the inspo
Rihanna posted a photo May 11, 2021 on Instagram of her sitting in a chair wearing a crocheted dress. The second I saw the post, I saved it. I knew immediately what my next project would be. Though prior to this I was not used to working without patterns, I embraced the challenge a year and a half into my crochet experience.
the process
My first thought was to figure out the stitch I’d use. Taking a look at the dress, I assumed the stitch to be double crochets because of how tall they were. However, knowing that I wanted to use a 5mm hook and the weight 4 yarn I had, a double crochet would be too see-through for my preference. So, my version uses half double crochets.
The dress was made in two parts. The top and the skirt portion. I also chained two long chains that are the straps of the dress and cross along the back to make the dress really hug my body.
the skirt
I made a foundation half double crochet chain around the top of my hip that fit snugly. A foundation chain was important for me to use for a few reasons. First, it gives more stretch than a typical chain. And secondly, it incorporates more seamlessly to the top part that would be attached shortly.
I connected that foundation chain to make a circle and crocheted in the round. I increased as appropriate around my hips. I was able to do this by calculating how many stitches I’d need per row depending where the skirt hit my hip. Then, in a similar fashion, I decreased stitches when I got to my legs. When the skirt fit me comfortably both length and width wise, I was finished with this portion.
the top
I reconnected my yarn in the foundation chain part of the skirt (the top). I then made half double crochets in each stitch around until I was happy with the coverage. I immediately started decreasing on either side. This made a sort of V shape in the back without the pointy bottom.
I continued decreasing until the top was wide enough to cover my chest comfortably. I did this at a pace that allowed this point to line up perfectly with my desired length. This took a bit of frogging and calculations to get right, but was worth it for the outcome.
the straps
I reconnected the yarn at the top corners of the top of the dress and made a chain long enough to criss-cross down my back, pulling the sides of the dress taut. This allowed the dress to really be form fitting and fit me to my liking. After doing both, I made sure they were secured and weaved them back and forth for my desired effect.
the outcome
I absolutely love how this dress came out. I put in a lot of time and effort to make sure it would fit me well and I was rewarded. I feel like badgalsisi when I wear this.
crochet with me concept
crochet with me posts are meant as a way for me to document my general process of crocheting and to share it with others! I love learning about how everyone goes about a completing project and take back tidbits to my own crochet habits.