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# Little Sprout Baby Pants
*An easy, cozy pair of crochet pants worked top-down in worsted-weight yarn. A stretchy ribbed waistband with a drawstring channel keeps them snug, while simple half double crochet makes the body quick to work. Perfect for a first crochet garment!*

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## Sizes
Written for **6–18 months** (a forgiving, stretchy fit thanks to the ribbed waistband).

| Measurement | Finished Size |
|---|---|
| Waist (relaxed, stretches to fit) | ~18 in (45.7 cm) |
| Hip circumference | ~18.3 in (46.5 cm) |
| Rise (waist to crotch) | ~7 in (18 cm) |
| Inseam | ~7 in (18 cm) |
| Total length | ~14 in (35.5 cm) |

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Medium / #4), approx. **250–300 yds (230–275 m)**. Sample uses a soft cotton/acrylic blend.
- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm)
- **Notions:** Yarn needle, stitch markers (4–6), scissors, optional 24 in (61 cm) of cord or yarn-chain for drawstring.

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## Gauge
**14 hdc x 11 rounds = 4 in (10 cm)** in half double crochet.
*Gauge check: 1 hdc = 0.286 in. Always make a swatch — correct gauge ensures the pants fit.*

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)
- **ch** – chain
- **sc** – single crochet
- **hdc** – half double crochet
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **BLO** – back loop only
- **hdc2tog** – half double crochet 2 together (decrease)
- **rnd** – round
- **rep** – repeat
- **beg** – beginning

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## Pattern Notes
- The **waistband** is worked flat in BLO single crochet to create stretchy ribbing, then joined into a ring.
- The **body and legs** are worked in **joined rounds**: at the end of each round, join with a sl st to the first st, then ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch) and begin the next round in the same st as the join unless noted.
- Stitch counts are given in parentheses at the end of each round.
- **hdc2tog:** [Yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop] twice (5 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 5 loops.
- Place a marker on the first st of each round to keep track.

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## Instructions

### Part 1: Waistband (worked flat)
Ch 9.

**Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. **(8 sc)**

**Rows 2–56:** Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc in BLO across. Turn. **(8 sc each row)**

*Verification: 56 ridges relaxed ≈ 56 × 0.286 in ≈ 16 in, stretching comfortably to ~18 in waist.*

**Join:** Fold the band so Row 56 meets the foundation edge. Sl st the two short ends together to form a ring. Do not fasten off.

### Part 2: Set Up Body Round
Now work along the **long edge** of the ribbed tube (one sc per ridge row).

**Rnd 1:** Ch 1, work **64 sc evenly** around the long edge of the band (work into the ends of the ribbing rows; you’ll have 56 row-ends, so work 1 sc in most ends and 2 sc in 8 evenly-spaced ends: *6 sc, 2 sc in next* around). Join with sl st to first sc. **(64 sts)**

*Verification: 56 ends + 8 extra = 64 sts = 64 × 0.286 in ≈ 18.3 in hip.*

### Part 3: Drawstring Channel (optional)
**Rnd 2:** Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join. **(64 sts)**

**Rnd 3 (eyelet rnd):** Ch 1, hdc in first 30 sts, **ch 1, skip 1 st** (this makes a hole for the drawstring at center front), hdc in next st, **ch 1, skip 1 st**, hdc in remaining sts. Join. **(62 hdc + 2 ch-1 sps = 64 st positions)**

**Rnd 4:** Ch 1, hdc in each st and in each ch-1 sp around. Join. **(64 sts)**

*If skipping the drawstring, work Rnds 2–4 as plain hdc (64 sts each).*

### Part 4: Body (the rise)
**Rnds 5–22:** Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join. **(64 sts each round)**

*Verification: 18 rounds (Rnds 5–22) at 11 rounds = 4 in → 18 ÷ 11 × 4 ≈ 6.5 in. Combined with Rnds 1–4 (~0.5 in) gives ~7 in rise. ✓*

### Part 5: Divide for Legs
You will now split the 64 sts into two legs of 32 sts each, adding a small gusset chain at the inseam for comfort.

**Rnd 23 (divide):**
- Ch 1, hdc in first **32 sts** (this is the first leg).
- **Ch 2** (gusset), skip the remaining 32 sts.
- Join with sl st to the first hdc of this round.
- **First leg now = 32 hdc + 2 ch = 34 sts.** Fasten off or carry on.

*The skipped 32 sts will become the second leg.*

### Part 6: First Leg (worked in joined rounds)
Continue on the 34 sts of the first leg.

**Rnd 1:** Ch 1, hdc in each of the 32 hdc, then hdc in each of the 2 gusset ch. Join. **(34 sts)**

**Rnd 2:** Ch 1, hdc2tog over first 2 sts, hdc in each st around to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Join. **(32 sts)**

**Rnds 3–17:** Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join. **(32 sts each round)**

*Verification: Rnds 1–17 ≈ 17 ÷ 11 × 4 ≈ 6.2 in; with cuff ≈ 7 in inseam. ✓*

**Cuff Rnds 18–20:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. **(32 sts each)**
Fasten off and weave in ends.

### Part 7: Second Leg
Rejoin yarn to the 32 skipped body sts at the inseam. Working into the base of the 2 gusset chains created on the first leg, pick up **2 sts** in the gusset so this leg also has 34 sts.

**Rnd 1:** Ch 1, hdc in each of the 32 sts, then hdc in each of the 2 gusset sts. Join. **(34 sts)**

**Rnd 2:** Ch 1, hdc2tog over first 2 sts, hdc in each st around to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Join. **(32 sts)**

**Rnds 3–17:** Ch 1, hdc in each st around. Join. **(32 sts each round)**

**Cuff Rnds 18–20:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. **(32 sts each)**
Fasten off and weave in ends.

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## Finishing
1. **Weave in all ends** securely using a yarn needle.
2. **Close any gusset gap:** Use a tail to stitch closed any small hole where the legs meet at the inseam.
3. **Drawstring (optional):** Make a chain about 24 in (61 cm) long, or use a soft cord. Starting at one eyelet on the front, weave it through the channel (Rnds 2–4) and out the other eyelet. Knot the ends and trim. *For safety with babies, you may instead stitch the channel closed and rely on the stretchy rib, or use a flat woven elastic.*
4. **Block lightly** by spritzing with water and laying flat to shape. Allow to dry.

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## Helpful Tips
- **Keep your tension even** in the joined rounds to avoid a slanting seam — placing a marker in the first stitch of each round helps.
- **The waistband stretches**, so don’t worry if it looks small flat; it’s designed to hug the baby’s waist.
- **Sizing up?** Add more body rounds (Part 4) for a longer rise and more leg rounds (Parts 6 & 7) for a longer inseam — every extra round adds ~0.36 in.
- **Make it warmer** by working the legs slightly longer and adding a fold-up cuff.

*Enjoy making these cozy little pants!*