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# **Boho Lace Square Shift Dress**

A stunning advanced-level shift dress featuring large openwork lace squares arranged to create dramatic plunging V-necklines front and back. This bohemian-style dress showcases beautiful lace motifs in a relaxed, flowing silhouette perfect for warm weather and festival style.

## **MATERIALS**

**Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) yarn with good drape
- Size S: approximately 2,400 yards
- Size M: approximately 3,000 yards  
- Size L: approximately 3,600 yards

*Suggested yarn: Cotton/bamboo blend or mercerized cotton for drape and definition*

**Hook:** US Size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- Blocking pins and mats
- Measuring tape
- Optional: 2 yards of ribbon or I-cord for waist tie

## **GAUGE**

One Large Lace Square Motif = 8" × 8" after blocking

**Gauge is critical for proper fit. Take time to check your gauge and adjust hook size if necessary.**

## **SIZES**

- **Small:** Bust 32-34" (fits bust 32"), finished length 40"
- **Medium:** Bust 38-40" (fits bust 40"), finished length 40"  
- **Large:** Bust 46-48" (fits bust 48"), finished length 40"

*Note: This is a loose-fitting shift dress with approximately 0-2" positive ease. The open lace construction provides stretch.*

**To adjust length:** Add or subtract one row of motifs (adds/subtracts 8" to length)

## **ABBREVIATIONS**

- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- sp = space
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- BLO = back loop only
- ( ) = stitch group to be worked in same stitch/space
- [ ] = repeat instructions within brackets
- * * = repeat instructions between asterisks

## **PATTERN NOTES**

1. **Construction:** Dress is made from large lace square motifs joined in a modular construction. Motifs are joined as you go using the join-as-you-go method.

2. **V-Neck Shaping:** The deep V-neck is created by strategic placement of motifs and working partial motifs at the neckline edges.

3. **Stitch Counts:** Each round of the motif has stitch counts provided in parentheses at the end. Total dc count is given.

4. **Joining:** Motifs are joined on the last round using slip stitch joins through corresponding chain spaces.

5. **Blocking:** Blocking is essential for this project to achieve proper size and lace definition. Block each motif before or after joining.

6. **Starting Chain:** Beginning ch-3 counts as first dc throughout pattern.

7. **Sides:** The dress has no side seams; front and back are identical and joined at shoulders and sides.

## **SPECIAL STITCHES**

**Large Lace Square Motif (8" × 8" blocked)**

**Beginning Cluster (beg-cl):** Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in same sp.

**Cluster (cl):** 3 dc in indicated st or sp.

**Corner:** (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in indicated space.

## **PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS**

### **LARGE LACE SQUARE MOTIF (Make number indicated for your size)**

**Foundation Ring:** Ch 6, sl st to first ch to form ring.

**Round 1 (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 3, [3 dc in ring, ch 3] 3 times, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (12 dc, 4 ch-3 sps)

**Round 2:** Sl st to next 2 dc and into ch-3 sp, beg-cl in same sp, ch 3, cl in same sp (first corner made), *ch 3, (cl, ch 3, cl) in next ch-3 sp (corner made); rep from * 2 more times, ch 3, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (16 clusters, 8 ch-3 sps)

**Round 3:** Sl st to next 2 dc and into corner ch-3 sp, (beg-cl, ch 3, cl) in same corner sp, *ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, (cl, ch 3, cl) in corner ch-3 sp; rep from * 2 more times, ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (12 clusters, 12 ch-3 sps)

**Round 4:** Sl st to next 2 dc and into corner ch-3 sp, (beg-cl, ch 3, cl) in same corner sp, *[ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp] twice, ch 3, (cl, ch 3, cl) in corner ch-3 sp; rep from * 2 more times, [ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp] twice, ch 3, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (16 clusters, 16 ch-3 sps)

**Round 5:** Sl st to next 2 dc and into corner ch-3 sp, (beg-cl, ch 3, cl) in same corner sp, *[ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp] 3 times, ch 3, (cl, ch 3, cl) in corner ch-3 sp; rep from * 2 more times, [ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp] 3 times, ch 3, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (20 clusters, 20 ch-3 sps)

**Round 6:** Sl st to next 2 dc and into corner ch-3 sp, (beg-cl, ch 3, cl) in same corner sp, *[ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp] 4 times, ch 3, (cl, ch 3, cl) in corner ch-3 sp; rep from * 2 more times, [ch 3, cl in next ch-3 sp] 4 times, ch 3, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (24 clusters, 24 ch-3 sps)

**Round 7 (Edging Round):** Ch 1, *[3 sc in corner ch-3 sp, 3 sc in each of next 5 ch-3 sps along side] to next corner; rep from * 3 more times, sl st to first sc. Fasten off. (72 sc total: 18 sc per side including corners)

**Measure motif:** Should measure 8" × 8" after blocking.

### **JOIN-AS-YOU-GO METHOD**

After completing the first motif, subsequent motifs are joined during Round 7.

