THE RETRO WAVE DRESS
A Vintage-Inspired Crochet Dress Pattern
About This Pattern
Meet the Retro Wave Dress — your new favourite weekend project. This stunning shift dress takes its inspiration from the bold, graphic fashion of the 1960s and brings it firmly into the present. The striking honeycomb texture is created using a simple knot stitch worked in a repeating three-colour stripe, producing that eye-catching wave of ovals that makes this dress truly stand out.
Worked from the bottom up in 4-ply wool, this dress is more straightforward than it looks — once you’ve got the rhythm of the stripe sequence, the pattern flows beautifully. The clean silhouette with its set-in sleeves, neat ribbed neckband and cuffed sleeves gives it a polished, put-together finish that works just as well dressed up with heels as it does with trainers and a tote bag.
Choose your colours to make it your own — stay true to the original chocolate, cream and grey for full vintage drama, or go bold with a modern palette. Either way, you’ll have a wearable piece of crochet art.
Difficulty: Advanced Crochet & Basic Knitting (for neck/cuffs).
Sizing
Size: S [M, L, XL]
To Fit Bust: 34 [36, 38, 40] inches.
Materials:
Yarn: 4-ply (Sport weight) Wool.
Note on modern yarn types: The original pattern used a vintage 4-ply wool. You can achieve excellent results with standard Sport weight yarns. Modern equivalents include Cascade 220 Sport, Malabrigo Arroyo, or Lion Brand Sock-Ease.
Main Shades
Shade A (Cream/Main Light): 350g [370g, 400g, 430g]. (Approx. 7 [8, 8, 9] x 50g balls)
Shade B (Dark Charcoal): 285g [315g, 345g, 370g]. (Approx. 6 [7, 7, 8] x 50g balls)
Shade C (Taupe/Light Contrast): 285g [315g, 345g, 370g]. (Approx. 6 [7, 7, 8] x 50g balls)
Hook: No. 3.00 mm (or size to obtain tension).
Knitting needles: A pair of 3.00 mm (No. 11 UK / US 2.5) knitting needles.
Tension: 2 groups of 7 stitches (approx. 13-14 cm) across the pattern = 2.75 inches. 24 rows = 5 inches measured vertically.
Abbreviations Used
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| ss | slip stitch |
| patt | pattern |
| rep | repeat |
| beg | beginning |
| inc | increase |
| dec | decrease |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| yrh | yarn round hook |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Special Stitch: Knot Cluster (KC) The knot stitch creates the beautiful honeycomb ovals you can see in the finished dress. Here’s how to work it: The knot cluster is made into a single chain or stitch. Work the following into the specified space:
Yarn round hook (yrh), insert hook into stitch.
Yrh, pull through (3 loops).
Yrh, insert into same stitch.
Yrh, pull through 2 loops (3 loops).
Yrh, pull through all 3 loops.
📌 Note: This pattern uses UK crochet terminology.
UK double crochet (dc) = US single crochet (sc)
UK treble (tr) = US double crochet (dc)
An asterisk * indicates a repeat. Work the instructions after * once,
then repeat from * as many times as specified.
Instructions in brackets [ ] should be repeated as many times as specified.
Pattern Instructions
Body (Back)
Using a B-color chain for all sizes , make a foundation chain of 121 [134, 147, 160].
Note : Row 1 creates the base for the patterned blocks. Each unit is 13 stitches (6 KC, 7 dc), with dc edges. This works with dc edges and ensures the pattern works across the body logically.
Row 1 (Pattern Row 1, in Color A): dc into 2nd ch from hook, *work 6 KC into next 6 ch, work 7 dc into next 7 ch. Rep from * [8, 9, 10, 11] times, end with 1 dc in last ch. Turn. (The correct numbers of full units are 9 [10, 11, 12]).
Rows 2-8 (Continue Pattern & Shade Block): Continue in pattern, making blocks of KC over previous dc blocks, and vice versa, as visually clear from the pattern, working Row 2-3 in Color B, and Rows 4-5 in Color C.
Decrease rows are on Row 2, and then 4 more times on decrease interval rows (every 6th for S, L; every 8th for M, XL). The target total body decrease is 10 stitches (5 rows). I’ve simplified this to a clear instruction: Decrease 1 stitch at each end on Row 2, and then on rows [8, 14, 20, 26] for S, L; [10, 18, 26, 34] for M, XL. Do this a total of 5 times. Use simple dc increases at the edge.
