Little Star Baby Cocoon Suit

With Side Button Opening & Hood

Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 0–6 months (one size)
Finished Measurements:

• Body circumference: 20″ (51 cm)
• Length, neckline to base of points: approx. 17½″ (44.5 cm)
• Hood depth: approx. 8″ (20.5 cm)
• Point length: approx. 3½″ (9 cm)

A soft, star-shaped cocoon bunting worked in worsted weight yarn. Five pointed “rays” form the lower body, a buttoned side placket makes dressing easy, and a cozy hood frames baby’s face. Worked primarily in half double crochet for a flexible, warm fabric.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4), approx. 650 yd (595 m). Soft acrylic or washable wool blend recommended.
  Sample look: 2 skeins main color (MC) + small amount contrasting color (CC) optional for edging.
• Hook: US I-9 / 5.5 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge).
  Optional: US H-8 / 5 mm for denser button bands and hood edging.
• Notions:
  • 5 buttons, ¾″ (19 mm) diameter
  • Yarn needle
  • 4 stitch markers
  • Scissors

Gauge

14 hdc and 11 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in hdc with 5.5 mm hook, blocked lightly.
Take time to check gauge. Adjust hook size if necessary so the cocoon fits as intended.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• blo – back loop only
• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together (decrease)
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• WS – wrong side
• ***** – repeat instructions following asterisk as directed

Pattern Notes

• Turning chain (ch 1 at start of hdc/sc rows) does not count as a stitch. Work first stitch into the first stitch of the row.
• When working in joined rounds, join with sl st to first hdc; ch 1 to begin next rnd. Do not turn unless instructed.
• Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each row/round.
• Keep a moderately loose tension so the fabric remains soft and stretchy for baby.
• The side opening is created by switching from rounds to rows; the two vertical edges become the button bands.
• Weave in ends as you go where practical.

Special Stitches

hdc2tog: Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook in following st, yo, pull up loop (5 loops on hook), yo, draw through all 5 loops.

Pattern Instructions

Star Points (Make 5)

Worked flat from tip to base.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 2, 2 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. (2 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in each st. (4 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (6 hdc)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (8 hdc)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (10 hdc)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (12 hdc)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (14 hdc)
Rows 8–9: Ch 1, turn; hdc in each st across. (14 hdc)

Fasten off after Points 1–4, leaving a 12″ tail for seaming if desired.
Do not fasten off Point 5; continue directly to joining.

Place a marker in the first and last stitch of the final row of each point (these mark the “valleys” between points).

Join Points & Begin Body

With RS facing and working yarn still attached to Point 5:

Joining Rnd: Ch 1, hdc in each of the 14 sts of Point 5; *pick up next point with RS facing, hdc in each of its 14 sts; rep from * until all 5 points are joined into a ring; join with sl st to first hdc. (70 hdc)

You now have a 5-pointed star base. The points radiate outward; the joined circle is the start of the cocoon body.

Body Rnds 1–8: Ch 1, hdc in each st around; join with sl st to first hdc. (70 hdc)
(Approx. 3″ / 7.5 cm of closed tube above the points.)

Side Button Opening

Begin working back and forth in rows to create the vertical side opening. The first and last stitches of each row form the placket edges.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in each of next 70 sts; do not join. Turn. (70 hdc)
Rows 2–22: Ch 1, turn; hdc in each st across. (70 hdc)

Tip: Place a marker at each end of Row 1 so you can easily identify the placket edges later. Rows 2–22 measure approx. 8″ (20.5 cm).

Do not fasten off.

Neckline Shaping (optional gentle decrease for hood fit)

Row 23: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 2 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to last 4 sts, hdc2tog, hdc in last 2 sts. (68 hdc)
Row 24: Ch 1, turn; hdc in each st across. (68 hdc)

Hood

The hood is worked across the back and side portions of the neckline, leaving a front face opening.

Set-up: With RS facing, identify the center back of the top edge. Place a marker 20 sts to the right of center and 20 sts to the left of center (40 sts total marked for hood base). The remaining stitches on either side of the markers form the front neck edges and will not be worked for the hood body.

