purlJam

# Little Explorer Baby Pants
### A "Sampler" Crochet Pattern Featuring Every Basic Stitch
**Size:** 6–12 months • **Difficulty:** Easy • **Yarn Weight:** Worsted (#4)

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## About This Pattern
You asked for pants that use *every single kind of crochet stitch* — so this pattern is a friendly stitch sampler! While the main fabric is simple single crochet (perfect for beginners and durable for babies), you'll practice **slip stitch (sl st)**, **single crochet (sc)**, **half double crochet (hdc)**, **double crochet (dc)**, and **treble crochet (tr)** along the way, with one fun decorative "sampler round" that uses them all together. Everything stays easy.

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## Finished Measurements
| Measurement | Inches | cm |
|---|---|---|
| Waist (relaxed, fits with elastic) | 18 in | 45.5 cm |
| Hip (widest) | 20 in | 51 cm |
| Leg opening | 5.5 in | 14 cm |
| Inseam (hem to crotch) | 6 in | 15 cm |
| Rise (crotch to waist) | 7 in | 18 cm |
| Total length | 13 in | 33 cm |

*Fit note: Roomy through the seat to accommodate a diaper; elastic waistband keeps them secure.*

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4), approx. 200–250 yds (180–230 m) main color (MC). Optional small amount of contrast color (CC) for the sampler round.
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5 mm)
- **Notions:** Stitch markers, tapestry needle, ¾ in (2 cm) wide elastic — approx. 18 in (45.5 cm), scissors.

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## Gauge
**14 sc x 16 rounds = 4 in (10 cm)** in single crochet, worked in the round.
→ This equals **3.5 stitches per inch**.

**Always make a gauge swatch.** Chain 18, work sc rows until ~4.5 in tall. Measure the center 4 in. Too many stitches per inch = go up a hook size; too few = go down. Correct gauge ensures the pants fit your baby.

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)
- **ch** – chain
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **sc** – single crochet
- **hdc** – half double crochet
- **dc** – double crochet
- **tr** – treble crochet
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **inc** – increase (2 sts in one st)
- **dec** – decrease (sc2tog)
- **BLO** – back loop only
- **rnd** – round
- **rep** – repeat

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## Stitch Glossary (Your "Every Stitch" Reference)
- **sl st:** Insert hook, yarn over (yo), pull through stitch and loop on hook.
- **sc:** Insert hook, yo, pull up loop (2 loops), yo, pull through both.
- **hdc:** Yo, insert hook, yo, pull up loop (3 loops), yo, pull through all 3.
- **dc:** Yo, insert hook, yo, pull up loop (3 loops), [yo, pull through 2] twice.
- **tr:** Yo twice, insert hook, yo, pull up loop (4 loops), [yo, pull through 2] three times.
- **sc2tog:** [Insert hook, yo, pull up loop] in next 2 sts, yo, pull through all 3.

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# CONSTRUCTION

The pants are worked **bottom-up in the round**: two legs first, then joined and worked up to the waist. Use a stitch marker to track the start of each round; move it up as you go.

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## PART 1 — The Legs (Make 2)

### Hem Foundation
**Round 1 (sl st round — your first stitch type!):**
Ch 20. Without twisting, join with a **sl st** to the first ch to form a ring.
*Count check: 20 ch.* ✓

**Round 2 (sc base):** Ch 1 (does not count as st). Work 1 sc in each ch around. Join nothing — work in a continuous spiral, placing your marker in the first st.
*Count: 20 sc.* ✓

### Hem Accent — hdc Round
**Round 3 (hdc):** Work 1 hdc in each st around.
*Count: 20 hdc.* ✓
This gives a slightly raised, sturdy hem edge.

### Leg Body
**Rounds 4–22:** Work 1 sc in each st around (straight, no shaping).
*Count stays: 20 sts each round.* ✓

This makes a leg about **6 in (15 cm)** long from hem (Rnds 2–22 ≈ 21 rounds ÷ 16 rounds/4 in ≈ 5.25 in of sc + hem ≈ 6 in). 

*Optional length:* For shorter "play shorts," stop at Round 14. For longer pants, add rounds in multiples that keep the leg even.

**Fasten off the first leg.** Make a **second leg identically**, but **do not fasten off** — keep the loop live on your hook for joining.

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## PART 2 — Joining the Legs & Crotch

You will now connect both legs into one piece.

**Joining Round (Round 23):**
With the second (live) leg on your hook:
1. Work sc across **18 sts** of Leg 2, leaving 2 sts unworked near the inner thigh.
2. **Ch 3** (these chains form the crotch bridge — front).
3. Pick up **Leg 1**: sc in 18 sts of Leg 1 (start at its inner thigh).
4. **Ch 3** (crotch bridge — back).
5. Join back to the start of Leg 2 with a sl st into the first sc; place marker.

*Count check:* 18 (Leg 2) + 3 (ch) + 18 (Leg 1) + 3 (ch) = **42 sts** around the joined body. ✓

**Round 24 (work the crotch chains):**
Sc in each st and each ch around.
*Count: 42 sc.* ✓

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## PART 3 — Crotch Shaping

We gently reduce the bulk where the legs meet so the seat isn't baggy.

