# Ocean Breeze Granny Square Pinafore Set Free Crochet Pattern
I found this design tucked away in one of my old project notebooks from three summers ago. I had sketched it for my niece’s first birthday, calling it “Ocean Breeze” because the mint and coral reminded me of beach glass and seashells. Life got busy, and the pattern sat there waiting. When I finally pulled it out and worked up the full set, I fell completely in love with how the granny squares frame the solid sections like little windows of color.
This is a three-piece toddler set: a pinafore dress with an A-line skirt, a matching cardigan built almost entirely from granny squares, and a coordinating bucket hat with a waffle-textured crown. All three pieces share the same four-color palette, so they mix and match beautifully — and you can absolutely make just one piece if the whole set feels like a lot. The construction is more approachable than it looks: make all your squares first, seam them into strips, then build the solid sections right off those strips. Plan on 25 to 34 hours for the full set.
What You’ll Need
- Sport weight yarn (CYCA weight 2), 100% cotton or cotton blend for best drape and washability: MC (Mint Sage) 380 yards (347 m); CC1 (Turquoise) 120 yards (110 m); CC2 (Coral) 100 yards (91 m); CC3 (Cream) 80 yards (73 m)
- US C-2 / 2.75 mm crochet hook (adjust to meet gauge) — some crocheters prefer a D-3 / 3.25 mm with a softer cotton
- 6 wooden buttons, 5/8 inch (16 mm) diameter — four for the dress straps, two for the cardigan
- Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, blocking mats and pins or blocking wires
Finished size:
- Written for size 12 to 18 months
- Dress: chest 20 inches (51 cm), length from shoulder to hem 16 inches (40.5 cm)
- Cardigan: chest 22 inches (56 cm), length 10 inches (25.5 cm), sleeve length 7 inches (18 cm)
- Hat: circumference 17 inches (43 cm), height 6 inches (15 cm)
Gauge:
- In half double crochet rows: 20 hdc x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
- In single crochet rows: 22 sc x 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)
The Pattern
Special Stitches
Granny Square Cluster (GS-CL): Yarn over, insert the hook into the designated chain space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops. Repeat twice more in the same chain space, then yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on the hook. A 3-dc cluster in one chain space.
Granny Corner: In one corner chain-2 space, work GS-CL, chain 2, GS-CL.
Granny Side: In one side chain-1 space, work GS-CL, chain 1, GS-CL. (Round 1 has no side spaces — corners only.)
Scallop Edging: In the designated stitch: sc in the first stitch, skip 2 stitches, 5 dc in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, sc in the next stitch. Repeat. Each scallop uses 6 stitches.
Waffle Stitch (hat, worked in rounds): Round A — *front post double crochet around the post of the next stitch, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around. Round B — *back post double crochet around the post of the next stitch, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around. Alternate Rounds A and B.
Granny Square Pattern (make 42 total)
Distribution: 18 for the dress (6 yoke, 12 hem), 20 for the cardigan, 4 for the hat band. All 42 squares are identical — only the joining placement differs. Color sequence: Round 1 in CC1 or CC2 (alternated per placement), Round 2 in CC3, Round 3 in MC. All rounds are worked on the right side — do not turn.
Foundation: With CC1 (or CC2 for alternating squares), make a magic ring or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1 (RS): Chain 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc into the ring, chain 2, [3 dc into the ring, chain 2] 3 times, join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3. Fasten off CC1/CC2. (4 clusters of 3 dc, 4 chain-2 corner spaces)
Round 2 (RS): Join CC3 in any corner chain-2 space. Chain 3 (counts as first dc of the first GS-CL), complete the first GS-CL in the same corner space, chain 2, GS-CL in the same corner space (first corner made), chain 1, [GS-CL in the next corner chain-2 space, chain 2, GS-CL in the same corner space, chain 1] 3 times, join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain. Fasten off CC3. (8 clusters total, 4 corner chain-2 spaces, 4 side chain-1 spaces)
Round 3 (RS): Join MC in any corner chain-2 space. Chain 3 (counts as first dc of GS-CL), complete GS-CL in the same space, chain 2, GS-CL in the same space (corner made), chain 1, GS-CL in the next chain-1 side space, chain 1, [GS-CL in the next corner chain-2 space, chain 2, GS-CL in the same space, chain 1, GS-CL in the next chain-1 side space, chain 1] 3 times, join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain. Fasten off MC. (12 clusters total, 4 corner chain-2 spaces, 8 chain-1 side spaces)
Checkpoint: one finished square should measure 2.75 inches (7 cm) after a light press with a damp cloth.
Pinafore Dress
#### Yoke Granny Square Strip
Seam 6 granny squares in a horizontal row with a slip stitch seam, alternating center colors: squares 1, 3, 5 with CC1 centers; squares 2, 4, 6 with CC2 centers. The strip measures approximately 16.5 inches (42 cm) wide x 2.75 inches (7 cm) tall.
#### Bodice (worked upward from the yoke strip)
The bodice is worked on the top edge of the yoke strip, in MC, in rows, turning.
Foundation row: With RS facing and MC, join yarn at the right end of the top edge of the yoke strip. Work 1 sc into each available stitch and space evenly across the top edge of the 6-square strip to achieve 72 sc — about 12 sc per square, adjusting slightly at the seams. Turn. (72 sc)
Rows 1–6: Chain 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn. (72 sc each row)
#### Armhole and Neck Shaping
Divide into three sections: left front bib (18 sc), center neck gap (36 sc skipped), right front bib (18 sc).
