Made and counted by Wren —

Coral sunset pineapple lace maxi dress pattern

B-1/2.25mm & C-2/2.75mm hooks, fingering cotton: pineapple lace maxi dress, hdc bodice panel.

IntermediateLevel

15-25 hoursTime

FingeringYarn

About this pattern

A fingering-weight cotton maxi dress with a flat hdc bodice panel (85 stitches, 30 rows) seamed at the sides, joined to a pineapple lace skirt worked in the round from the waist. Finished bust measures 34 inches with 1 to 2 inches of negative ease; total length runs 56 inches. Two hooks are required: B-1/2.25mm for the bodice, C-2/2.75mm for the skirt.

Coral Sunset Pineapple Lace Maxi is a fingering-weight cotton maxi dress built as a flat hdc bodice — 85 stitches across, 30 rows per panel — seamed at the sides, then a pineapple lace skirt worked in the round from the waist. The count that matters most is 85 hdc: at the stated gauge that stitch count produces a 34-inch bust with 1 to 2 inches of negative ease. Two hook sizes carry the construction — B-1/2.25mm for the bodice, C-2/2.75mm for the skirt lace.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

Yarn

Fingering weight (CYCA 1), 100% mercerized cotton or cotton-linen blend. You will need approximately 2,400 to 2,800 yards in your chosen coral shade.

Yarn Suggestions

Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Coral Blush or Melon Sorbet, 18 to 20 balls
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Terracotta or Peach, 13 to 15 balls
Scheepjes Catona in Peach or Apricot, 40 to 44 balls

Notions

At least 12 locking stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Measuring tape
Rust-proof pins and blocking mats

Optional

matching thread and sewing needle for strap attachment reinforcement

Substitution note

Choose yarn that is smooth, tightly spun, and not fuzzy. Fuzzy or halo yarns will obscure the pineapple lace openwork. Mercerized cotton is strongly preferred because it holds its blocking shape and has a slight sheen. Avoid yarns with nylon content above 20 percent, as they resist wet blocking.

Abbreviations

ch = chain: wrap yarn over hook, pull through loop on hook
ch-sp = chain space: the gap created by a chain in a previous row
dc = double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice
hdc = half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops
hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together (decrease): yarn over, insert hook in first stitch, pull up loop, yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through all 5 loops
sc = single crochet: insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through both loops
sl st = slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook
sk = skip
st(s) = stitch(es)
sp = space
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
rep = repeat
rnd = round
pm = place marker
yo = yarn over
t-ch = turning chain
MC = main color (Coral)
5-dc-cl = 5 Double Crochet Cluster: Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (one incomplete dc). Repeat this sequence 4 more times into the same stitch or space (6 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops.
3-dc-cl = 3 Double Crochet Cluster: Work as 5-dc-cl but repeat only 2 more times for a total of 3 incomplete dc (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
Pineapple Fan = Stitch group forming the shell and chain body of each pineapple. The base is worked as (3-dc-cl, ch 2, 3-dc-cl) into a designated chain space. In subsequent rows, the fan expands with dc groups separated by ch-1 spaces, then tapers back with decreasing groups.
Shell Stitch = Work 5 dc into the same stitch or space.
Picot = Chain 3, slip stitch into the first chain of those 3.
Invisible Join = Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Thread onto tapestry needle. Insert needle from front to back through both loops of the second stitch of the round. Then insert needle downward through the back loop only of the last stitch made. Pull snug to mimic a stitch. Weave in end.

Bodice Front Panel

Complete the right side of the V-neck first, then return to the left side.

Fasten off after Row 30 on the right side. This completes the right front strap/shoulder strip.

The left side retains one extra stitch compared to the right due to the center-stitch skip.

