Friday, January 24, 2014

Dustins Sleeper Gown - Free Crochet Pattern





Hello everyone!

Back today with a pattern designed for the boys. It would work for girls too, but I really wanted something else for the little men. I know patterns for boys are so few and far between so I really want to add quite a few this year. This is what Ive always known as a "sleeper" The gathered bottom, open up the middle style, and so I thought Id stick with that as a name. Suitable for burial and for prems or as a memento, and of course as dolls clothing, which I know a lot of you use my patterns for as well :) This one is pretty easy to adjust sizing, up or down with a hook change, just remember to add a fair bit more length if you go up in size.
If you make it as directed, it will come out sized for a preemie between 26 and 30 weeks gestation.





You will need:
3.5mm hook
5ply/Sports weight yarn in a main colour (I used Moda Vera Alpine Spritz in a grey/white)
5ply/Sports weight yarn in a contrasting colour for the sleeves
2-3 buttons
Sewing needle
length of ribbon or yarn to gather bottom.

1: ch38, dc in the 3rd chain from hook and the next 5 chains, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next stitch, dc in the next 5 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next stitch, dc in the next 10 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next stitch, dc in the next 5 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next stitch, dc in the last 6 stitches.

2: ch3, turn, dc in the first 7 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the ch2 space, dc in the next 7 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 12 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 7 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the last 7 stitches (last stitch into the ch3 from the 1st row).

3: ch3, turn, dc in the first 8 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the ch2 space, dc in the next 9 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 14 stitches, (dc, ch2, dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the next 9 stitches, (dc ch2, dc) in the next ch2 space, dc in the last 8 stitches

4: ch3, turn, dc in the first 9 stitches, dc in the ch2 space, ch2, skip all dc's until the next ch2 space and then dc in that, dc in the next 16 stitches, dc in the ch2 space, ch2, skip the next lot of dc's and dc into the next ch2 space, dc in the remaining 9 dc's.

5: ch3, turn, dc in each stitch (including ch's) across

6: ch3, turn, *dc in the first stitch, 2dc in the next stitch* repeat across

7: ch3, turn, dc in each stitch across.

Repeat row 7 until your gown measures 10 to 11 inches long from the neck to the bottom. End odd and weave in ends.

Adding the Sleeves
1: Join contracting yarn to any stitch on the arm hole and ch2, evenly hdc around the entire armhole opening, join. (for me, this was 20 stitches)
2-9: ch2, hdc in each stitch around, join.
Finish off and weave in ends.

Repeat 1-9 for the second sleeve.





FINISHING
Using a piece of ribbon ir yarn, weave in and out of the stitches on the last row of the gown, and pull tight to gather. Tie in a bow.

Attach 2-3 buttons to the front to close, there will be some overlap, this is fine.

Fold the corners of the neck down to make a collar. Tack into place with a piece of yarn and a sewing needle. Weave in ends.

13 comments:

  1. Wonderful patterns. I usually knit for preemies, but your patterns look so good, I'll give crochet a try. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. Very generous of you.

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  2. You are very sweet. Thank You for sharing freely! ��

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  3. I love your patterns, thanks for sharming them.

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  4. I was wondering if the stitch count for each row was available. My working of this pattern seems too wide.

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  5. Could you please add the stitch counts for rows 5 through 7? I'm still learning, and I need the help! Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Row 5- 66 stitches
      Row 6-7 100 stitches.

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    2. I have 64 sts in round 3, and after joining the arms, I have 42 sts at the end of round 4. I don’t understand how to get the 66 sts for round 5.

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  6. there are missing directions for how to make the neckline. Would you please check the directions as this is a very valuable needed pattern for boys.

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  7. For a slightly older baby I added an extra row between rows 3 and 4. Then on row 4, or my 5, I did the DC in each stitch. I used each stitch in the chain also, I stead of just a DC in the chain. Made it a little more solid and very easy to add the sleeves. Beautiful pattern. I did it in the variated Christmas yarn.

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  8. HELLO, I make little hats for Preemies also booties , I would love to make a sleeper as well ,My trouble is I do not know how to Download and would like to have a Printable Pattern if possible please.

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    Replies
    1. Hi there Nancy,
      Just above the comment section here you should see a bright green button that says "Print"
      If you hit that, it'll show you a printer friendly version of the pattern, without all the backgrounds and side column stuff :)

      Hope that helps!

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  9. Thank you for such easy patterns to follow. Not one problem did I come accross.

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  10. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. Help?
    At the end of round one, I have 48 stitches(which includes the ch 2s), but when I end round 2, I have 57 sts, which can’t be right? The ch 3 is throwing me off. At the end of round 2, I have 7 stitches left, and it says the last stitch into the ch 3 of the last row, but I no stitches left.
    Your pattern is so lovely. I know I must be having a brain freeze or something. Help?

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