Step into a world of vibrant color and intricate design with this stunning Tapestry Crochet Fair Isle Dress! Inspired by traditional folk patterns and holiday cheer, this long-sleeved midi dress features a kaleidoscope of hues and charming motifs. Perfect for adding a unique, handcrafted touch to your wardrobe, it’s a truly captivating project for intermediate crocheters eager to master colorwork techniques. Embrace slow fashion and create a timeless piece you’ll cherish.
Embrace Bohemian Chic and Folk Artistry with Your Own Handcrafted Dress
This dress isn’t just a garment; it’s a wearable piece of art, blending bohemian flair with the timeless appeal of folk patterns. Each stitch tells a story, making it a truly unique addition to your collection. Imagine turning heads at gatherings or enjoying a cozy, stylish day out in a creation that reflects your passion for craftsmanship. It’s an opportunity to express your creativity and wear it with pride, showcasing your dedication to handmade beauty.
Crochet Pattern: Craft Your Own Whimsical Wonderland: The Vibrant Tapestry Crochet Fair Isle Dress Pattern
Materials
- DK weight yarn (e.g., #3 Light Worsted) in: Red (Color A), Green (Color B), Blue (Color C), Yellow (Color D), Orange (Color E), White (Color F)
- 3.5mm (E-4) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rep: repeat
- rnd: round
- MC: Main Color
- CC: Contrasting Color
- sk: skip
Instructions
Gauge: 20 sc and 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) with 3.5mm hook, or hook to obtain gauge.
Notes:
- This dress is worked seamlessly in rounds from the top down using the tapestry crochet technique.
- Carry unused yarn colors loosely across the back of your work, switching colors as indicated to create the motifs. Always drop the unused color to the back of the work.
- Join each round with a sl st to the first sc and ch 1 before starting the next round, unless specified otherwise.
- Motif descriptions are general; for precise replication of the Fair Isle patterns (snowflakes, reindeer, florals, diamonds), a stitch chart would be highly recommended. Work patterns as evenly spaced repetitions around the circumference.
- This pattern is written for a women’s size Medium. Adjust initial chain for neckline and increase/decrease rates for other sizes.
Yoke & Bodice (Top Down)
Neckline (Color A – Red)
- Rnd 1: Using Color A, ch 120, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring. Ch 1, sc in each ch around. Join with sl st. (120 sc)
- Rnd 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st.
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 1 (Color A & F – Red with White Snowflakes)
- Rnd 4-7: Using Color A as MC, and Color F as CC, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating a repeating pattern of small white snowflake/star motifs evenly spaced. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 4, 8 sc in Rnd 6. (136 sc after Rnd 7)
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 2 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 8-10: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 9. (144 sc after Rnd 10)
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 3 (Color C & D – Blue with Yellow Diamonds)
- Rnd 11-14: Using Color C as MC, and Color D as CC, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating a repeating pattern of small yellow diamond/cross motifs. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 12, 8 sc in Rnd 14. (160 sc after Rnd 14)
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 4 (Color D, A, E, B – Yellow with Floral Pattern)
- Rnd 15-18: Using Color D as MC, and Colors A, E, B as CCs, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating a repeating pattern of larger floral/snowflake motifs. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 16, 8 sc in Rnd 18. (176 sc after Rnd 18)
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 5 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 19-21: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 20. (184 sc after Rnd 21)
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 6 (Color A & F – Red with White Snowflakes)
- Rnd 22-25: Using Color A as MC, and Color F as CC, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating small white snowflake/star motifs. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 23, 8 sc in Rnd 25. (200 sc after Rnd 25)
Upper Bodice – Pattern Band 7 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 26-28: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 8 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 27. (208 sc after Rnd 28)
Divide for Sleeves and Body
- Rnd 29: Ch 1, sc in first 52 sts (front body). Ch 6 (for armhole), sk next 52 sts (first sleeve). Sc in next 52 sts (back body). Ch 6 (for armhole), sk next 52 sts (second sleeve). Join with sl st to first sc. (116 body sts + 12 ch sts = 128 sts for body)
Body of Dress
Waist – Pattern Band 8 (Color C – Blue Solid)
- Rnd 30-33: Switch to Color C. Ch 1, sc in each st and ch around. Join with sl st. (128 sc)
Waist – Pattern Band 9 (Color D & E – Yellow with Orange Reindeer)