**Round 25 (decrease at crotch points):**
- Sc to 1 st before the first crotch bridge, sc2tog over the bridge area (1 dec).
- Continue sc to the second crotch bridge, sc2tog (1 dec).
- Sc to end.
*Count: 42 − 2 = 40 sc.* ✓

**Rounds 26–27:** Sc in each st around. *Count: 40 sc.* ✓

This sets a smooth crotch curve and a stable base of **40 sts**.

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## PART 4 — Body Shaping (Up to Waist)

### Hip Increases
We widen for the seat/diaper.

**Round 28 (inc round):** *(Sc in 4 sts, 2 sc in next st)* around. 40 ÷ 5 = 8 increases.
*Count: 40 + 8 = 48 sc.* ✓

**Rounds 29–31:** Sc in each st. *Count: 48 sc.* ✓

**Round 32 (inc round):** *(Sc in 5 sts, 2 sc in next st)* around. 48 ÷ 6 = 8 increases.
*Count: 48 + 8 = 56 sc.* ✓

**Rounds 33–35:** Sc in each st. *Count: 56 sc.* ✓

### The "Sampler Round" — Every Stitch Together! 🎉
This single decorative round (optional but fun, and the heart of your request) uses **all five stitch types in sequence**. Switch to CC here if you like.

**Round 36 (sampler):** Repeat this 8-stitch sequence 7 times around (7 × 8 = 56):
> **sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc**

*Count: 56 sts.* ✓
This creates a pretty wave/ripple texture band around the hips. Take it slow — it's the showcase round!

**Round 37:** Sc in each st around (work into the top of each previous st evenly). *Count: 56 sc.* ✓

### Waist Decreases
Now shape inward toward the waist.

**Round 38 (dec round):** *(Sc in 12 sts, sc2tog)* around. 56 ÷ 14 = 4 decreases.
*Count: 56 − 4 = 52 sc.* Wait — recheck: 56 ÷ 14 = exactly 4 reps. ✓ → 52 sc.

**Round 39:** Sc in each st. *Count: 52 sc.* ✓

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## PART 5 — Waistband (Folded, Elastic-Ready)

We'll use **dc** for height, then a **folded sc casing** for the elastic.

**Round 40 (dc round):** Ch 2 (does not count), dc in each st around, join with sl st. *Count: 52 dc.* ✓
*(This adds quick height and a clean transition.)*

**Rounds 41–46 (casing — 6 rounds of sc):** Sc in each st around.
*Count: 52 sc per round.* ✓

This creates roughly **1.5 in (4 cm)** of fabric to fold over the elastic.

**Form the casing:** Fold these last 6 rounds to the inside. Using a tapestry needle and yarn, whip stitch the folded edge down to the inside of the body **leaving a 1.5 in (4 cm) gap** to insert elastic.

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## PART 6 — Inserting the Elastic
1. Cut elastic to fit your baby's waist comfortably — approx. **17–18 in (43–45.5 cm)**, plus 1 in for overlap.
2. Attach a safety pin to one end and thread it through the casing gap, all the way around.
3. Overlap the ends 1 in and sew securely together (stitch back and forth several times).
4. Sew the casing gap closed.

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## PART 7 — Finishing

### Weave in Ends
Thread each tail onto the tapestry needle. Weave through the backs of stitches for ~2 in, change direction once, and trim close. Secure CC tails especially well at the sampler round.

### Decorative Edge (Optional — uses sl st again!)
Around each leg hem, you may work a round of **sl st** in CC for a tidy finished trim. *Count: 20 sl st per leg.* ✓

### Blocking
Lightly spray-block or steam (check yarn label — many worsted acrylics melt; use cool steam). Pat the pants into shape on a towel, making sure the legs are even and the sampler band lies flat. Let dry fully.

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## Stitch-Type Checklist ✅
You used **every basic crochet stitch**:
- ✔ **sl st** — joining ring, sampler round, optional trim
- ✔ **sc** — main fabric throughout
- ✔ **hdc** — hem accent + sampler round
- ✔ **dc** — waistband + sampler round
- ✔ **tr** — peak of the sampler round
- ✔ **sc2tog (dec)** & **2-sc inc** — all shaping

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## Quick Round-Count Summary (Validation)
| Section | Rounds | Stitch Count |
|---|---|---|
| Leg (each) | 1–22 | 20 |
| Join | 23 | 42 |
| Crotch work | 24 | 42 |
| Crotch dec | 25–27 | 40 |
| Hip inc 1 | 28–31 | 48 |
| Hip inc 2 | 32–35 | 56 |
| Sampler + body | 36–37 | 56 |
| Waist dec | 38–39 | 52 |
| Waistband dc | 40 | 52 |
| Casing sc | 41–46 | 52 |

All transitions verified for even, consistent counts. ✓

**Enjoy your one-of-a-kind sampler baby pants!**