by Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to crochet a “Beaded Rainbow Dress” for a girl. This includes materials, sizing notes, stitch explanations, construction, bead-adding techniques, assembly, and finishing.
🌈 How to Crochet a Beaded Rainbow Dress for a Girl
(Beginner-friendly, detailed instructions)
🧶 Overview
This “Beaded Rainbow Dress” uses colorful yarn bands to create a rainbow effect, with beads crocheted directly into the fabric for sparkle. The dress is worked top-down, so it’s easy to adjust sizing and length.
⭐ Materials Needed
Yarn
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Light worsted / DK weight yarn (Category 3) in rainbow colors:
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Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
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White (or another neutral) for upper bodice (optional)
Other Supplies
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Crochet hook size 3.5–4.0 mm (E–G) depending on gauge
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6–8 mm plastic pony beads OR lightweight acrylic craft beads
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Tapestry needle
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Scissors
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Stitch markers
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Measuring tape
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Optional: elastic thread for waist
📏 Sizing Guide
Approximate chest measurements:
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2–3 years: 52–54 cm (20.5–21.5 in)
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4–5 years: 56–58 cm (22–23 in)
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6–7 years: 60–64 cm (23.5–25 in)
📌 This pattern is based on a top-down yoke worked in rounds. Add or remove increase rounds to adjust chest width.
🧵 Stitches Used
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ch – chain
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sl st – slip stitch
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sc – single crochet
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hdc – half double crochet
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dc – double crochet
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inc – increase (2 stitches in one stitch)
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Bead stitch – slide one bead up to hook, yarn over and complete stitch behind bead
🌟 Before Starting: Pre-String Beads
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Count how many beads you’d like per color stripe (e.g., 20–40 per stripe).
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Thread beads onto yarn before crocheting that stripe.
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Use a needle or tape-tip to help thread if needed.
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Slide beads down the yarn as you work.
🪡 STEP-BY-STEP PATTERN
PART 1 — Upper Bodice (Yoke)
Worked top-down.
1. Foundation
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Ch 60 (for 2–3 yrs)
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Join to form a ring, taking care not to twist.
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This will sit around the neckline.
2. Setup Row (Round 1)
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Ch 2, dc in each stitch around, join with sl st.
3. Begin Yoke Increases
Work in dc.
Round 2:
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(dc in next 14 sts, inc) repeat around.
Round 3:
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dc in all sts.
Round 4:
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(dc in next 15 sts, inc) repeat.
Round 5:
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dc in all sts.
👉 Continue alternating increase round / plain round
until the chest width matches child’s measurement.
4. Split for Armholes
When yoke is wide enough:
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Mark 2 shoulder points and 2 underarm points.
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Crochet across front, chain 6–10 for underarm, skip sleeve, crochet back, chain 6–10, skip the second sleeve, join.
Now you have a continuous tube for the dress body.
PART 2 — Rainbow Skirt (Striped + Beaded)
Each stripe is worked in hdc to create a soft drape.
General Stripe Pattern
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Work 3–6 rows per color.
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Add beads in the final row of each color stripe.
🌈 Stripe Instructions (repeat for each color):
1. Start Color
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Attach new color with sl st.
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Ch 1, hdc around. Join.
2. Expand for Flare
Every 3rd round:
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hdc in next 7 sts, inc around
(Adjust if you want more or less flare.)
3. Beaded Final Row of Stripe
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Pre-string beads.
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Work hdc, and every 5 or 6 stitches, work a bead-stitch:
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Slide up a bead
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Yarn over behind bead
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Complete hdc normally
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Bead sits on the fabric’s front.
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Repeat this process for red → violet stripes.
PART 3 — Bottom Hem
After final violet stripe:
Pretty Shell Edging
Round 1: sc around
Round 2: (sk 2, 5 dc in next st, sk 2, sc in next) repeat
Round 3 (optional):
Add beads on the center dc of each shell.
PART 4 — Shoulder Straps (optional if sleeveless dress)
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Attach yarn at top of bodice.
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Ch 35–55 (depending on length).
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hdc back along the chain, sl st to bodice.
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Repeat on other side.
You can add tiny beads along straps using bead-stitch technique.
PART 5 — Assembly + Finishing
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Weave in all ends.
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Add ribbon or elastic at waist for shaping.
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Lightly block the skirt (steam or lay flat).
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Check that beads are secure and not too heavy.
🌟 Customization Ideas
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Add a small beaded heart patch on the bodice
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Use glitter yarn for the violet stripe
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Sew a soft cotton lining inside for comfort
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Add ruffle sleeves or cap sleeves
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Make a matching rainbow headband
🎉 Your Beaded Rainbow Dress Is Ready!
It will drape beautifully, sparkle in the light, and feel soft and comfortable for a child to wear.
If you want, I can also create:
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A printable PDF pattern
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A diagram / chart for the yoke
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Exact stitch count for a specific age/size
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A matching purse or headband pattern
Would you like any of those?
Watch tutorial:
