Temperature Dress

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (#3 Light) cotton or cotton-blend yarn. Shown in sample colors: Sky Blue (Color A, approx. 500/600/700 yds), Stormy Grey (Color B, approx. 400/500/600 yds), Sunshine Yellow (Color C, approx. 200/250/300 yds), White (Color D, approx. 150/200/250 yds). Total yardage: Size S: 1250 yds | Size M: 1550 yds | Size L: 1850 yds.


• Crochet Hook: Size 4.0 mm (G/6) or size needed to obtain gauge.


• Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers (4), measuring tape, scissors.

Gauge

4 inches (10 cm) = 14 hdc stitches x 10 rows in pattern (hdc in back loop only). Exact gauge is critical for fit. Adjust hook size if needed.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain


• sc – single crochet


• hdc – half double crochet


• hdc-blo – half double crochet in back loop only


• sl st – slip stitch


• st(s) – stitch(es)


• sk – skip


• rep – repeat


• RS – right side


• WS – wrong side


• BLO – back loop only


• FLO – front loop only


• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together (decrease)

Pattern Instructions

Important Notes

• Dress is worked top-down in one piece, with sleeves and skirt added separately.


• The body is worked flat (back and forth) until the armhole shaping is complete, then joined in the round for the skirt.


• The weather-themed stripes are created by alternating colors every 2 rows (or as indicated). Follow the stripe sequence: 2 rows Color A, 2 rows Color B, 2 rows Color C, 2 rows Color D, repeat. For a custom look, you may adjust stripe width.


• Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does NOT count as a stitch unless stated.


• Ch 2 at the beginning of a row DOES count as the first hdc.

Size Guide

• Size S: Bust 32-34 inches | Length (shoulder to hem) 34 inches


• Size M: Bust 36-38 inches | Length (shoulder to hem) 36 inches


• Size L: Bust 40-42 inches | Length (shoulder to hem) 38 inches

Yoke (Worked Flat)

Row 1 (RS): With Color A, ch 74 (80, 86). Hdc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as first hdc) and in each ch across. Turn. (72, 78, 84 sts)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (72, 78, 84 sts)

Rows 3-4: Repeat Row 2. At the end of Row 4, change to Color B by pulling new color through last loop. Cut Color A.

Rows 5-6: With Color B, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. At end of Row 6, change to Color C.

Rows 7-8: With Color C, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. At end of Row 8, change to Color D.

Rows 9-10: With Color D, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. At end of Row 10, change to Color A.

Rows 11-22 (12 rows total): Continue stripe sequence (2 rows each of A, B, C, D, A, B) working hdc-blo across. At the end of Row 22, you should have 22 rows total. Piece should measure approximately 8.5 (9, 9.5) inches from starting chain.

Divide for Armholes (Worked Flat)

Row 23 (RS, Color C): Ch 2, hdc-blo in next 17 (19, 21) sts (right front). Ch 4 (4, 5) for underarm, sk next 14 (15, 16) sts (right sleeve). Hdc-blo in next 24 (26, 28) sts (back). Ch 4 (4, 5) for underarm, sk next 14 (15, 16) sts (left sleeve). Hdc-blo in last 17 (19, 21) sts (left front). Turn. (62, 68, 76 sts + 8, 8, 10 underarm chains)

Row 24 (WS): Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st and in each ch across. Turn. (70, 76, 86 sts)

Skirt (Worked in the Round)

Round 1 (RS): Continue with Color C. Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch-2. Do not turn. (70, 76, 86 sts)

Rounds 2-4: Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 4, change to Color D.

Rounds 5-6: With Color D, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 6, change to Color A.

Rounds 7-8: With Color A, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 8, change to Color B.

Rounds 9-10: With Color B, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 10, change to Color C.

Begin Skirt Expansion (Increase Rounds):

Round 11 (Increase, Color C): Ch 2, hdc-blo in next 2 sts, (hdc-blo in next 3 sts, 2 hdc-blo in next st) rep around. Join. (87, 95, 107 sts)

Rounds 12-13: Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 13, change to Color D.

Rounds 14-15: With Color D, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 15, change to Color A.

Round 16 (Increase, Color A): Ch 2, hdc-blo in next 3 sts, (hdc-blo in next 4 sts, 2 hdc-blo in next st) rep around. Join. (104, 114, 128 sts)

Rounds 17-18: Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 18, change to Color B.

Rounds 19-20: With Color B, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 20, change to Color C.

Round 21 (Increase, Color C): Ch 2, hdc-blo in next 4 sts, (hdc-blo in next 5 sts, 2 hdc-blo in next st) rep around. Join. (121, 133, 149 sts)

Rounds 22-23: Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 23, change to Color D.

Rounds 24-25: With Color D, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 25, change to Color A.

Round 26 (Increase, Color A): Ch 2, hdc-blo in next 5 sts, (hdc-blo in next 6 sts, 2 hdc-blo in next st) rep around. Join. (138, 152, 170 sts)

Rounds 27-28: Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 28, change to Color B.

Continue for Skirt Length: Repeat the stripe sequence (2 rows each of B, C, D, A) without further increases until skirt measures 20 (22, 24) inches from the underarm. For a longer dress, repeat stripe sequence as desired.

Skirt Hem Border

Final Round (Color of your choice, or last color used): Ch 1 (does not count), sc in same st. *Ch 3, sk 1 st, sc in next st* rep around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Sleeves (Make 2, worked in the round from underarm)

Round 1 (RS): With Color A, attach yarn at center of underarm chain. Ch 2, hdc-blo in same st and in each ch and each skipped st around armhole. Join with sl st to top of ch-2. (18, 19, 21 sts)

Rounds 2-4: Ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At the end of Round 4, change to Color B.

Rounds 5-6: With Color B, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At end of Round 6, change to Color C.

Rounds 7-8: With Color C, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At end of Round 8, change to Color D.

Rounds 9-10: With Color D, ch 2, hdc-blo in each st around. Join. At end of Round 10, change to Color A.

Continue: Repeat stripe sequence until sleeve measures 6 (7, 8) inches from underarm. Fasten off.

Neckline Edging

Row 1 (RS): With Color A, attach yarn at center back neck. Ch 1, sc evenly around neckline. Join with sl st to first sc. (72, 78, 84 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Finishing

1. Weave in Ends: Using a yarn needle, weave in all color change ends carefully on the WS. Trim excess yarn.


2. Blocking: Lightly steam block or wet block the dress. Pin to desired measurements on a blocking mat, paying attention to the hem and neckline. Allow to dry completely. This evens out stitches and enhances the stripe pattern.


3. Optional Tie: Make a twisted cord or chain from Color A (approx. 40 inches) and weave it through the neckline or waistline as a drawstring for adjustable fit.

Tips

• Color Changes: To keep clean stripes, do not carry yarn up the side. Cut each color at the end of its 2-row repeat, leaving a 6-inch tail. Join new color with a sl st on the RS for a seamless look.


• Fit Adjustment: This dress has a relaxed A-line shape. For a more fitted bodice, work 2-4 decrease rows at the waist before the skirt expansion. To add width, work an extra increase round (spacing increases evenly) every 4 rounds instead of 6.


• Yarn Substitution: This pattern works beautifully with any DK weight yarn. If using a different fiber (e.g., acrylic or wool), check gauge and block carefully, as drape will vary. Cotton blends give the best stitch definition for weather-themed stripes.