Nestora

Boho Off-Shoulder Motif Maxi Dress Free Crochet Pattern

You will crochet a two-part off-shoulder maxi dress: a band of floral square motifs across the shoulders and a lace skirt worked downward from it. It needs confident-beginner skills (chain, double crochet, joining motifs). Estimated working time is about 18 to 25 hours depending on size.

Boho Off-Shoulder Motif Maxi Dress

Free crochet pattern · US terms

Yarn: 1 - Super Fine (fingering / sock) — suggested
Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) — verify with a swatch
Gauge: 20 dc x 10 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in the skirt lace pattern, unblocked; one motif measures about 4.25 in (11 cm) square after light blocking (calculated, not measured)
Size: approx. Sample size S/M: motif band about 34 in (86 cm) around and 6 in (15 cm) deep; skirt about 52 in (132 cm) around at hem and 40 in (102 cm) long, giving a total dress length of about 46 in (117 cm) from band top to hem
Level: Confident beginner
Time: about 22 h (estimate)

Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.

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The dress is built in two stages. First you make a strip of floral square motifs joined into a ring that sits off the shoulders and forms the bodice band. Then you work the skirt in rounds from the lower edge of that band, increasing steadily for an A-line shape, and finish with a fringe hem.

It suits crocheters who can already work double crochet and chain spaces and who are ready to join motifs and follow a repeating round. The motif band gives structure at the top; the open skirt keeps it light for warm weather.

Before You Start

Time Estimate: About 18 to 25 hours total, with roughly 6 to 9 hours on the motifs and the rest on the skirt.

Yarn Amount: About 1,400 to 1,800 yd (1,280 to 1,650 m) of light fingering cotton for the sample size; larger sizes need more.

Swatch First: Work a 4 in (10 cm) square in the skirt lace pattern before starting so your row gauge matches.

Fit Note: The band is meant to sit above the bust and off the shoulders; measure your upper arm circumference before choosing a size.

Materials

Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.

4 skeins (about 1,600 yd / 1,460 m) fingering-weight cotton, 100 g each

Cotton holds the motif shape and drapes well for a summer dress. A cotton-linen blend is a good substitute if you want a slightly crisper hand.

3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook

Matches the fingering weight for a firm, even motif. Swatch and change to 3.25 mm if your motifs feel loose.

Stitch markers (about 12)

Useful for marking motif corners, increase points, and the start of each round. Scrap yarn works as a substitute.

Tapestry needle

For weaving in motif ends and joining the band ends. A blunt tip is best for cotton.

Tape measure and scissors

Needed for the gauge check and for measuring the skirt as you go.

Yarn needed (estimate): estimated about 1,600 yd (1,460 m) total, about 4 skeins of 400 yd (365 m) / 100 g

Gauge and Size

Gauge: 20 dc x 10 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in the skirt lace pattern, unblocked; one motif measures about 4.25 in (11 cm) square after light blocking. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.

Finished size (approximate): Sample size S/M: motif band about 34 in (86 cm) around and 6 in (15 cm) deep; skirt about 52 in (132 cm) around at hem and 40 in (102 cm) long, giving a total dress length of about 46 in (117 cm) from band top to hem. Your size depends on your gauge.

Abbreviations (US terms)

Abbr.	Meaning
ch	chain
sl st	slip stitch
sc	single crochet
dc	double crochet
st/sts	stitch/stitches
sp/sp(s)	space/spaces
rep	repeat
FO	fasten off
MR	magic ring
ch-3	chain-3 space (a space made by 3 chains)

Special Stitches

Floral motif square (motif)

A small square worked in the round: a center ring, a petal round of double crochet clusters, then a square outline of double crochet and chain corners. Full steps are in the Motif Band section.

Shell (sh)

Work 3 dc into the same ch-2 sp. Used in the skirt lace to create the fan shape.

V-stitch (V-st)

Work (dc, ch 2, dc) into the same ch-2 sp. Creates the open diamond lattice in the skirt.

Fringe

Cut yarn strands, fold in half, and pull the loop through a stitch with the hook, then pull the ends through the loop to knot. Worked along the hem in the Finishing steps.

How This Pattern Is Written

All instructions use US crochet terms.
The motif band is worked as individual squares in joined rounds, then joined into a ring with slip stitch through matching corner chains. The turning chain does not count as a stitch anywhere in this pattern.
The skirt is worked in joined rounds from the lower edge of the motif band. Each round begins with ch 3 (not counted as a st) and ends with a sl st into the first dc of the round.
Right side faces you throughout the skirt. The motif band is joined so that the petal side faces out.
Stitch counts in parentheses show the number of dc and ch-2 spaces at the end of each round. Chain spaces are counted as one unit.
Sizes are written for S/M with M/L and L/XL changes in the Variations section. All measurements are calculated from the stated gauge, not measured on a finished garment.

Checkpoint after Skirt Round 4: The skirt should measure about 36 in (91 cm) around and about 2.5 in (6 cm) deep below the band. You should count 18 shell groups and 18 V-stitches alternating around, with 4 dc between each repeat.

