This is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, first published in 2025 by Page Street Publishing.

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MY BOOK: SUMMER CROCHET

Enter your beachy crochet era with lightweight, breathable patterns perfect for poolside lounging, festival weekends and sun-soaked vacations. 

This book includes 19 #SizeInclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful.

Shop my new book, Summer Crochet, here or wherever you buy your books!

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ABOUT

Whether you’re looking for a full-length maxi dress, a cropped tank top or anything in between, this customizable pattern allows you to create your ideal summer staple. Crocheted in the beloved granny stitch with a playful picot edging, the Tropical Beach Dress mixes a classic fabric with a contemporary fit for a truly resort-worthy piece.

Although originally designed to wear over a bathing suit, the Tropical Beach Dress can also be worn on its own as an everyday piece: Just pop it over a slip dress or your favorite fitted tank and biker shorts. Instructions are included to make either a dress or a tank top, with unique shaping instructions for each design.

This pattern is fully written and charted.

MATERIALS

Yarn: Fingering—WeCrochet Comfy™ Fingering in colorway “Ivory”

• 75% Pima cotton, 25% acrylic
• 218 yds (199 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
• Find this yarn on crochet.com or yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required (Dress):

• 9 (9, 10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 16, 17) skeins, or approximately
• 1750 (1850, 2050, 2250, 2450) (2700, 2975, 3275, 3575) yds
• 1600 (1692, 1875, 2057, 2240) (2469, 2720, 2995, 3269) m

Note that this yardage is based on the dress length provided in the sizing chart; exact yardage will vary based on your desired dress length and amount of increasing in the skirt.

Yardage Required (Tank Top):

• 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins, or approximately
• 750 (825, 925, 1000, 1100) (1200, 1325, 1450, 1600) yds
• 686 (754, 846, 914, 1006) (1097, 1212, 1326, 1463) m

Note that if you use a contrasting color for the picot edging, you will need approximately 35 to 40 yds (32–37 m) of your chosen contrasting color.

Yarn Substitution: Visit knitsnknots.ca/tropical-beach-dress for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing. Substitute WeCrochet Comfy Fingering with any similar fingering-weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge. Note that fingering weight is often referred to as “4-ply” in the U.K. and Australia.

Yarn Tip: If you love the bright, classic look of a granny square, try using a multicolored, self-striping yarn. Be mindful that the yoke of the dress (the section between the shoulders and the underarms) is worked flat, while the remainder of the dress/tank is worked in a continuous spiral. Use a contrasting color for the picot edging for a bold two-tone look!

Hook: Size U.S. D/3 (3.25 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, 2 locking stitch markers for hip increases

GAUGE

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 6 cluster repeats and 10 rows in the granny stitch, where one cluster plus one chain together count as one repeat, blocked

See knitsnknots.ca/tropical-beach-dress for full swatch instructions.

SIZING + FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

See Ravelry photos for full page of sizing/measurement information.

TERMS + ABBREVIATIONS

Written in U.S. Crochet Terms
ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
cluster: this refers to a group of 3 double crochets worked into the same space
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
hdc: half double crochet (htc in U.K. terms)
rep: repeat
RS: right side
rnd(s): round(s)
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
sp(s): space(s)
st(s): stitch(es)

PATTERN NOTES

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This pattern is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only. An “x” indicates the instruction is not applicable to your size. See full sizing chart in Ravelry photos.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/round. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this fabric; both sides are identical. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”

Turning Chain: The turning chain counts as the first stitch throughout the pattern. A ch-3 counts as 1 dc; a ch-4 counts as 1 dc + 1 ch.

Dress Increases: There are instructions to add optional increases once your length reaches the small of your waist, to give your dress an A-line shape and create enough space around your legs to allow you to walk comfortably. This is particularly important if you are making a dress (as opposed to a tank top), especially for the smaller sizes. If you find that the circumference at your waist will give you enough walking space (this may be the case for some of the larger sizes), you may choose to work fewer increases or omit the increases altogether, depending on the length of your dress and your desired fit.

Stretching Over Time: If you plan on making a maxi dress, be aware that your fabric is likely to stretch in length over time with wear. It is recommended to make your dress several inches (several cm) shorter than your desired finished length to anticipate this stretching so that it doesn’t extend past your feet!

Construction: This dress is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning with the front panel at the tops of the shoulders. First, two identical straps are worked separately, each with increases to shape the neckline and armhole openings, then connected to become one front panel. The back panel is worked from the top down directly onto the front panel straps. Next, your two panels are joined at the underarms, and the remainder of this dress (or tank) is crocheted in the round (in a spiral) while increasing the skirt until reaching your desired length.

More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/tropical-beach-dress.

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Shop my first book, Modern Crochet Sweaters, here or wherever you buy your books!

Shop my second book, Summer Crochet, here or wherever you buy your books!

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