Pacific Swim Dress – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Pacific Swim Dress, a stretchy beach cover-up dress with a playful lace pattern that creates a delicate netlike fabric from a simple 6-row-repeat that even adventurous beginners will be able to conquer!

This pattern is available as an independent PDF (Ravelry, Etsy, and other links included below) and is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, released in spring 2025. This book includes 19 size-inclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful.

You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

Some Quick Links Before You Begin:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here!
Use the pattern hashtag #PacificSwimDress on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop WeCrochet CotLin DK here!
- Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes and yarns used during testing!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Where Can I Find the Physical Book?

(Both physical and e-book versions are available!)

Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (US) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Barnes And Noble here.
Shop Summer Crochet at Chapters (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (UK) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Indie Bound here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Blackwell’s here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books-A-Million here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books Inc. here.
Shop even more platforms here.

Order my first book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

The playful lace pattern that makes up the delicate netlike fabric in the Pacific Swim Dress is a simple six-row repeat that even adventurous beginners will be able to conquer. A wooden ring connects the thick straps to the main body of the dress and creates the stunning halter-neck silhouette. The back of the dress has one of my favorite design choices to date: a stretchy thread that is woven through the top edge of the dress to cinch it close to your body, allowing the fabric to drape beautifully across your lower back and giving a refined, sophisticated fit to this swim dress.

This pattern is fully written and charted.

Materials

Yarn: DK—WeCrochet CotLin® DK in colorway “Swan”

70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen
123 yds (112 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
Find this yarn on crochet.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 11, 11) skeins or approximately 575 (625, 675, 825, 925) (1025, 1175, 1225, 1325) yds (526 [572, 617, 754, 846] [937, 1074, 1120, 1212] m)

Yarn Substitution: Scroll down for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing.

Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, 1 wooden ring measuring 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter from the outer edges, any clear stretchy cord or clear stretchy thread long enough to wrap around your bust approximately one and a half times, 1 locking stitch marker

Sourcing Your Additional Materials

I’ve compiled some links below for you to help you source your materials! If you can’t find them at your local yarn shops, department stores, or craft stores, these listings may have what you’re looking for:

Wooden Ring (2″)

2 pc set (from Hobbii – very affordable)
5 pc set (Amazon US)
30 pc set (Amazon US)
30 pc set (Amazon CA)
10 pc set (Amazon CA)
2 pc set (Toronto yarn shop that ships)

Stretchy Cord/Thread

Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (0.7 mm) (Michaels)
Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (0.7 mm) (Amazon CA)
Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (0.7 mm) (Amazon US)
Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (0.5 mm) (Michaels)
Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (0.5 mm) (Amazon CA)
Stretch Magic Bead & Jewelry Cord (0.5mm) (Amazon US)

Yarn Substitution

WeCrochet CotLin DK has the following properties:

70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen
123 yds (112 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein

Substitute WeCrochet CotLin DK with any similar light DK-weight (category #3) yarn that matches gauge. Most fibers should work out fine for this project, particularly cottons or cotton blends. Note that DK weight is sometimes referred to as “8-ply” in Australia.

Appropriate Yarn Substitutes:

This list below includes some yarns I added myself in addition to the yarns used and recommended by testers.

As a reminder, you will need approximately 575 (625, 675, 825, 925) (1025, 1175, 1225, 1325) yds (526 [572, 617, 754, 846] [937, 1074, 1120, 1212] m) of your chosen DK weight yarn.

The following DK weight yarns should work well in your project!

Cascade Yarns Hampton (70% Cotton, 30% Linen)
Cloudborn Pima Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
DMC Happy Cotton (100% Cotton)
GRÜNDL Cotton Fun (100% Cotton)
Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/6 (100% Cotton)
K+C Essential Cotton (100% Cotton)
Katia Linen (53% Cotton, 47% Linen)
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Lion Brand Coboo (51% Cotton, 49% Rayon from Bamboo)
Lion Brand Cotton Jeans (100% Cotton)
Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Premier Cotton Sprout DK (100% Cotton)
Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Rowan Mode Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Sirdar Happy Cotton DK (100% Cotton)

Gauge + Swatch Information

Gauge for a stretchy stitch pattern like this can be difficult to measure. Since this stitch pattern is extremely stretchy, there is a lot of forgiveness in the fabric. Try your best to get as close as you can to the measurements given.

Although this dress is worked in joined, turned rnds, your swatch will be worked flat for easier measuring. Because of this, the swatch instructions below differ slightly from the stitch chart shown on page 11 of the PDF pattern (or on page 111 in the book), so be sure to follow the written instructions carefully.

