Baby shorts in leaf pattern

Baby Shorts in Leaf Pattern by Sidsel Sangild

What is Being Made

These are baby shorts designed by Sidsel Sangild, featuring a decorative leaf pattern throughout. The pattern is available in three sizes: 3 months, 12 months, and 18 months. The shorts are constructed to fit infants and toddlers with a comfortable, wearable design suitable for warm weather or layering.

Crochet Techniques Used

The shorts are crocheted primarily in the round, which creates a seamless tubular construction ideal for fitted garments. After the main body is completed in circular rounds, an additional crotch piece is crocheted separately in rows and then joined to the main shorts. This two-part construction method allows for proper shaping and fit in the leg and crotch areas. The leaf pattern is incorporated throughout the circular sections, creating visual interest and texture.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs specialized decrease stitches to create shaping and pattern definition:

• 2Btog (Double B Together): A decrease stitch created by starting a B stitch around one stitch but stopping before the final yarn over and pull through. A second B stitch is started around the next stitch at the same stopping point, resulting in three loops on the hook. Yarn is then pulled through all three loops simultaneously to complete the decrease.
• 2Ftog (Double F Together): A similar decrease technique using F stitches instead of B stitches, following the same methodology of stopping before the final step of each individual stitch, then completing them together.

These decreases are fundamental to achieving the leaf pattern shaping and controlling the fit of the shorts.

Materials

The recommended yarn is Geilsk tynd uld, a 100% wool yarn with a yardage of 288 meters per 50 grams. Depending on the size being made, the pattern requires either 1, 2, or 2 skeins of yarn. Two hook sizes are recommended: a 3 mm hook for the main construction and a 2.5 mm hook, likely for ribbing, edging, or sections requiring a tighter gauge. The wool fiber provides warmth, elasticity, and durability suitable for baby garments.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters with some experience beyond basic stitches. The combination of circular construction, specialized decrease stitches, and the leaf pattern integration requires solid foundational skills and the ability to follow more complex stitch sequences.