Woolly Britches

Size:
S, M with larger hook

Materials:
F (G for a medium) hook
lightweight worsted weight yarn (Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool was used in the
example, with an E hook)
Yarn needle for sewing

Stitches used:
Chain Stitch (ch), Single Crochet (sc), Double Crochet (dc), Slip Stitch (sl st), Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec)
Gauge:
10 patterns (sc, dc) and 17 rows to 4″
Note: ch 1 at the beginning of round is a turning stitch, does not count toward total st in row.

Soaker Body

ch. 17 loosely
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch* across (16 st); turn.
Increasing Rows:
Row 2: ch3, *sc in dc, dc in sc* across (17); turn.
Row 3: ch 1, *sc in dc, dc in sc* to last st (sc, dc) in top of ch 3 (18); turn.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2 (19).
Row 5: Repeat Row 3, do not turn at end (20).
Row 6: ch 9 (now turn), sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next st, dc in next st* across (28), turn.
Row 7: ch 1, *sc in dc, dc in sc* across; turn.
Rows 8-19: Work evenly: Repeat Row 7.

Decreasing Rows:
Row 20: sl st in first 9 st. ch1 dc dec in this and next st, *sc in dc, dc in sc* across (19), turn.
Row 21: ch 1, *sc in dc, dc in sc* to last 3 st, sc in next, dc dec 2 st together (18), turn.
Row 22: ch 1, dc dec first 2 st together, *sc in dc, dc in sc* across (17), turn.
Row 23: Repeat Row 21 (16).
Rows 24 & 25: Work evenly: Repeat Row 7.

Increasing Rows:
Rows 26-41: Alternate Repeating Rows 2 & 3, 8 times (32).
Rows 42-55: Work evenly:Repeat Row 7.

Decreasing Rows:
Rows 56-71: Alternate Repeating Rows 22&23, 8 times (16).
Row 72: Repeat Row 7, do not turn. Finish off, leaving end for sewing.

The soaker will look something like this (example was worked in SC only):
(searching hard drive for photo)

Sew side seam and crotch seam using invisible stitches.

Waistband
Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in end st of each row (74); join with sl st, turn
Rnd 2-3: ch 1, sc in each sc around; turn.

Picot Edging:
Rnd 4: ch 1, *(sc, ch 2, sl st in same sc), sc in next st* around (37 picots made)

For a boy, you may want to leave off the 4th round or simply repeat one more round of sc.

Leg Openings
You can choose a leg finishing:
Ribbing style:
Rnd 1: ch2, dc in each st (end with an even #), join with sl st, turn.
Rnd 2: ch2, (fpdc in next, bpdc in next) around, fpdc in last, join with sl st; turn.
Repeat rnd 2 till desired length (I usually repeat it 2-3 times) *OR* if the openings seem large, sc a few rounds.

For either: Use the Picot Edging, or Ruffles (ch2, 3-5 dc in each st)

Easy fitting tips:
For a longer soaker body, just sew more stitches into the upper area (eg. start with a beg ch of 21 stitches instead of 17).

note: Adjustments to the body of the soaker are best done in pairs of rows, but with a little practice/tweaking may be done just one row at a time.

To fit wider hips, use a larger hook and/or add a few more rows (this may be easiest in the rise area)

To fit larger legs, add a few more rows at the leg openings (rows 1 & 74, and rows 25& 26)



Jennifer Halsted of ToHook.com, copyright 2004