I love to see little ones in pretty dresses but many of the ones I’ve seen are just a little too ‘frothy’ for me so I set out to design something a little less so and Tillie was ‘born’….

Tillie is an adorable little short-sleeved frock for a 0-3month old.. Perfect for parties, special occasions and every season. Looks lovely over a simple cotton vest for Spring and Summer or team with a pretty cardigan for cooler days.
The dress is softly flared and has a simple buttoned shoulder fastening for ease of dressing. A narrow satin ribbon decorates the waistline of the dress and ties at the back in a pretty bow and a simple buttoned flower adds the perfect finishing touch. Seen here in elegant French grey and pale pink, it would be equally as lovely in lilac/cream, deep lavender/pale sage or crimson and white for a festive look….or any other combination you can imagine….

Finished Size:
To fit approx age of 0-3mths
Centre back length: 15 inches/ 38cms
Chest: 15 inches/38cms (Designed to be quite close fitting over the chest with negative ease)
Across back/shoulders: 7¼ inches/18.5 cms
Skirt hem 28 inches/71cms
Sleeve circumference 4.5 inches/11.5cms
NB: Larger sizes are easily obtained by increasing the starting chain by approx 5ch for every extra inch required in length for the skirt. Follow the pattern exactly as the smaller size. Further instructions, where necessary, are included as you progress. Alternatively, the entire frock can be made larger by following the same st count as the smaller size and using a 5.00mm crochet hook and Aran/ Worsted yarn, this will be a heavier garment, just as pretty but possibly not so well suited to summer.

Method:
The skirt of Tillie is first worked flat and from side to side in rows The waist of the skirt is gathered by slipstitches and seamed with a row of sc sts. The bodice is then worked up from the waist in rounds where the front and back pieces are divided. The shoulder seams are then joined and sleeves are worked from the armholes and again worked in rounds. The pretty edge trims, flower and buttons are added. Finally, a narrow satin ribbon is thread around the waist.

Materials:
100g/240 yards approx of Light Worsted/DK yarn in colour A
20g/50 yards approx of Light Worsted/DK yarn in colour B
Size 4.50mm crochet hook
2 x 12 mm buttons
Approx 26 inches/66 cms of 2-4mm wide satin ribbon (2mm threads through more easily but gives a smaller finishing bow)
Large eyed tapestry needle for weaving in ends and small safety pin to thread through ribbon.

Any questions please do contact me…