My dearest creative soul, welcome back to the studio. Today, we are not just making a toy; we are crafting a memory. We are dressing our beloved Clementine in the “Golden Hour” collection—a layered ensemble that speaks of late July evenings, fireflies, and lemonade. It requires patience, but the result is pure heirloom quality.
🧶 About This Look
We are moving beyond the basics. This project features a “Lemon Meringue” Tiered Sundress utilizing a dense shell stitch for architectural volume. Over this, we layer a “Sea-Breeze” Lace Bolero in mint green to add sophistication. The look is crowned with a structured Wide-Brim Hat that mimics straw, and finished with a tiny Basket Bag and T-Strap Sandals. Every single element is crocheted.
Project Snapshot
- 📊 Difficulty: Advanced/Intermediate
- ⏰ Est. Time: 8–10 Hours
- 📏 Size: 25cm (approx 10 inches) standing
Materials & Tools
- 🧶 Yarn:
- Color A: Soft Beige (Clementine’s Body)
- Color B: Buttercup Yellow (Dress)
- Color C: Crisp White (Edging)
- Color D: Mint Green (Bolero)
- Color E: Dark Tan/Ochre (Hat & Bag)
- 🪡 Hook: 2.5mm (Keep tension tight!)
- ✨ Accessories: 12mm Black Safety Eyes with eyelashes, pink blush for cheeks, 3 small buttons (6mm).
The Pattern: Clementine’s Base (Summary)
(Use Soft Beige. Stuff firmly as you go.)
- Head: Start 6 sc in MR. Inc to 60 sc. Work 10 rounds even. Dec back to 24 sc.
- Ears (Make 2): Start 6 sc in MR. Inc to 18 sc. Work 15 rounds even. Fold flat and sew.
- Body: Start 6 sc in MR. Inc to 54 sc. Work even for height. Dec to 24 sc at neck.
- Legs (Make 2): Start 6 sc in MR. Inc to 18 sc. Work 20 rounds even.
- Arms (Make 2): Start 6 sc in MR. Inc to 15 sc. Work 15 rounds even.
The Pattern: The “Golden Hour” Ensemble
** STRICTLY FOLLOW ROW COUNTS. DO NOT IMPROVISE. **
1. The “Lemon Meringue” Tiered Sundress (Color B – Yellow)
Work in rounds, joining with a sl st at the end of each round unless noted.
- Row 1 (Waist): Ch 28, join to form a circle. Ch 1, sc in each st around. (28)
- Row 2-5 (Bodice): Sc in each st around. (28)
- Row 6 (Armholes): Sc 4, ch 6 (skip 4 sts), sc 12, ch 6 (skip 4 sts), sc 4.
- Row 7: Sc in every st and chain. (32)
- Row 8 (Skirt Base): Switch to Shell Stitch pattern. Sc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st (Shell made), skip 2 sts. Repeat around.
- Row 9-12: Shell in the center sc of the previous row’s shell, sc in the center dc of the previous row’s shell. Repeat around.
- Row 13 (Ruffles): Increase volume. Work 7 dc (Large Shell) in each sc space around.
- Row 14 (Hem): Switch to Color C (White). Sc in each st around the entire hem for a crisp finish. Fasten off.
2. The “Sea-Breeze” Lace Bolero (Color D – Mint Green)
Worked flat in rows.
- Row 1: Ch 20. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (19)
- Row 2 (Lace Pattern): Ch 2 (counts as dc), ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st. Repeat across. Turn.
- Row 3: Sc in each dc and ch-space across. (19)
- Row 4: Ch 2, dc in next 3 sts, ch 4 (skip 3 sts for armhole), dc in next 5 sts, ch 4 (skip 3 sts for armhole), dc in last 4 sts. Turn.
- Row 5: Sc in every st and ch. Fasten off.
3. The Structured Wide-Brim Hat (Color E – Tan)
Use a smaller hook (2.0mm) if possible for stiffness.
- Round 1: 6 sc in MR.
- Round 2: Inc in each st. (12)
- Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. (18)
- Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. (24)
- Round 5: Sc 3, inc around. (30)
- Round 6-9 (Crown): Work even in BLO (Back Loop Only) for texture. (30)
- Round 10 (Brim Start): Work in FLO (Front Loop Only). Sc 1, inc around. (45)
- Round 11: Sc 4, inc around. (54)
- Round 12: Sc even. Fasten off.
- Detail: Crochet a tiny daisy in White/Yellow and sew to the band.
4. The Miniature Basket Bag (Color E – Tan)
- Round 1: Ch 5. Sc around the chain (oval shape). (12)
- Round 2-5: Sc in BLO around. (12)
- Handle: Ch 12, skip 5 sts, sl st, turn, sc back down the chain. Fasten off.
5. T-Strap Sandals (Color E – Tan – Make 2)
- Round 1: Ch 6, oval start. Sc around. (14)
- Round 2: Sc in BLO (creates sole edge).
- Round 3: Sc 4, ch 4 (strap), skip 4, sc 6. Fasten off.
Assembly
- Dressing: Slip the Yellow Dress onto Clementine carefully.
- Layering: Place the Mint Bolero over the dress; secure with a single stitch if needed to keep it on the shoulders.
- Positioning: Pin the Hat on the head slightly tilted back (between the ears).
- Finishing: Slip the bag onto her arm.
- Support: Prop her against the Vintage Crochet Granny Square Pillow to ensure she stands upright for the photo.
A Final Word
You have created something truly special. This is not just a pattern; it is a piece of art. Take your time with the photos—the texture of the shell stitch deserves to be seen.
