STITCH ROUND Ombre skater dress crochet pattern in ocean blues
60 rounds build this ombre skater dress, ribbed bodice to flared double crochet skirt.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Rounds
- 60 rounds
- Yarn weight
- DK
- Hook
- 3.5 mm
- Time
- 8-10 hours
Intermediate
What the original page called it. Nothing here is graded a second time.
60 rounds
Each one gets its own line, with a box beside it to tick as you go.
DK
What the sample was made in. Any weight works — the size moves with it.
About this pattern
This ombre skater dress pairs a ribbed hdc bodice with a flared double crochet skirt, built panel by panel from the waist up and round by round from the waist down. The Main Pattern rows set the ribbing, the Strap Shaping rounds finish the straps, and the Skirt Increase Rounds carry the hem outward through the Begin Color Transition section before the Hem Edging Round closes the last stitch.
The real shaping happens inside the bodice: Bust Shaping narrows the fit through its short run of rows, Waist Shaping pulls in the sides over a longer stretch, and the Waist Hold Rows keep that fit steady before the Hip Increase Rows let the panel widen again toward the skirt. Slow down through these transitions and through the Skirt Increase Rounds, where stitches are added every third round to keep the increase lines straight; rushing the count there throws off the fan clusters waiting at the hem.
- Work the ribbed bodice panels flat in half double crochet through the back loop, shaping bust and waist with increase and hold rows.
- Shape the front panel's two straps separately once the main bodice rows are complete, working each as a narrow column.
- Seam the front and back panels together along the sides, leaving the armhole opening unstitched between waist and strap.
- Join the shoulder straps with a seam across the top before moving on to the skirt.
- Shift through the ombre color sequence during the transition rounds, then finish the hem with its edging round.
What goes wrong
- Working into both loops, not back loop The vertical ribbing disappears if the hook goes under both loops. Insert into the back loop only on every hdc-blo row of the bodice.
- Forgetting the turning chain counts as a stitch The ch-2 always stands in as the first hdc, so skip the stitch directly below it. Missing this step throws off the stitch total across the bodice rows.
- Loose joinless color starts When beginning a new color without a slip stitch, leave the full 6-inch tail and snug up the first pulled-through loop. A loose start leaves a visible gap at each color change.
- Miscounting the hem fan clusters Each fan needs all 5 dc worked into the same stitch or space before moving on. Skipping even one flattens the scalloped edge at the hem.
Yarn, hook and the rest
Copied from the source pattern's own materials list.
- Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (100% cotton, 137 yards per 50g skein) has excellent stitch definition and comes in a wide range of blues. It is machine washable, which is a huge bonus for a wearable garment.
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (100% mercerized cotton, 186 yards per 100g ball) offers a beautiful sheen that enhances the ombre transitions. The larger ball size means fewer ends to weave in during color changes.
- Drops Safran (70% cotton, 30% viscose, 175 yards per 50g ball) adds subtle drape from the viscose content. This makes the skirt fall beautifully and is slightly more fluid than pure cotton.
- Choose any DK weight yarn with a firm, smooth twist and low halo. Fuzzy or bouclé yarns will obscure the stitch definition in the ribbing. Test your gauge carefully and aim for at least 50% natural fiber content to prevent excessive stretching.
Yarn
- DK weight (CYCA 3), cotton or cotton-blend recommended for structure and drape
Approximate yardage by color
- Color A (pale sky blue): 300 yards (274 m)
- Color B (medium cornflower blue): 400 yards (366 m)
- Color C (medium-dark teal blue): 350 yards (320 m)
- Color D (deep navy blue): 450 yards (411 m)
Total
- approximately 1500 yards (1371 m)
Hooks
- US size E-4 (3.5 mm) for bodice ribbing
- US size F-5 (3.75 mm) for skirt
Notions
- Stitch markers (at least 8)
- Yarn needle for seaming and weaving ends
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Blocking mat and pins
Optional
- 1 yard (91 cm) of lightweight cotton lining fabric if extra coverage desired
Progress tracker
0 of the 60 rounds on this page are ticked.
