# Buttercream Rosette Baby Dress Free Crochet Pattern
Some dresses are just pure buttercream bliss, and this is one of them. A soft cream bodice, a swishy shell-stitch skirt, and three little crocheted rosettes across the front — it’s the kind of dress that makes grandmas gasp and cameras come out. I made this for my best friend’s daughter’s first birthday, and she looked like a tiny frosted cake (the good kind).
The construction couldn’t be simpler: the bodice and skirt are worked top-down in rounds with zero seaming, the shells give the skirt its lovely movement, and the rosettes are quick little flowers you whip up in minutes and sew on last. If you can double crochet, you can make this dress.
What You’ll Need
- DK weight (#3) yarn in buttercream/soft cream — approx. 400 yds (I used 2 skeins of a baby-soft DK)
- Small amount of sage green DK yarn for rosette leaves (about 20 yds)
- US G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
- 3 small pearl buttons for rosette centers (or small white buttons)
- Tapestry needle and stitch markers
Finished size:
- Chest 16 inches, length 12 inches from shoulder
Gauge:
- 16 HDC x 12 rows = 4 inches
The Pattern
Bodice (worked top-down in rounds)
With buttercream, chain 66 and join with a slip st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.
Rounds 1–6: Ch 2 (counts as HDC), HDC in each st around, join with a slip st to top of ch-2. (64 HDC)
Round 7 (increase round): Ch 2, *HDC in next 7 sts, 2 HDC in next st;* repeat from * around, join. (72 HDC)
Shell Skirt
Round 8 (shell round): Ch 1, *skip 2 sts, 5 DC in next st, skip 2 sts, SC in next st;* repeat from * around, join with a slip st. (12 shells)
Round 9: Ch 3 (counts as DC), DC in each st around, join. (72 DC)
Rounds 10–11: Repeat Rounds 8 and 9.
Round 12 (scalloped hem): Ch 1, *skip 1 st, 5 DC in next st, skip 1 st, SC in next st;* repeat from * around, join. (18 scallops) Fasten off.
Neckline Edging
Join buttercream at the top edge. Work 1 round of SC evenly around (64 SC). Fasten off.
Straps (make 2)
With buttercream, chain 28.
Row 1: HDC in 3rd chain from hook and each chain across. (26 HDC) Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Sew one end of each strap to the front bodice top edge and the other end to the back, spacing them about 2.5 inches apart on each side.
Rosettes (make 3)
With buttercream, ch 4 and join to form a ring.
Rnd 1: *Ch 2, 3 DC into ring, ch 2, slip st into ring;* repeat from * 4 more times. (5 petals) Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Leaves (make 2 per rosette): With sage green, ch 6, SC in 2nd ch, HDC in next, DC in next 2, HDC in last, slip st back down the other side. Fasten off.
Sew the leaves behind each rosette, sew a pearl button in the center, and stitch the three finished rosettes across the front bodice.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. Block the skirt lightly so the shells open up and the scallops lie flat.
Sophie’s Tips
- Wind a separate small ball of cream for each rosette — they’re tiny, and it’s easier than dragging the big skein around.
- If the neckline feels wide, run a thin cream ribbon through the top SC round and tie it in a bow at the back — pretty and practical.
- This dress in the palest blush pink with cream rosettes is equally dreamy for a spring celebration.
She’s going to look like the sweetest little confection — don’t forget the photos!
