Toddler's Swing Pinafore

Toddler’s ‘Swing’ Pinafore—An old-fashioned pinafore!
Designed by Linda Graimm
NOTE:  This pattern is in the process of being tested.  If you make one, please let me know how you did.  Thanks.

emmalemmon47@yahoo.com
I loved making the Butterfly Pinafore (MCCALL’S CROCHET TREASURY, Copyright 1968 etal, Simon & Schuster Publishing Company) but wanted it to be sized for an older girl and more “swingy.” This is the result.

Size: with K hook = 23[26]” waist, 16[17-1/2]” from shoulder to hem. I gave the pinafores to girls. The 23” waist fit a moderate sized 3-yr old, and the 26” waist fit a moderate 4-5 year old, in my experience.
--Larger size is in []

Gauge: with K hook; in dc patt, 11 sts and 5 rows = 4”

1. Shell St varies (gains more stitchess as you work) so the gauge on the skirt shells will vary.
2. Length is very adjustable.
3. Turn each row.
4. If you use #3 weight yarn for edging, be sure to put 3 sc in the side of each row as opposed to alternating 2 sts/3sts each row.

5. You may add or subtract as many rows as you need for your desired end. (nifty “new wave” if you make it shorter so it could become the layered look, and very special girl’s longer model if you add more rows…Flower Girl’s Pinafore? Over a beautiful slip/dress it would look wonderful, I think, possibly with #3 weight yarn?)

Materials: I used leftover worsted weight stash; ‘K’ crochet hook
{Because this was older yarn—before my more organized days—I didn’t save the yarn info, so I am guestimating here….For smaller pinafore, Caron & Glow-in-the-Dark yarn was used; larger size made from pink camo yarn with an acrylic/mohair blend #3 weight yarn}

(Stripes of color in the Pinafore pattern were added either as a result of yarn running out OR randomly, as in the large pinafore}

Starting at Yoke neck edge, chain 52[56].
Row 1: Dc in 4th chain from hook and in each of next 4[6] ch (back); 3 dc (3-dc group) in next chain, dc in each of next 11 ch (sleeve), 3 dc in next chain, dc in each of next 12[14] chain (front), 3 dc in next chain, dc in each of next 11 ch (sleeve), 3 dc in next stitch, dc in each of next 6[7] ch (back) – 58[62] dc (counting ch 3 as 1 dc).
NOTE: Turn each row.

Row 2: Ch 3, skip first dc, dc to center of first 3-dc group, place 3 dc in the center stitch; *dc in each dc across to center of next 3-dc group, 3 dc in the center stitch* to end. –8 dc inc. 66[70] dc

Row 3: Repeat Row 2. 66[70] dc

Row 4: Ch 3, sk first dc, dc in each stitch to center of ch-3 group, 3 dc in next dc, (sk one dc, 3 dc in next dc) 8 times (start of sleeve ruffle), sk next dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in each st to center of ch-3 group, place 3 dc in center stitch, sk next dc repeat between ( ), sk next dc, dc in each stitch to top of turning ch, dc in turning ch.

Row 5: Ch 3, sk first dc, dc in each stitch to center of 3-dc group, 3 dc in center stitch, sk next dc (5-dc shell in center st of each 3-dc shell in previous row) {8 shells), sk next dc, 3 dc in center of ch-3 group, dc in each stitch to center of next 3-dc group, 3 dc in center stitch, sk next dc, repeat ( ) earlier, sk next dc, dc in each stitch to end, dc in turning ch.

Row 6: Ch 3, sk first dc, dc in each stitch to center of 3-ch group, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2[3], sk sleeve ruffle, 3 dc in center dc of next ch-3 group, dc in each stitch to center of ch-3 group, 3 dc in center stitch, ch [3], skip sleeve ruffle, place 3 dc in center of next 3-dc group, dc in each stitch to end, dc in top of ch 3 from previous row.

Row 7: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch as joining, 3 dc in next stitch, *skip next stitch, place 3 dc in next stitch* around, up to and including ch 3 at end.

Row 8: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch as joining, 3 dc in center stitch of each 3-dc group around, ending 3 dc in top of turning ch.

Row 9: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch as joining, 4 dc in center of each 3-dc group around, ending 3 dc in top of turning ch.

Row 10: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch as joining, *place 4 dc between center 2 stitches of previous 4-dc group* across, 3 dc in top of turning chain.

Row 11: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch as joining, 5 dc (shell) between center stitches of 4-dc group, around, ending 3 dc in top of turning ch.

Row 12: Ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch as joining, 5 dc (shell) in center stitch of each shell around, ending 3 dc in top of turning ch.

Row 13-15 [13-16]: Repeat Row 12.

Shoulder Ruffle Finishing, if desired: Crochet row of sc around the sleeve, placing 3 sc in center stitch of each shell.

Edging:  {If you use #3 weight yarn for edging, be sure to put 3 sc in the side of each row as opposed to alternating each row.}
Starting at Left Side Back, Ch 30, 1 sc in edge of Row 6, place 2 sc in side of Row 5, 3 sc in side of Row 6, alternating (2 sc, 3 sc) up to corner at neck edge of Left Side of Pinafore; ch 30, slip stitch back down ch, place one sc in corner stitch, turn work so that you are working along neck edge.

--1 sc in each dc to Right Side Corner of neck edge, place 1 sc in corner, ch 30, slip stitch back down ch, place another sc in corner.
--Work down Right Side Edge of Back, alternating (2 sc, 3 sc) in side of each row until you reach Row 6, place 1 sc in side of Row 6, ch 30, slip stitch back down ch, place 2 sc in side of Row 6. Ties made.
--alternating (2 sc, 3 sc) in sides of rows, work to lower edge, place 3 sc in corner.
--Sc across bottom of Pinafore, placing 3 sc in center stitch of each shell to next corner.
--alternating (2 sc, 3 sc) in sides of rows, work to Row 6 where you started, slip stitch in beginning ch to end.
--Fasten Off. Weave in ends.
By all means, contact me if you have any problems with this pattern: emmalemmon47@yahoo.com