Introducing the Phoebe Polka Dot Dress, a stylish shift dress inspired by the iconic 60’s fashion of Mary Quant. This black and white dress exudes a retro charm with its cute polka dot details adorning the lower edge of the dress and sleeves. Whether you wear it for a special occasion or simply to channel a retro-inspired everyday look, this dress is sure to turn heads and evoke a sense of vintage sophistication.
Time: Week Project
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Bust Size 33.25 (36.5, 41.25, 44.5, 49, 52.5)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)”
1.25 (0.5, 1.25, 0.5, 1.0, 0.5)” positive ease
Shown in size 36”
Gauge: 14 sts and 12.5 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Exsc st after steam blocking
Materials
Yarn: Wendy Supreme DK (100% Premium Acrylic; 322 yards [295 meters]/100 grams): WD40 Black (MC, 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6) balls), WD01 White (CC, 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) balls)
Hook: US size G6 (4.0 mm) and 7 (4.5 mm)
Notions: Markers, 1 x button 1cm diameter, Yarn Needle, Pins (optional)
Abbreviations
Exsc: Extended single crochet
Exsc2tog: Extended single crochet 2 together
sc3tog: single crochet 3 sts together
Special Stitches
Exsc: extended single crochet, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop, yo, pull through 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.
Exsc2tog: Extended single crochet 2 together; insert hook into st, pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops, yrh, pull through all loops on hook.
Polka Dot: change to MC in final step of previous st, [yrh twice, insert hook into stitch, yrh, pull up a loop, pull through two loops twice, leaving remaining loop on hook] three times, change to CC and pull through all loops on hook. Fasten off MC with a knot and weave in ends.
Reverse sc: Reverse single crochet; single crochet worked in the opposite direction from normal crochet. If you are right-handed, you are working from left to right. If you are left-handed, you are working from right to left.
Sc3tog: single crochet 3 sts together; insert hook into st, pull up a loop, [insert hook into next st, pull up a loop] 2 times, yrh, pull through all loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
The dress is worked in pieces; 1 back, 1 front and 2 sleeves. Shoulder and side seams are sewn the Polka Dot borders are worked onto the garment and in the round. The neckline and collar are added and a keyhole border with button fastening is worked. Waist shaping is made (please check schematic for sizes) but this is optional and can be customized by working more/less or no decreases. If you decide not to have any waist shaping and prefer an ‘A’ line dress, please keep a note of the rows worked and the ‘Bust Shaping’ final stitch count to keep the pattern correct.
Pattern
Back
With MC and G6 hook Foundation Single Crochet chain (Fsc) 69 (77, 85, 93, 101, 109).
Row 1 RS: Ch 1 (not counted as st throughout pattern), exsc in each st across, turn. (69 (77, 85, 93, 101, 109) sts).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, exsc2tog (1 Decrease made), exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (67 (75, 83, 91, 99, 107) sts)
Rows 6-9: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 10: Ch 1, exsc2tog, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (65 (73, 81, 89, 97, 105) sts)
Repeat Rows 6-10 zero (one, one, one, one, one) more time, turn. (65 (71, 79, 87, 95, 103) sts)
Hip Shaping
Rows 1-6: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 7: Ch 1, exsc2tog, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (63 (69, 77, 85, 93, 101) sts)
Rep Rows 1-7 two more times. (59 (65, 73, 81, 89, 97) sts)
Waist shaping
Rows 1-2: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, exsc2tog, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (57 (63, 71, 79, 87, 95) sts)
Repeat Rows 1-3 two (three, three, three, four, four) more times. (53 (57, 65, 73, 79, 87) sts)
Work 6 (5, 5, 6, 5, 5) rows in exsc without shaping.
Bust Shaping
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 exsc in first st (1 Increase made), exsc to last st, 2 exsc in last st, turn. (55 (59, 67, 75, 81, 89) sts
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 exsc in first st, exsc to last st, 2 exsc in last st, turn
Repeat Rows 2-6 one (two, two, one, two, one) more time(s), turn. (59 (65, 73, 79, 87, 93) sts)
Work 15 (9, 9, 15, 8, 15) rows in exsc without shaping.
72 (78, 78, 80, 80, 82) rows in total have been worked from beginning Fsc.
