Vintage Crochet Shortalls

Granny afghan squares crocheted of knitting worsted in a variety of colors and bordered with white are sewn together for a pair of shortalls. The Waistline adjusts with a drawstring chain.

What you need

Knitting worsted, 6 ozs., white, main color (MC); about 10 (12) ozs. of desired colors.
For size 8-10: Crochet hook size G or 6.
For size 12-14: Crochet hook size I or 8.
Two buttons.

SIZES: Directions for small size (8-10). Any changes for medium size (12-14 are in parentheses.  NOTE: Crochet hook and gauge determine size.

Body Waist Size: 23″-24″ (25-1/2″- 27″).
GAUGE: Each square = 4-1/2″ (size G hook); 5″ (size I hook).

Instructions

SHORTALLS:

SQUARES (make 31): With any desired color, ch 4, join with a sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), make 2 dc in ring, ch 1, * 3 dc in ring, ch 1, repeat from * twice, join last ch 1 to top of ch 3 with a sl st (4 groups of 3 dc in rnd). End off.
Rnd 2: Join another color in a ch-1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, repeat from * twice, 3 dc in same sp with first 3 dc, ch 2, join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off.
Rnd 3: Join another color in a ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around, end 3 dc in same sp. with first 3 dc, ch 2, join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off; join MC in a ch-2 sp.
Rnd 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, work from * on rnd 3, having 2 groups of 3 dc between comers. Join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

JOINING: Leg: From right side with MC, weave 5 squares tog forming a ring. Check gauge; strip should measure 22-1/2″ (25″) around. Make 2nd leg in same manner. Weave two groups of 3 dc on each leg tog, forming crotch.

Body: Weave 9 squares tog forming a ring. Weave this ring to top of legs. Weave 8 squares tog forming a ring. Weave this ring to top of the 9-square ring, easing in lower ring.

Bib: Weave 4 squares tog, forming a square.

Waistband: From right side, join MC in any st on upper edge of body. Sc in each dc around. Join with a sl st in first sc.

Next Rnd (beading): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), * ch 1, sk next sc, dc in next sc, repeat from * around. Join with a sl st in top of ch 3. End off. Weave bib to beading above upper center front 2 squares. From right side, join MC in lower left front edge of bib, ch 3, 2 dc in corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in next sp, ch 1, repeat from * around bib, working 2 groups of 3 dc in each upper corner of bib. End off. Join side edges of row to upper edge of beading. With MC, work same edging around lower edge of each leg.

CORD: With MC, work ch 60″. End off. Weave cord through beading at waistline. Tie ends at center front.

STRAPS (make 2): With MC, ch 25″ or desired strap length. Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across, 5 dc in last ch; working on other side of ch, work dc in sp between each dc across. End off.

FINISHING: Steam-press pieces lightly. Sew one end of each strap to upper corners of bib; cross straps and sew to back waistline on each side of center two squares. Sew a button to front end of each strap.