Sanibel Cover Up - Pool Dress Free Crochet Pattern
The Sanibel Pool Dress free crochet pattern works up like a breeze, will keep you comfortable and covered while on the beach or at the pool and is made for gals like me... with a few curves here and there. I designed this to be a simple one piece cover up to throw over my suit to go to and fro the local community pool. I quickly found myself dressing it up with my favorite sparkle flip flops and wearing it to the beach and around Miami as well. It works up quickly and has a simple construction that is great for beginners!
If you loved the Porto Tunic then trust me you will LOVE The Sanibel Pool Dress!
I chose Shiny Happy Cotton from Wool And The Gang for this design. I like it for this item because it is a bit thicker than most pima cottons, which are Category 3 weight typically. So it has more shaping structure in the stitching as well as being so soft like buttah. Another great cotton for this dress is the Lion Brand 24/7 cotton. It is mercerized and gives a great summery sheen. See my full run down on all The Cottons here.
This is a loose fitting dress designed to be comfortable, give you movement and still keep you covered. So it definitely has positive ease! Make sure to check the measurements here to know what size to make.
Sizes: Extra Small/Small (Medium/Large, 1X/2X)
Finished Measurements: Bust/Hips: 44 (49.5, 54.5)”
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS NEEDED:
Category #4 weight yarn / light worsted works too
Main Color (Black): 450 (510, 560) yds
Contrast Color (Far Out Pink): 300 (340, 375) yds
Wool And The Gang Shiny Happy Cotton in Sample
Crochet Hook Size I-9 / 5.5 mm
Tapestry needle to weave ends
Tape Measure
Fasteners or safety pins
STITCHES USED / ABBREVIATIONS:
fhdc – foundation half double crochet
ch – chain loop
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
tr – treble crochet
sl st – slip stitch
PATTERN NOTES:
This pattern is written for Adult Woman size Extra Small/ Small.
(Sizes Medium/Large, 1X/2X in parenthesis)
This garment is intended to fit with up to several inches of positive ease – super loose fitting
This pattern is made in two panels, front & back.
Front and back pieces are worked from the bottom up.
Block BEFORE assembly
GAUGE: 12 hdc x 10 hdc rows = 4” / 3 reps x 6 rows = 4” in Net pattern
If you want to make your dress longer just grab some extra yarn and continue your netting beginning section. Super fun if you like a maxi dress kind of style. Or if you want a top instead of a dress you can shorten the mid section.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS:
Make TWO Identical panels
MAIN COLOR:
Row 1: Fhdc x 66 (74, 82) turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next fhdc, * Ch 5, skip 3 fhdc, sc in next fhdc *, repeat * to * across end with sc in last fhdc, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, sc into first ch sp group, * Ch 5, sc into next ch 5 group * repeat * to * across end with ch 3 then dc into second ch of beginning ch 3 from previous row, turn.
Rows 4 -11: Repeat Row 3.
Row 12: Ch 2, 3 hdc in ch 3, * hdc in sc, 3x hdc in ch 5 group * repeat * to * to last sc and ch 3, hdc in last sc, hdc in ch 3 – total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl Ch 2, turn .
SWITCH TO CONTRAST COLOR:
Rows 13 - 15: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
Row 16: Ch 3 (acts as first tr), 65 (73, 81)x tr across for total 66 (74, 82) tr incl ch 3.
Rows 17 - 19: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
MAIN COLOR:
Row 20: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
Row 21: Ch 4, sc in next hdc, * Ch 5, skip 3 hdc, sc in next hdc, ch 5 *, repeat * to * across end with sc in last hdc
Rows 22 - 31: Repeat Row 3.
Row 32: Ch 2, 3 hdc in ch 3, * hdc in sc, 3x hdc in ch 5 group * repeat * to * across – total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl Ch 2
SWITCH TO CONTRAST COLOR:
Rows 33 - 35: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
Row 36: Ch 3 (acts as first tr), 65 (73, 81)x tr across for total 66 (74, 82) tr incl ch 3.
Rows 37 - 39: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
MAIN COLOR:
Row 40: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
Row 41: Ch 4, sc in next hdc, * Ch 5, skip 3 hdc, sc in next hdc, ch 5 *, repeat * to * across end with sc in last hdc
Rows 42 - 51: Repeat Row 3.
Row 52: Ch 2, 3 hdc in ch 3, * hdc in sc, 3x hdc in ch 5 group * repeat * to * across – total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl Ch 2.
SWITCH TO CONTRAST COLOR:
Row 53: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 65 (73, 81)x hdc across for total 66 (74, 82) hdc incl ch 2.
SHAPE NECK & SHOULDERS:
Row 54 - 55: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 20 (23, 27)x hdc, 24 (26, 26) sc, 21 (24, 28)x hdc.
Row 56 - 57: Ch 3 (acts as first tr), 18 (21, 25) x tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 24 (26, 26) sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 19 (22, 26) tr.
FASTEN OFF.
ASSEMBLY
Marry your two panels and this will now be INSIDE OUT.
ON BOTH SIDES:
Using your stitch marker or fastener, pin the panels together at Row 13 where you begin main color and Row 40 contrast color. This leaves approximately 11” unsewn at the top edge for armholes and 6” unsewn at lower edge for side slit.
Then connect the panels with sl st or whip stitch up the seam between markers. When you get to fastener, fasten off. Seam shoulders together using Mattress Stitch method or whip stitch.
TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT – weave in all ends.
YOU CAN EVEN SHORTEN THE MID SECTION AND HAVE YOURSELF A PERFECT SUMMER TOP