Free Diamond Dress crochet pattern for 18" dolls or preemie babies

FREE Diamond 18" Doll or Preemie Baby Dress Crochet Pattern

4/9/2026

Welcome back to another quick and easy doll dress crochet pattern! We have almost made it through updating the Basic Doll Dress Collection. The Diamond Doll Dress is the 4th out of 5 in the collection to be added here to the blog. This one is especially easy to make as the skirt uses a 1 stitch repeat that is well known in the C2C community. While I learned this stitch as the Brick Stitch around 40 years ago, it's been known by several different names. No matter which name you're familiar with, the stitch is worked in a similar way and easy to do without to much thought.

You can view the written pattern in full below along with a full video tutorial. If you prefer to have a printable pdf, the ad free version is available for purchase below also.

**This post may contain Affiliate links through which I may receive a small commission for purchases made at no extra cost to you**

Here's what you'll need:

Materials:
216 yrds Caron Simply Soft or similar 4ww yarn
20" Ribbon
(1) 1/4"-1/2" Button

Hook: G-6 4.25mm & H-8 5.00mm

Gauge: With H hook 15 hdc & 11 rows = 4"

Finished Size: Fits 18" Dolls similar to American Girl Dolls or a Preemie Infant

Skill Level: Easy

US Crochet Terms

Stitches / Abbreviations:

st(s) - stitch(es)
sl st - slip stitch
ch - chain
yo - yarn over
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet

Special Stitches:

Hdc Foundation Chain - ch 3, yo, insert hook in very first chain & pull up a loop, you'll have 3 loops on your hook. Yo & pull through last loop on hook (this will be your first "chain space". Yo & pull through all 3 loops on hook (this is your first hdc). *Yo, insert hook in chain space, yo, & pull up a loop, yo and pull through last loop on hook (this will be your next chain), yo & pull through all 3 loops on hook (this will be your next hdc).* Repeat from *to* to required stitch count.
*You can view the photo & video tutorial HERE
If you prefer to work a basic chain, see Notes below

V Stitch: (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in same stitch

Brick Stitch (Br St): (sc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same stitch

Notes:
1. Beginning ch-2 does not count as a hdc unless otherwise indicated
2. If changing colors, do so in the last step of the last stitch of the row before the color change
3. This dress is worked from the neck down
4. Change color on Round 8 if you want a straight line of color change or on Round 9 for a wavy color change
5. If you prefer to start with a basic chain, chain 38, hdc in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across to end (36 hdc)

With G hook
Row 1: Hdc Foundation of 36

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 4 sts, *V Stitch in next st, hdc in next 8 sts,* repeat from *to* 2x, V St in next st, hdc in remaining 4 sts

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 5 sts, *V Stitch around ch-2 of next V Stitch, hdc in next 10 sts,* repeat from *to* 2x, V Stitch around ch-2 of next V Stitch, hdc in remaining 5 sts

Row 4: Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 6 sts, *V Stitch around ch-2 of next V Stitch, hdc in next 12 sts,* repeat from *to* 2x, V Stitch around ch-2 of next V Stitch, hdc in remaining 6 sts

With H hook
Round 5: (If you want a different color edge on the sleeves, change colors here)
Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 7 sts, *V Stitch around ch-2 of next V Stitch, hdc in next 14 sts,* repeat from *to* 2x, V Stitch around ch-2 of next V Stitch, hdc in remaining 7 sts, sl st to beginning ch-2 to connect

Round 6: (This round will create the armholes)
Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 8 sts, *3 hdc around ch-2 of next V Stitch, ch 4, 3 hdc around ch-2 of next V Stitch,* hdc in next 16 sts, repeat from *to* 1x, hdc in final 8 sts, sl st to beginning ch-2 to connect

Round 7: (This round is for the ribbon)
Ch 2 (counts has hdc), turn, hdc in same space as ch-2, ch 1, skip next st, *2 hdc in next st, ch 1, skip next st,* repeat from *to* around, sl st to beginning ch-2 to connect (see P1) (52 hdc, 26 ch-1)

Round 8: Ch 1, *Br St in next st, skip next 2 sts,* repeat from *to* around 24x, Br St in next st, skip end st, sl st to beginning ch-1 to connect (26 Br St)

Round 9: Ch 3, turn, Br St around ch-2 of each Br St of previous round, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to connect (26 Br St)

Rounds 10-20: Repeat Round 9 until you reach 9 1/2" from shoulder to bottom or desired length

Fasten off & weave in ends

Stitch button to top left back of dress opening & use the chain space of the Foundation chain as the button hole

Weave ribbon through Round 7 & cut to desired length for bow