CROCHET LACE MOTIF DRESS — TUTORIAL & PATTERN
Pattern Use & Copyright
This pattern is an original design by NAVI Studio. Please do not copy, share, resell, or redistribute this pattern (in full or in part), including the instructions or techniques. If you share your work, I’d appreciate a tag or credit: @olga.levinski
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Materials
• Crochet hook (size appropriate for your yarn)
• Yarn of choice (see notes below)
• Measuring tape
• Mannequin (recommended for shaping)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
Yarn used for sample:
• 100% rayon from bamboo
• Approx. 600 yards / 548 m (8.75 oz / 250 g)
• 5 mm crochet hook
• Size: S
Notes
• Softer yarn → more drape
• Structured yarn → more defined shape
Working on a mannequin is highly recommended for best fit.
Fit
Fully customizable:
• Adjust number of motifs
• Change placement
• Modify length and coverage
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Stitches & Abbreviations (US terms)
• ch — chain
• sl st — slip stitch
• sc — single crochet
• dc — double crochet
• tr — treble crochet (yarn over twice)
• dc2tog — 2 double crochet together
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Construction Notes
This dress is constructed from lace circle motifs in three sizes, arranged and joined directly on the mannequin.
Each circle builds from the same base motif and can be stopped at different rounds to create size variation.
The final shape is formed by arranging and sewing the motifs together.
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Motif Construction
Round 1
Magic ring
• 8 sc into ring
Join with sl st
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Round 2
• Ch 2 (counts as dc)
• Dc in same stitch
• Ch 2
• dc2tog in next stitch
• Ch 2
Repeat around
Join with sl st
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Round 3
• Ch 2
• Dc into the first ch-2 space
• Ch 2
• Dc2tog into the same ch-2 space
• Ch 1
• Dc2tog into the next ch-2 space
• Ch 2
• Dc2tog into the same ch-2 space
Repeat around.
Join with sl st.
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Round 4
• 5 dc into first space
• Sl st into next space
Repeat around
→ Stop here for small circle
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Round 5 (continue for medium circle)
• Ch 4
• Dc into 3rd dc of shell
• Ch 2
• Dc into same space
• Ch 2
• Dc into next connection point
Repeat around
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Round 6
• Ch 2
• 9 dc into triangle space
• Dc into next stitch
Repeat around
→ Stop here for medium circle
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Round 7 (continue for large circle)
• Ch 5
• Dc into 5th dc of shell
• Ch 3
• Dc into same stitch
• Ch 3
• Dc into next stitch
Repeat around
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Round 8
• Ch 2
• 10 tr into triangle space
• Dc into next stitch
Repeat around
→ This is your large circle
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Motif Count (sample)
• 17 small
• 6 medium
• 7 large
Total: 30 motifs
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Assembly
Arrange motifs on a mannequin.
Pin all motifs in place (wrong side facing out).
• Place motifs to follow body shape
• Keep symmetry on the back for lacing
• You can work symmetrically or organically
Sew motifs together using a yarn needle:
• Join through back loops only
• Do not pull too tight
• Keep fabric flat and flexible
Adjust placement as needed before final stitching.
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Length Adjustment
To extend length:
• Lift the assembled piece slightly higher on the mannequin
• Add additional motifs at the bottom
• Sew in place
Yellow Dress Variation
Materials
• 6 mm crochet hook
• 100% cotton yarn
For this version, I used only two motif sizes:
• Small motifs
• Large motifs
Final motif count:
• 15 small motifs
• 4 large motifs
The motifs were arranged symmetrically on the mannequin and sewn together following the placement shown in the reference photos.
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Skirt Border
Attach yarn to the bottom edge of the dress.
The skirt is worked in dc rows with increase rows placed every other row to create a soft flare.
Increase = 2 dc into the same stitch.
• Row 1: increase every 1 stitch
• Row 2: no increases
• Row 3: increase every 2 stitches
• Row 4: no increases
• Row 5: increase every 3 stitches
• Row 6: no increases
Total: 6 rows.
The distance between increases gradually increases with each increase row, creating a smooth flared shape.
The flare can be adjusted by adding more increase rows or repeating non-increase rows for a softer shape.
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Edge Finish
Work sc evenly:
• Along bottom edge
• Along neckline (front and back)
This creates a clean finish.
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Straps & Back Ties
Attach yarn at strap points:
• Ch 2
• Dc2tog across 2 stitches
Then:
• Make a long chain (approx. 400 chains)
• Tighten each chain with your fingers for a firm cord
Straps cross at the back and thread through motif openings.
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Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Done!
Tag your piece: @olga.levinski — I’d love to see it