Master the bowtie granny square and work up your new favorite between-seasons dress. The Modern Bowtie Dress is inspired by the timeless beauty of the Amish bowtie quilt. Traditional craftsmanship gets a modern upgrade with this adorable granny square dress. The classic bowtie motif brings nostalgic charm, while the playful colors and updated silhouette make it a standout piece for today’s handmade wardrobe.
Time: 3-week project
Skill Level: Easy
SIZES:
S (M, L, XL, 2X): Finished Bust Size 33 (34, 36, 40, 42)” to fit bust 32 (33, 35, 39, 41)”
Finished Waist Size 30 (30, 33, 36, 40)” to fit waist 29 (29, 32, 35, 39)”
Finished Hip Size 36 (36, 40, 43, 44)” to fit hips 35 (35, 39, 42, 43)”
Shown in size Large
Gauge: (Measured per granny square)
Size D hook 2.5” square, E hook 2.75” square, F hook 2.875″ square, G hook 3.0” square, H hook 3.375″ square, I hook 3.5” square
Materials
Yarn:
(MC) Berroco Modern Cotton worsted weight yarn 1635 (Goddard) 5 [5, 5, 6, 6] skeins
(CC) Berroco Modern Cotton worsted weight yarn 1600 (Bluffs) 3 [3, 3, 4, 4] skeins
Hook:
Dress size S: US size D/3 3.0 mm, US size E/4 3.5 mm, US size G/6 4.0 mm
Dress size M: US size D/3 3.0 mm, US size F/5 3.75 mm, US size G/6 4.0 mm
Dress size L: US size G/6 4.0 mm, US size E/4 3.5 mm, US size H/8 5.0 mm
Dress size XL: US size H/8 5.0 mm, US size G/6 4.0 mm, US size I/9 5.5 mm
Dress size 2X: US size I/9 5.5 mm, US size G/6 4.0 mm, US size J/10 5.0 mm
Notions: Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
This versatile design will allow you to create a dress specifically for your figure by using different sized crochet hooks to create varying sizes of squares. To customize further, add an extra row of #2 squares in the center for a taller woman, add an extra row of #3 squares at the bottom to make a longer dress.
Pattern
With MC yarn, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, *ch 2 for corner, 3 dc in ring,* repeat from * to * twice more, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 2 (WS): Ch 3, turn, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 2 dc. Change to CC yarn, dc in next dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. Change to MC, dc in next 2 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 2 dc. Change to CC, dc in next dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc. Change to MC, dc in next dc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch-3. (28 dc (7 dc per side), 4 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 3 (RS): Ch 3, turn, dc in next dc. Change to CC, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc. Change to MC, dc in next 4 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 4 dc. Change to CC, dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc. Change to MC, dc in next 4 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in next 2 dc, join with sl st in top of ch-3. (44 dc (11 dc per side), 4 ch-2 sps)
Fasten off CC yarn leaving 4” length for weaving.
Fasten off MC yarn leaving 12” length of MC yarn for sewing.
Crochet 52 #1 squares, Size E (F, G, H, I) hook
Crochet 24 #2 squares, Size D (D, E, G, H) hook
Crochet 60 #3 squares, Size G (G, H, I, J) hook
Joining Granny Squares:
Using the chart, sew squares together using lengths of MC left on squares.
With right sides tog, pick up both lps in top piece and bottom piece all the way across one side. Starting at ch-2 sp in corner, sew tog 2nd ch of both sides. Sew tog each dc and ch-sp along the side, ending with sewing tog first ch in ch-2 sp. Join enough squares for your desired row length.
Lay 2 rows right sides tog and sew together in the same manner. Join desired number of rows in the same manner.
Note: When joining granny squares of different sizes, ease to fit by matching stitch per stitch.
Sew straps to back of dress. Sew back seam of dress.
Neckline Border:
Join MC yarn at center back. Using an E (F, G, H, I) hook with right side facing, ch 1, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each dc, sc2tog over ch-2 sp on back and ch-2 sp of strap, sc in each dc and ch-sp along strap, sc2tog at corner of strap and front neckline. Sc across front, sc2tog at corner of neck and strap, sc across strap, sc2tog at corner of strap and back, sc across back. Join with sl st with first sc of rnd.
Armhole Border:
Join MC yarn at center underarm. Using an E (F, G, H, I) hook with right side facing, ch 1, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each dc, sc2tog over ch-2 sp on underarm and ch-2 sp of strap, sc in each dc and ch-sp along strap, sc2tog at corner of strap and underarm, sc across remaining dc of underarm. Join with sl st with first sc of rnd.
Repeat on other armhole.
Hem Border:
Join MC yarn at center back. Using a G (G, H, I, J) hook with right side facing, ch 1, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each dc and ch-2 sp at hem. Join with sl st with first sc of rnd.
Weave in all ends. Block dress with steam iron.
Belt:
Measure the designed waist circumference and add 30”.
Using a G hook and CC yarn, ch 2.
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st. (3 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc. (4 sc)
Repeat Rows 3-4 two times. (8 sc at end of last row)
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Repeat last row until belt measures the desired waist measurement plus 30”.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc across to last 2 sc, dec over last 2 sc. (7 sc)
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog over first 2 sts, sc across. (6 sc)
Repeat last 2 rows 2 times. (2 sc at end of last row)
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog. (1 sc)
Fasten off CC.
Edging: With MC yarn, holding belt sideways, sc across each row end.
Fasten off MC.
Repeat on opposite side of belt.
Fasten off MC.
Weave in all ends.
Bowtie Granny Square YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZDn_9EvfbCE
Sewing together squares YouTube Tutorial: https://youtu.be/RXzFwbZsmIs