The Keys Dress pattern is 20% off through 5 June 2025. No coupon code needed.

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This long, open-stitch dress skims your shape. Wear it to the beach over swimwear, or layer it over a fitted slip or dress for a special occasion.

Customization and fit tips are included, including the option to finish as a cropped top or top of any length, tunic, mini-, or midi-length dress.

A schematic and partial stitch diagrams are included.

This pattern uses U.S. crochet terminology.

Skill Level: Experienced / Advanced.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS (with the garment lying flat)
Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Chest and Waist circumference: 28 (32 ½, 37 ¼, 42, 46 ½, 51 ¼, 56)”.
Hip circumference: 30 ¼ (35, 39 ¾, 44 ¼, 49, 53 ¾, 58 ¼)”
To be worn with between 2-4” of negative ease.
Length from base of bodice to hem: 37 ½” or to desired length (see Notes).

YARN: Eulalí by Omega Yarn fingering-weight yarn (100% cotton; 394 yd 360 m / 3.52 oz 100g): 5 (6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) balls. Shown in color #C-21 (Arena / Sand).

HOOK: Sizes C (2.75 mm), D (3.25 mm), and E (3.5 mm) hooks. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

NOTIONS: Yarn needle; stitch markers.

GAUGE: With smallest (C) hook, 3 pattern reps (pattern rep is one shell plus one wide V-st) = 3 ½”; 10 rows in shell pattern = 3 ½”.
With middle (D) hook, 3 pattern reps = 4”; 10 rows in shell pattern = 4”.
With largest (E) hook, 3 pattern reps = 4 ⅛”; 10 rows in shell pattern = 4 ⅛”.

NOTES:
Measurements given are for the garment lying flat. The fabric is very stretchy in both directions, and the dress will lengthen when worn (especially if worn with positive ease). Refer to the Fit and Customization tips and sidebars throughout the pattern.

The bodice is worked bottom-up in joined, turned rounds, then separated for front and back and worked in rows and joined at the shoulder. The skirt is worked top-down from the bodice in joined, unturned rounds (RS facing at all times). Finally, an optional drawstring is made to weave through the eyelets below the bodice.

The cotton fabric will ease and lengthen with wear. An excess of positive ease will result in the dress hanging longer on the body and further lengthening with wear. As such, consider sizing down if between sizes, and work fewer rounds if needed.

The samples pictured are both Size 2 (32 ½” chest) worn with 2 ½” of negative ease in the bodice.

An alternate gauge is provided for ease through the low hip if desired.

Tips are included for raising the neckline or altering the strap length, and the length of the lower portion of the skirt can be easily altered by working more or fewer reps.

Instructions are included to finish as a top, tunic, mini-, or midi-length dress, along with an example of a slightly cropped top based on these instructions.

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Technical editing by Amy Curtin (Amerz on Ravelry).

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Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the pattern. Thank you!