Making for my six year old, so I’m altering the pattern to fit. Had to account for the fact that I’m using a lighter weight yarn too. Started with a chain of 34. Using a dress of hers with a similar neckline as a guide, and making it a smidge bigger so it will fit next summer too.

My gauge:
21 dc x 12 rows = 4” x 4”

Finished measurements:
Almost 19” from top to bottom

Note:
Since my yarn was lighter, I wanted the puff stitches to “pop” more, so I repeated the “yarn over/pull up a loop” 8 times for each puff stitch instead of 5 times. That gave it a puffier look that was more similar to a worsted weight puff stitch.

Updated stitch counts:

Ch 34
R1: 33 sc
R2: 18 dc and 17 ch sp
R3: 35 dc
R4: 37 dc
R5: 37 dc
R6: 39 dc
R7: 39 dc
Added 9 additional rows here:
R8-9: 41 dc
R10-11: 43 dc
R12-13: 45 dc
R14-15: 47 dc
R16: 49 dc
Fasten off.
Measured 9.5” across and 5” long after R16.

If using an ombré yarn, STOP and crochet the straps now before the next color starts in your yarn!! (If your yarn color changes faster, crochet the straps first). I did a halter-style strap for simplicity’s sake and for a more customizable fit

Halter straps:
FSC until the strap is about 11”. Make two and attach in the top corners. Sew in ends.

Next part:
R17: (was R8 in the original pattern) Ch 32. Working into Row 16, work 2 dc in first st, dc across the next 47 sts, work 2 dc into the last st. Ch 34. (51 dc + 66 ch = 117 sts total)
R18: (was R9) dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc across in every chain and st (115 dc)
Measured 24” across after R18
R19: 115 dc
R20: ch 2, turn, work a dc into next 9 sts, puff section, dc in next 18 st, puff, repeat 5 times, dc in last 10 st (109 dc)
R21: … dc 10, puff section, dc 18, puff section, repeat, dc 9 (109 dc)
R22: … dc 9, etc, dc 18, etc, dc into last 10 (109 st)
R23: … dc 9, etc, dc 20, etc, dc into last 8 st, etc
Flap now created for buttons.
Unbuttoned and flat, the back here is about 12.5” across.

R24: … dc 8, etc, dc 20, etc, dc into last 9 sts and sl st to 1st dc (129 dc)

I stopped counting total st for each round at this point and instead counted the number of dc in between the puff stitches (not the beginning/end dc counts though as they were not the same as the middle of the rounds). For instance, R24 had 20 dc between puff stitches.

I found that I kept forgetting if I was doing a “skip” round (where you don’t put a dc in the puff st or CCh) and an increase round where you do put those dc sts in the beginning and end of the puff stitches. I ended up putting a hair band on my hook when I was on an increase round and taking it off on a “skip” round, so I could easily remember which one I was doing, because #mombrain.

I had 52 rows total before doing the trim. My last two rounds had 48 dc between puff stitches before stopping. I didn’t want to play yarn chicken because I thought I’d lose, so I did just rounds 1 and 2 of the trim. Didn’t keep track of the st counts for this, but it worked out pretty well.

My daughter loves the dress and can’t wait to wear it! Which is high praise coming from her lol #momwin