Crochet Granny Dress With Long Sleeves

If you are ready to create your very own crochet granny dress this season then look no further! This retro crochet dress pattern is anything but old fashioned and has been brought right up to trend with options here for long sleeves, sleeveless and tonnes of styling options!

Whether you’ll wear yours as a long sleeve dress, an oversized sweater, a short sleeved tunic or as a beach cover up you’ll be sure to look amazing. Just think of all the styling options you have from this simple 3 piece construction.

In adult sizes from XS to 5XL (30″-62″ chest sizes) you can create any length of dress you want and add optional neckline, cuff and bottom band details with simple stitches.

In this post you’ll find everything you need to know how to make this granny stitch dress, including materials, stitches, a detailed video tutorial and free written pattern for blog subscribers.

Using the granny stitch for crochet clothes is such a fun and easy way to not only add colour (if you want to of course!) but also to add a beautiful drape to your work.

The delicate ch1 spaces between the granny clusters allows the fabric to flow and drape over your body perfectly and that’s why it’s so important to make sure to choose the right yarn for this project so that it isn’t too stiff – more on that later!

Even if you’re just a beginner at crochet then this dress is a great make for you! The beauty of it is that it uses just basic stitches, has a super easy construction (back and forth in long rows) and is quick to make too.

If you love the granny style like me then you’ll also enjoy some of my other designs that use it!

If you are a beginner then the best place to start is with my granny square poncho pattern I think. This is another of my designs that works equally well with or without sleeves.

I also have an adult granny cardigan and a sweater in the same granny stitch style. Then of course if you have little ones in your life then you’ll need to get making for them too!

My Franny Granny patterns for children include a child granny stitch cardigan, sweater and hoodie 🙂

For this design I went for using a whole host of summer colours but you can use as many or a few as you like of course. It would make an amazing yarn stash buster piece and you could really go for it with your colour placement.

A single colour version would completely change the look of the piece don’t you think though? A cool and sophisticated crochet dress that you could easily dress up for a night out anywhere or also wear to the beach!

Granny Stitch Dress, Tunic or Cover Up?

If you are anything like me then you like for your clothes to be multi purpose! I enjoy being able to style my crochet lots of ways so that I don’t just wear it for one occasion.

This crochet granny dress is the perfect example of this! The pattern is written for a 31″ length which is a standard mini dress length and you can see where it sits on me (I’m 5ft 7in) but if you don’t want to wear it as a dress then how about popping a pair of leggings or trousers on with it like I have here?

Just look at the difference it makes using it as a short sleeved crochet tunic!

Alternatively you can style it with any length of sleeve you like and I love to put a belt around to add some shape to the dress too!

I wear a belt most of the time as don’t really enjoy wearing baggy clothes so this is another easy way to transform your granny stitch dress to suit you.

I really believe that any fashion trend can suit anyone but you have to feel comfortable in it – make sure that you create a look that makes you feel confident and fabulous!

Comfy Worsted is soft, machine washable, and lightweight yarn. Comfy is the ultimate solution for easy care and warm-weather projects.

The breathability and softness of natural Pima cotton allow for comfortable wearing, while the touch of acrylic microfiber adds just the right amount of elasticity. This worsted-weight cotton blend has superior wearability and longevity, which you are sure to appreciate over the years. Excellent stitch definition, too!

It’s a category 4, worsted weight yarn which gives a fabulous drape and feel to the dress. Check our handy yarn weight chart and guide to find out more about yarn weights and categories.

I used the following shades to make my dress:

I used Ivory as my main colour and approximately 50% of the garment is in this shade.

I then used equal parts of Copper, Conch, Sea Foam and Marlin. I used only a small amount of Parchment and Flamingo.

How much yarn do I need to crochet the dress?

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Sleeveless Dress:

You will require approximately 720 (760, 850, 935, 935) (1060, 1145, 1230, 1315) metres, 785 (835, 925, 1020, 1020) (1160, 1250, 1345, 1435) yards of yarn to crochet the sleeveless granny dress.

This is 8, (8, 9, 10, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14) balls of the recommended yarn.