Armhole Shaping
Row 1 RS: Sl st into 4th (4th, 6th, 6th, 8th, 8th) st, ch 1, exsc in same st, exsc to last 3 (3, 5, 5, 7, 7) sts, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. (53 (59, 63, 69, 73, 79) sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, exsc2tog, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (51 (57, 61, 67, 71, 77) sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, exsc2tog, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (49 (55, 59, 65, 69, 75) sts) **
Repeat Rows 3-4 two (two, two, three, four, four) more times. (45 (51, 55, 59, 61, 67) sts)
Work 14 (16, 18, 18, 16, 18) rows in exsc without shaping.
Shoulder Shaping
Row 1: Sl st into 5th (5th, 6th, 8th, 8th, 8th) st, ch 1, sc into same st, exsc to last 5 (6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts, sc in next st, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. (37 (43, 45, 45, 47, 53) sts)
Row 2: Sl st into 5th (6th, 6th, 6th, 6th, 8th) st, ch 1, sc in same st, 4 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7) exsc.
Fasten off.
Skip 19 (21, 21, 21, 23, 23) center sts and join yarn with a sl st in next st, ch 1, exsc in same st, 3 (4, 5, 5, 5, 7) exsc, sc into next st, sl st in next st.
Fasten off.
Left Front
Repeat instructions for Back to ** after Row 4 of Armhole Shaping. 49 (55, 59, 65, 69, 75) sts
Keyhole Shaping
Row 1 RS: Ch 1, 23 (26, 28, 31, 33, 36) exsc, place SM in next st, turn leaving remaining sts unworked.
Row 2: Ch 1, exsc in each st across to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (22 (25, 27, 30, 32, 35) sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, exsc in each st to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (21 (24, 26, 29, 31, 34) sts)
Work 7 (7, 9, 11, 11, 11) rows in exsc without shaping.
Neckline
Row 1: Sl st into 4th (5th, 5th, 5th, 5th, 5th) st, ch 1, sc in same st, 17 (19, 21, 23, 24, 27) exsc, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 15 (17, 19, 21, 22, 25) exsc, exsc2tog, turn leaving remaining sts unworked (16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 26) sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, exsc2tog, 14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 24) exsc, turn. (15 (17, 19, 21, 22, 25) sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, 13 (15, 17, 19, 20, 23) exsc, exsc2tog, turn. (14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 24) sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, exsc2tog, 12 (14, 16, 18, 19, 22) exsc, turn. (13 (15, 17, 19, 20, 23) sts)
Work 2 (4, 4, 4, 4, 6) rows in exsc st without shaping.
Next Row: Sl st into 5th (5th, 6th, 8th, 8th, 8th) st, Ch 1, sc same st, 8 (10, 11, 11, 11, 14) exsc, turn. (9 (11, 12, 12, 12, 15) sts)
Next Row: Ch 1, 4 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7) exsc, sc in next st, sl st in next st. (5 (6, 7, 7, 7, 8) sts)
Fasten off.
Right Front
With RS facing, return to SM, skip SM stitch and the next 2 sts (3 sts in total),
*Row 1: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (22 (25, 27, 30, 32, 35) sts)
Repeat from * once more. (21 (24, 26, 29, 31, 34) sts)
Work 7 (7, 9, 11, 11, 11) rows in exsc without shaping.
Next Row: Exsc to last 3 (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked. (16 (18, 20, 22, 23, 26) sts)
Next Row: Exsc2tog, exsc to end, turn. (14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 24) sts)
Next Row: Exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn.
Next Row: Exsc2tog, exsc to end, turn.
Work 2 (4, 4, 4, 4, 6) rows in exsc without shaping.
Next Row: 8 (10, 11, 11, 11, 14) exsc, sc next st, turn. (9 (11, 12, 12, 12, 15) sts)
Next Row: Sl st into 5th (6th, 6th, 6th, 6th, 8th) st, Ch 1, sc same st, 4 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7) exsc. (5 (6, 7, 7, 7, 8) sts)
Fasten off
Sleeve (Make 2)
Fsc 48 (52, 56, 60, 66, 68).