The pattern, round by round
Kept in the order and the wording the source used. Tick a round as you finish it; the ticks stay on this device.
Strap Shaping for Front Panel
The front straps are the two outer columns of the panel maintained over the shoulder. Each strap is 8 stitches wide.
Rejoin Color A to the right side of row 1 (neckline edge) of the front panel at the outer 8 sts.
Right Strap:
Round 1
Ch 2, hdc-blo in same st and next 7 sts. Turn. (8 hdc)
Round 2
through 14: Ch 2, hdc-blo across. Turn. (8 hdc each row) Fasten off leaving 12-inch tail.Left Strap: Rejoin Color A to neckline edge at the left outer 8 sts. Work same as right strap.
Round 1
through 14: Ch 2, hdc-blo across. Turn. (8 hdc each row) Fasten off leaving 12-inch tail.
After the straps are complete, the center 69 stitches of the neckline edge are open, creating the square neckline opening.
Main Pattern
Round 1
(RS): Hdc in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (85 hdc including t-ch)
Note: The t-ch-2 counts as the first hdc throughout the bodice. Always skip the first stitch below the t-ch.
Round 2
(WS): Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 3
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 4
through 10: Rep row 3. Work in Color A throughout. (85 hdc each row)
Skirt Increase Rounds
Round 1
(setup dc round): Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout skirt), dc in next st and in each st around. Sl st to top of ch-3 to join. (156 dc)
Round 2
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (156 dc)
Round 3
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around to last 6 sts, dc in last 6 sts. Sl st to join. (182 dc)
Round 4
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (182 dc)
Round 5
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (182 dc)
Round 6
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around to last st, dc in last st. Sl st to join. (208 dc)
Round 7
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (208 dc)
Round 8
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (208 dc)
Round 9
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around. Sl st to join. (234 dc)
Round 10
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (234 dc) Begin Color C to D blend on rounds 10 through 13.
Round 11
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (234 dc)
Round 12
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around. (260 dc)Switch fully to Color D at this point.
Round 13
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (260 dc)
Round 14
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (260 dc)
Round 15
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around. (286 dc)
Round 16
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (286 dc)
Round 17
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (286 dc)
Round 18
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 10 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around. (312 dc)
Round 19
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (312 dc)
Round 20
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (312 dc)
Round 21
Increase round Ch 3, dc in next 11 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around. (338 dc)
Round 22
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (338 dc)
Round 23
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (338 dc) Checkpoint: After round 23, the skirt should measure approximately 10 inches (25 cm) from the waist pickup round to the current working edge. The hem circumference at this point should measure approximately 75 inches (190 cm).
Begin Color Transition
After Row 10, begin introducing Color B. Alternate Color A and Color B every row.
Round 11
Color B Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 12
Color A Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 13
Color B Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 14
Color A Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 15
Color B Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Round 16
Color A Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)Row 17 onwards: Work in Color B only.
Round 17
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)
Bust Shaping (Rows 18 through 22)
These rows maintain bust measurement. No increases or decreases.
Round 18
through 22: Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc each row)
Waist Shaping (Rows 23 through 32)
Decrease 2 stitches per decrease row (one at each side edge) on every other row.
Round 23
Ch 2, turn. Hdc2tog over first 2 sts (right edge decrease), hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog over last 2 sts. Turn. (83 hdc)
Round 24
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo in each st across (no decrease). Turn. (83 hdc)
Round 25
Ch 2, turn. Hdc2tog, hdc-blo to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (81 hdc)
Round 26
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (81 hdc)
Round 27
Ch 2, turn. Hdc2tog, hdc-blo to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (79 hdc)
Round 28
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (79 hdc)
Round 29
Ch 2, turn. Hdc2tog, hdc-blo to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (77 hdc)
Round 30
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (77 hdc)
Round 31
Ch 2, turn. Hdc2tog, hdc-blo to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (75 hdc)
Round 32
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (75 hdc) Begin Color B to C blend on rows 29 through 32 as noted in Pattern Notes.