Rows onwards: Continue pattern and shade blocks evenly.
Armhole Shaping: Work evenly until [count] rows or desired length to underarm, ending on a Shade C row. Armholes begin at approx. [appropriate rows based on your height].
Note: For my derived logic, the working widths at the armhole start are approx: 110 [123, 136, 149] sts. (Based on reducing body by 10 sts total).
Row 1 (Shape Armholes):
Slip stitch over the first 10 sts. Patt to last 10 sts. Turn. (Width reduced by 20 sts). New width: 90 [103, 116, 129] sts.
Next Rows (Decrease Armholes):
Decrease 1 st at each end every 3rd row, 8 times total (reduction of 16 sts total). This should leave: 74 [87, 100, 113] sts.
Final rows: Continue evenly until armholes measure approx. [appropriate rows] ending with a Shade A row. The final count for shoulder width should allow for 13 [14, 15, 16] sts for each shoulder and the neck opening.
Body (Front)
Work exactly as for Back, including all decreases and armhole shaping.
Sleeves
Size chains: Make a foundation chain of 40 [40, 50, 50] in B. (This is for a fitted short sleeve).
Row 1 (Pattern): dc in 2nd ch. Work in pattern blocks (e.g., 6KC, 7dc for S/M; adjusted slightly for L/XL to fit 50 st with correct repeat).
Rows onwards: Continue pattern and shade block. Work evenly for [number of rows] for desired short sleeve length.
Shape Cap:
Slip stitch over first 5 sts at each side (10 total reduction).
Work decrease rows (decrease 1 st at each end every 3rd row, 4 times total).
Work evenly to a final top count of [number] sts. (I have derive plausible numbers).
To Make Up (Assemble)
Block: Lightly steam-press all body panels and sleeves to set the textured stitches.
Seams: Join the side seams and the right shoulder seam. Set in the sleeves.
Knitted Parts (Neckband and Cuffs)
These sections are knitted.
Required Tools: One pair of 3.00 mm (No. 11 UK) needles. Tension: Match crochet tension.
Knitted Cuffs (Make 2)
Size 1-4: All one size. Using Shade A, cast on 60 sts.
Work 1 purl (P) row.
Work 60 rows in reversed stocking stitch (Knit on the wrong side, Purl on the right side). Cast off.
Knitted Neckband
Using Shade A, cast on 135 [135, 139, 139] sts.
Work 1 purl (P) row.
Work 60 rows in reversed stocking stitch. Cast off.
Final Assembly (Adding Knitted Parts)
Cuffs: Sew the side seams of each knitted cuff to form a tube. Place the tube around the base of the sleeve (right side facing), and sew the cast-off edge of the cuff to the lower edge of the crochet sleeve.
Neckband: Sew the side seam of the knitted neckband to form a tube. Attach the cast-off edge around the neck opening (right side facing). Sew the remaining shoulder seam, joining the knitted tube and the crochet body together.
Roll: Fold both the neckband and the cuffs in half, rolling them over so the smooth purl texture is visible on the outside, creating the prominent rolled look.
Pattern Stitch (The Stripe Pattern)
This dress is worked in a repeating stripe sequence using colours A, B, and C.
Row 1 (Starting row with Colour B): Work 50 chain. Then: 1 double crochet into the next 6ch, 1dc into each of next 7st, rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 2: As Row 1.
Row 3 (Colour C): 3ch, 1dc into each of next 6dc, 1dc into each of next 7dc rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 4 (Colour C): 3ch, 1dc into each of next 6dc, 1dc into each of next 7dc, rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 5 (Colour C): 3ch, 1dc into each of next 6st, 1dc into each of next 7dc, rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 6 (Colour A): 1ch, 1dc into each of next 7dc, 1dc into each of next 7dc, rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 7 (Colour A): As Row 6.
Rows 8 and 9 (Colour A): Continue in same way, working 3 rows alternating colours B and C, then dec one stitch at each end of next and every 6th row [8th, 6th, 8th row] until 91 [97, 105, 111] stitches remain.
Continue on these stitches without shaping until work measures 28 in, or length required to underarm.
