Spring Baby Crochet Outfit

When you are stepping out with your baby, here's the perfect outfit. The coordinating sweater, hat, soaker, booties and blanket are all crocheted. The interesting ridge effect is created by crocheting into the back loop of the stitch below.

photo of baby in outfitSIZES

  0–3 months 6–9 months
Chest size to 18" to 20"
Finished size 18 1/2" 20 1/2"

Blanket measures approximately 25" x 30"

MATERIALS
13 ozs./364 gms (14 ozs/392 gms) baby yarn, Color A
2 ozs/56 gms baby yarn, each Color B, C, and D
D/3 (3mm)
E/4 (3.5mm) crochet hooks
3 3/8" buttons for sweater
3 yds, 3/8" satin ribbon

GAUGE
Double crochet (dc) with size D hook, 13 stitches = 2", 7 rows = 2"
Double crochet with size E hook, 6 stitches = 1", 3 rows = 1"

Remember to check gauge to ensure proper fit.

Sweater

With smaller hook and A, chain 123 (135) for lower edge of yoke.
Row 1: (right side) Double crochet (dc) in 4th chain (ch) from hook and in each remaining ch across row. There are 121 (133) dc, counting first ch-3 as a dc. Ch 3, turn.
Note: Always skip first dc of row, unless otherwise indicated; ch-3 at beginning of row counts a 1 dc. All dc stitches (sts) throughout are worked inBACK LOOPS of sts below, unless otherwise indicated.
Row 2: Dc across row. There are 121 (133) dc. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 3 & 4: Repeat Row 2.
Right Front-Next Row: Dc in next 22 (25) dc. Do not work across remaining sts. There are now 23 (26) dc for right front. Work even for 6 (8) more rows. At end of last row, yarn is at armhole edge.
Shape Neck-Next Row: Dc in each of next 13 (15) sts; do not work across remaining sts. There are now 14 (16) dc. Ch 3, turn.
(1) Next Row: Work 1 dc decrease over next 2 sts as follows: [yarn over hook, insert hook in next st, yarn over and through 1 loop, yarn over and through 2 loops] twice, yarn over and through 3 loops on hook, dc in each remaining st across.
Next Row: Dc to within last 2 sts, work 1 dc decrease over last 2 sts. There are now 12 (14) sts. Work even on these sts for 2 rows more. Fasten off.
Left Front: From right side, skip next 75 (81) sts along last long row worked, and join yarn with a slip st in next st, ch 3 and work 1 dc in each st to end. There are 23 (26) sts. Complete same as for left front on next 6 (8) rows.
Next Row: Slip st across 9 (11) dc sts. Ch 3, dc into each dc across. There are now 14 (16) dc. Ch 3, turn. Complete same as for left front, reversing shaping beginning at (1) next row.
Back: From right side, skip 14 sts after right front along last long row worked, and join yarn in next st, ch 3 and work 1 dc in each of next 46 (52) sts. There are now 47 (53) sts and 14 sts unworked on either side of back section for armholes. Work even on these 4 (53) sts until back is same length as fronts. Fasten off.
Skirt-Row 1: From wrong side, with E hook and A, working along chain-base row at lower edge of yoke, join yarn in first st and work shell pattern as follows: single crochet (sc) in same st as joining. * skip 2 sts, 6 dc all in next st for shell, skip 2 sts, sc in next st. * Repeat between * * across row. There are 20 (22) shells across row. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2: (right side) Working in back loops only, dc in each of 6 dc of shell across, skipping sc sts, but at end dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc in first dc, * skip 3 dc, shell in next space between sts (shells of row 3 should fall directly above shells of row 1), skip 3 dc, sc in next space. * Repeat between * * across row, but at end skip 3 dc, sc in top of ch-3. Ch 3, turn. Repeat last 2 rows 4 (5) times more, repeat row 2 once more. Fasten off A.
Next Row: Join Color B, repeat row 3. Fasten off B.
Next Row: Join Color A, repeat row 2. Fasten off A.

Repeat last 2 rows once, substituting Color C for B on shell row.

Repeat shell row once more, substituting D for B. Fasten off.
Sleeves: Beginning at upper arm edge, with D hook and A, chain 45 (51).

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across row. There are 43 (49) dc.

Work even in dc for 6 1/2 (7)". The last row worked should be a right side row. Ch 1, turn.
Shell Edging: Sc in first dc, * skip 2 dc, shell in next dc, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc. * Repeat between * * across. Fasten off.

