purlJam

<pattern>

# Wish You Were Here Crochet Maxi Dress

A stunning, lightweight mesh maxi dress perfect for warm weather and beach vacations. This fitted dress features an airy lace pattern throughout, adjustable straps, and a flattering silhouette that flows to ankle length. The construction begins at the bust and works downward with strategic shaping at the waist and hips.

**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 
- Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton blend yarn
- Yardage requirements by size:
  - XS/S: 1800 yards
  - M/L: 2100 yards
  - XL/2XL: 2400 yards
  - 3XL: 2700 yards
- Recommended: mercerized cotton for drape and sheen

**Hook Sizes**: 
- US I-9 (5.5 mm) for main body
- US H-8 (5.0 mm) for straps

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Optional: 2-3 yards of lining fabric and basic sewing supplies

**Gauge**: 
With larger hook in mesh pattern: 3 mesh spaces and 6 rows = 4"
In dc fabric: 16 dc and 8 rows = 4"

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

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## SIZES

Pattern is written for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)

**Finished Bust Circumference**: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)"
*Designed with 2" negative ease at bust for fitted look*

**Finished Hip Circumference**: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58)"

**Finished Length**: Approximately 54 (54, 55, 55, 56, 56, 57)" from top of bust to hem
*Adjustable to your preferred length*

**To Fit Bust**: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56)"

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- yo = yarn over
- sk = skip
- inc = increase
- dec = decrease
- rep = repeat
- beg = beginning
- [ ] = work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
- ( ) = stitch count at end of row/round

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Turning Chain**: Ch 3 at beginning of dc rows/rounds counts as first dc throughout unless otherwise noted.

2. **Mesh Pattern**: The body is worked in a mesh stitch pattern consisting of dc separated by ch-2 spaces. Pattern repeat is a multiple of 4 sts.

3. **Construction**: Dress begins with the bust band worked flat, then joined to work in the round. Body is worked in continuous joined rounds from underarm down.

4. **Stitch Counts**: Numbers in parentheses ( ) at end of rows/rounds indicate total stitch count OR number of mesh spaces, as noted.

5. **Sizing Notes**: Instructions are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). When only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

6. **Fit**: This dress is designed to fit snugly at the bust with more ease through the hips and body for comfort and drape.

7. **Lining**: Due to the open mesh pattern, a slip dress or sewn lining is recommended for wear.

8. **Length Adjustment**: To adjust length, work more or fewer rounds in the straight skirt section after hip shaping is complete.

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## SPECIAL STITCHES

**Mesh Stitch (mesh st)**: Dc, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st. This creates one "mesh space."

**Invisible Join**: At end of round, remove hook from working loop. Insert hook from front to back through top of ch-3 at beg of round, pick up working loop and draw through. This creates a seamless join.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### BUST BAND

The bust band is worked flat in rows, then joined to form a tube.

**Foundation**: Ch 123 (139, 155, 171, 187, 203, 219).

**Row 1** (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as first dc), dc in each ch across. (121, 137, 153, 169, 185, 201, 217 dc)

**Row 2**: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), turn, dc in each dc across. (121, 137, 153, 169, 185, 201, 217 dc)

**Rows 3-4**: Rep Row 2.

**Row 5**: Ch 1, turn, sc in each dc across. (121, 137, 153, 169, 185, 201, 217 sc)

**Joining**: Do not fasten off. Fold band in half with RS facing out, matching foundation ch to Row 5. Working through both layers, sl st in each st across to join into a tube, being careful not to twist. (121, 137, 153, 169, 185, 201, 217 sts around)

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### BODY

The body is now worked in joined rounds. Mark beginning of round and move marker up as you work.

**Setup Round**: Ch 3 (counts as dc), working into the sc edge of bust band, dc in next st, [ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st] around, ending ch 2, sk 2 sts; join with invisible join to top of beg ch-3. (40, 46, 52, 58, 62, 68, 74 mesh spaces)

*Math check: 121 sts ÷ 4 = 30.25, round to 40 mesh (160 sts); 137 ÷ 4 = 34.25, use 46 mesh (184 sts); 153 ÷ 4 = 38.25, use 52 mesh (208 sts); 169 ÷ 4 = 42.25, use 58 mesh (232 sts); 185 ÷ 4 = 46.25, use 62 mesh (248 sts); 201 ÷ 4 = 50.25, use 68 mesh (272 sts); 217 ÷ 4 = 54.25, use 74 mesh (296 sts)*

**Round 1**: Ch 3, [dc in next dc, ch 2] around; join with invisible join to top of beg ch-3. (40, 46, 52, 58, 62, 68, 74 mesh spaces)

**Rounds 2-3**: Rep Round 1.

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### WAIST SHAPING

Work even for waist definition, then decrease for shaping.