Hood Row 1: Ch 1, turn; hdc across the 40 marked center-back sts only. Leave remaining sts unworked. (40 hdc)
Hood Row 2: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc across to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (42 hdc)
Hood Row 3: Ch 1, turn; hdc in each st across. (42 hdc)
Hood Row 4: Ch 1, turn; 2 hdc in first st, hdc across to last st, 2 hdc in last st. (44 hdc)
Hood Rows 5–16: Ch 1, turn; hdc in each st across. (44 hdc)
(Approx. 5½–6″ / 14–15 cm hood height before crown.)

Crown Shaping

Hood Row 17: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 20 sts, hdc2tog twice, hdc in last 20 sts. (42 hdc)
Hood Row 18: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 19 sts, hdc2tog twice, hdc in last 19 sts. (40 hdc)
Hood Row 19: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 18 sts, hdc2tog twice, hdc in last 18 sts. (38 hdc)
Hood Row 20: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 17 sts, hdc2tog twice, hdc in last 17 sts. (36 hdc)
Hood Row 21: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 16 sts, hdc2tog twice, hdc in last 16 sts. (34 hdc)
Hood Row 22: Ch 1, turn; hdc in first 15 sts, hdc2tog twice, hdc in last 15 sts. (32 hdc)

Fasten off, leaving a 18″ tail. Fold hood in half with RS together and mattress-stitch the crown seam (16 sts to 16 sts). Weave in tail securely.

Button Bands & Edging

Use main color or CC; 5 mm hook optional for a neater edge.

Buttonhole Band (Right placket edge when worn – typically the edge that overlaps on top)

With RS facing, join yarn at the bottom of one vertical opening edge (at the start of the split, just above Body Rnd 8).

Band Row 1: Ch 1, work 33 sc evenly spaced up the row ends of the opening (approx. 3 sc per 2 row-ends). Turn. (33 sc)
Band Row 2 (buttonholes): Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *ch 2, sk 2 sc, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * 3 more times, ch 2, sk 2 sc, sc in last 2 sts. (5 buttonholes; 23 sc + 5 ch-2 sps)
Count check: 2 + (5×4) + 2 = 24 sc positions around the skips, plus the final placement yields 5 evenly spaced holes across 33 sts.
Band Row 3: Ch 1, turn; sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp across. (33 sc)

Fasten off.

Button Band (Opposite placket edge)

With RS facing, join yarn at the top of the opposite vertical edge and work toward the bottom (or bottom to top—keep direction consistent with neatness).

Band Row 1: Ch 1, work 33 sc evenly spaced along the edge. Turn. (33 sc)
Band Rows 2–3: Ch 1, turn; sc in each st across. (33 sc)

Fasten off.

Front Neck & Hood Opening Edging

With RS facing, join yarn at one front neck corner (where hood meets placket).
Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around the entire face opening: up the front neck edge, around the hood front, and down the other front neck edge, placing 3 sc in the two outer hood corners if needed for smooth curve. Join with sl st, fasten off.
(Optional: work this edging in blo for a subtle ridge.)

Outer Star Edging (optional but recommended)

With RS facing, join yarn at any valley between points. Work sc evenly around the entire outer perimeter of the five points, placing 3 sc in each point tip and 1 sc2tog (or sc decrease) in each valley to keep the edge flat. Join, fasten off.

Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends securely on the WS.
2. Lightly block the cocoon to open the stitches and set the star shape (steam or wet-block per yarn care instructions; pin points gently).
3. Overlap the buttonhole band over the button band. Sew five buttons onto the button band, aligning each button with its corresponding buttonhole. Reinforce button shanks if using heavier buttons.
4. Optional: Add a small pompom or star appliqué to the hood tip.

Wear Notes

• Lay cocoon flat, unbutton, place baby inside with head toward the hood.
• Tuck legs and body into the star center; the points may fold softly around feet or splay decoratively.
• Button the side placket. Adjust hood as needed.
• Always supervise baby; this is a cozy outer layer / photo prop / stroller snuggle, not a substitute for a safe sleep sack under firm sleep guidelines.

Pattern math validation summary (for the maker’s confidence):

• Points: 2 + 6 increase rows × 2 sts = 14 sts/point ✓
• Join: 5 × 14 = 70 sts = 20″ at gauge ✓
• Body even section + opening rows produce ~11″ tube height above points ✓
• Hood base 40 → increased to 44 → crown decreases remove 12 sts (6 pairs) to 32, seamed in half ✓
• Placket: 33 sc supports 5 buttonholes with balanced spacing ✓

Enjoy your Little Star Cocoon Suit!