Crochetology problem: Given basic Sieve Stitch pattern:

Sieve Stitch

And the offset mesh pattern:

Make a multiple of 2 sts.
Rnd 1. (Right side): 1dc into 6th ch from hook, *1ch, skip1 ch, 1 dc into next ch; rep from * ending 1 dc into last ch. Tun.
Rnd 2. 4 ch (counts as 1 dc and 1 ch), skip first 2 sts, 1 dc into next ch sp, *1ch, skip 1 dc, 1 dc into next sp; rep from * to turning ch, 1 dc into next ch. Turn.

Rep rnd 2.

Crochet a sleeveless dress using at least 4 colors.

This crocheted dress was inspired by the sieve stitch.

This Crochetology problem explores the combination of color and texture in very basic crochet stitch variations. The Sieve Stitch pattern serves as the springboard for the development of the design for this dress, in particular, the combination of colors for the front bodice of the dress. I was interested in how patterns of color are made by alternating rows of the Sieve Stitch pattern in different colors.

Other close weave crochet stitches may be used in place of the Sieve Stitch pattern. For example, the floret stitch gives excellent texture and color. More alternative stitches that work well in 2-3 or more colors are: the Parquet Stitch, Wattle Stitch and Grit Stitch.

The Offset Mesh pattern, in the meantime, served to create the drape of the dress. I made some variations of the Offset Mesh pattern by combining with other basic crochet stitch patterns, for example, the block and open filet crochet stitches.

The dress is also in very basic shape, and is crocheted in 4 sections: (1) the front bodice; (2) the back of there bodice; (3) the skirt of the dress (crocheted in the round); and (4) the straps.

These sections are sewn together by hand.

The hem of the dress is a bit of an after-thought. I added the colored hem to lengthen the dress and to match the color from the bodice. Feel free to chooser any wide trimming for the hem. In this case, I used the simple pineapple pattern. I have some notes about the pineapple motif here.

Notes: This dress was made entirely with rayon thread, and perhaps because I often make sc’s and dc’s by inserting the hook in the back loop of the stitch, the dress kept stretching longer and longer each time I used it. Thank goodness it stopped stretching by the fourth time I wore it. So what was originally a mini-dress is now a below-the-knee length dress.

Thank goodness the dress has stopped growing longer!

Because of this stretching, I had to adjust the straps of the dress. The original straps were simple dc’s and I replaced them with the same straps I used for the Dress in Wave Stitch. This time, I made the stitches tighter, inserting the hook in both front and back loops of the stitch.

I am currently working on a new project – what might perhaps be a tunic – based on the floret stitch. This floret stitch-inspired project is worked nearly the same way as this Green Dress in Sieve Stitch. However, for the floret stitch project, I am using cotton thread and have been inserting the hook in both front and back loops of the stitch.