Happy Friday and Happy Independence Day! It's been a while since I posted a free pattern. I finally have a day off today to share one with all of you. If you've been on Pinterest, I'm sure you've seen the crochet top and tulle bottom dresses. I fell in love the first time I saw one. I haven't been able to find a pattern I love so I thought I'd write one and share it with all of you. I hope it's easy to read and not confusing. Pattern is written in American terms. You can sell items made from this pattern. Please do not recreate pattern or represent as your own. Kassia Empire Waist Dress (size 2-4 years) Materials needed: H (5mm) hook Tapestry needle 75 yds x 6in tulle Worsted Weight yarn Abbreviations: CH - chain SC - single crochet HDC - half-double crochet DC - double crochet TR - treble crochet SS - slip stitch Bodice: ch 68 row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc 8 (dc 3 in next st) dc 14 (dc 3 in next st) dc 16 (dc 3 in next st) dc 14 (dc 3 in next st) dc 8, ch 2 row 2: dc 9 (dc 3 in next st) dc 16 (dc 3 in next st) dc 18 (dc 3 in next st) dc 15 (dc 3 in next st) dc 10, ch2 row 3: dc 11 (dc 3 in next st) dc 17 (dc 3 in next st) dc 20 (dc 3 in next st) dc 18 (dc 3 in next st) dc 10, ch 2 row 4: dc 11 (dc 3 in next st) dc 20 (dc 3 in next st) dc 22 (dc 3 in next st)dc 19 (dc 3 in next st) dc 12, ch2 row 5: dc 13 (dc 3 in next st) dc dc 22 (dc 3 in next st) dc 24 (dc 3 in next st) dc 22 (dc 3 in next st) dc 12, ch 2 row 6: dc 13 (dc 3 in next st) dc 24 (dc 3 in next st) dc 26 (dc 3 in next st) dc 23 (dc 3 in next st) dc 14, ch 2 row 7: dc 15 (dc 3 in next st) dc 25 (dc 3 in next st) dc 28 (dc 3 in next st) dc 26 (dc 3 in next st) dc 14, ch 2 row 8: dc 15 (dc 3 in next st) dc 28 (dc 3 in next st) dc 30 (dc 3 in next st) dc 27 (dc 3 in next st) dc 16 Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Wrong side facing, whip stitch ends together so it looks like picture. Join yarn in top of 3dc that form first arm hole, work 1 sc in both st, work 1 sc in each of the next dc to top of next 3dc, work 1 sc through top of both 3dc, work 1 sc in each dc to first corner (you’ll be working these on the other side) ss to beginning sc Edging: ch 1, sc in joining, * (hdc, dc, tr) in next st, skip 2 * Repeat from * to * until 3 sts left. Skip 2 st, hdc in last st, ss to first hdc. Fasten off, weave in ends. Now it’s time for tulle! My three colors and my never far away cup of coffee I cheated and bought the 6-inch rolls of tulle from my local craft store. Each roll contained 25 yds that was 6 inches wide. I used three of them because I wanted the skirt to have lots of color variation. I got about 19 48-inch strips from each one totaling 57. I had 10 left over, and I’m still debating about adding them in. To add the tulle, turn the bodice inside out. You are going to work the tulle into Row 8. Starting with the first dc to the left of the armhole, insert hook (I used a J hook to do mine) around the post of the dc. Layer two pieces of tulle and pull through a loop like would when stitching. With your hands, pull ends of tulle strips through the loop and pull tight. This took a little fandangaling for me. I did this about every three dc around. I added extra under each of the armholes to make sure there weren’t any holes. You don’t have to make your strips as long as I did. I wanted it to be more like a princess dress and less like a tutu. Also, you can add more strips of tulle to each knot to make the skirt fuller. I wasn’t sure how full I wanted mine to be when I started. Hope you all enjoy! Happy Hooking! Happy 4th!