7 Free Knit or Crochet Dress Patterns

Have you been wondering how to crochet a dress? Perhaps knitting is more your style. Many crafters these days make their own clothing for the love of the craft, to make something unique to add to their wardrobe or simply because it’s a thrifty option. One of the ways these crafters are making awesome new duds is from knit or crochet dress patterns. There are many free options for these patterns scattered throughout the Internet. These seven free knit or crochet dress patterns are only the beginning, but they’ll give you a good starting point if you’re interested in knitting or crocheting your own dresses. 

Simple A-Line Dress

This dress is perhaps more suited for when the weather becomes warmer, but it’s an adorable and simple design. For this summer dress pattern, you’ll need about 4-5 skeins of medium weight yarn and a US size K hook. To create a gradation of color, as shown in the example here, choose several shades of one color. Or, make a solid block color dress instead. 

Find more directions for this summer dress pattern at Esther Lunie.

Shinjuku Dress

This shift dress pattern is known as the Shinjuku and has a stylish drop-waist with three-quarter length sleeves. Ravelry suggests that a Worsted / 10 ply (9 wpi) Berroco Vintage yarn be used for this project, and the gauge is 20 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches in stockinette. If warm colors are used, this would be a great fall dress paired with some leggings or tights. 

Find more directions for this shift dress pattern at Ravelry.

Nightfall Dress

This shift dress pattern is based on an elegant cocktail dress and could be worn to any swanky evening event. This dress is crocheted, though, so be sure to wear something underneath! For this project, the suggested yarn is J. & P. Coats Crochet Nylon fine (sport) weight size 18 (150 yds per tube): 10 [12, 14, 16] tubes #20 navy, and the hook needed is a size E/4/3.5mm. 

Find more directions for this evening dress pattern at Raverly.

Anna Dress

The Anna dress is a cozy, ribbed shift dress that would be a great item to have in your winter wardrobe. This project suggests using Berroco Sensuwool Tweed and the example dress shown here is made with the color Shaker Gray. Knitting needles needed for this dress are size 6 and 7 straight knitting needles, as well as a 16" length circular knitting needle, size 6. 

Find more directions for the Anna shift dress pattern at Berroco.

Chanel Style Dress

This adorable Chanel style dress is an elegant piece that could easily be worn on a breezy spring or summer day. A ribbon is threaded through loops at the waist to create a more defined waistline. For this project, Fine Yarn Art is suggested, and a hook number 3 is needed. This dress pattern is available free online in English, Spanish and Russian. 

Find more directions for this shift dress pattern at Ravelry.

Margarita Dress

This vintage shift dress pattern comes from Book #768 of The Knit Scene, which was published way back in 1963! This dress pattern would be great for anyone looking to add a vintage flair to their wardrobe. The suggested materials for this project include Nantuk Sports Yarn (2 oz. pull skein), one pair each "Boye" Sizes 5 and 6, one crochet hook Size 0 and one "Hiawatha" blunt-end tapestry needle.

Find more directions for this shift dress pattern at Free Vintage Knitting.

Noyaux Dress

The Noyaux dress is an adorable sweater-type dress with a ribbed bodice and lace stitch on the skirt. With three-quarter inch sleeves, this is an attractive and simple pattern for any season. The suggested yarn for this project is Berroco Blackstone Tweed, and the yarn weight is Aran / 10 ply (8 wpi). 

Find more directions for this shift dress pattern at Ravelry.

Credits: Esther Lunie, Ravelry/Lelu, Berroco, Free Vintage Knitting, Ravelry/Cirilia Rose.