Skirt Hem (Rounds 24 through 27)
Continue in Color D.
Round 24
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (338 dc)
Round 25
Final increase round Ch 3, dc in next 12 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from around. (364 dc)
Round 26
Ch 3, dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (364 dc)
Hem Edging Round
Round 27
Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, sk next st, 5 dc in next st (shell), sk next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from around. Sl st to ch-1 to join.Fasten off Color D. Weave in all ends.
Checkpoint: The finished skirt, measured flat from the waist join to the hem edging, should be approximately 15 inches (38 cm). The full skirt circumference at the hem (before edging flare) should be approximately 81 inches (206 cm).
Waist Hold Rows (Rows 33 through 36)
Work even at 75 hdc in Color C.
Round 33
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (75 hdc)
Round 34
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (75 hdc)
Round 35
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (75 hdc)
Round 36
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (75 hdc) Checkpoint: After row 36, your front panel should measure approximately 13 inches (33 cm) from the foundation chain edge (neckline) to the current working edge (waist). Width at this point should measure approximately 14 inches (35.5 cm) unstretched.
Hip Increase Rows (Rows 37 through 40)
Increase 2 stitches per increase row at side edges.
Round 37
Ch 2, turn. 2 hdc-blo in first st (right edge increase), hdc-blo to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (77 hdc)
Round 38
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (77 hdc)
Round 39
Ch 2, turn. 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (79 hdc)
Round 40
Ch 2, turn. Hdc-blo across. Turn. (79 hdc) Fasten off Color C. Leave an 18-inch tail for seaming.
Join
Step 1Step 1: Weave in all yarn ends securely on the wrong side using a yarn needle. Weave each end in two directions for security.
Step 2Step 2: Soak the finished dress in cool water for 20 minutes. Gently press out excess water. Do not wring.
Step 3Step 3: Lay the dress flat on blocking mats. Pin the bodice to its finished measurements: 17 inches wide at bust, 14 inches wide at waist. Smooth the ribbing lines vertically.
Step 4Step 4: Shape the skirt by spreading it outward evenly from the waist. Pin the hem to maintain the circular flare.
Step 5Step 5: Allow to dry completely, at least 24 hours, before unpinning and wearing.
Step 6Step 6: If desired, a light steaming with a pressing cloth on the wrong side of the bodice will enhance the ribbing definition. Do not steam the skirt directly as this can distort the fabric.
Check your count
- Strap Shaping for Front Panel · Round 1: 8 sts
- Main Pattern · Round 2: 85 sts
- Main Pattern · Round 3: 85 sts
- Main Pattern · Round 4: 85 sts
- Skirt Increase Rounds · Round 7: 208 sts
- Skirt Increase Rounds · Round 15: 286 sts
Finish
- Weave in every yarn end from the color changes and strap sections twice over on the wrong side for security.
- Soak the finished dress in cool water, press out the excess, then pin the bodice flat to its finished bust and waist measurements while damp.
- Smooth the ribbing lines vertical before the piece dries, then spread the skirt outward evenly from the waist to set its flare.
Bigger or smaller
- Larger
- Work one extra plain round between each increase round in the Skirt Increase Rounds section to add length and ease to the flare before reaching the hem.
FAQs
Asked and answered
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.
Can a different yarn weight replace the DK called for?
Stick with a true DK weight with a smooth, low-halo twist so the ribbing stitch definition stays visible. A fuzzy or bouclé yarn blurs the back-loop ridge the whole bodice depends on.
How much yarn is needed in each ombre color?
The dress moves from pale sky blue through medium cornflower and teal to deep navy, totaling roughly 1500 yards across all four colors. Color D, the deepest navy, takes the most at 450 yards since it covers the bulk of the skirt.
Is the lining fabric required for the skirt?
No, the double crochet skirt holds its shape and coverage without it. The lightweight cotton lining is listed only as an optional add for extra coverage.