Bib 'n Tucker Sunsuit Pattern #5035

Size 2-4

MATERIALS:
Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Pearl Cotton, size 5, 12 balls.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 5.
5 buttons.
¼ yd. elastic.

Gauge: 4 pattern sts make 1 inch; 6 rows make 1 inch.

Back … Starting at crotch, ch 40 to measure about 6 inches. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, d c in same ch, * skip 1 ch, s c and d c in next ch (2 pattern sts made). Repeat from * across (20 pattern sts in the row). Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: * S c and d c in next s c, skip next d c. Repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat the 2nd row, increasing 2 pattern sts at both ends of each row until there are 68 pattern sts in the row—to inc. 2 pattern sts, make a pattern st in each of the first 4 sts and the last 4 sts of the row. Work 2 rows without increasing. Next row: Pattern st in 1st s c; s c in next s c, d c in following s c (a pattern st decreased); work to within last 3 pattern sts, dec. a pattern st, make a pattern st in last s c. Work in pattern, decreasing 1 pattern st at both ends of each row every 1½ inches until 58 pattern sts remain. Then work without decreasing until piece measures 10½ inches down center. To shape top of Back, dec. 4 pattern sts at both ends of each of next 7 rows—to dec. 4 pattern sts at beginning of row, sl st across 1st 4 pattern sts; at end of row, work to within last 4 pattern sts, turn. Fasten off.

Front … Starting at bottom, ch 40 and work as for Back to within 1st decrease-row (68 pattern sts). Now dec. 1 pattern st at both ends of every 4th row until 52 pattern sts remain. Work without decreasing until piece measures 8½ inches. Then work in pattern across 1st 15 pattern sts, turn. Work over these sts only for 2 more rows, decreasing 1 pattern st at beginning of 2nd row. Fasten off. Attach thread to 15th pattern st from outer edge of section just completed, work across 11 pattern sts, turn (this is center front). Work over these 11 pattern sts only for 2 more rows. Fasten off. Work 2 more sections on other half of Front to correspond with sections just completed. Do not break off at end of last section. Next row: Work in pattern across all 4 sections (thus completing 3 buttonholes). Work 2 rows in pattern. Fasten off.

Halter … Starting at bottom, ch 56 to measure about 8 inches and work in pattern until piece measures 7¼ inches. Then work across 1st 6 pattern sts, turn. Work over these sts only for 5 inches (thus making shoulder strap). Fasten off. Attach thread to 6th pattern st from opposite edge of halter and work another strap to correspond. Do not break off but ch 32 (to start back strap) and work across other strap, turn. Now work in pattern across both straps and chain until back strap measures 1½ inches. Work across 1st 6 pattern sts only for 6 inches. Now work across 1st 3 pattern sts only for 3 rows. Fasten off. Attach thread to 3rd pattern st at opposite edge of strap, and work over these 3 pattern sts for 3 rows. Do not break off. Next row: Work across 6 pattern sts (a buttonhole completed). Work 2 more rows in pattern. Fasten off. Make a similar strap at opposite side. Sew up crotch and side seams. With Back toward you, attach thread to seam at right and work a row of s c all around upper edge. Then make a casing on Back as follows: * Ch 4, s c ½ inch down and ½ inch to the left, on wrong side; ch 4, s c 1 inch away from last s c at top. Repeat from * across Back. Fasten off. Run elastic through casing, and sew ends securely. Sew a button at center front of halter, 1 inch up from lower edge. Sew on 2 more buttons to correspond with Front buttonholes. Sew 2 buttons on Back, each 3" from center back and ¾" from top edge.