FINISHING

Sew front to back at shoulders, leaving 23 (25) sts free for back neck. Position sleeves in armhole shapings, sew in sleeves, sew sleeve seams.
Edging-Row 1: From right side with D hook and A, begin at lower edge of right front yoke, and with care to keep work flat, work 1 row of sc along right front yoke, neck edge and left front yoke, working about 2 sc in ends of each row. Fasten off at lower edge of left front yoke. Mark positions of 3 buttonholes along right front yoke edge, having first button even with last dc row, second button even with lowest dc row, and third button evenly spaced in between.
Row 2: From right side, begin at lower edge of right front skirt, working ch 3 and skip 2 sts at each marker for buttonholes, work 1 row of sc along right front skirt edge, along sc row around yokes and neck edge, and along left front skirt edge. Fasten off at lower edge of left front skirt. Sew on buttons opposite markers on left front yoke edge.

Cut 2, 18" lengths of ribbon and thread each through last dc row of sleeves.

Cap

Beginning at front edge of cap with E hook and A, chain 87 (93).
Row 1: (right side) Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across row. There are 85 (91) dc, counting first ch-3 as a dc. Ch 3, turn.

Note: Always skip first dc of row, unless otherwise indicated; ch-3 at beginning of row counts as1 dc. All dc sts throughout are worked BACK LOOPS of sts below throughout, unless otherwise indicated.
Row 2: Dc in each st across row. There are 85 (91) dc. Ch 3, turn. Repeat row 2 until 4 (4 1/2)" from beginning and the last row worked was a right side row. Fasten off.

Gusset Shaping: From wrong side, skip 28 (30) sts along last row, join yarn with a slip stitch in next st, ch 3, dc in each of next 28 (30) sts and do not work across remaining sts. There are 29 (31) dc. Ch 3, turn.

Work even on these 29 (31) sts for back of cap until work measures 4 1/2 (5)" from last long row worked. Fasten off.
Shell Border-Row 1: From wrong side, join A with a sc in first ch-base st along front edge and work 1 sc in each ch-base st across. Fasten off A.
Row 2: From right side, join Color B with a slip st in last sc, ch 1 and work shell pattern as follows: sc in same st as joining, * skip 2 sts, 6 dc in next st for shell, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st. * Repeat between * * across row. There are 14 (15) shells. Fasten off B.
Row 3: Join A in last sc, ch 3 turn, and working in back loops only, dc in each of 6 dc of shells across, skipping sc sts, but end dc in last sc. Fasten off A.
Row 4: Join Color C in last dc, ch1, turn, sc in same st as joining, * skip 3 dc, shell in next space between sts (shells of row 4 should fall directly above shells of row 2), skip 3 dc, sc in next space. * Repeat between * * across row, but end skip 3 dc, sc in top of ch-3. Fasten off C.
Row 5: Repeat row 3.
Row 6: With Color D, repeat row 4.
FINISHING:

Sew back flap of cap to adjacent side edges. Turn border to right side of cap along sc row.
Lower Edging-Row 1: From right side, join Color A with a sc at lower edge at left front corner, with care to crochet through ends of border row and cap side rows at the same time to secure border, sc along lower edge, working 1 sc in ends of shell rows and 2 sc in ends of dc rows, to back section; sc in each of next 2 dc, [skip next dc, sc in each next 2 dc] across back section; sc along right side section, including border, in same manner as left side. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in each sc across, Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Repeat row 2. Fasten off.

Cut 2, 13" lengths of ribbon and sew one end to each lower edge of cap at corners.

Soaker

Front: Beginning at crotch, with D hook and Color A, ch 29 (35).
Row 1: (right side) Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across row. There are 28 (34) sc. Ch 3, turn.
Note: Always skip first dc or row, unless otherwise indicated; ch-3 at beginning of row counts as 1 dc. All dc sts throughout are worked in BACK LOOPS of sts below, unless otherwise indicated.
Row 2: Dc across row. There are 28 (34) dc. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 3 and 4: Dc across row. Ch 3, turn.
Next Row-Increase Row: Dc in FIRST dc, 2 dc in next dc (a 2 dc increase is made), dc to within last 2 sts, 2 dc in each of last 2 sts. There are 32 (38) dc. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat increase row 7 times more. There are now 60 (66) sts. Fasten off.
Back: From wrong side, join yarn with a slip stitch to first st of crotch, working in ch-base of st, ch 3, dc across in ch-base of sts. There are 28 (34) dc. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 3-12: Work same as for front. There are now 60 (66). Ch 3, turn.
Joining Round: (right side) Work in dc across back, work 1 dc in each dc along last row of front, join with a slip stitch in top of first ch-3. There are 120 (132) sts around. Ch 3, turn. Continue to work even in this manner, joining and turning at the end of each round until 8 (8 1/2)", from first sc row of crotch. Ch 1.

Shell Edging: From wrong side, work shell pattern as follows: sc in first stitch, *skip next 2 sts, 6 dc all in next stitch for shell, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st. * Repeat between * * around, but at end, skip last 2 sts, join in first sc. Fasten off.
FINISHING-Leg edgings-Round 1: From right side with D hook and A, join yarn at leg opening at crotch and with care to keep work flat, work 1 row of sc around leg opening and be sure that number of sc sts around is divisible by 6. Join in first sc. Ch 1, turn.
Round 2: Work same as for waistline shell edging.
Drawstring: Cut 1 strand of Colors B, C, and D, each 75" long. Twist 3 strands together, rather tightly, then fold twisted cord in half and let double cord twist together naturally. Knot each end of cord and thread through last dc round at waistline.