Additional Yarn for Long Sleeved Dress:

In addition to the above yarn, you will require approximately 360 (380, 400, 420, 440) (460, 480, 500, 520) metres, 395 (415, 435, 460, 480) (500, 525, 545, 565) yards of yarn to crochet the sleeves if you wish to add them.

This is 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) balls of the recommended yarn.

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Video Tutorial: Follow Along to Create Your Top

Included in the video tutorial:

We begin by creating the Body of the dress side to side in one flat panel with shaping for neckline.

The First Side section is created before splitting for the neckline and working a Front and Back Centre Panel.

The Second Side section is then added in rows to the Centre Panels.

The sides are seamed to create armholes if leaving sleeveless.

The Sleeves are made separately and seamed into place.

The sides and underarms are then seamed together.

The Neckline is then added to complete the dress with the option to make it as deep as you like.

Crochet Terms You’ll Need to Know

Glossary and Abbreviations

beg – beginning

blo – back loop only

ch(s) – chain(s)

ch-sp(s) – chain space(s)

GC – Granny Cluster (3dc)

rep – repeat

RS – right side

sp – space

ss/sl st – slip stitch

st(s) – stitch(es)

WS – wrong side

Yoh – yarn over hook

Yo slst – yarn over slip stitch

Stitches

The pattern is written in standard US terms and uses the following crochet stitches:

sc – single crochet (UK dc – double crochet)

hdc – half double crochet (UK htr – half treble crochet)

dc – double crochet (UK tr – treble crochet)

Special Stitches

If you are new to working the granny stitch then why not try a starter project first? This easy granny stitch hat pattern is worked in rounds rather than rows but is a great place to practise those double crochet stitches.

Yo slst – Yarn over slip stitch

Yoh, insert your hook, yoh and pull through stitch and all loops on the hook.

Granny Cluster

The term Granny Cluster (GC) is used in the pattern in the stitch counts and instructions refer to sets of 3dc throughout. This is where we will see the look of the traditional granny stitch.

Stacked Double Crochet

A stacked double crochet is a great alternative to a turning chain that stacks 2 single crochet stitches on top of each other to reach the height of a double crochet.

Foundation Half Double Crochet (Fhdc)

Ch 2, yarn over, insert hook into second ch from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop. [3 loops on hook]

Yarn over and pull up another loop i.e. ch 1. This creates the first “chain” in your foundation row. [still 3 loops on hook]

Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the Fhdc.

Making Your Crochet Granny Dress Fit You Perfectly

Once you have chosen the correct chest size you’d like to make, the rest of the design is easy to adjust to fit as you would like it to.

The dress is designed to have 10-14 inches of positive ease all over with straight sleeves.

The dress is worked from the side across so to adjust the length you will need to do this by changing your Foundation Chain.

Length: To adjust the length, you can make your Foundation Chain of any multiple of 4.

Changing the length of the dress will mean that you will need to adjust where you place your neckline.

Neckline Depth: You can leave as many or as few of the Granny Clusters for the Neckline. The pattern has double the amount left at the Front than the Back so make sure to bear this in mind if adjusting here.

Sleeve Length: You can adjust the Sleeves by making your Foundation Chain any multiple of 4.

Armhole Depth: You can work as many row repeats of the Sleeve  to change the armhole depth and then seam in place.

There are lots of options discussed in the video tutorial so make sure to give it a watch before beginning your project.

• A ch1 at the beg does not count as a st.
• Work a stacked dc or ch3 at the beg of each Row as you prefer.
• The pattern is worked in turned rows.
• The pattern assumes that you are using the same colour throughout but feel free to change colour at any point.
• Read through the entire pattern before beginning.
• Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
• Make sure that you are familiar with all of the stitches in the abbreviations list before you begin.
• Instructions are given for the smallest size, with larger sizes in brackets ( ). E.g. XS (S, M, L, XL), (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).
• If an instruction does not apply to a particular size then a – is used instead of a number. E.g. – (-, 4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) means that the XS and S sizes do not apply to this instruction.
• Stitch counts are given in [ ] at the end of each Row. If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous Row.
• ‘Granny Cluster(s)’ in the stitch counts and instructions refer to sets of 3dc throughout.
• Make sure to check your gauge before beginning using the Gauge Swatch instructions to ensure the garment meets the desired measurements.

