# Forest Green Bell Sleeve Crochet Dress Free Crochet Pattern
This is the dress that makes everyone ask, “Wait — you MADE that?” The first time I slipped on my sample, with those dramatic chevron bell sleeves and that zigzag hem, I honestly felt like I’d walked out of a 70s festival lookbook. Vintage boho vibes, a flattering silhouette, and stripes that look impossibly fancy.
Yes, it’s a commitment — roughly 40 to 60 hours. But it’s worked top-down in the round with no body seams, and the rhythm of the chevron becomes meditative fast. If you’ve made a sweater before, you are absolutely ready for this one.
What You’ll Need
- DK or light worsted yarn with good stitch definition and a little stretch, approx. 1,400 yards total across 6 colors: Deep Forest Green 350 yds, Olive 250 yds, Sage 250 yds, Muted Teal 200 yds, Pale Mint 200 yds, Cream 150 yds
- US G-6 (4.0 mm) hook for body and sleeves; US F-5 (3.75 mm) optional for neckline and cuffs
- 8 locking stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape
Finished size:
- Written for size S (bust 34 in, waist 28 in, hip 36 in, length 32 in shoulder to hem, sleeve 18 in underarm to cuff)
- Notes for M and L included
The Pattern
Gauge (critical for a fitted dress):
- In sc with G-6 hook: 18 sts = 4 in, 20 rows = 4 in. In chevron stitch: one 18-stitch repeat = 4 in wide
- 4 rows = 1.25 in tall. Swatch in the round if you can, and block before measuring
Neckline and Yoke
Worked flat for 2 rows, then joined in the round. Using Color A (forest green) and G-6 hook:
Foundation: Ch 90.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (89 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (89 sc)
Join into a round (don’t twist). Place 4 markers for the raglan points: marker at st 1 (right front), then counting 22 sts, marker 2 (right sleeve start), 22 sts, marker 3 (back start), 22 sts, marker 4 (left sleeve start).
Increase rounds: At each raglan marker work: sc in st before marker, 3 sc in marked st (middle st becomes the new marked st), sc in st after marker — 8 increases per round.
–
Rnd 1 (A): Inc round. (97 sc)
Rnd 2 (A): Sc around. (97)
–
Rnd 3 (A): Inc round. (105)
Rnd 4 (B): Sc around. (105)
–
Rnd 5 (B): Inc round. (113)
Rnd 6 (B): Sc around. (113)
–
Rnd 7 (C): Inc round. (121)
Rnd 8 (C): Sc around. (121)
–
Rnd 9 (A): Inc round. (129)
Rnd 10 (A): Sc around. (129)
–
Rnd 11 (D): Inc round. (137)
Rnd 12 (D): Sc around. (137)
Checkpoint: Piece should measure ~3.5 in from neckline to yoke base; circumference ~30.5 in.
Separating Body and Sleeves
Rnd 13 (D): Sc across right front (33 sts), ch 4 (underarm bridge), skip 33 sleeve sts (place on holder), sc across back (33 sts), ch 4, skip remaining 33 sleeve sts, sc across left front (33 sts). Sl st to join. (107 working sts)
Rnd 14: Sc in each sc and ch around. (107 sc)
Bodice
–
Rnd 15 (D): Sc around, inc 1 near each side (2 total). (109)
Rnd 16 (E): Sc around. (109)
–
Rnd 17 (E): Mesh round — ch 2, sk 1, sc in next; rep around.
Rnd 18 (E): Sc in each ch-2 sp and sc around. (109)
–
Rnds 19-20 (F): Sc around; inc 1 on rnd 19. (110)
Rnds 21-22 (A): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 21. (112)
Rnds 23-24 (B): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 23. (114)
Rnds 25-26 (C): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 25. (116)
–
Rnd 27 (D): Bobble round — ch 1, bobble in first st, ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep around.
Rnd 28 (D): Sc in each bobble sp and sc around, inc 2. (118)
–
Rnds 29-30 (E): Mesh round, then sc in each ch-2 sp and sc around. (118)
–
Rnds 31-32 (A): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 31. (120)
Rnds 33-34 (F): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 34. (122)
Rnds 35-36 (B): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 35. (124)
Rnds 37-38 (C): Sc around; inc 2 on rnd 37. (126)
Checkpoint: Bodice ~9 in from underarm; circumference ~28 in.
–
Rnd 39 (A): Sc around, inc 9 evenly. (135)
Rnd 40 (A): Sc around, inc 9 evenly. (144)
Chevron Skirt
One chevron repeat = 18 sts: sc2tog (valley), sc in next 6, 3 sc in next st (peak), sc in next 6, sc2tog (at the repeat boundary). The count stays constant because each decrease is balanced by a 3-sc peak.
Rnds 41-42 (D), 43-44 (E), 45-46 (F), 47-48 (A), 49-50 (B), 51-52 (C), 53-54 (D), 55-56 (E), 57-58 (F), 59-60 (A), 61-62 (B), 63-64 (C), 65-66 (D), 67-68 (E), 69-70 (F), 71-72 (A): Chevron rounds. (144 sc each, 8 repeats)
Rnd 73 (A): Picot scallop border — sl st in next st, ch 3, sl st in same st to form picot, sl st in next 2 sts; rep around. Fasten off.
Bell Sleeves (make 2)
Join at the held sleeve sts. You have 33 held sts plus 4 underarm chains.
–
Rnd 1 (A): Join at underarm center; sc in 2 of the underarm ch, sc in each of the 33 held sts, sc in remaining 2 ch, sl st to join. (37)
Rnd 2 (A): Sc around; sc2tog at underarm. (36)
Rnds 3-4 (A): Sc around. (36)
–
Rnds 5-6 (B): Sc around. (36)
Rnd 7 (C): Mesh round.
Rnd 8 (C): Sc around. (36)
–
Rnds 9-10 (D): Sc around. (36)
Rnds 11-12 (E): Sc around. (36)
–
Rnds 13-14 (A): Sc around. (36)
Rnds 15-16 (F): Sc around. (36)
–
Rnds 17-18 (B): Sc around. (36)
Rnd 19 (C): Bobble round.
Rnd 20 (C): Sc around. (36)
–
Rnds 21-22 (D): Sc around. (36)
Rnds 23-24 (E): Sc around. (36)
**Bell cuff transition —
Rnd 25 (A):** Sc around, inc 18 evenly. (54)
Rnd 26 (A): Sc around, inc 18 evenly. (72)
Bell cuff chevron (72 sts, 4 repeats): Rnds 27-28 (A), 29-30 (B), 31-32 (C), 33-34 (D), 35-36 (E), 37-38 (F), 39-40 (A) — chevron rounds.
Rnd 41 (A): Picot scallop border same as hem. Fasten off. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working each in two directions. Wet block: soak in lukewarm water with gentle detergent, squeeze out water without wringing, lay flat and shape the chevron points at the hem and cuffs, and dry completely before wearing.
To size up: Add 18 stitches (one chevron repeat) to the foundation chain per size — about 4 in of circumference. Add 2 chevron rounds in the skirt for ~0.6 in of length.
Sophie’s Tips
- Use a smooth, non-fuzzy yarn — the chevron and mesh sections need clear stitch visibility to really pop.
- Carry unused colors up the inside for stripes of 2 rounds or fewer; cut and weave in ends for longer gaps.
- If you’ve never worked chevron, practice the repeat on a small flat swatch first. The increase/decrease rhythm becomes second nature fast.
Slip it on, spin once, and enjoy the compliments — you’ve earned every single one!
