Crochet beach dress

August 9, 2026

About the pattern

This made-to-measure crochet beach dress is the perfect holiday staple to take with you on your next sunny getaway. Lightweight and easy to wear, it’s ideal for throwing on over your favourite swimwear for a day at the beach or by the pool.

The dress is worked in two simple panels that are seamed together, making it a straightforward and enjoyable project to crochet. Because it is made to measure, you can easily create a fit and length that suits you, making this a versatile piece you’ll want to wear all summer long.

Materials

4mm crochet hook
DK weight cotton yarn. Approximate yardage is in the table below. I used Yarnsmiths Cotton DK in shade Champagne
Scissors
Darning needle

Abbreviations (US terms)

Ch = chain
Dc = double crochet
Sc = single crochet
Sk = skip
St = stitch
Sts = stitches
Blsc = back loop single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch

Notes

Instructions in between brackets mean to repeat those instructions until the pattern says otherwise.
You will make two identical panels and seam the tops of the straps together.
The suggested yarn for this pattern is DK weight yarn in 100% cotton.

Made-to-measure

This pattern is made-to-measure. To do this you will need to measure around the widest part of your hips. Take this calculation and divide by 2. Each panel will be half the width of your total hip measurement. Your starting chain will need to be 2 + a multiple of 4 + 2 for your starting turning ch.

The dress is designed to have no ease but you can make it bigger or smaller if you'd like a tighter or looser fit.

Gauge = 4" = 21dc

Example: the widest part of my hip measurement is 40"/100cm. Each panel will be 20"/50cm.

If I get 21 dc in a 4" swatch, I would get 5.25 stitches in 1". 5.25*20" = 105. My starting chain needs to be 2 + a multiple of 4 p+ 2 for my turning ch. Therefore my starting chain for each panel = 2+ (4*26) +2 turning chain = 108

Starting chain guidelines

Total hip measurement	Width of each panel	Starting chain for each panel	Approx. yardage
34"	17"	90 +2 turning ch	400g/920yds
38"	19"	102 +2 turning ch	450g/1035yds
42"	21"	110 +2 turning ch	500g/1150yds
46"	23"	122 +2 turning ch	550g/1265yds
50"	25"	130 +2 turning ch	600g/1380yds
54"	27"	142 +2 turning ch	650g/1495yds
58"	29"	150 +2 turning ch	700g/1610yds

Instructions - panels (make 2)

Using a 4mm hook. Make a ch to your required width as per the instructions above. Ch 2 extra for your turning ch.

Row 1 - Starting in the 3rd ch from your hook, make a dc in each ch across. Turn.

Row 2 - Ch3 (counts as a dc here and throughout), make a dc in the next st. (Ch2, sk the next 2 sts, make a dc in each of the next 2 stitches.). Repeat the instructions in brackets until the end of the row. Turn.

Row 3 - Ch3 (counts as a dc here and throughout), dc in the next st, (make 2dc in the next ch2 space, make a dc in each of the next 2 stitches). Repeat the instructions in brackets until the end of the row. Turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the panels are your desire length, ending on a row 3 repeat and fasten off your yarn.

Measure the panel length from under your arm pit down as you will now work the straps. I worked 69 rows and I am 5 ft 7" and the dress came to my mid-calf.

Instructions - straps (work the same on both panels)

Starting on the 17th stitch from the outside of the panel you will now work the straps on both sides of each panel. You may wish to start your straps further in if you'd prefer a bigger arm hole.

Row 1 - Join your yarn to the 17th stitch from the edge, ch3 (counts as dc), make a dc in the next st. (Ch2, sk the next 2 sts, make a dc in each of the next 2 stitches.). Repeat the instructions in brackets for a total of 10 stitches (including ch2s).

You can work more or less stitches here for a thinner or wider strap.

Row 2 - Ch3 (counts as a dc here and throughout), dc in the next st, (make 2dc in the next ch2 space, make a dc in each of the next 2 stitches). Repeat the instructions in brackets until the end of the row. Turn.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 13 rows.

Seaming the panels

Starting at the top of the panels you will now seam down both edges to join the panels together. I use a darning needle and the mattress stitch for this but you can use your preferred sewing method.

Optional - I left an 11" slit on both sides of my dress so that it wasn't too fitted.

Seaming the top of the straps

Using your darning needle, sew the straps together on the back and front panel of the dress. I use a darning needle and the mattress stitch for this but you can use your preferred sewing method.

Neckline edging

Round 1 - Join your yarn to the inside corner at the base of the strap. Sc around the edge of the first strap and then around each stitch on the panel, sc around the edge of the next strap and then across the next panel. Join with a sl st to the first st, ch1, do not turn.

Round 2 - Blsc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first st, ch1, do not turn.

Round 3 - Blsc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.

Arm hole edging (work on both sides)

Round 1 - Join your yarn to the middle of the arm hole where the panels meet. Sc in each st around and around the edge of both straps, sc in the remaining sts. Join with a sl st to the first st, ch1, do not turn.