For the Love of Tulips Dress
A dress, a peplum, and a tank top, all in one pattern.
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Detailed PDF pattern
Step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos.
Row tracker with all row & stitch counts for every size
Size-inclusive
Pattern written for 9 sizes (XS-5X) with instructions on customization.
Fits busts from 29.5″ to 65″.
What you'll need
🖤 Any sport or fingering weight yarn in the amounts shown below.
🖤 Hooks: 2.5 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm. I like to use my Clover Amours.
🖤 Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, 8 stitch markers.
Pattern support
🖤 For pattern related questions, please join my Facebook support group or contact me at thecrochethighway [at] gmail.com.
Join my Facebook support Group
I proud myself with writing ultra-detailed patterns for you, so that your crocheting experience is as smooth and seamless as possible. But whenever you have a pattern related question, my Facebook support group is the place to ask. There you can also share your WIPs and brag about your FOs with the community!
The INSPO
Is it a dress, a peplum, or a tank top? You get to choose!
A sister pattern to the For the Love of Tulips Tank, the dress version features the same tulips adorned yoke, but with even more texture! The main stitch pattern in the body, the lotus stitch, provides the best texture to compliment the yoke. The peplum and dress versions feature a dense fabric in the skirt section, so you can wear this with no underskirt!
Scroll down to the end of the page where I provide a photo gallery of my testers’ work. You can draw inspiration from a variety of beautiful color schemes.
The design
The For the Love of Tulips Dress is completely seamless and is constructed from the top down, allowing you to try it on as you go and providing customization instructions, to make any necessary adjustments in order to create a garment that fits YOU perfectly.
The body employs a series of short rows to make the transition from the rounded collar, with the back neck raised so the top sits nicely on your shoulders and back.
The rest of the garment is then worked normally in the round featuring the beautifully textured lotus stitch. The peplum and dress feature a ribbed stitch pattern for a non-transparent and ruffled skirt. A slip stitch edging is added around the armholes for that perfect finish!
The fabric is dense and not at all see through, allowing you to wear this directly on the skin on hot summer days! You can also opt for a chemise underneath or a blazer on top, for a classy and chic look.
The pattern
This advanced intermediate pattern has you covered with step-by-step instructions from start to finish, with tutorial photos to help you pass the more intricate sections.
Don’t get intimidated by the 2.5 mm hook mentioned under Materials. You’ll only need this for the yoke, to make sure the fabric is dense, ensuring the collar provides sufficient structure and the stitch definition is cranked up to the max. The rest of the garment is worked using larger hooks!
Once the yoke is done, the level of concentration required drops and you’ll be able to whip this up while binging your favorite show!
Like most CrochetHighway patterns, this pattern also comes with a detailed row tracker, laying out the stitch count for all short rows in all sizes. This is a handy tool that allows you to easily check your stitch count at any given point, for that peace of mind that you’re on track and haven’t missed anything!
Designer sample
I used Katia Capri for my dress sample (100% mercerized cotton, 13 WPI)). I’m wearing the dress in size 3, showing 4.25 cm (1.5″) of positive ease around the bust.
I preferred mercerized cotton for this due to its amazing stitch definition, durability, and subtle sheen. If wearing the garment with positive ease, you can use any 100% cotton sport weight yarn without the fear of it stretching out of shape. If you’re going to wear it with negative ease around the bust, I suggest a fiber with some stretch or elasticity to it.
Yardage
This is a size-inclusive pattern written for 9 sizes (XS-5X). You’ll need 3 colors: a main color, and 2 contrasting colors of any CYC 2 Sport weight, or CYC 1 Fingering weight yarn you can meet gauge with.
The approximate yardage for the main color is provided below for each individual size and style. Each size will also need approx. 45 m (50 yds) of each contrast color.
Tank top yardage:
985 (1035, 1125, 1270, 1380) (1465, 1625, 1710, 1780) m, or 1075 (1130, 1230, 1390, 1510) (1600, 1775, 1870, 1945) yds
Peplum top yardage:
1175 (1245, 1350, 1475, 1610) (1735, 1755, 1845, 1960) m, or 1285 (1360, 1475, 1615, 1760) (1895, 1920, 2020, 2145) yds
Dress yardage:
2455 (2630, 2940, 3060, 3165) (3315, 3415, 3455, 3580) m, or 2685 (2875, 3215, 3345, 3460) (3625, 3735, 3780, 3915) yds
Sizing
FINISHED BUST MEASUREMENTS
XS – 31.5”
S – 33.75”
M – 38.75”
L – 43.75”
XL – 48.5”
2X – 53.25”
3X – 58”
4X – 60.75”
5X – 63”
The sizing for this pattern is based on the standard Craft Yarn Council (CYC) measurements.