- Rnd 34-37: Using Color D as MC, and Color E as CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating a repeating pattern of small orange reindeer motifs. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 35, 4 sc in Rnd 37. (136 sc after Rnd 37)
Upper Skirt – Pattern Band 10 (Color B & A – Green with Red Diamonds)
- Rnd 38-41: Using Color B as MC, and Color A as CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating small red diamond/dot motifs. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 39, 4 sc in Rnd 41. (144 sc after Rnd 41)
Upper Skirt – Pattern Band 11 (Color A – Red Solid)
- Rnd 42-45: Switch to Color A. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 43, 4 sc in Rnd 45. (152 sc after Rnd 45)
Mid Skirt – Pattern Band 12 (Color C & D – Blue with Yellow Diamonds)
- Rnd 46-49: Using Color C as MC, and Color D as CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating small yellow diamond/dot motifs. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 47, 4 sc in Rnd 49. (160 sc after Rnd 49)
Mid Skirt – Pattern Band 13 (Color D & E – Yellow with Orange Reindeer)
- Rnd 50-53: Using Color D as MC, and Color E as CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating small orange reindeer motifs. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 51, 4 sc in Rnd 53. (168 sc after Rnd 53)
Mid Skirt – Pattern Band 14 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 54-57: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 55, 4 sc in Rnd 57. (176 sc after Rnd 57)
Mid Skirt – Pattern Band 15 (Color A & B – Red with Green Cross Motifs)
- Rnd 58-61: Using Color A as MC, and Color B as CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating small green cross motifs. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 59, 4 sc in Rnd 61. (184 sc after Rnd 61)
Lower Skirt – Pattern Band 16 (Color C – Blue Solid)
- Rnd 62-65: Switch to Color C. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 63, 4 sc in Rnd 65. (192 sc after Rnd 65)
Lower Skirt – Pattern Band 17 (Color D, A, B, E – Yellow with Large Floral Pattern)
- Rnd 66-70: Using Color D as MC, and Colors A, B, E as CCs, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating larger floral patterns (similar to Band 4, but potentially larger in scale with more rounds). Increase 6 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 67, 6 sc in Rnd 69. (204 sc after Rnd 70)
Lower Skirt – Pattern Band 18 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 71-74: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 72, 4 sc in Rnd 74. (212 sc after Rnd 74)
Lower Skirt – Pattern Band 19 (Color A & B – Red with Green Cross Motifs)
- Rnd 75-78: Using Color A as MC, and Color B as CC, ch 1, sc in each st around, creating small green cross motifs. Increase 4 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 76, 4 sc in Rnd 78. (220 sc after Rnd 78)
Hem Edging (Color A – Red)
- Rnd 79: Switch to Color A. Ch 1, sc in each st around. (220 sc)
- Rnd 80 (Scallop): Ch 1, *sk 2 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st; rep from * around. Join with sl st to first sl st. Fasten off.
Sleeves (Make 2)
- Rnd 1: Join Color A to the center of the 6 ch sts at the armhole. Ch 1, sc 6 sts into ch space, then sc 52 sts around the armhole edge. Join with sl st. (58 sc)
- Rnd 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each st around.
Sleeve – Pattern Band 1 (Color A & F – Red with White Snowflakes)
- Rnd 4-7: Using Color A as MC, and Color F as CC, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating small white snowflake/star motifs. Decrease 2 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 5, 2 sc in Rnd 7. (54 sc after Rnd 7)
Sleeve – Pattern Band 2 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 8-10: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Decrease 2 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 9. (52 sc after Rnd 10)
Sleeve – Pattern Band 3 (Color C & D – Blue with Yellow Diamonds)
- Rnd 11-14: Using Color C as MC, and Color D as CC, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating small yellow diamond/cross motifs. Decrease 2 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 12, 2 sc in Rnd 14. (48 sc after Rnd 14)
Sleeve – Pattern Band 4 (Color D, A, E, B – Yellow with Floral Pattern)
- Rnd 15-18: Using Color D as MC, and Colors A, E, B as CCs, ch 1, work sc in each st around, creating floral/snowflake motifs. Decrease 2 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 16, 2 sc in Rnd 18. (44 sc after Rnd 18)
Sleeve – Pattern Band 5 (Color B – Green Solid)
- Rnd 19-21: Switch to Color B. Ch 1, sc in each st around. Decrease 2 sc evenly spaced in Rnd 20. (42 sc after Rnd 21)
Cuff Edging (Color A – Red)
- Rnd 22: Switch to Color A. Ch 1, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
- Rnd 23: Ch 1, *sk 1 st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st; rep from * around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Finishing
- Weave in all loose ends securely.
- Block your dress gently to shape and enhance stitch definition.