Round 1(WS): Hdc in third ch from hook (skipped ch does not count as stitch), hdc in each ch across. Turn. (85 hdc)

Round 2(RS): Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn. (85 hdc)

Round 3through 8: Rep Row 2. Turn after each row. (85 hdc each row)(85)

Round 9(RS) (Right Side of V-Neck): Ch 2, hdc in next 41 sts. Place marker in last st worked. Leave remaining 43 sts unworked. Turn. (41 hdc, right side only)

Round 10(WS): Ch 2, hdc2tog over first 2 sts (neck edge decrease), hdc to end of row. Turn. (40 hdc)

Round 11(RS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (39 hdc)

Round 12(WS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (38 hdc)

Round 13(RS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (37 hdc)

Round 14(WS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (36 hdc)

Round 15(RS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (35 hdc)

Round 16(WS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (34 hdc)

Round 17(RS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (33 hdc)

Round 18(WS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (32 hdc)

Round 19(RS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (31 hdc)

Round 20(WS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (30 hdc)

Round 21(RS): Ch 2, hdc across. Turn. (30 hdc)

Round 22through 30: Ch 2, hdc across. Turn. (30 hdc each row)(30)

Round 9(RS) (Left Side of V-Neck): Join MC in stitch 44 (skip the center stitch of Row 8, stitch 43 of 85); ch 2, hdc in same st and in each remaining st to end. Turn. (42 hdc)

Round 10(WS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog (neck edge). Turn. (41 hdc)

Round 11(RS): Ch 2, hdc2tog (neck edge), hdc to end. Turn. (40 hdc)

Round 12(WS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (39 hdc)

Round 13(RS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (38 hdc)

Round 14(WS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (37 hdc)

Round 15(RS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (36 hdc)

Round 16(WS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (35 hdc)

Round 17(RS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (34 hdc)

Round 18(WS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (33 hdc)

Round 19(RS): Ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc to end. Turn. (32 hdc)

Round 20(WS): Ch 2, hdc to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (31 hdc)

Round 21(RS): Ch 2, hdc across. Turn. (31 hdc)

Assembly

Step 1The bodice is worked flat in two panels (Front and Back), then seamed at the sides with a slip stitch seam on the wrong side.

Step 2The skirt is worked in the round, beginning at the waist join after bodice panels are seamed. Never turn the skirt. All rounds are worked with the right side facing.

Tester's notes

B-1/2.25mm hook keeps the bodice dense enough to hold the 1 to 2 inches of negative ease at the 34-inch bust; looser tension here pushes the finished bust past target.

12 locking stitch markers minimum: reserve some for the Row 9 V-neck split and others for tracking the skirt's round start once work moves from flat to in-the-round.

Row 9 splits the 85 sts into 41 worked and 43 left unworked — mark the last worked stitch immediately so the return to the left side starts at the correct point.

The left side carries one extra stitch versus the right due to the center-stitch skip; do not add or remove a stitch to make the two sides match.

Hook swap happens at the waist join: B-1/2.25mm bodice to C-2/2.75mm skirt lace; skipping or reversing this swap changes drape between the two sections.

Finished Measurements (size Medium): Bust 34 inches / 86 cm (with 1 to 2 inches of negative ease at the bodice); Waist 28 inches / 71 cm; Hip at widest skirt point approximately 72 inches / 183 cm (fully blocked hem circumference); Total length (center back, excluding straps) 56 inches / 142 cm; Bodice length (shoulder seam to waist) 14 inches / 35.5 cm; Skirt length (waist to hem) 42 inches / 106.5 cm.

Bodice gauge (US B-1 / 2.25 mm hook, hdc stitch): 20 hdc x 22 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm square, blocked.

Skirt gauge (US C-2 / 2.75 mm hook, lace pattern): One pineapple lace repeat (14 stitches wide x 12 rows tall) = approximately 2.75 inches / 7 cm wide x 2.5 inches / 6.35 cm tall, blocked.

Adjust hook size up or down as needed. Do not change yarn weight to match gauge.

Pineapple motifs are separated by 2-chain mesh columns. These columns serve as dividers between repeats.

