I have completed up until row 6( Im doing the pattern for the 4 year old)I skipped row 7 because it stated it was for 6 year olds only. I then started the shells. I am confused because the way it seems to be crocheting up is kind of like a circle yet it looks like this has arm holes. I do not see where the arm holes come in it looks as though it jumps from the part that goes over the girls chest straight to the dress area.

iNSTRUCTiONS The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes. Note: Ch 3 at beg of rnd counts as dc throughout. Beg at neckline, ch 56 (64-72-84). Join with sl st into first ch, to form a ring, taking care not to twist ch. 1st rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each ch around. Join with sl st to first sc. 56 (64- 72-84) sc. 2nd rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. *1 dc in each of next 3 sc. 2 dc in next sc. Rep from * 12 (14-16-19) times more. 1 dc in each of next 3 sc. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 70 (80-90-105) dc. 3rd rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in first dc. *1 sc in each of next 4 dc. 2 sc in next dc. Rep from * 12 (14-16-19) times more. 1 sc in each of next 4 dc. Join with sl st to to first sc. 84 (96-108-126) sc. Sizes 2, 4 and 6 only: 4th rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. *1 dc in each of next 5 sc. 2 dc in next sc. Rep from * 14 (16-19) times more. 1 dc in each of next 5 sc. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 112 (126-147) dc. 5th rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in first dc. *1 sc in each of next 6 dc. 2 sc in next dc. Rep from * 14 (16-19) times more. 1 sc in each of next 6 dc. Join with sl st to first sc. 128 (144-168) sc. 6th rnd: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. *1 dc in each of next 7 sc. 2 dc in next sc. Rep from * 14 (16-19) times more. 1 dc in each of next 7 sc. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 144 (162-189) dc. Size 6 only: 7th rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in first dc. *1 sc in each of next 8 dc. 2 sc in next dc. Rep from * 19 times more. 1 sc in each of next 8 dc. Join with sl st to to first sc. 210 dc. All Sizes: Next rnd: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1). [(1 dc. Ch 1) twice. 1 dc] in same sp as last sl st – beg shell made. Miss next 2 sc. *[(1 dc. Ch 1) 3 times. 1 dc – shell made] in next sc. Miss next 2 sc. Rep from * 26 (46-52-68) times more. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4. Place marker at end of rnd. 28 (48-54-70) shells. Next rnd: Sl st in next: (Ch-1 sp, Dc, Ch-1 sp). Beg shell. (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 3-(5-6-8) times. *Ch 5 (5-7-9). Miss next 7 (12-14- 18) shells.* (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 7 (12-13-17) times. Rep from * to * once more. (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 3 (6-6-8) times. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4. Next rnd: Sl st to 2nd ch-1 sp. Beg shell. (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 3 (5-6-8) times. *(Shell in next ch. Miss next ch) 2 (2-3-4) times. Shell in next ch.* (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 7 (12-13-17) times. Rep from * to * once more. (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 3 (6-6-8) times. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4. 20 (30-34-44) shells. Next rnd: Sl st to 2nd ch-1 sp. Beg shell. (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 19 (29-33-43) times. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4. Rep last rnd until work from marked rnd measures approx 14½ (16- 18½-23)" [37 (40.5-47-58.5) cm]. Fasten off. FiNiSHiNG Sew button(s) to yoke of Pinafore as seen in picture (buttons are decorative only). G

Hello. In this pattern the arm holes don't start to take shape until the second row of shells. That way you have a little scalloped edge on the sleeves.

So you'll do one round of shells, place your stitch marker,then start the the second round of shells like this: Sl st in next: (Ch-1 sp, Dc, Ch-1 sp). Beg shell. (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 3-(5-6-8) times ---HERE IS WHERE YOU MAKE THE ARM HOLES --> *Ch 5 (5-7-9). Miss next 7 (12-14- 18) shells.* (Shell in center ch-1 sp of next shell) 7 (12-13-17) times. Rep from * to * once more.

On the third round of shells you will make a shell into some of the chains on the ch 5 space making a foundation of shells to continue the shell pattern in the round until the pattern is complete.

I hope that made sense :-)

kind of yes. I am actually working on the second row of the shells now. Whats really confusing me is the starting of it, I think it needs to be worded a bit more clearly. It says to sl st in the next (ch-1 sp,DC, ch-1 sp) and that will make the beginning shell, well where exactly am i supposed to start the beginning shell? Or is that saying slip stitch in the next stitch then make the first shell in the center of the previous?

I saw that, too. The wording is a little confusing. This is how I worked it out:
-slip stitch into the next chain one (between the first ch 4 that started off the previous round and the first dc)
-slip stitch into the first dc of the previous round
-slip stitch into the next chain one space
Your hook is now positioned at the center of the first shell of the previous round.

Now do a beginning shell stitch: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1). [(1 dc. Ch 1) twice. 1 dc] into the center ch 1 space of the shell below. The shells will be sitting on top of each other.

Now make regular shells into the center ch-1 spaces of next 6 shells. This will bring you to the chain 5 arm hole.

okay ill give that a try, thank you. This is my first time makking any kind of clothing aside from hats or baby things. Clothing is hard!

it says shell in the center ch 1 sp of the next shell.. Are you saying that Beg shell stands for make a beginning shell where my last slip stitch was?

LOL. It get easier with practice. Yes, your beginning shell goes where your last slip stitch is.

In this second round you will have your beginning shell stitch, then six regular shells for a total of 7 shells.

Then chain 7 (not 5, I forgot you were doing a size 4) and continue on from there.