Free Snap Dragon 18" Doll or Preemie Dress Crochet Pattern

It's finally time!  This is the last doll dress in the basic doll dress collection to be updated and added to the blog.  The Snap Dragon doll dress uses one of my favorite stitch combinations and has such a pretty look on the skirt.  

This pattern is also considered an Easy skill level but could very well be worked by a beginner if you know how to read patterns or can learn from video tutorials (at the bottom of this post)

I named it Snap Dragon because the stitches remind me of the fun little snap dragon flowers.  The V-Stitch when the flower petals are open mouth wide and the shell when the petals are mouth closed.  It may be silly, I know but I just think snap dragons are a fun and cool flower to have around.

I'm so happy you're here to enjoy another one of my designs!  You can view the full written pattern below along with the full video tutorial at the bottom of this post for free.  
If you prefer to have a downloadable pattern to work anywhere at your leisure, the ad free pdf is available to purchase by clicking the button to the right  ------>>>>>>

Crochet Pattern, 18" Snap Dragon Doll Dress

$3.00

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Materials: 177 yards 4ww yarn such as Caron Simply Soft or Loops & Threads Impeccable 
                 30” Ribbon (¼” - ⅜” width)
      ½” - ⅝” Button  
Hook: G-6 4.25mm & H-8  5.00mm
Gauge: With H hook 15 hdc & 11 rows = 4”
Finished Size:  18” Generic doll, American Girl sized doll or Preemie Infant                  
Skill Level: Easy                                                                                                                           US Crochet Terms

Stitch Abbreviations: 
       st(s) – stitch(es)         
       ch – chain 
       sl st – slip stitch 
       sc - single crochet
       hdc – half double crochet
       dc – double crochet
Special Stitches:
HDC Foundation Chain Photo & Video Tutorial: Click HERE

Small V Stitch (1st 6 rows only): (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in indicated stitch

V Stitch (sleeve & skirt section only): (dc, ch 2, dc) in indicated stitch

Shell: 4 dc in indicated stitch

​5 Shell: 5 dc in indicated 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. If you prefer to start with a basic chain, chain 37, turn, hdc in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across for a total of 36 hdc
   

With G hook
Row 1: 36 hdc Foundation Chain

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

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

​

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

With H hook (This round will create the sleeve border)
Round 5: Ch 2, turn, hdc in next 7 sts, *Small V Stitch around ch-2 of next Small V Stitch, [V Stitch in next st, skip next 2 sts, 5 Shell in next st, skip next 2 sts]2x, V Stitch in next st, skip next st,* Small V Stitch around ch-2 of next Small V Stitch, hdc in next 14 sts, Repeat from *to* 1x, Small V Stitch around ch-2 of next Small V Stitch, hdc in remaining 7 sts, sl st to beginning ch-2 to connect 

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

​

Round 7: (This round is for the ribbon around the waist)
Ch 2 (counts as 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 (52 hdc, 26 ch-1)

Skirt Section:
Round 8: Ch 5, turn, dc in same space as ch-5 (counts as V Stitch), skip next 2 sts, 5 Shell in next st, *skip next 2 sts, V Stitch in next     st, skip next 2 sts, 5 Shell in next st,* repeat from *to* around, sl st to 3rd chain of the beginning ch-5 to connect, sl st in next 2 chain spaces (13 Shells, 13 V Stitches)

Round 9: Do not turn, (sc, ch 2, 4 dc) around first ch-2 (counts as 5 Shell), V Stitch in third dc of next 5 Shell, *5 Shell around ch-2 of next V Stitch, V Stitch in 3rd dc of next 5 Shell,* repeat from *to* around, sl st to beginning ch-2 to connect

​

Round 10: Turn, sl st in next st, (sc, ch 2, 4 dc) around first ch-2 (counts as 5 Shell), V Stitch in third dc of next 5 Shell, *5 Shell around ch-2 of next V Stitch, V Stitch in 3rd dc of next 5 Shell,* repeat from *to* around, sl st to beginning ch-2 to connect


Rounds 11-20: Repeat Round 10 until dress measures 9 ½” from shoulder to bottom or to desired length 

Fasten off and weave in ends

Stitch button to top left back of dress opening  

Use the chain space from the Foundation Chain as the button hole

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

​

I hope you've enjoyed crocheting this Snap Dragon 18" doll dress.  It's such a fun project to work and hopefully you'll use this pattern many more times.

Happy crocheting my friends!
​Kate