# Mint Ocean Waves Doll Dress Free Crochet Pattern
I have a soft spot for doll clothes — they are quick, adorable, and use up the loveliest little bits of yarn. This mint dress with its wavy shell skirt looks like gentle ocean waves, and on an 18-inch doll it is just precious. My niece’s doll has not taken hers off since I made it!
The bodice is simple and fitted, and the skirt is worked in a wave stitch that ripples out beautifully. It closes in the back with tiny buttons, so little hands can actually dress and undress the doll (great for fine motor skills, if you want the official excuse).
What You’ll Need
- Sport weight (#3) yarn in mint: approx. 200 yds
- Size E-4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Three 3/8-inch buttons for the back closure
- Stitch markers
Finished size:
- Fits an 18-inch doll — bodice chest 10 inches, dress length 8 inches from shoulder
The Pattern
Bodice (worked in rows)
Chain 34.
Rows 1–2: Sc in second ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn. (33 sc)
Rows 3–8: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (33 sc)
Row 9 (armhole shaping): Ch 1, sc in next 7 sts, ch 8, skip 8 sts, sc in next 3 sts, ch 8, skip 8 sts, sc in next 7 sts, turn. (17 sc + 16 ch)
Row 10: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch across, turn. (33 sc)
Rows 11–14: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (33 sc)
Do not fasten off — continue to the skirt.
Ocean Waves Skirt (worked in rows)
Row 1 (increase): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in each st across, turn. (66 dc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (66 sc)
Row 3 (wave round): Ch 3, \*skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st (shell made), skip 2 sts, dc in next st; repeat from \* across, turn. (11 shells)
Row 4: Ch 3, \*5 dc in the center dc of the next shell, skip to the single dc between shells, dc in that dc; repeat from \* across, turn.
Rows 5–10: Repeat Row 4 six more times, working the shells into the shells below so the waves stack up.
Row 11 (edging): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off.
Back Opening and Straps
The bodice back is open from the neck to the waist — edge each side with a row of sc. Sew three tiny buttons down one side and make chain loops on the other.
Straps (make 2): Chain 24, sc back down the chain. Sew to the front and back of the bodice shoulders.
Weave in all ends and press the skirt lightly so the waves lie flat.
Sophie’s Tips
- Count your shells after Row 3 — 11 shells keeps the waves even all the way down.
- Sport weight yarn is perfect for doll clothes; worsted gets bulky fast at this scale.
- Make the dress in different colors and you have a whole doll wardrobe in a weekend!
Some projects are just pure joy — this is one of them. Happy crocheting!