The Pattern

Floral Motif (make 8 for S/M)

Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 3 (does not count as a st). Work 12 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first dc. Pull the ring tail tight.(12 dc)
Round 2: Work 2 dc in the same st as the join (first petal). Ch 1. *Skip 1 st, work 3 dc in the next st, ch 1. Rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the top of the first dc.(24 petals of 3 dc, 6 ch-1 sps)
Round 3: Work 3 dc in the first ch-1 sp. Ch 2. *Work 4 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 2. Rep from * around. Join with a sl st to the first dc.(30 dc, 6 ch-2 sps)
Round 4: This round squares the motif. Work 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc, then (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 sp (corner made). *Work 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc, then (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in the next ch-2 sp. Rep from * 2 more times. Join with a sl st to the first dc. FO.(36 dc, 4 ch-3 corner sps)

Motif Band

Join motifs: Lay the 8 motifs in a row with right sides up, alternating the petal orientation if you like. With right sides together, sl st through the matching ch-3 corner sps of adjacent motifs, working from corner to corner along one edge, then continue stitching the side edges together for about 2 in (5 cm). Rep until all 8 motifs form a ring. Join the first and last motif the same way. Do not join the top or bottom edges yet.(0 motifs joined in a ring)
Band edge round: With the right side facing, join yarn in any corner ch-3 sp along the lower edge of the ring. Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the same sp, then work 1 sc in each dc along the lower edge (8 dc per motif side = 64 sc) and 2 sc in each corner sp (8 corners x 2 = 16 sc). Join with a sl st to the first sc.(80 sc)

Skirt

Round 1: Work 1 dc in the same st as the join. *Ch 2, skip 3 sc, work (dc, ch 2, dc) in the next sc (V-st made). Ch 2, skip 3 sc, work 3 dc in the next sc (shell made). Rep from * around, ending with ch 2 and a sl st to the first dc.(80 shells, 10 V-sts, 40 ch-2 sps)
Round 2: Work 3 dc in the first ch-2 sp. *Ch 2, work a V-st in the next ch-2 sp, ch 2, work 3 dc in the next ch-2 sp. Rep from * around, joining with a sl st to the first dc.(80 shells, 10 V-sts)
Round 3: Work 3 dc in the first shell's ch-2 sp. Ch 2. Work a V-st in the next V-st's ch-2 sp. Ch 2. Work 3 dc in the next shell's center dc. Ch 2. Rep from * around, joining with a sl st to the first dc.(70 shells, 10 V-sts, 20 ch-2 sps)
Round 4: Work 3 dc in the first ch-2 sp. *Ch 2, work a V-st in the next ch-2 sp, ch 2, work 2 shells in the next ch-2 sp. Rep from * around, joining with a sl st to the first dc. This round adds one extra shell between each V-st pair to widen the skirt.(100 shells, 10 V-sts)
Rounds 5-6: Rep Round 4 twice more, working a shell in every ch-2 sp and a V-st in every V-st. Each round adds 10 shells.(160 shells, 10 V-sts at end of Round 6)
Rounds 7-24: Continue repeating Round 4, working a shell in each ch-2 sp and a V-st in each V-st, increasing 10 shells every round. Work until the skirt measures about 38 in (97 cm) from the band edge, ending after a round with a sl st join.(about 270 shells, 10 V-sts at hem)
Hem round: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-2 sp around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Do not FO.(640 sc)

Finishing and Assembly

1. Weave in all motif ends on the wrong side with the tapestry needle.
2. Block the dress lightly by misting and pinning the hem to the finished measurements; let it dry flat.
3. Cut fringe strands about 8 in (20 cm) long. Fold each in half and attach along the hem round, skipping 1 sc between each fringe.
4. Trim the fringe ends evenly with scissors.
5. Try the dress on and adjust the band by adding or removing a motif if the fit is loose or tight.

Sizes and Variations

Size M/L

Make 9 motifs for the band (about 38 in / 97 cm around) and begin the skirt with 81 sc on the band edge round; all skirt rounds shift by one repeat.

Size L/XL

Make 10 motifs (about 42 in / 107 cm around) and begin with 90 sc; add 3 extra skirt rounds for length.

Shorter skirt

Stop the skirt after Round 16 for a midi length of about 30 in (76 cm).

No fringe

Finish with two sc rounds at the hem instead of the fringe for a cleaner resort look.

Troubleshooting

What you see	Likely cause	Fix
The motif band pulls in and will not sit off the shoulders.	Motifs were joined too tightly or the gauge is smaller than stated.	Undo the joining seams and rejoin with looser slip stitches, or add one motif to the ring.
The skirt ripples instead of falling straight.	Too many increases per round, usually from working a shell in a space that already holds a shell.	Check that each round alternates shells and V-stitches; rip back to the last even round and recount.
The hem is wider on one side.	The round start drifted and the join was not kept in a straight line.	Place a stitch marker at the first dc of each round and move it up as you work.
The fringe knots slip out.	Fringe was attached to chain spaces rather than single crochet stitches.	Reattach each strand through a single crochet stitch and pull the knot snug.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and dry flat in shade to keep the cotton from stretching. Do not tumble dry. Block the hem lightly after each wash.

Questions Makers Ask

How much yarn does the off-shoulder maxi dress use?

The sample size is estimated at about 1,600 yd (1,460 m), roughly 4 skeins of 100 g fingering cotton. Larger sizes and a longer skirt use more, so buy one extra skein.

Can a beginner make this dress?

It is a confident-beginner project. You need double crochet, chain spaces, and simple motif joining. The skirt is a repeating round, so most of the work is practice once the first few rounds are done.

Does the dress need a lining?

The lace skirt is open, so a slip or a simple cotton lining is a practical addition for everyday wear. The motif band is solid enough to wear without one.

How do I know which size to make?

Measure around your upper arms and bust, then choose the motif count that gives a band slightly wider than your bust measurement. The band sits off the shoulders, so it should feel loose.

Designer's note: Work one full motif and measure it before making the rest; a quarter-inch difference per motif adds up across the band. Keep your joining seams loose so the band can stretch over the shoulders.

Next: Try a matching crochet market bag in the same shell stitch to practice the lace repeat on a smaller project.

Printed from Nestora — https://nestora.medsaca.com/2026/10/26/off-shoulder-motif-maxi-dress/