This garment is designed to be worn with no more than 5 cm (2″) of positive ease around the bust.
Measure around the fullest part of your bust and add up to 5 cm (2″) to this measurement, depending on your desired amount of positive ease, and choose a size that is closest to this number. If you’re in between sizes, size down.
Tried & tested substitution yarns
My testers used a variety of fibers including cotton and cotton blends, so scroll down to the tester photos where I included information on the yarn used by each of them. If you’re looking for inspiration or a quick yarn substitution idea, here’s a list of yarns used by my testers that they would gladly recommend for this design!
- Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 3 Ply Wool (100% wool)
- Cotton Kings Sultan, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Durable Coral, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Garnstudio DROPS Loves You 9, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Himalaya Deluxe Bamboo, sport weight (60% bamboo, 40% cotton)
- Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4, fingering weight (100% cotton)
- Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/6, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Hobbii Twister Solid, sport weight (55% cotton, 45% acrylic)
- Ice Yarns Camilla Cotton, sport weight (100% cotton)
- KnitPicks Shine Sport, sport weight (60% cotton, 40% viscose)
- Lion Brand A Star is Born: Oh Baby Organic, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Patons BumbleBee Baby Cotton, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Schachenmayr Organic Cotton, sport weight (100% cotton)
- Scheepjes Catona, sport weight (100% mercerized cotton)
- Silk City Fibers Bambu 7, sport weight (100% bamboo)
Pro tip! When gauge swatching, always crochet a swatch bigger than 10×10 cm (4×4″) — the larger the swatch, the more accurate your results! You can also get an idea of the drape your yarn will create based off of your gauge swatch.
Shop the Tulips Crochet Collection
The For the Love of Tulips Tank is part of the Tulips Crochet Collection – a collection featuring my original tulip stitch, with modern and vintage vibes mixed together to create truly unique items that you’ll be proud of.
Check out this series of crochet patterns for garments, accessories & home décor specifically designed to go perfectly together!
Check out my testers' versions
My patterns would not be so smooth without the input of my team of talented testers. Scroll alllll the way to the end of this photo gallery for some inspiration on various colors. Swipe left & right for more photos of your favorite versions!
Want to test my future patterns? Check out how you can become a pattern tester for CrochetHighway!
Size 1, using 1225 yds of Scheepjes Catona, sport weight (100% mercerized cotton)
Size 2, using 1158 yds of Silk City Fibers Bambu 7, sport weight (100% bamboo)
Size 4, using 1670 yds of locally sourced yarn, sport weight (100% cotton)
Size 1, using 1260 yds of Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic 3 Ply Wool (100% wool)
Size 3, using 2403 yds of Hobbii Twister Solid, sport weight (55% cotton, 45% acrylic)
Size 3, using 1176 yds of Schachenmayr Organic Cotton, sport weight (100% cotton)
Size 1, using 1280 yds of Ice Yarns Camilla Cotton, sport weight (100% cotton)
Size 4, using 1363 yds of Uru Yarn Sugared Sport by Knitcrate, sport weight (70% merino, 20% nylon, 10% stellina)
Size 7, using 2164 yds of Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/6 and Patons BumbleBee Baby Cotton, sport weight (100% cotton)
Size 3, using 1370 yds of Scheepjes Catona, sport weight (100% mercerized cotton)
Size 2, using 2252 yds of locally sourced yarn, lace weight held 2 together (85% silk, 15% cashmere)
Size 1, using 923 yds of Himalaya Deluxe Bamboo, sport weight (60% bamboo, 40% cotton)
Size 5, using 3190 yds of KnitPicks Shine Sport, sport weight (60% cotton, 40% viscose)
Size 1, using 2740 yds of Garnstudio DROPS Loves You 9, sport weight (100% cotton)
Size 4, using 3550 yds of locally sourced yarn, sport weight (cotton and acrylic blend)
Size 2, using 2908 yds of LHO Peruvian cotton, sport weight (100% mercerized cotton)
Size 2, using 2700 yds of Lion Brand A Star is Born: Oh Baby Organic, sport weight (100% cotton)
Size 7, using 1782 yds of Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4, fingering weight (100% cotton)
I’d LOVE to see your work, so be sure to shout out to me @CrochetHighway on Instagram and use the #CrochetHighway hashtag for a chance to be featured on my stories!
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