purlJam

# Peto de Verano para Niño / Summer Dungarees for a Toddler
### Size: 2 years (chest ~53 cm)

A cheerful summer romper with short legs and a square bib, worked flat in two pieces on straight needles. Designed for beginners — only knit, purl, simple increases/decreases, and basic seaming required. Made in cool cotton worsted, perfect for warm days.

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## Finished Measurements
- **Chest (bib width):** 16 cm
- **Hip circumference:** 56 cm
- **Inseam (leg length):** 12 cm
- **Total length (crotch to top of bib):** 26 cm
- **Strap length:** ~22 cm each (adjustable)

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted weight cotton or cotton blend, approx. 200–250 g (about 400–500 m). One main colour (MC). Optional contrast colour (CC) for trim and straps — 30 g.
- **Needles:** 
  - 1 pair 4 mm straight needles (main fabric)
  - 1 pair 3.5 mm straight needles (borders and bib)
- **Notions:** 
  - 2 buttons, 18–20 mm diameter
  - Tapestry/darning needle
  - Stitch markers (2)
  - Scissors

> **Note on needle choice:** Of the sizes you mentioned (3 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm), **4 mm** gives the best fabric for worsted cotton on a toddler garment — soft but stable. 3 mm would be too dense; 6 mm too loose for a peto.

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## Tension (Gauge)
**20 sts × 28 rows = 10 cm** in stocking stitch on 4 mm needles, after blocking.
*Please make a tension swatch — fit depends on it.*

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## Abbreviations (UK terms)
- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **st st** — stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **g st** — garter stitch (k every row)
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 sts together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **yo** — yarn over
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **rep** — repeat
- **rem** — remaining
- **BO** — bind/cast off
- **CO** — cast on

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## Pattern Notes
- The peto is worked in **two pieces**: a **front** (with bib) and a **back** (with shoulder straps). Each piece begins with two short legs that are then joined at the crotch.
- All edges begin and end with 4 rows of garter stitch to prevent curling.
- Seam the inseams first, then the side seams.
- Try on the child after joining the legs to check fit before continuing upward.

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# FRONT PIECE

## Front — Right Leg
With 3.5 mm needles and MC, **CO 30 sts**.

**Rows 1–6:** Work in g st (knit every row). *6 rows of garter border.*

Change to 4 mm needles.

**Row 7 (RS):** k3, ssk, knit to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. *(28 sts)*
**Row 8:** k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3. *(3 g st edge sts each side throughout the legs)*

**Rows 9–28:** Rep Rows 7–8 once more on Row 9 only for one more decrease, then continue straight:
- **Row 9 (RS):** k3, ssk, knit to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. *(26 sts)*
- **Row 10:** k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
- **Rows 11–28:** Work straight in st st keeping 3-st g st edges (k3, p across to last 3, k3 on WS / k all on RS).

*Leg measures approximately 12 cm from CO edge. End with a WS row.*

**Verification:** 26 sts on needle. ✓

**Break yarn** and place 26 sts on a holder (or spare needle / scrap yarn).

## Front — Left Leg
Work exactly as Right Leg. **Do not break yarn** after final WS row. 26 sts remain on needle.

## Joining the Legs (Front)
**Joining Row (RS):** With yarn still attached to Left Leg, k across all 26 sts of Left Leg, then with the same working yarn, k across the 26 held sts of Right Leg. **(52 sts on needle.)**

> *Tip:* To avoid a hole at the crotch, pick up 1 extra st between the two legs and k2tog with the next st on the next row. Final count must remain **52 sts**.

**Next Row (WS):** k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

## Front — Body (Waist to Bib base)
Continue in st st with 3-st g st edges:
- **RS rows:** knit all sts.
- **WS rows:** k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

Work **24 rows** straight (approx. 8.5 cm above the join). End with a WS row.

**Verification:** Still 52 sts. ✓

## Front — Shape Bib
**Next Row (RS):** BO 10 sts, k until 10 sts rem, BO last 10 sts. Cut yarn. *(32 sts rem in centre)*

Rejoin yarn to the 32 centre sts with RS facing.

**Bib Row 1 (RS):** k all 32 sts.
**Bib Row 2 (WS):** k3, p26, k3.

Rep these 2 rows until bib measures **10 cm** from BO row (approx. 28 rows), ending with a WS row.

**Top of Bib:** Work 4 rows in g st (knit every row).
**BO** all 32 sts knitwise.

✅ **Front piece complete.**

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# BACK PIECE

## Back — Right and Left Legs
Work both legs exactly as for the Front (CO 30 sts, decrease to 26 sts, work to 12 cm). Place Right Leg sts on holder; leave Left Leg sts on needle.

## Joining the Legs (Back)
**Joining Row (RS):** k across 26 Left Leg sts, then k across 26 held Right Leg sts. **(52 sts.)**

**Next Row (WS):** k3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.

## Back — Body
Work straight in st st with 3-st g st edges for **24 rows** (matching front). End with a WS row.

## Back — Shape Top
**Next Row (RS):** BO 10 sts, k until 10 sts rem, BO last 10 sts. *(32 sts rem)*

Rejoin yarn. Work 6 rows in st st with g st edges on the 32 centre sts.

**Buttonhole / Strap base setup:**
**Next Row (RS):** k3, BO 6 sts, k until 6 sts rem, BO 6 sts, k3. *(Two strap bases of 3 sts each remain, separated.)*

Cut yarn. Each strap will be worked separately.

## Back — Straps (make 2, one on each 3-st group)
Rejoin yarn to first 3-st group with RS facing.

**All Rows:** k3 (i-cord-style narrow g st strap worked flat).

Work until strap measures **22 cm** (or length needed to reach over shoulder to front bib top — measure on child).

**Buttonhole Row (RS):** k1, yo, k2tog. *(Still 3 sts; creates a small buttonhole.)*
Knit 4 more rows. **BO** all 3 sts.

Rep for the second strap.

✅ **Back piece complete.**

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## Finishing
1. **Weave in all ends** on the WS, working along seam lines where possible.
2. **Block** both pieces flat to measurements (pin to 28 cm wide at hip, 16 cm at bib). Spray or wet-block. Allow to dry fully.
3. **Inseam seams:** With Front and Back placed RS together, seam the inside leg seam of each leg using mattress stitch — from one ankle, up through the crotch, and down to the other ankle.
4. **Side seams:** Seam each side from the leg opening up to the underarm/bib edge using mattress stitch.
5. **Buttons:** Try the dungarees on the child. Cross the straps at the back (or keep straight) and mark button placement on the front bib top corners. Sew the 2 buttons securely to the **front of the bib**, one at each top corner.
6. **Optional:** Add a contrast colour CC stripe of g st around the leg cuffs or bib top for extra charm — simply join CC for the final 4 garter rows of those edges.

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## Quick Stitch-Count Verification
| Stage | Sts | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Leg CO | 30 | ✓ |
| After 2 decreases | 26 | ✓ |
| After joining legs | 26 + 26 = 52 | ✓ |
| After bib shaping | 32 | ✓ |
| Strap | 3 | ✓ |

| Measurement | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Hip width (one panel) | 52 sts ÷ 20 sts/10 cm | 26 cm |
| Hip circumference | 26 cm × 2 panels | 52 cm + seam ease ≈ 54 cm ✓ |
| Bib width | 32 sts ÷ 20 sts/10 cm | 16 cm ✓ |
| Inseam | 28 rows ÷ 28 rows/10 cm × ~12 rows below dec + 18 straight | ~12 cm ✓ |

Enjoy knitting this sweet summer peto! 🌞