**Right front bib —
Row 7 (WS):** Chain 1, sc in the first 18 stitches, leave the remaining stitches unworked. Turn. (18 sc)
Rows 8–12: Chain 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn. (18 sc each row)
Fasten off after Row 12.
Left front bib: With WS facing, skip the center 36 stitches, join MC in the next stitch.
Row 7 (WS): Chain 1, sc in each of the next 18 stitches. Turn. (18 sc)
Rows 8–12: Chain 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn. (18 sc each row) Fasten off after Row 12.
Checkpoint: each bib panel measures approximately 18 sc wide x 6 rows tall (about 3.25 inches/8.3 cm wide and 1 inch/2.5 cm tall).
#### Straps (make 2)
With MC, chain 52.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. (51 sc)
Rows 2–3: Chain 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn. (51 sc) Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30 cm) tail. With RS facing, work 1 row of slip stitch along both long edges for a clean finish. Buttonhole: on Row 3, at the last 4 stitches — sc 2, chain 2, skip 2 stitches; on the following row, work 2 sc into the chain-2 space. Each strap gets 1 buttonhole at the back end. Sew the front end of each strap firmly to the top corners of the right and left front bibs; sew buttons to the back bib top corners and button the straps to secure.
#### Skirt (worked downward from the yoke strip)
The skirt is worked from the bottom edge of the yoke square strip, in MC, in rows, turning, then seamed at one side.
Foundation row: With RS facing and MC, join yarn at the right end of the bottom edge of the yoke strip. Work 1 sc into each available stitch and space across to achieve 72 stitches. Turn. (72 sc)
Row 1 (WS): Chain 2 (doesn’t count as a stitch), hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (72 hdc)
Row 2 (RS, increase): Chain 2, (hdc in the next 8 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch) 8 times. Turn. (80 hdc)
Rows 3–4: Chain 2, hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (80 hdc)
Row 5 (increase): Chain 2, (hdc in the next 9 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch) 8 times. Turn. (88 hdc)
Rows 6–8: Chain 2, hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (88 hdc)
Row 9 (increase): Chain 2, (hdc in the next 10 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch) 8 times. Turn. (96 hdc)
Rows 10–16: Chain 2, hdc in each stitch across. Turn. (96 hdc)
Continue until the skirt measures about 10 inches (25.5 cm) from the yoke strip, ending on a WS row. Fasten off.
Seam the skirt’s side edges with a whipstitch or slip stitch seam.
#### Hem Granny Square Strip
Seam the remaining 12 dress squares into a horizontal strip of 12 (approximately 33 inches wide x 2.75 inches tall), alternating CC1 and CC2 centers. Seam this strip to the bottom edge of the skirt, easing evenly. Finish the bottom edge of the strip with the Scallop Edging in MC.
Cardigan
Join 20 squares with the join-as-you-go method on
Round 3: back panel 4 squares wide x 3 tall (12 squares), two front panels 2 wide x 2 tall (4 squares each). Seam the shoulder seams (2 squares deep on each side), leaving the center back neckline open, then seam the side seams.
Sleeves: Pick up stitches around each armhole and work in hdc rounds in MC: Round 1 — approximately 44 hdc evenly around; Rounds 2–10 — hdc in each stitch, decreasing 2 stitches evenly every 3rd round to reach 36; Rounds 11–13 — hdc in each stitch for the cuff. (Finished sleeve length about 7 inches / 18 cm.)
Button band: With MC, work 3 rows of sc up the right front edge, adding 2 buttonholes (chain 2, skip 2) evenly spaced. Sew 2 wooden buttons to the left front to match.
Edging: Work the Scallop Edging in MC around the hem and both cuffs.
Bucket Hat
Worked top-down in the round in MC.
Crown: Chain 4 and join to form a ring.
Round 1: chain 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in the ring, join. (12 dc)
Round 2: chain 3, 2 dc in each stitch around, join. (24 dc)
Round 3: chain 3, (dc in the next stitch, 2 dc in the next stitch) 12 times, join. (36 dc)
Round 4: chain 3, (dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc in the next stitch) 12 times, join. (48 dc)
Round 5: chain 3, (dc in the next 3 stitches, 2 dc in the next stitch) 12 times, join. (60 dc)
Waffle texture rounds: Work Rounds A and B of the Waffle Stitch alternately for 8 rounds (60 stitches each round) until the crown measures about 4 inches tall.
Granny square band: Seam the 4 hat squares into a ring of 4 (approximately 11 inches around x 2.75 inches tall). Join the ring to the bottom of the waffle crown with a round of sc in MC, easing to fit.
Brim: With MC, work 3 rounds of sc around the bottom of the square band (approximately 76 sc each round), then finish with the Scallop Edging. The finished hat measures about 17 inches (43 cm) around and 6 inches (15 cm) tall.
Finishing
Weave in all ends, block each piece gently, and sew on all six wooden buttons. The cotton yarn makes the whole set machine washable — a true gift for busy parents.
Sophie’s Tips
- Make all 42 squares before you touch the garments. Once you find your rhythm, they fly by — a few each evening with your favorite show.
- When substituting yarn, match yards rather than weight, and avoid acrylic or wool for babies unless you have tested for allergies.
- Pin every seam before you sew it. Granny square strips love to drift, and pins are the difference between crisp and crooked.
One set, three pieces, endless mix-and-match — go make some ocean breeze magic!