Row 1: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 2: Sl st into 4th (4th, 6th, 6th, 8th, 8th) st, ch 1, exsc into same st, exsc to last 3 (3, 5, 5, 7, 7) sts, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. (42 (46, 46, 50, 52, 54) sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, exsc2tog, exsc to last 2 sts, exsc2tog, turn. (40 (44, 44, 48, 50, 52) sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Repeat Rows 3-4 four (four, six, five, six, seven) more times. (32 (36, 32, 38, 38, 38) sts)
Repeating Row 3, dec at each end of next and every following row until 16 (16, 16, 18, 18, 18) sts remain on row.
Next Row: Sl st into 3rd (3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 4th) st, ch 1, exsc2tog, 8 exsc, exsc2tog, sl st in next st. (10 sts)
Fasten off.
With Right Sides together sl st shoulder seams, turn garment to RS.
Collar
Row 1: Join MC with a sl st to top corner of neckline shaping, ch 1, pick up and sc in 3 (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) skipped sts, 12 (14, 15, 15, 15, 17) sc up curve of Right Front neck, 21 (23, 23, 23, 25, 25) sc around Back, 12 (14, 15, 15, 15, 17) sc down curve of Left Front, 3 (4, 4, 4, 4, 4) sts along sl st edge, changing to CC in last st. (51 (59, 61, 61, 63, 67) sts)
Fasten off MC.
Row 2: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 3: 2 exsc in first st, exsc to last st, 2 exsc in last st, turn. (53 (61, 63, 63, 65, 69) sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Change to larger hook hook
Rows 5-6: Rep Rows 3-4. (55 (63, 65, 65, 67, 71) sts)
Row 7: 2 exsc in first st, 4 (5, 7, 7, 5, 3) exsc, [2 exsc in next st, 6 (6, 6, 6, 5, 5) exsc] to last st, 2 exsc in last st (64 (73, 75, 75, 79, 84) sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 9: Ch 1, 2 exsc in first st, exsc to last st, 2 exsc last st, turn. Inc at each end of next row, turn. (66 (75, 77, 77, 81, 86) sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, exsc in each st across, turn.
Row 11: Work 1 row of Reverse sc around collar edge.
Keyhole Border
With larger hook hook, join MC with a sl st to corner of left collar seam where CC meets MC.
Ch 1, 13 (13, 15, 17, 17, 17) sc down Keyhole, sc3tog across 3 skipped sts, 13 (13, 15, 15, 15, 15) sc up opposite side. (27 (27, 31, 31, 31, 31) sts)
Make 4 ch, for buttonhole, reverse sc in each st around Keyhole to opposite corner.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Turn garment inside out and join side seams using whip stitch, make sure to take minimum seams to avoid losing sts on lower edge.
Join sleeve seam, place sleeve seam to side seam of dress, place center top of sleeve cap to shoulder seam and pin in place. Sew in sleeve easing to fit. Repeat for 2nd sleeve.
Turn dress right side out.
Lower Skirt Border
With RS facing and smaller hook, join CC to side seam with sl st.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), dc into each of the of lower edge Front and Back sts, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd. (138 (154, 170, 186, 202, 218) sts)
Change to larger hook hook,
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in first st, dc in each st around, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd. (139 (155, 171, 187, 203, 219) sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc into each st in rnd, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd.
Rnd 4: Ch 3, 3 dc, Polka Dot (see Special Stitches), *6 dc, Polka Dot, rep from * to last 1 (3, 5, 0, 2, 4) sts, dc to end, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd. (20 (22, 24, 26, 29, 31) Polka Dots)
Rnd 5-7: Repeat Rnd 3.
Rnd 8: Work 1 rnd of Crab st around entire skirt.
Fasten off.
Lower Sleeve Border
Row 1: With RS facing and 4mm hook, join CC to underarm seam with a sl st, ch 3, dc into each of the foundation ch sts around lower Sleeve, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd. (48 (52, 56, 60, 66, 68) sts)
Change to larger hook hook,
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc into each st in rnd, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd.
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc into each st in rnd, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd.
Rnd 4: Ch 3, 3 dc, Polka Dot, *6 dc, Polka Dot, rep from * to last 1 (5, 2, 6, 5, 0) st(s), dc to end, sl st into 3rd ch at beg rnd. (7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10) Polka Dots)
Rnd 5-7: Repeat Rnd 3.
Rnd 8: Work 1 rnd of Crab st around armhole.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Steam block work, pin out and dry flat paying particular attention to collar making sure it is folded over and flat against dress.
Sew on button.
Finish all ends.