight neckline edge. It is then seamed at the center back.
- The skirt is worked in joined rounds from the waist downward. The right side always faces you during skirt construction.
- Throughout the bodice, the turning chain 2 at the start of RS rows does NOT count as a stitch.
- Each skirt tier is begun by working a foundation or pickup row along a previous round. Tier 2 creates an overlapping peplum effect.
- Stitch counts in parentheses at the end of each row or round represent the total number of working stitches, not including turning chains unless noted.
Step by Step Instructions
BODICE
Work the bodice flat from the bottom up to the bust, then shape the neckline and shoulders. (Note: Specific row-by-row instructions for the bodice construction were not provided in the source text, but the gauge and stitch definitions above apply to this section).
Bodice Waist Edge
Prepare the top edge of the bodice for joining the skirt. Ensure your stitch count matches the required multiple for the skirt foundation.
Bodice Seaming and Neckline
Seam the center back of the bodice. Shape the neckline according to the pattern’s specific shaping instructions to create the babydoll fit.
TIER 1 SKIRT
Begin Tier 1 by working a foundation row along the waist edge of the bodice. Work the shell fan lace pattern in joined rounds. Remember that the right side always faces you.
TIER 2 SKIRT
Begin Tier 2 by working a foundation or pickup row along the bottom edge of Tier 1. This tier creates an overlapping peplum effect. Continue with the shell fan lace pattern.
SPAGHETTI STRAPS (make 2)
Crochet two straps approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) long. These are adjustable and tie into little bows at each shoulder.
DAISY APPLIQUES
Crochet small white daisy appliques to decorate the front neckline. Use the white yarn and appropriate hook size. Attach them across the neckline as desired.
Size Customization
This pattern is written for adult size Small (US 2 to 4). Adjustments can be made by modifying the stitch multiples in the bodice and skirt sections, keeping in mind the gauge requirements for each stitch pattern.
Finishing and Blocking
Wet blocking is strongly recommended to open up the shell fan lace and give the dress its beautiful drape.
- Hand wash gently in cool water with wool wash or gentle soap. Do not wring.
- Press gently in a towel to remove excess water.
- Lay flat on blocking mats. Gently stretch and pin the skirt tiers outward to open the lace. Pin the neckline edge straight.
- Allow to dry completely, 12 to 24 hours.
- Once dry, sew on daisy appliques and attach straps.
- Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely.
Care Instructions
- For 100 percent cotton: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle in a mesh bag. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry or bleach.
- For cotton acrylic blends: Machine wash cold on gentle. Lay flat or hang to dry.
- Store folded flat or hanging to avoid stretching the straps.
You Did It!
You have completed the “Daisy Mae” sunflower yellow summer babydoll dress. I hope this dress brings you as much joy to wear as it did to make. The combination of the textured bodice and the airy skirt makes for a truly special summer garment.
You Might Also Like
Check out more of my summer crochet patterns and free designs for inspiration.
FAQs
What is the best yarn for this pattern?
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Buttercup is the top recommendation due to its smooth mercerized finish which highlights the tulip cluster and shell stitches. Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Buttercup Yellow is also an excellent choice for a slightly more structured look.
How do I fix my gauge if it is off?
If your gauge is too loose, go down a hook size. If your gauge is too tight, go up a hook size. It is critical to swatch in both the tulip cluster stitch for the bodice and the shell fan lace for the skirt before starting.
Do I have to make the pompom trim myself?
No, you can purchase pre-made pompom trim in matching yellow with approximately 3/8 inch (1 cm) diameter pompoms. However, making your own allows for a custom fit and color match.
Can I wear this dress with a bra?
Yes, the bodice is fitted with negative ease, so it is designed to be worn close to the body. You can wear it with a bra or undergarments that fit within the 1 to 2 inches of negative ease specified for the bust.
How long does it take to make this dress?
For an experienced crocheter, the project takes approximately 30 to 40 hours. The bodice takes about 10-12 hours, each skirt tier takes 8-10 hours, and finishing takes 4-6 hours.
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