The skirt has three tiers. Tier 1 is closest to the waist with the smallest pineapples. Tier 2 is mid-skirt with one additional chain row in each fan. Tier 3 is the lower skirt and hem with the fullest, most open fans.

A turning chain of 2 for hdc rows does NOT count as a stitch. A turning chain of 3 counts as the first dc in lace sections only where noted.

Place a locking stitch marker at the beginning of each skirt round and move it up as you work.

Block aggressively with water and rust-proof pins. Pin each fan point open to achieve the finished look.

Stitch counts in parentheses reflect total working stitch count, not including turning chains.

Substitution note: Choose yarn that is smooth, tightly spun, and not fuzzy. Fuzzy or halo yarns will obscure the pineapple lace openwork. Mercerized cotton is strongly preferred because it holds its blocking shape and has a slight sheen. Avoid yarns with nylon content above 20 percent, as they resist wet blocking.

At a glance

Rounds	30
Level	Intermediate
Time	15-25 hours
Yarn	Fingering

Gauge check

After Row 8 of the Bodice Front Panel, measure across the 85-hdc row: 4 inches should span exactly 20 stitches, matching the stated gauge of 20 hdc x 22 rows = 4 inches.

If the count is off, change hook size in 0.25mm steps and re-swatch before continuing, since 85 hdc worked off-gauge misses the 34-inch bust with 1 to 2 inches of negative ease.

Stitch-count checkpoints

Bodice Front Panel · Round 15: 35 sts
Bodice Front Panel · Round 10: 41 sts
Bodice Front Panel · Round 19: 32 sts
Bodice Front Panel · Round 21: 31 sts

If something looks wrong

The V-neck sits asymmetrical after both straps are finished.: The left side's built-in extra stitch (from the center-stitch skip) got corrected instead of left alone; recount against the right side's 41-stitch start before fastening off Row 30.
Bodice measures wider than 34 inches at the bust after blocking.: Gauge ran loose against 20 hdc x 22 rows = 4 inches; re-swatch with the B-1/2.25mm hook and drop a size if the count reads under 20 stitches per 4 inches.
Side seam puckers where bodice meets skirt.: The waist join round is usually pulled tighter than the C-2/2.75mm skirt gauge; ease the join evenly across markers instead of cinching it in one pass.
Straps twist when tried on.: Usually a missed RS/WS turn somewhere in Rows 2 through 8 before the V-neck split; confirm Row 1 is WS and Row 2 is RS, then recount rows against the 85-hdc figure.

Yarn substitutions

100% cotton fingering, unmercerized	Softer drape, less stitch definition through the pineapple lace sections; same B-1/2.25mm and C-2/2.75mm hooks apply.
Cotton-linen blend, sport weight	Heavier fabric hand; gauge tends to run looser than 20 hdc x 22 rows per 4 inches, so size down a hook to hold the 34-inch bust target.
Bamboo-cotton blend, fingering weight	Heavier drape than mercerized cotton, more hem swing on the 42-inch skirt, but more stretch overall — block skirt rounds to the stated 72-inch hip before trimming length.

Original pattern: https://bunnypatterns.com/coral-sunset-pineapple-lace-maxi-free-crochet-pattern/

FAQs

Questions

How much yarn does this actually take?

Between 2,400 and 2,800 yards of fingering-weight cotton, depending on shade dye lot and individual row gauge. Buy toward the high end if a gauge swatch runs looser than 20 hdc x 22 rows per 4 inches.

Why does the pattern call for two different hook sizes?

The B-1/2.25mm keeps the bodice dense enough to hold 1 to 2 inches of negative ease at the 34-inch bust, while the C-2/2.75mm opens the pineapple lace for drape at the 72-inch hem. The hook swap happens at the waist join and is not optional.

Does the skirt get turned at the end of each round like the bodice rows?

No. The bodice panels are worked flat with a turn after every row, but the skirt is worked in the round starting at the waist join with the right side always facing. Rounds are never turned on the skirt.