Tea Party Dress and Cardi Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Tea Party Dress and Cardi in Lion Brand Mandala

Project Overview

This downloadable crochet pattern from Lion Brand Yarn Company (Pattern Number L70171) features a charming two-piece tea party dress paired with a coordinating cardigan, designed by Teresa Chorzepa. The set is crafted for babies and toddlers in three sizes: 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. The dress offers a finished chest measurement of approximately 19 to 23 inches with a length of 14 to 18 inches, while the cardigan provides a finished chest of 21 to 25 inches when closed, with a length ranging from 9.5 to 12.5 inches.

What Is Being Made

The Tea Party Dress and Cardi set consists of two complementary garments suitable for special occasions and everyday wear. The dress is constructed in two separate pieces—a front and back section—that are joined together. The cardigan serves as a layering piece that coordinates with the dress, featuring button closures for easy dressing and undressing of young children.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern utilizes Lion Brand Mandala yarn (Art. #525), a variegated yarn that creates beautiful color transitions throughout the finished pieces. The project requires one ball each of two colorways: 201 Unicorn (Color A) and 200 Wood Nymph (Color B) for all three sizes. Additional materials include three buttons measuring 3/8 inch in diameter, a sewing needle, and thread for button attachment.

Tools and Equipment

Crafters will need a Lion Brand crochet hook size H-8 (5 mm) and a Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle for weaving in yarn ends and assembling the garment pieces.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

The pattern employs specialized crochet techniques designed to create an elegant, textured fabric suitable for a dress and cardigan combination. The primary stitch used is esc2tog (extended single crochet 2 stitches together), which decreases stitches by combining two stitches into one. This stitch is worked by inserting the hook into the next stitch, drawing up a loop, yarning over and drawing through one loop on the hook to create the first leg, then repeating the process in the next stitch to create the second leg. Finally, the crafter yarns over and draws through all three loops on the hook to complete the decrease. After the first row, this stitch is consistently worked over the next single crochet or esc2tog and the following chain-1 space.

The pattern also incorporates reverse single crochet (rev sc), a decorative edging stitch worked from left to right (or right to left for left-handed crocheters). This stitch creates a finished, corded edge by inserting the hook into the next stitch to the right, drawing up a loop, and yarning over and drawing through all loops on the hook.

Gauge and Pattern Construction

The dress is worked to a gauge of 8 pattern repeats plus 12 rows equaling approximately 4 inches in the dress pattern. One pattern repeat consists of an esc2tog and the following chain-1 space. Checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The lower edging of the dress is worked in rounds and applied directly to the main piece, creating a seamless transition at the hem.

Skill Level

Rated as Easy+, this pattern is suitable for beginner to early intermediate crocheters. While the techniques are fundamental crochet skills, the combination of stitch patterns and garment construction provides a gentle learning opportunity for those progressing beyond basic projects.

Pattern Format

The Tea Party Dress and Cardi pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF document. The pattern is written for the smallest size (6 months) with size variations for 12 months and 24 months provided in parentheses throughout the instructions. Crocheters are advised to circle all numbers pertaining to their chosen size before beginning to ensure accuracy and easier pattern following.