Cropped Blouse and Skirt with Lace Ruffles for 18-inch Doll

Free Doll Blouse and Skirt Crochet Pattern

Welcome to this crochet pattern for a beautiful and stylish outfit for your 18-inch doll! This pattern includes instructions for creating a Cropped Blouse and Skirt, both of which are adorned with intricate lace ruffles. The cropped blouse features a ruffle that echoes the neckline, covering the top of the arms, while the skirt boasts four layers of the same ruffle. Crocheted from a contrasting color thread, this outfit will give your doll a stunning and unique look that is sure to impress. Follow along with the step-by-step instructions to create a fashionable and timeless ensemble for your doll that is perfect for any occasion.

Skills Required/Techniques Used:

- Basic crochet stitches: chain (ch), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), slip stitch (sl.st)

FINISHED SIZE: to fit 18-inch dolls, such as American Girl Doll.

Materials: Aunt Lydia (affiliate link)'s Crochet thread Classic 10, 100% Mercerized Cotton, 350 yds any color - 1 ball, and cotton thread of contrasting color #30, such as Cebelia #30 thread, size 30, 100% Cotton (567 yards (518 meters) / 50 grams) – 1 ball, for ruffles.

Hook: 1.75 mm and 1.25 mm OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

Gauge: 11 V-sts x 16 rows = 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm) in V-st

Notions:
- 2-3 sew-on snaps, size 2/0
- Tapestry needle to weave in yarn ends
- Stitch marker (optional) - for your convenience place the marker on the right side (RS) of the working piece.
- Sewing needle and thread of matching color to attach snaps

Abbreviations:

st, sts - stitch, stitches
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
ch, chs - chain, chains
sp - space
sl.st. - slip stitch
V-st - V-stitch, here (1 dc, ch1, 1 dc) in the indicated stitch
V-st in V-st - V-stitch in V-stitch, here V-st in the ch-1-space of the V-st of the previous row/round
DV-st - double V-stitch, here (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the indicated stitch
DV-st in DV-st - double V-stitch in double V-stitch, here DV-st in the ch-2-space of the DV-st of the previous row/round.
MC - main color
CC - contrast color
RS - right side
WS - wrong side


Short Overview of the Pattern:

The blouse is worked top down in V-sts, back and forth till waist line, with the opening on the back. The ruffle is added after the blouse is done.
The skirt is worked in rounds with V-stitches. Ruffles are added after the skirt is done.


Directions

Blouse

Work with thread #10 and hook 1.75 mm.

Loosely chain 75. Note: if you crochet very tight, take a hook of 1 size larger for making the base chain.

Row 1: 1 dc in the 4th chain from the hook, 1 dc in each of the next 2 chains, *skip the next chain, V-st in the next chain repeat from * 33 times, to the last 4 chains, skip the next chain, 1 dc in the last 3 chains. Turn.

Rows 2 and 3: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, *V-st in V-st - repeat from * 33 times, 1 dc in each of the last 3 dc. Turn.

Divide for sleeves and bodice

Row 4: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, 1 V-st in each of the next 5 V-sts, ch 11, skip 6 V-sts, 1 V-st in each of the next 11 V-sts, ch 11, skip 6 V-sts, 1 V-st in each of the next 5 V-sts, 1 dc in each of the last 3 dc. Turn.

Row 5: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, 1 V-st in each of the next 5 V-sts, (1 dc in the chain of the ch-11-space, ch 1, skip the next chain)x 5 times, 1 dc in the last chain of the ch-11-space, 1 V-st in each of the next 11 V-sts, (1 dc in the chain of the ch-11-space, ch 1, skip the next chain) 5 times, 1 dc in the last chain of the ch-11-space, 1 V-st in each of the next 5 V-sts, 1 dc in each of the last 3 dc. Turn.

Row 6: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, 1 V-st in each of the next 5 V-sts, (1 V-st in each ch-1-space) x 5 times, 1 V-st in each of the next 11 V-sts,(1 V-st in each ch-1-space)x5 times, 1 V-st in each of the next 5 V-sts, 1 dc in each of the last 3 dc. Turn.

Row 7: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, V-st in each of the next 31 V-sts, 1 dc in each of the last 3 dc. Turn.

Repeat row 7 five (5) more times or to desired length.

Ruffle

With hook 1.25 and thread # 30. Hold the working piece with right side facing. Start on the level of the third row. Fasten thread.

Row 1: ch 3, 1 dc in the next dc, 1 V-st in the next dc, * V-st in the next V-st, V-st between 2 V-sts - repeat from * to the last 3 dc, V-st in the first dc,
1 dc in each of the last 2 dc. Turn.

Row 2: ch 3, 1 dc in the next dc, *V-st in the V-st, 1 dc in the next V-st, - repeat from * to the last V-st, V-st in the last V-st, 1 dc in each of the last 2 dc. Turn.

Repeat row 2 two more times.

The last row: sc in each stitch across. Tie off.

Finishing

Weave in all yarn ends. Sew the snaps on the button bands of the blouse formed by 3 dc in the beginning and end of each row.


Skirt

Work with thread #10 and hook 1.75 mm.

Loosely chain 80 and join into round with slip stitch, take care not to twist the chain.

Round 1: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch1), *skip the next ch, 1 dc in the next ch, ch 1 - repeat from * around, join with sl. st.

Round 2: ch4 (counts as 1 dc and ch1), 1 dc in ch-1-space, *skip dc, V-st in each ch-1-space - repeat from * around, join with sl-st.

Repeat round 2 fourteen (14) more times. Tie off.

Ruffles

Work with thread #30 and hook 1.25mm.

Fasten thread on the hem in the ch-1-space of the first V-stitch at the beginning of the round.

Round 1: ch4 (counts as 1 dc and ch1), 1 dc in the same ch-1-space, *V-st between the neighboring V-sts, V-st in the next V-st - repeat from * around, join with sl st.

Round 2: with a sl st move to the ch-1space of the V-st, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in the same ch-1-sp, ch2, 2 dc in the same ch-1-space, * 1 dc in the next V-st, DV-st in the next V-st - repeat from * around, join with sl. st.

Round 3: with 2 sl sts move the ch-2-sp, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in the same ch-2-sp, ch2, 2 dc in the same ch-2-space , 1 dc in the next dc, DV-st in the next DV-st - repeat from * around, join with sl. st.

Repeat round 3 three (3) more times.

Last round: make a round of sc in each st. Tie off.

In the same way crochet the ruffles in rounds 4, 7, 10 (counting from the hem line) of the skirt.


Belt

You can insert a ribbon into the "eyes" formed by the first and second rounds, or you can crochet the belt. Chain a string of necessary length and make a row of sc in each chain across.

Finishing

Weave in all yarn ends. Insert the belt.

Have fun!