✨ BOHO LACE MANDALA MOTIF DRESS ✨

 

✨ BOHO LACE MANDALA MOTIF DRESS ✨

Skill Level: Intermediate

Transform fine cotton thread into a stunning, bohemian-inspired fitted lace dress! Featuring intricate circular rosette/mandala motifs connected using seamless Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) crochet techniques, a flattering plunge V-neckline, and long lace sleeves.

📐 SIZES & MEASURMENTS

Instructions are written for Size Small/Medium (S/M) with adjustments for Medium/Large (M/L) in brackets.

• Bust: 32–36 inches [38–42 inches]
• Waist: 26–29 inches [30–33 inches]
• Hips: 35–38 inches [39–43 inches]
• Dress Length (shoulder to hem): Approx. 45 inches (adjustable by adding/removing motif rows)

🧵 MATERIALS & TOOLS REQUIRED

• Yarn: 1,400–1,800 yards of Size 10 Crochet Cotton Thread or Fingering Weight/4-ply Mercerized Cotton Yarn (Color: Ecru / Off-White).
• Crochet Hook: 2.25 mm (US B/1 or Steel Hook Size 2) or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends.
• Blocking Tools: Pins and blocking mat (essential for opening up the lace motifs).
• Nude Slip Dress: Recommended for wearing underneath.

📊 GAUGE & MOTIF MEASUREMENTS

• Main Motif Diameter (Rounds 1–6): Approx. 4.5 to 5 inches (11.5 cm – 12.5 cm) across when blocked.
• Mini Filler Motif: Approx. 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) across.

🔑 ABBREVIATIONS (US Crochet Terms)

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• ch-sp: chain space
• picot: ch 3, sl st in 1st ch
• st(s): stitch(es)

📜 STITCH PATTERN & MOTIF INSTRUCTIONS

1. Main Circular Mandala Motif (Схема 1)

• Foundation Ring: Ch 8, sl st into 1st ch to form a ring.
• Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), work 23 dc into the ring. Sl st into top of ch-3 to join. [Total: 24 dc]
• Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), (dc in next st, ch 1) repeat from * around 23 times. Sl st to 3rd ch of initial ch-4 to join. [Total: 24 dc, 24 ch-1 spaces]
• Round 3: Sl st into first ch-1 sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 5, skip next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp) repeat around to last space, ch 2, dc into top of starting sc (this positions hook at center of last loop). [Total: 12 ch-5 arches]
• Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same loop space, (ch 6, sc in next ch-5 loop) repeat 11 times, ch 3, dc into starting sc to close round. [Total: 12 ch-6 arches]
• Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 4 dc in same loop sp. (Ch 3, 5 dc in next ch-sp) repeat 11 times. Ch 3, sl st into top of starting ch-3 to join. [Total: 12 solid 5-dc clusters separated by 12 ch-3 spaces]
• Round 6 (Outer Lace & Picot Border): Sl st across to center dc of 1st cluster. Ch 1, sc in same st.
• (Ch 5, [sc, picot (ch 3, sl st in 1st ch), sc] into next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sc in 3rd/center dc of next cluster).
• Repeat from * around 11 times.
• Sl st to 1st sc to close round. [Total: 24 outer loop arches with 12 picot points]

2. Mini Filler Motif (Center Connection Motif)

Used to fill the diamond-shaped voids between 4 main motifs.

• Foundation Ring: Ch 6, sl st into 1st ch to form a ring.
• Round 1: Ch 1, 12 sc into ring. Sl st to join. [12 sc]
• Round 2: (Ch 4, sl st to corresponding picot of main motif, ch 4, sc in next st of mini motif) repeat 4 times to attach to all 4 surrounding main motifs. Fasten off.

👗 DRESS ASSEMBLY & CONSTRUCTION GUIDE

1. Bodice & Skirt (Join-As-You-Go Method)

1. Motif Placement: The body is constructed by joining motifs in continuous circular rows (tubular construction) or panels.
• Size S/M: 6 Main Motifs per horizontal circumference round.
• Size M/L: 7 Main Motifs per horizontal circumference round.
2. Joining Motifs (JAYG): When completing Round 6 of subsequent motifs, replace the middle chain of a ch-5 arch or picot with a sl st into the corresponding loop/picot of the adjacent motif.
3. Height: Connect 8 to 10 rows of circular motifs vertically from hem to chest line depending on desired length.
4. Filler Motifs: As you join 4 motifs together in a grid, work a Mini Filler Motif in the central gap to secure the web layout.

2. Neckline & V-Shape Shaping

1. Split the front bodice into two sides at the bust line.
2. Omit the central front motif to form the deep V-neckline.
3. Join motifs diagonally up over the shoulders to create the plunging neck drop seen in the photo.

3. Sleeves (Make 2)

1. Sleeves are 2 motifs wide in circumference.
2. Work 5 to 6 motif rounds long from wrist to shoulder cap.
3. Attach directly to the armhole openings using sl st joins along the top motif edges.

4. Neckline & Cuff Edging

Finish all raw neckline and cuff edges:

• Round 1: Work sc along the scalloped edges of the motifs.
• Round 2: (Sc in next 3 sts, ch 3 picot) repeat around entire neck circumference and sleeve wrists to match the main motif border.

💧 FINISHING & BLOCKING

1. Weave in all loose ends securely with a tapestry needle.
2. Wet Blocking: Submerge the completed dress in lukewarm water with gentle wool wash. Gently squeeze out excess water in a towel.
3. Pin out flat onto blocking mats, opening up every picot and lace arch to accentuate the circular mandala geometry. Allow to dry completely.