Today we've got a roundup of knit and crochet dress patterns for you. You might be thinking to yourself that many places are cold this time of year, so why would you want to make a dress right now? However, if you know about Dressember, then you would be eager to get these patterns. Dressember is a month-long movement to raise awareness about and fight human trafficking.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click over and purchase something then a portion of the sale comes back to me. Your price never changes. Thank you for your support!
Knit and Crochet Dresses Fight Human Trafficking This Dressember
For Dressember, participants wear a dress or tie every day of the month. Using that as the basis for posts, they share information to prevent human trafficking. And they raise money to help solve the situation. Namaste and Crochet has introduced a handmade element to this cause. Her team will also be wearing knit / crochet garments and raising awareness about the value of slow fashion, the importance of sustainability, and how handmade helps heal individuals and communities.
- We have a post all about Namaste and Crochet's Dressember right here. It's the best place to learn all about the relationship between knit and crochet and the Dressember movement.
- And there's an interview with Namaste and Crochet about how crochet heals people right here.
There are many ways that you can participate. You can donate. You can join a team and participate yourself to raise money and awareness. If nothing else, you can share posts about it on your social media.
It's Giving Tuesday. It's a Great Day to Donate!
Giving Tuesday, launched 2012, is a day encouraging people to give to others in any way that they can. It's about recognizing that the holiday season isn't just about getting but about generosity and connection.
Buy the Blythe Dress Crochet Pattern
Another way that you can support the cause is to purchase the Blythe Dress crochet pattern from Namaste and Crochet. She created it just for this event. She'll donate one third of every purchase to Dressember. So, you get an affordable crochet dress pattern, plus your money goes towards fighting human trafficking.
Other Crochet Dress Patterns
Whether or not you opt to participate in Dressember, you might enjoy using knit and crochet dress patterns to craft yourself new garments. Or to make a dress to give to charity. Here are some additional crochet dress patterns you might enjoy:
Southwest Crochet Sweater Dress Pattern by Briana K Designs
Coconut Macaroon Crochet Winter Dress Free Pattern
Willa Ribbed Sweater Dress Free Crochet Pattern
Chic Convertible Dress Free Crochet Pattern
Crochet Beach Cover Up Shore-Thing Dress Pattern (Free)
Sure, this is designed as a beach cover up for the summer. If you're an Australian crafter then it's the perfect time of year to make this. But it's also great to layer over long-sleeve shirts and leggings. As you follow Dressember, you'll see that people put together all kinds of creative outfits using dresses.
Oakley Jumper Dress Free Crochet Pattern From Joy of Motion
Wedding Planner Lace Dress Free Crochet Pattern by Natasha Robarge
Idlewild Dress Free Crochet Pattern by Make & Do Crew
Aunt Lydia's Dress with Flare Free Crochet Pattern
Winter Solstice Dress Free Crochet Pattern by Dora Does
Fall Colors Dress Free Crochet Pattern from ByKaterina
Knit Dress Patterns
If you're a knitter, or you're bicrafty, then you might want knit dress patterns. We rounded up some of those for you as well:
Hooded Knit Sweater Dress Pattern
Chanteuse Knit Dress Pattern
WeCrochet and KnitPicks have a lot of great free and paid crochet and knit dress patterns. The two and a few of the ones below are some of our favorite examples.
Cable Knit Dress Pattern
Bernat T-Shirt Dress with Pockets (Free Pattern)
This knit t-shirt dress pattern has kangaroo pockets. Therefore it has a cozy hoodie-style feeling to it. The pattern also comes with a design for a scarf that perfectly complements the dress.
Women's Knitted Dress in Novita Nordic Wool (Free Pattern)
Knit Lace Dress with Bow
Entangled Knit Dress Pattern
Slouchy Sweater Dress Free Knit Pattern with Pockets
Patons Honeycomb Aran Dress Free Pattern
Paton's Little Black Dress
Red Heart Layered Lace Dress
You Might Also Like:
- Knit and Crochet Dress and Tunic Sweater Patterns
- Cropped Oversize Crochet Sweater Free Pattern
- 67 Free Crochet and Knit Poncho and Cape Patterns
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dressember?
Dressember is an annual campaign in December where participants commit to wearing a dress or tie every day of the month to raise awareness and funds for human trafficking prevention and survivor support. It was started in 2009 as a creative way to spark conversation and generate advocacy around an important cause. Many crafters participate by making their own knitted or crocheted dresses to wear throughout December… combining their love of making with social impact. It's a beautiful way to use your craft for something meaningful.
What kinds of knit and crochet dresses work well for Dressember?
Versatile, comfortable dresses you can wear daily throughout December! Warm, layerable dresses that work over leggings are ideal for cold-weather wearing. Simple, classic silhouettes work best for everyday use. Shift dress shapes, A-line dresses, and tunic-length sweater dresses are popular. The dress needs to be practical enough to wear in your actual life… to work, errands, social events… so comfort and versatility are more important than elaborate construction. A beautifully made handknit or crocheted dress that you wear with pride all month is perfect.
What skill level do I need to make a knit or crochet dress?
It depends on the specific pattern, but dresses generally require more skill than accessories because fit matters more. Simple pullover dress patterns worked top-down in the round without complex shaping are accessible for intermediate knitters and crocheters who've made some garments before. More fitted or tailored designs with waist shaping, set-in elements, or complex construction are advanced territory. If you're new to garment making, start with a simpler dress pattern and embrace a more relaxed silhouette.
What yarn is best for a wearable knit or crochet dress?
Drape is the most important quality! You want yarn that flows and moves with the dress rather than standing stiffly away from the body. For winter dresses: soft merino wool or wool blend in DK to worsted weight gives warmth with movement. For year-round: bamboo, cotton-bamboo blends, or rayon blends have beautiful drape. Avoid anything too stiff or bouncy (most regular acrylic has too much spring for dress construction). Hold a length of yarn up and let it hang… if it flows nicely, it'll make a nice dress.
How do I know my dress will fit properly before I finish it?
Try it on as you go! Checking the fit during construction saves enormous amounts of time and frustration. After completing the bodice section, try it on or hold it against your body to check width. After working the waist and hip shaping, check those measurements against your body. Work a few inches of the skirt and check the length. Having a dressmaker's measuring tape nearby at all times is helpful. Most dress patterns give measurements for each section… measure your piece against those numbers as you work rather than waiting until the very end to check fit.