Copyright Notice

The Granny Stitch Crochet Dress Pattern and its contents are fully owned and copyrighted by HanJan Crochet Ltd., and all rights are reserved.

This pattern is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the author (Hannah Cross of HanJan Crochet Ltd).

Unauthorised distribution or reproduction of this pattern or elements of the instructions is strictly prohibited. The free to view crochet pattern is intended for personal viewing only. By accessing this pattern, you acknowledge and agree to comply with these copyright terms and conditions.

Pattern Support

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Crochet Pattern Free for Blog Subscribers to View

US Terminology

FRONT NECKLINE

Join yarn to ch1-sp after the other hdc on Neckline Shaping Row. You will now continue to work in the same direction as Row 1 of the Back neckline.

The Front Neckline will now work for the remaining stitches of this row.

Row 1: stacked dc in ch1-sp, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to penultimate ch1-sp, 3dc in last ch1-sp, skip next 2sts, dc in last st, turn, [21 GC, 2 dc, 20 ch1-sps]

Row 2: (stacked dc, 2dc) in 1st st, ch1, skip next GC, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to last ch1-sp, 3dc in last st, turn, [22 GC, 21 ch-1sps]

Row 3: stacked dc in 1st st, skip next 2sts, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to penultimate ch1-sp, 3dc in last ch1-sp, skip next 2sts, dc in last st, turn.

Row 2 and 3 create the Back Neckline Set Pattern.

Rows 4-11: Repeat the Back Neckline Set Pattern.

The next row joins the Front and Back Necklines.

Row 12: (stacked dc, 2dc) in 1st st, ch1, skip next GC, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to last ch1-sp, 3dc in last st, ch1, Fhdc, ch27, Fhdc, ch1, ss into first st of Back Neckline Row 12. Break yarn.

This creates the neck hole. Turn the work.

SECOND SIDE PANEL

Join yarn to last stitch of Back Neckline Row 12.

Row 1: stacked dc in 1st st, skip next 2sts, (3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC) to ch1-sp before last GC of Back Neckline, ch1, skip GC, 3dc in ch1 before Fhdc, ch1, skip Fhdc, dc in each of the next 3chs, (ch1, skip next ch, dc in  each of the next 3chs) to next Fhdc, skip Fhdc, 3dc in next ch1, ch1, skip next GC, (3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC) to penultimate ch1-sp, 3dc in last ch1-sp, skip next 2sts, dc in last st, turn.

Row 2: (stacked dc, 2dc) in 1st st, ch1, skip next GC, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to last ch1-sp, 3dc in last st, turn.

Row 3: stacked dc in 1st st, skip next 2sts, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to penultimate ch1-sp, 3dc in last ch1-sp, skip next 2 sts, dc in last st, turn.

Row 4: Rep Row 2

Rows 3 and 4 create the Body Set Pattern.

Rows 5-12 (14, 16, 18, 18) (20, 22, 24, 26): Repeat the Body Set Pattern.

Break Yarn.

Weave in your ends and block to measurements.

If you are making the sleeveless version continue for the Sleeveless Side Seams.

If you are adding sleeves then continue to the Sleeve Section. Do not seam the sides yet.

SLEEVELESS SIDE SEAMS

You can crochet or sew your seams together as you prefer.

With the WS facing you, fold the dress so that the first and last stitches of each Row are lined up with each other.

Using your chosen method, seam the corresponding stitches together for 83 (81, 80, 78, 76) (74, 73, 71, 69) stitches. Or however many you prefer for a comfortable armhole.

The premium PDF pattern includes instructional diagrams for the construction process.

SLEEVES

Make 2 matching sleeves. Adjust the Foundation chain by any multiple of 4 to change the length to suit you.

