Whit's Knits: Coco's Bobble Dress

Based on her great-great grandmother's design, Coco's crocheted dress is a tribute to the craftsmanship and creativity of the past. It's amazing to me that the same design that made sense in a small Italian town a hundred years ago still makes sense today! Nothing binding or frilly or old-fashioned; just a classic A-line shape animated by rows of charming bobbles. I think this dress is going to make sense for another hundred years!

Materials

• 4 skeins of Koigu's Premium Merino (this is color #1505 )
• 1 size "F" crochet hook

The Pattern

Gauge

5 single crochets = 1 inch

Finished Size

To fit ages 2-4  (as a dress for smaller kids and as tunic for bigger kids)

17 1/2 inches from shoulder to bottom hem
22 1/2 inches chest circumference
30 inches bottom hem circumference

Abbreviations

Single Crochet = sc

Double Crochet = dc

M1puff = make 1 puff

To make a puff, first yarn over, then insert the hook in the next stitch, and pull a stitch through (3 stitches on the hook).

Repeat this step three more times, inserting the hook into the same stitch each time. First there will be 5 stitches on the hook, then 7, and finally 9.

Yarn over and draw through 8 of the loops (so there are 2 left on the hook).

And, finally, yarn over and pull  through the 2 last loops.

The puff stitch actually "puffs" on the side away from you. For this reason, the dress is made with the wrong side facing you. You'll turn it inside out at the end!

Sc2tog = single crochet 2 together

To single crochet 2 together, first pull a stitch through the next stitch (2 loops on hook).

Then pull a stitch through the next stitch (3 loops on hook).

And, to finish, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

The Bottom Hem

Chain 148.

Slip stitch into first chain to join in the round, being careful to not twist the chain.

Round 1: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (148 stitches)

Round 2: Chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch to end of round, slip stitch to top of chain 2 to join.

Round 3: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join.

Round 4: Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join.

Round 5: Repeat Round 3.

Round 6: Chain 1 , *m1puff in next stitch, 1 sc in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join.

Round 7: Repeat Round 3.

Round 8: Repeat Round 4.

The Skirt

Round 1 (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 35 stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (144 stitches)

Round 2: Chain 2, 1 dc in every stitch to end of round, slip stitch to top of chain 2 to join.

Round 3: Chain 1, 1 sc in every stitch to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join.

Rounds 4 - 7: Repeat last 2 rounds.

Round 8: Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join.

Round 9 (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 34 stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (140 stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2-8.

Next Round (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 33 stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (136 stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2-8.

Next Round (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 32 stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (132 stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2-8.

Next Round (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 31stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (128 stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2-8.

Next Round (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 30 stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (124 stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2-8.

Next Round (Decrease Round): Chain 1, *1 sc in next 29stitches, sc2tog over next 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round, slip stitch to chain 1 to join. (120 stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2-4 only.

Next Round: Chain 1, *1 sc in next 53 stitches, slip stitch in next 14 stitches (for underarm), 1 sc in next 46 stitches, slip stitch in next 7 stitches.

The Front

Notes:

• The front and back are worked separately in rows, rather than in rounds. So, be sure to turn the work at the end of each row in order to crochet back the other way.

• Each side is 46 stitches (don't work the 14 slip stitches in between the front and back; they are the underarms.)

Shaping the Neck

Row 1 (wrong side): Slip stitch in next 7 stitches, chain 2 (counts as 1 dc here and for the rest of the pattern), 1 dc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 2 (right side): Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row (last sc is in top of chain 2 from previous row here and for the rest of the pattern), turn.

Row 3 (bind off for neck): Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * 6 more times , 1 sc in next stitch, slip stitch next 16 stitches,  chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * 6 more times, 1 sc in last stitch, turn.

Now, working just the 15 stitches of the Left Front Shoulder:

Row 1 (right side): Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip stitch next 2 stitches, chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (13 stitches)

Row 3: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 4: Chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Rows 5 and 6 :  Repeat Rows 3 and 4.

Row 7: Repeat Row 3.

Row 8: Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * 5 more times, 1 sc in last stitch, turn.

Rows 9 and 10: Repeat Rows 3 and 4.

Row 11: Slip stitch next 6 stitches, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (7 stitches)

Row 12: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn

Row 13: Slip stitch each stitch to end of row.

Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.

For the RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER,

With the right side facing you, join new yarn to the single crochet just to the left of the center 16 slipped neck stitches.

Row 1 (right side): Slip stitch next stitch, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row. (13 stitches)

Row 2 (wrong side): Chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 3: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Rows 4 -7: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 8: Chain 1, * 1 sc in next stitch, m1puff, repeat from * 5 more times, 1 sc in last stitch, turn.

Row 9: Repeat Row 3.

Row 10: Repeat Row 2.

Row 11: Repeat Row 3.

Row 12: Slip stitch next 6 stitches, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (7 stitches)

Row 13: Slip stitch each of the remaining 7 stitches.

Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.

The Back

With the wrong side facing you, join new yarn just to the left of the 14 slipped left underarm stitches.

Row 1 (wrong side): Chain 2, 1 dc in next 46 stitches, turn.

Row 2 (right side): Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 3: Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * to end of row, turn.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Rows 5-8: Repeat Rows 1-2.

Row 9: Repeat Row 1.

Row 10 (bind off for neck):  Chain 1, 1 sc in next 15 stitches, slip stitch next 16 stitches, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Working just the 15 stitches of the Left Back Shoulder:

Row 1 (wrong side): Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * 6 more times, 1 sc in last stitch.

Row 2 (right side): Slip stitch next 2 stitches, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (13 stitches)

Row 3: Chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 4: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 5: Slip stitch the next 6 stitches, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (7 stitches)

Row 6: Slip stitch each of the remaining 7 stitches.

Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch.

For the Right Back Shoulder:

With the wrong side facing you, join new yarn just left of the center 16 slipped neck stitches.

Row 1 (wrong side): Chain 1, *1 sc in next stitch, m1puff in next stitch, repeat from * 6 more times, 1 sc in last stitch, turn. (15 stitches)

Row 2 (right side): Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 3: Slip stitch next 2 stitches, chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (13 stitches)

Row 4: Slip stitch next 6 stitches, chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn. (7 stitches)

Row 5: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.

Row 6: Slip stitch remaining 7 stitches.

Cut yarn and pull through the last stitch. (One thing to ignore about this picture:  the tail of the right back shoulder will actually be coming from the left end of the last row, not the middle.)

Finishing

Join the Shoulders
With the wrong sides facing each other, thread the yarn under a slipped stitch from one shoulder.

Then thread the yarn under the slipped stitch directly opposite on the other shoulder.

Continue sewing back and forth until the shoulders are joined.

The Armholes
With the right side facing you, join new yarn just to the left of the 14 slipped underarm stitches, point "A" in this photo:

Slip stitch from point A to point B (around the armhole, but not including the underarm). Try to make about 20 stitches along the front and 20 along the back.

Repeat for the other armhole.

The Neck
With the right side facing you, join new yarn just to the left of the 16 slipped front neck stitches, at point "A" in this photo:

Slip stitch from point A to point B (to just before the slipped stitches of the back neck). Slip about 20 stitches up the front and 8 down the back. Cut the yarn.

Join a new yarn at point C and slip stitch around to point D (8 stitches up the back and 20 down the front). Cut the yarn.

Sew in all the ends and block the dress and you're all done!

Update on September 3, 2008 by purl bee

We've received quite a few requests for an image of the original dress, so here it is! Enjoy!!