**Rounds 4-9**: Rep Round 1. (6 rounds even)

**Decrease Round 10**: Ch 3, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9) times, [dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 2] twice, *[dc in next dc, ch 2] 8 (10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18) times, [dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 2] twice; rep from * once more, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9) times; join. (36, 42, 48, 54, 58, 64, 70 mesh spaces after decreases)

*Decrease explanation: Replacing ch-2 with ch-1 between dc tightens the mesh slightly.*

**Rounds 11-15**: Ch 3, dc in each dc around with ch-1 in dec spaces and ch-2 in regular spaces as established; join. (5 rounds)

**Decrease Round 16**: Ch 3, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 3 (4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8) times, [dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2] twice, *[dc in next dc, ch 2] 7 (9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17) times, [dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2] twice; rep from * once more, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9) times; join. (34, 40, 46, 52, 56, 62, 68 mesh spaces)

*Decrease explanation: Working dc into ch-1 space consolidates that mesh space.*

**Rounds 17-22**: Rep Round 1 as established. (6 rounds even)

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### HIP SHAPING

Increase for hip shaping.

**Increase Round 23**: Ch 3, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9) times, [dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] twice, *[dc in next dc, ch 2] 6 (8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16) times, [dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] twice; rep from * once more, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7) times; join. (38, 44, 50, 56, 60, 66, 72 mesh spaces)

*Increase explanation: Adding dc into ch-2 space creates new mesh space.*

**Rounds 24-28**: Rep Round 1. (5 rounds even)

**Increase Round 29**: Ch 3, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 5 (6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10) times, [dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] twice, *[dc in next dc, ch 2] 7 (9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17) times, [dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] twice; rep from * once more, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7) times; join. (42, 48, 54, 60, 64, 70, 76 mesh spaces)

**Rounds 30-35**: Rep Round 1. (6 rounds even)

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### SKIRT

Continue working even for length.

**Rounds 36-115**: Rep Round 1. (80 rounds, or approximately 53" from underarm)

*For size adjustments: Each round adds approximately 0.67". Add or remove rounds here to achieve desired length. For maxi length on most heights, work to approximately 50-52" from underarm, or try on dress as you work.*

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### HEM

**Round 116**: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-2 sp around; join with sl st to first sc. (168, 192, 216, 240, 256, 280, 304 sc)

**Round 117**: Ch 1, sc in each sc around; join with sl st to first sc. (168, 192, 216, 240, 256, 280, 304 sc)

**Round 118**: Ch 1, working from left to right (reverse sc), sc in each sc around; join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off and weave in end.

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### STRAPS (make 2)

With smaller hook, ch 9.

**Row 1**: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (8 sc)

**Row 2**: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (8 sc)

**Rows 3-80**: Rep Row 2. (Or work to desired length, approximately 20-24" for adjustable over-shoulder straps)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

**Strap Placement**: 
- Position front strap attachment points 4 (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7)" from center front on each side of bust band.
- Position back strap attachment points 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6)" from center back on each side of bust band.
- Sew one end of each strap to front position and other end to back position.
- For adjustable straps, attach small buttons to front position and work buttonholes in straps, or use ribbon ties.

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## FINISHING

1. **Weave in all ends** securely on wrong side of work.

2. **Blocking**: Gently hand wash dress in cool water with mild detergent. Roll in towel to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry, shaping to measurements. Do not hang while wet as this may stretch the dress.

3. **Lining** (recommended): Due to open mesh pattern, a lining is suggested:
   - Option 1: Wear with a separate slip dress underneath
   - Option 2: Sew a simple lining from lightweight fabric (cotton lawn, jersey knit, or lining fabric) and tack to wrong side at bust band and side seams
   - Option 3: Layer over swimsuit for beach coverup

4. **Strap Adjustment**: Try on dress and adjust strap length as needed for comfortable fit. Straps should be snug but not tight.

5. **Steam Blocking** (optional): For enhanced drape, lightly steam block the finished dress, being careful not to flatten the mesh pattern.

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## DESIGN NOTES & TIPS

- **Yarn Choice**: Cotton or cotton blend is ideal for drape and breathability. Avoid heavy yarns that won't drape well.

- **Fit Customization**: If between sizes, size