Crochet Beach Dress: A Mesh Cover-Up Dress in 6 Sizes
A simple mesh tube with a drawstring neckline, thin straps and a scalloped hem. Throw it over a swimsuit for the beach — or over a slip dress in the city.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- DK (#3) cotton, 700–1,200 yd depending on size and length
- Hook
- 4 mm (G-6)
- Time
- 12–20 hours
- Finished size
- XS–2XL: fits hips 34–54 in (86–137 cm)
You'll need
- DK weight (#3) cotton or cotton-linen — about 700 (800, 900, 1,000, 1,100, 1,200) yd for a 32-in dress
- 4 mm (G-6) hook
- Stitch markers, tapestry needle
In this post
A crochet mesh dress is the definition of effortless: one open-mesh tube worked in rounds, gathered at the top with a drawstring and finished with a scalloped hem. Because the mesh stretches and the neckline gathers, sizing is very forgiving — the pattern is sized by hip measurement.
It's the ultimate swimsuit cover-up for US and UK summers — and for Australian beaches, starting about now.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Gauge and sizing
Gauge: 20 sts (counting each dc and each ch as a stitch) and 8 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in mesh.
| Size | Fits hips | Foundation chain | Finished circumference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 34 in | 190 | 38 in |
| S | 38 in | 210 | 42 in |
| M | 42 in | 230 | 46 in |
| L | 46 in | 250 | 50 in |
| XL | 50 in | 270 | 54 in |
| 2XL | 54 in | 290 | 58 in |
The pattern
The dress is worked top-down in joined rounds. Mesh stitch: dc in a dc, ch 1 over each ch-1 space.
Body
- Foundation: Ch the number for your size. Join with a sl st to the first ch, making sure the chain isn't twisted.
- Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1). Skip 1 ch, *dc in the next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch*; repeat around. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the ch 4. (95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145 mesh spaces)
- Rnd 2 onward: Ch 4, *dc in the next dc, ch 1*; repeat around. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the ch 4.
- Length: Continue until the dress measures 32 in (64 rounds) for knee length, or 40 in (80 rounds) for a maxi. Try it on as you go.
Scalloped hem
- Hem round: Ch 1, sc in the first dc. *5 dc in the next dc, sc in the next dc*; repeat around, adjusting at the end so the last repeat finishes neatly. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Drawstring and straps
- Drawstring: Ch 220 (all sizes) and work a row of sl st back along the chain. Weave it in and out of the mesh spaces of the first round.
- Straps (make 2): Ch 42, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across (41). Sew to the top edge, front to back, about 4 in from each side.
- Fit: Pull the drawstring to gather the neckline to your bust and tie in a bow at the front.
Make it your own
- Side slits: for the last 10 in, work in rows on each half instead of rounds.
- Filet motif: fill some squares to draw hearts or flowers — see filet crochet.
- Mini skirt: stop at 16 in, add elastic, and you have a mesh skirt.
Common questions
What yarn is best for a crochet beach dress?
Cotton or cotton-linen: breathable, quick to dry and not too stretchy. Avoid 100% acrylic, which is warm, and very heavy cotton, which gets weighed down when wet.
Will the dress stretch longer as I wear it?
Mesh in cotton grows a little with wear. Block your swatch hanging up to see how much, and stop a round or two early.
How do I avoid twisting the foundation chain?
Lay the chain flat on a table with the bumps all facing the same way before you join. Or work Round 1 in rows and seam the short edge afterwards.
Beach, pool or brunch — where's your dress going first? 🏖️
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