Booties

Beginning at center of sole, with smaller hook and Color A, ch 46 (50).
Row 1: (right side) Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across row. There are 44 (48) dc, counting first ch-3 as 1 dc. Ch 3, turn.
Note: Always skip first dc of row, unless otherwise indicated; ch-3 at beginning of row counts a 1 dc. All dc stitches (sts) throughout are worked in BACK LOOPS of sts below, unless otherwise indicated.
Row 2: Dc in each st across row. There are 44 (48) dc. Ch 3, turn. Repeat row 2, 3 times more for sole. Fasten off.
Instep: Turn work and from wrong side, skip 17 (19) sts along last row worked. Join yarn with a slip st in next st, ch 3, dc in next 9 dc. There are 10 dc, with 17 (19) free dc sts on either side of instep sts. Ch 3, turn. Work 3 more rows dc on these 10 sts. Fasten off. Sew side of instep to 9 sts of last long row worked on either side of instep.
Top-Row 1: From right side, join yarn to first st of last LONG row worked, ch 3, and work 36 dc evenly spaced across sides ad instep. There are now 37 sts. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2 & 3: Dc in each st across. Fasten off A.
Shell Border-Row 1: From wrong side, join Color B in first st along last row, ch 1, 1 sc in same st as joining, * skip 2 sts, work 6 dc all in next stitch for shell, skip 2 sts, sc in next st. * Repeat between * * across. There are 6 shells. Fasten off B.
Row 2: Join Color A in last sc, ch 2, turn, and working in back loops only, dc in each of 6 dc of shells across, skipping sc sts, but end dc in last sc. Fasten off A.
Rows 3: Join Color C in last dc, ch 1, turn, sc in same stitch as join, * skip 3 dc, shell in next space between sts (shells of row 3 should fall directly above shells of row 1), skip 3 sts, sc in next space. * Repeat between * * across row, but end, skip 3 dc, sc in top of ch-3. Fasten off C.
Row 4: Repeat row 2.
Row 5: With D, repeat row 3.
FINISHING: Sew back and sole seams. Cut 2, 18: lengths of ribbon and thread through long row after instep shaping on each bootie.

Blanket

With larger hook and Color A, chain 111.
Row 1 (right side): Work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across row. There are 109 dc sts, counting first ch-3 as 1 dc. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2: Skip first dc and dc in back loop of each dc across row. There are 109 dc, counting ch-3 at beginning row as a dc. Ch 3, turn. Repeat row 2 until there are a total of 75 rows. Fasten off.
Border: From right side with A, work 1 row sc along both LONG edges of blanket, working about 2 sc in end st of each row, so there are 151 sc along each long edge, and 109 dc across each short edge of blanket.
Round 1: From wrong side with A, working in sc sts along long edges and dc on ch-base sts along short edges, join yarn with a slip stitch in first stitch along any edge, ch 1, sc in same st as slip st, [* skip 2 sts, work 6 dc all in next st for shell, skip 2 sts, sc in next st. * Repeat between * * to end of edge, ch 1, sc in first st of next edge] 4 times, but end, sc in last st around, ch 1, join with a slip st in first sc. Ch 3, turn. There are 25 shells on each long edge and 18 shells along each short edge.
Round 2: Work 1 dc in each dc of shell around, skipping sc sts, and working 6 dc sts in each corner ch-1 st. Join in top of ch-3. Fasten off A.
Round 3: From wrong side, join Color B between any 2, 6 dc groups over shells of previous row, ch 1, sc in same space as joining, * skip 3 sts, shell in next space between sts (this shell should fall directly over shell of round 1), skip 3 sts, sc in next space between sts. Repeat between * * around, but at end skip last 3 sts; join in first sc. Fasten off B.
Round 4: From right side, join Color A in any dc, ch 3, work 1 dc in each dc around, join in top of ch-3. Fasten off A.
Round 5: From wrong side with Color C, work same as for round 3, but work 2 shells at each corner as follows: work last C sc before 6 corner dc, skip 2 dc, shell in next space, skip 1 dc, sc in next space, skip 1 dc, shell in next space, skip 2 dc, sc in next space, continue to work as previously established to within next corner.
Round 6: Work it as for round 4, but work 6 dc in sc at each former.
Round 7: Work Color D, repeat round 3. Fasten off.

sweater top pattern
sweater body pattern
cap and soaker patterns

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of these instructions. We cannot be responsible, however, for variances in individual techniques, human errors or typographical mistakes.

©2007 Craft Yarn Council of America