Ch 30.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, V-st in next ch, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, *sc in next 3 ch, ch 3, sk next 3 ch, V-st in next ch, ch 3, sk next 3 ch; rep from * to last ch, sc in last ch, turn. [8 sc, 3 V-sts, 6 ch3-sps]

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 4, sk next ch3-sp, Shell in ch2-sp of next V-st, ch 4, *sk next ch3-sp and next sc, sc in next sc, ch 4, sk next sc and next ch3-sp, Shell in ch2-sp of next V-st, ch 4; rep from * to end of row, sk next ch3-sp, sc in last sc, turn. [4 sc, 3 Shells, 6 ch4-sps]

Row 3: Ch 7 (PM in 5th ch), sk first ch4-sp, sc in each dc of next Shell, *ch 7, sk next 2 ch4-sps, sc in each dc of next Shell; rep from * up to and including last Shell of row, ch 3, sk next ch4-sp, tr in next sc, turn. [15 sc, 4 total ch-sps]

Row 4: Ch 3 (does not count as a st), dc in first ch3-sp, ch 3, sk first sc, sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next sc, *V-st in next ch7-sp, ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next sc; rep from * to last ch7-sp of row, dc in marked ch, remove marker, turn. [9 sc, 2 dc, 2 V-sts, 6 ch3-sps]

Row 5: Ch 3 (does not count as a st), work 2 dc into first dc, ch 4, sk next ch3-sp and next sc, sc in next sc, ch 4, sk next sc and next ch3-sp, *Shell in ch2-sp of next V-st, ch 4, sk next ch3-sp and next sc, sc in next sc, ch 4, sk next sc and next ch3-sp; rep from * to end of row, work 3 dc in top of tch from previous row, turn. [3 sc, 2 full Shells, 1 partial Shell on each end, 6 ch4-sps]

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first 3 dc, ch 7, sk next 2 ch4-sps, *sc in each dc of next Shell, ch 7, sk next 2 ch4-sps; rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn. [15 sc, 3 ch7-sps]

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 3, sk next sc, V-st in next ch7-sp, ch 3, sk next sc, *sc in next 3 sc, ch 3, sk next sc, V-st in next ch7-sp, ch 3, sk next sc; rep from * to last 2 sc, sc in last 2 sc, turn. [9 sc, 3 V-sts, 6 ch3-sps]

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 4, sk next sc and next ch3-sp, Shell in ch2-sp of next V-st, ch 4, sk next ch3-sp, *sk next sc, sc in next sc, ch 4, sk next sc and next ch3-sp, Shell in ch2-sp of next V-st, ch 4, sk next ch3-sp; rep from * to end of row, sc in last sc, turn. [4 sc, 3 Shells, 6 ch4-sps]

Blocking: For this project, gently block your swatch (and your finished dress) without stretching it too aggressively. This blocking process is intended to smooth out the stitches and create a neater fabric, as opposed to stretching it to its maximum dimensions. When you wear your dress, the fabric will contour to your measurements—stretching taut over your curves while staying fitted around your waist.

Your lightly blocked swatch should measure approximately 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) wide and 4 inches (10 cm) tall or should be able to stretch to these dimensions when manipulated very gently. Each full pattern repeat should measure 3 inches (8 cm) tall and slightly wider than 2 inches (5 cm). If you are getting close to these measurements, the hook and yarn combination you are using should work out fine to achieve the finished measurements listed in the sizing chart. Note that the weight of your dress will help your stitches relax and drape much better than your small swatch will allow, so if you match the stitch gauge but you are coming up short in the row gauge, this will be fine, as it is more important to match the stitch gauge than the row gauge since you can work this dress to your desired length.

Terms + Abbreviations Used

Written in U.S. Crochet Terms

ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
tr: treble crochet (dtr in U.K. terms)
WS: wrong side

Special Stitches

Shell: work 5 double crochets in designated space
- In U.K. terms, this means to work 5 treble crochets in designated space
V-st: (double crochet, chain 2, double crochet) in designated stitch or space
- In U.K. terms, this means to work (treble crochet, chain 2, treble crochet) in designated stitch or space

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This swim dress is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only. Reference the sizing chart and read all notes beneath the sizing chart before beginning.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each round. Be sure to reference the stitch chart in addition to the written pattern.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this fabric; both sides are identical. You will assign a “right side” later in the pattern when attaching the wooden ring.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless otherwise indicated.

Construction: This striking swim dress is crocheted from the top down in a straight tube with no increasing or decreasing! The stretchiness of this beautiful lace stitch pattern creates the illusion of shaping, allowing the fabric to contour to your body while stretching over your curves. You will crochet directly onto a wooden ring and seam it to the body of your dress, then create thick straps for the neck ties that are crocheted directly onto the wooden ring. Lastly, a clear stretchy cord is woven through the top edge of the dress to create the drape seen on the back of the dress.

More Content: Scroll down to view tester photos.

Sizing Chart + Schematic

This chart shows finished garment measurements. This swim dress is designed to be worn with approximately 7 to 10 inches (18–25 cm) of negative ease. Reference Column A and find the finished circumference in this chart that measures approximately 4 to 8 inches (10–20 cm) smaller than your widest circumference (this could be your bust, stomach or hips) and make that size. For an even more form-fitting dress, size down.

For reference, the model is 5 feet, 6 inches (168 cm) tall with a 34-inch (86-cm) bust and 38-inch (97-cm) hips, wearing a size medium with a finished garment circumference of 30 inches (76 cm) worn with 8 inches (20 cm) of negative ease in the hips. If you are between sizes, size down.

Pattern Testers

Below is a collection of photos that my pattern testers graciously allowed me to share with you! Below each photo I have linked each person’s social media account as well as listed their particular yarn choice and any notes they left regarding how well they thought it worked in the pattern. Thank you so much to all these lovely testers who helped make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible!