purlJam

# The Henhouse Egg-Collecting Apron

A practical, country-charm apron designed for gathering eggs straight from the coop. The deep front pouch is divided into three padded pockets to keep your eggs separated and safe on the walk back to the kitchen. Worked flat in simple stitches, this is a perfect confident-beginner project.

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## Finished Measurements
- **Skirt width:** 18" (45.5 cm)
- **Skirt length:** 14" (35.5 cm)
- **Bib:** 8" wide × 8" tall (20.5 × 20.5 cm)
- **Pouch panel:** 16" wide × 7" tall (40.5 × 18 cm), divided into 3 pockets
- **Total length (top of bib to hem):** approx. 22" (56 cm)
- **One size** — strap lengths can be adjusted to fit

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC #4), approximately:
  - **Main Color (MC):** 350 yds (320 m) — cotton or cotton/linen blend recommended (washable, sturdy)
  - **Contrast Color (CC):** 100 yds (92 m) — for pouch and trim (optional)
- **Needles:** US 7 / 4.5 mm straight or circular needles (or size to obtain gauge)
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry needle
  - Stitch markers (4)
  - Scissors
  - Optional: 2 small buttons (¾" / 2 cm) if you prefer a buttoned neck strap

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## Gauge

**18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch, blocked.
Gauge is not critical for fit but will affect finished size and yarn usage.

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## Abbreviations (US terms)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **RS** — right side
- **WS** — wrong side
- **k2tog** — knit 2 together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **BO** — bind off
- **CO** — cast on
- **rep** — repeat
- **MC / CC** — main color / contrast color

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## Pattern Notes

- The apron is worked in **four flat pieces**: skirt, bib, pouch panel, and straps. Pieces are seamed together at the end.
- The skirt is worked **bottom-up** with a garter-stitch hem.
- The pouch is a **separate panel** sewn onto the skirt and then divided into three pockets with vertical seams.
- Garter stitch borders prevent curling — do not skip them.
- Use a **smooth, washable yarn** (cotton is ideal) — the apron will encounter dirt, feathers, and the occasional broken egg.

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## Instructions

### Part 1: Skirt

With **MC**, CO **81 sts**.

**Garter hem:**
- Rows 1–8: Knit every row (8 rows garter stitch).

**Body (Stockinette with garter borders):**
- **Row 9 (RS):** K5, p to last 5 sts, k5. *(Wait — this is reversed; correcting:)*
- **Row 9 (RS):** K all 81 sts.
- **Row 10 (WS):** K5, p71, k5.
- Repeat Rows 9–10 until piece measures **13"** (33 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*(Stitch count: 81 sts throughout.)*

**Waistband (garter):**
- Knit every row for 1" (about 6 rows). Piece should now measure 14" total.

**Do not bind off yet** — leave sts live on a holder or spare needle. (You will pick up and continue into the bib.)

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### Part 2: Bib

With RS facing and using your working yarn, you will work the center 36 sts for the bib (this centers the bib on the waistband).

**Set-up row (RS):** K22, place marker, k36, place marker, k23. Turn work.

Slip the first 22 sts to a holder, work the next 36 sts as the bib, and slip the last 23 sts to a second holder.

*(Math check: 22 + 36 + 23 = 81 sts ✓)*

**Bib body — 36 sts:**
- Row 1 (WS): K3, p30, k3.
- Row 2 (RS): Knit all 36 sts.
- Repeat Rows 1–2 until bib measures **7½"** (19 cm) from waistband, ending with a RS row.

**Top garter border:**
- Knit every row for 4 rows (½" / 1.5 cm).

**BO** all 36 sts knitwise. Bib should measure approximately 8" tall.

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### Part 3: Pouch Panel

With **CC** (or MC if preferred), CO **72 sts**.

**Bottom garter border:**
- Rows 1–6: Knit every row.

**Pouch body:**
- Row 7 (RS): Knit.
- Row 8 (WS): K3, p66, k3.
- Repeat Rows 7–8 until piece measures **6½"** (16.5 cm) from cast-on, ending with a WS row.

**Top garter border:**
- Knit every row for 6 rows.

**BO** all 72 sts knitwise. Pouch panel should measure approximately 16" × 7".

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### Part 4: Waist Ties (make 2)

With MC, CO **6 sts**.

- Every row: Knit (garter stitch).
- Continue until tie measures **24"** (61 cm).
- BO all sts.

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### Part 5: Neck Strap (make 1)

With MC, CO **6 sts**.

- Every row: Knit (garter stitch).
- Continue until strap measures **22"** (56 cm) — adjust to fit by trying it on after the bib is attached.
- BO all sts.

*(Optional: make 2 shorter straps of 12" each and add buttons/buttonholes at the bib top corners for adjustability.)*

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## Finishing

### 1. Block all pieces
Wet-block the skirt, bib, pouch, and straps to measurements. Allow to dry flat. Blocking is especially important for cotton.

### 2. Attach the pouch
- Lay the skirt flat, RS up.
- Center the pouch panel on the skirt with its **bottom edge 1" above the garter hem** (about row 6 of the body).
- Pin the pouch along its **bottom edge** and **two side edges**, leaving the top open.
- Using MC and a tapestry needle, **whipstitch or mattress stitch** the pouch to the skirt along the bottom and both sides. Leave the top edge free — this is your pocket opening.

### 3. Create pocket dividers
- The pouch is 16" wide. Mark **two vertical lines**, each at 5⅓" intervals (approximately at the 5⅓" and 10⅔" points across the width), dividing the pouch into 3 equal pockets of about 5⅓" wide each.
- Using MC and a tapestry needle, sew a **vertical seam from the bottom of the pouch up to the top edge** along each marked line, stitching through both the pouch and the skirt fabric to anchor.
- Pull stitches snug but not tight; backstitch at top and bottom for security.

*(You should now have 3 egg-sized pockets, each large enough to hold 4–6 eggs.)*

### 4. Attach straps
- Sew one **waist tie** to each side edge of the skirt at the top of the waistband.
- Sew the **neck strap** ends to the two top corners of the bib. Try on first to confirm comfortable length, then secure.

### 5. Weave in all ends
Weave in ends carefully on the WS, paying special attention to the pouch seams which will bear weight.

### 6. Final wash
Hand wash and lay flat to dry before first use.

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## Tips for Success

- **Reinforce the pouch bottom seam** with a second pass of stitching — eggs are heavier than they look!
- If using slippery yarn, add a non-slip lining inside each pocket using a scrap of cotton fabric.
- For extra cushioning, line each pocket with a folded square of soft flannel or felt before use.
- The apron looks lovely with contrasting CC trim along the bib top and pouch — feel free to add a few rows of CC at any garter border.

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## Math Validation

- Skirt: 81 sts ÷ (18 sts/4") = 18" wide ✓
- Bib: 36 sts ÷ (18 sts/4") = 8" wide ✓
- Pouch: 72 sts ÷ (18 sts/4") = 16" wide ✓
- Skirt holders: 22 + 36 + 23 = 81 sts ✓
- Pouch dividers: 16" ÷ 3 ≈ 5.33" per pocket ✓
- Row gauge: 24 rows = 4", so 14" skirt ≈ 84 rows ✓

Happy knitting — and happy egg gathering! 🥚🐔