Foundation chain: ch 64 (64, 60, 60, 60) (60, 60, 56, 52)

Row 1: stacked dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next 2chs, ch1, skip next ch, *dc in next 3chs, ch1, skip next ch; rep from * across to last 3chs, dc in last 3chs, turn, [16 (16, 15, 15, 15) ((15, 15, 14, 13) GC, 53 ch-sps]

Row 2: stacked dc in 1st st, skip next 2sts, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to penultimate ch1-sp, 3dc in last ch1-sp, skip next 2sts, dc in last st, turn.

Row 3: (stacked dc, 2dc) in 1st st, ch1, skip next GC, *3dc in next ch1-sp, ch1, skip next GC; rep from * to last ch1-sp, 3dc in last st, turn.

Row 4: Rep Row 2

Rows 3 and 4 create the Sleeve Set Pattern.

Rows 5-24 (26, 28, 30, 32) (32, 34, 38, 38): Repeat the Sleeve Set Pattern.

Sizes XS, 2XL, 3XL, 5XL only:

Next Row: Repeat Row 3.

Break yarn.

Weave in ends and block to measurements.

JOINING SLEEVES

You can crochet or sew your seams together as you prefer.

With the WS facing you, place Sleeve in the centre of the dress, use stitch markers to secure in place along the side of the Sleeve end to make sure your seam will be even.

Join with your preferred seaming method.

Repeat for the other Sleeve.

SIDE AND UNDER ARM SEAMS

With the WS facing, we can now seam up the sides and under the arms of the dress on either side.

Fold the dress so that the first and last stitches of each Row are lined up with each other at the bottom.

Seam from the bottom up to the under arm. Continue to join the under arm seam all the way to the cuff.

Repeat on the other side of the dress.

NECKLINE EDGING

With the RS of the dress facing you, join yarn to 1st ch of neckline at the back.

Round 1: ch1, yo slst in each ch, 2 yo slst in side of each dc around the neckline. Do not join or turn, work in continuous rounds now.

Round 2: yo slst in 3rd loop of each st around.

Round 3: yo slst in 3rd loop of each st around, ss in 1st to join. Break yarn and weave in ends.

You can work as many or as few rounds of the Neckline Edging as you like.

SLEEVE CUFF EDGING (optional)

With the RS of the dress facing you, join yarn to stitch at underarm seam on Sleeve edge.

Round 1: ch1, 2 yo slst in side of each dc around the Sleeve edge. Do not join or turn, work in continuous rounds now.

Round 2: yo slst in 3rd loop of each st around.

Round 3: yo slst in 3rd loop of each st around, ss in 1st to join. Break yarn and weave in ends.

You can work as many or as few rounds of the Sleeve Cuff Edging as you like.

DRESS EDGING (optional)

With the RS of the dress facing you, join yarn to stitch at side seam on bottom of Dress.

Round 1: ch1, 2 yo slst in side of each dc around the Dress edge. Do not join or turn, work in continuous rounds now.

Round 2: yo slst in 3rd loop of each st around.

Round 3: yo slst in 3rd loop of each st around, ss in 1st to join. Break yarn and weave in ends.

You can work as many or as few rounds of the Dress Edging as you like.

When you are happy with the fit of your garment, weave in all ends and block to measurements.

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Inspiration: Other Granny Stitch Patterns

If you enjoy crocheting all things granny stitch then you’ll love these too:

• Granny Square Crop Top – quick, fun and bang on trend.
• Granny Stitch Stocking – a bit of festive fun!
• Granny Square Sweater – a super easy beginner make using just 4 granny squares.

Congratulations on completing your granny dress (or whichever version you decide on)! 🌟 Now that you’ve crafted this stunning piece, why stop here? Dive into my other fun adult crochet garment patterns, each waiting to be transformed into your next crochet masterpiece.

Don’t forget to share your creations with me on social media—I love seeing your unique twists and colourful creations! Join our community of crochet enthusiasts, where we share tips, tricks, and plenty of crafting inspiration. So, grab your hooks, explore more patterns, and let’s continue this crochet adventure together! Happy stitching! 🧶✨