Free crochet pattern how to crochet tube dress with lace up back

Hook: 3 mm and 4,5 mm
Yarn: Cotton, superfine, 50 g = 160 m. I used 6 yarn balls for my size M/L
Stitches: Hdc (half double crochet) sc (single crochet) ss (slip stitch)

This is a straight-forward, no dec/inc pattern, we start from the top – in rows, then to the skirt in rounds and finish up with making the lace-up back and adding elastic to the waist (and lining if you’d like). I used an old t-shirt and hand-sewed the lining to the inside. You turn over with 1 turning chain. Change color after every 2nd row. I took the yarn with me, as I cover up the inside (and the visible yarn ends) with the lining, so there won’t be any loose ends to weave in at the end.

Top:

Start with a 3 mm hook.

1. Make a chainless foundation row of hdc until the row measures from one side of the bust to the other – stretch the row slightly. No problem if you make it longer to reach your back.
2. Make hdc rows back and forth until you have enough rows to reach your waist (try it on!)
   
   Skirt:
   
   Switch to a 4,5 mm hook
   
3. Elongate the row by making another chainless foundation with hdc, to reach over the back of your waist (remember there will be added elastic to the edge so it’s ok it’s loose). Measure everything around your bum and stretch as much as you can – these looser stitches give more in size.
4. Secure the chainless foundation with 1 ss in the opposite end of the last row on your top panel, chain and turn over.
5. Crochet back with hdc, finish with 1 ss in the 1st hdc in the round, ch and turn over.
6. Continue this – try it on to make sure you’re satisfied with the size.
7. When you have the skirt length you want break off the yarn.
   
   Back & elastic edge:
   
8. Now for the back use a 3 mm hook.
9. Make a chainless foundation with sc until you have approx 190 cm, crochet directly onto the first row on the top panel (corner) making sc stitches.
10. You make loops (2 or 4 ) while you make the sc edge. Make 1-2 sc per hdc row, to make the loop make a chainless foundation with 4 sc, and make the next sc in the next row of the top.
11. When you reach the skirt edge, take a piece of elastic thread, sew the end into the back – close to your first stitch, place the elastic on the back of your stitches and make 1 sc into every stitch while crocheting around the elastic. When you reach the other side sew the end of the elastic thread into the stitches – bu make sure to try on the dress and pull and tighten the elastic if needed.
12. Continue with sc and loops on the other side of the back.
13. End by making the other strap, break off.
    
14. Now you can weave in the ends and add lining to the skirt. Make sure your lining fabric is facing with the wrong side out, the dress with the wrong side out as well, sew each side as well as the top of the lining.