**Joining one side:** Work Round 7 as follows:
- Complete first side completely (corner through next corner): 18 sc
- On second side, work 1 sc in corner sp, sc in next sc, with WS of both motifs together, sl st through corresponding sc on previous motif, *sc in next ch-sp on working motif, sl st through next sc on previous motif; rep from * until side join is complete (1 sc in corner sp on working motif, sl st to corresponding corner sc on previous motif)
- Continue with remaining sides of working motif unjoined

**Joining two sides (corner):** When motif is positioned at an interior corner where two previous motifs meet, join to both adjacent motifs using the same method.

### **MOTIF LAYOUT CHART**

**SIZE SMALL (32" bust):**

**FRONT PANEL:** 
- Row 5 (top): 0 motifs (neckline open)
- Row 4: 2 motifs (1 each side of V-neck)
- Row 3: 3 motifs  
- Row 2: 4 motifs
- Row 1 (bottom): 4 motifs

**Total Front:** 13 motifs + 2 half motifs for V-neck

**BACK PANEL:** Same as front

**SIZE MEDIUM (40" bust):**

**FRONT PANEL:**
- Row 5 (top): 1 motif at center (stopped at Round 4 for lower neckline)
- Row 4: 3 motifs
- Row 3: 4 motifs
- Row 2: 5 motifs  
- Row 1 (bottom): 5 motifs

**Total Front:** 18 motifs + 1 partial motif

**BACK PANEL:** Same as front

**SIZE LARGE (48" bust):**

**FRONT PANEL:**
- Row 5 (top): 2 motifs (neckline between them)
- Row 4: 4 motifs
- Row 3: 5 motifs
- Row 2: 6 motifs
- Row 1 (bottom): 6 motifs

**Total Front:** 23 motifs + 2 half motifs

**BACK PANEL:** Same as front

### **ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS**

**Step 1: Create Motifs**
Following the layout chart for your size, create all full motifs using the join-as-you-go method. Begin at bottom left corner and work across Row 1, then Row 2, etc.

**Step 2: V-Neck Shaping**

For the deep plunging V-neck, the top row(s) have an open center space.

**Size S:** Top row is completely open. At top of Row 4, work half-motifs as follows:
- Work motif through Round 3 only
- On Round 4, work first two sides complete, then work third side with decreases: (beg-cl, ch 1, dc) in corner instead of full corner, [ch 2, cl in next sp] along edge, ending with (dc, ch 1, cl) in final corner
- Round 5: Sc edging with decreased spacing
- Join to adjacent full motifs

**Size M:** Top center motif is worked through Round 4 only (not Round 5-7), creating a lower neckline point. Join adjacent motifs normally.

**Size L:** Top center space between two motifs left open. Work half-motifs similar to Size S at angles if desired, or leave top edges straight for geometric look.

**Step 3: Shoulder Seams**

With RS together, using yarn needle and whip stitch or sl st crochet seam:
- **Size S:** Join outermost motif on Row 4 (front to back) for approximately 8" shoulder seam on each side
- **Size M:** Join outer 1.5 motifs on Row 4 (approximately 12") on each shoulder
- **Size L:** Join outer 2 motifs on Row 5 (16") on each shoulder

**Step 4: Side Seams**

Join front to back panels along side edges:
- Leave top 16" (2 motifs) open for armholes
- Join remaining motifs from underarm to hem

### **FINISHING**

**Neckline Edging (Front and Back):**

Starting at one shoulder seam with RS facing:

**Round 1:** Join yarn with sl st, ch 1, work sc evenly around entire neckline opening, working approximately 3 sc per inch and adjusting at corners to keep work flat. Join with sl st to first sc.

**Round 2:** Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc.

**Round 3:** Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), skip next sc, *dc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4.

**Round 4:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next ch-1 sp, *sc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

**Armhole Edging (make 2):**

**Round 1:** With RS facing, join yarn at underarm seam, ch 1, work sc evenly around armhole opening (approximately 48 sc), join with sl st to first sc.

**Rounds 2-4:** Work same as Neckline Edging Rounds 2-4.

**Hem Edging:**

**Round 1:** With RS facing, join yarn at side seam, ch 1, work sc evenly around entire hem (working through bottom edges of all bottom row motifs), join with sl st to first sc.

**Round 2:** Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each sc around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.

**Round 3:** Ch 1, sc in each dc around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

**Optional Waist Tie:**

Create an I-cord or use ribbon approximately 60-70" long. Thread through Round 3 of the motifs at desired waist position (approximately 3 rows up from hem). Tie in front or at side.

**Weaving in Ends:**

Weave in all ends securely on WS. With lace construction, ends can be visible, so take care to weave through multiple stitches and trim closely.

**Blocking:**

Block entire dress to finished measurements using blocking pins and mats. Spray with water or use steam blocking. Pin out each motif to 8" square, ensuring all corners are square and lacework is opened up. Allow to dry completely before removing pins.

### **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS**

**Size S:** Bust 32", Length 40" (shoulder to hem), Armhole depth 16"

**Size M:** Bust 40", Length 40", Armhole depth 16"

**Size L:** Bust 48", Length 40", Armhole depth 16"

## **DESIGN NOTES & TIPS**

1. **Yarn Choice:** Choose a