Sky Blue Bobble Stitch Baby Coverall Free Crochet Pattern

This sky blue bobble stitch baby coverall set is one of those projects that looks like it took forever but actually works up faster than you would expect, and I grinned at it for a good five minutes when I pulled it out of my project bag! The bobble stitch creates that beautiful textured look, where each little puff stands out against a smooth background, and once you get into the rhythm your hands just know what to do.

The set includes three coordinating pieces: a button-front coverall with long sleeves and cuffed ankles, a classic bonnet with ties, and a pair of matching booties. Everything matches perfectly because we use the same stitch pattern throughout, which means less thinking and more crocheting.

It is rated intermediate. If you can work basic stitches and have made one or two garments before, you can absolutely handle this. The bobble stitch itself is not difficult; it just asks for a little patience while you learn the motion.

Materials

• Approximately 400 to 450 yards of DK weight yarn (light worsted, Category 3), soft acrylic blend in sky blue or any machine-washable DK
• 4.0mm (G/6) crochet hook, for the main body
• 3.5mm (E/4) crochet hook, for ribbed cuffs and edging
• 6 small buttons, approximately 10 to 12mm diameter
• Yarn needle, for weaving ends
• Stitch markers
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sk: skip
• rep: repeat
• bob: bobble stitch (see Special Stitches)
• sc2tog: single crochet two together

Special Stitches

• Bobble Stitch (bob): yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Repeat this sequence 4 more times in the same stitch, so you have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops at once. Think of it as starting 5 double crochets in one stitch but finishing them all together at the top, so the yarn bunches up and pops forward.

Gauge & Size

• Gauge: 18 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches in bobble stitch pattern using a 4.0mm hook. Always check your gauge before starting, because a coverall that is too small will not fit over a diaper and one that is too big will swallow the baby whole
• Finished size: 0-3 months. Chest approximately 18 inches, length from shoulder to ankle approximately 18 inches, sleeve length approximately 7 inches, bonnet circumference approximately 14 inches
• Construction: coverall worked in panels from the legs up and seamed, sleeves worked separately, ribbed cuffs added, bonnet worked flat and seamed, booties worked in the round
• Skill level: Intermediate

Coverall Back Pattern

We work from the bottom up, starting with one leg and then joining to create the body.

First Leg: With 4.0mm hook, ch 25.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (24 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [bob in next st, sc in next st] across. (24 sts, 12 bobbles)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (24 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, [bob in next st, sc in next st] across to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. (24 sts, 11 bobbles)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (24 sts)

Repeat Rows 2 to 5 until piece measures approximately 6 inches from beginning, ending on a Row 5. Fasten off.

Second Leg: Work exactly as First Leg but do NOT fasten off.

Joining Row 1: Ch 1, turn. Sc across Second Leg (24 sts), ch 4 for crotch gusset, then sc across First Leg (24 sts). (52 sts including ch)

Joining Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, [bob in next st, sc in next st] across. (52 sts)

Joining Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (52 sts)

Continue in established bobble pattern (alternating Rows 2 to 3 placement) until body measures 10 inches from joining row.

Armhole Row 1: Ch 1, turn. Sl st in first 4 sts, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, leave remaining sts unworked. (44 sts)

Armhole Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, work in bobble pattern to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (42 sts)

Continue in pattern for 4 more inches. Fasten off.

Coverall Front Pattern

The front is worked in two pieces to accommodate the button band. For the Left Front Panel: with 4.0mm hook, ch 13. Work the bobble pattern as established on the back panel, maintaining 12 stitches throughout. Work the leg section for 6 inches, matching the back. After joining (work one leg only, join with ch 2 at centre), continue until the piece measures the same as the back to the armhole. Shape the armhole by decreasing at the armhole edge only (the outside edge), keeping the centre front edge straight for the button band. Continue until the piece matches the back length. Fasten off. Work the Right Front Panel as a mirror image of the Left Front Panel.

Sleeves & Cuffs Pattern

Sleeves (make 2): With 4.0mm hook, ch 21.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (20 sts)

Work in bobble pattern, increasing 1 st at each end every 6th row until you have 28 sts. Continue even until sleeve measures 7 inches. Fasten off.

Wrist Cuffs (make 2): Switch to 3.5mm hook. Ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (6 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Working in back loops only, sc in each st across. (6 sts)

Repeat Row 2 until piece stretches to fit around sleeve opening. Join short ends with sl st. Attach to sleeve edge.

Ankle Cuffs (make 2): Work same as wrist cuffs but ch 9 for starting chain (8 sts per row) and work until piece fits leg opening.

Button Band Pattern

With 3.5mm hook and right side facing, join yarn at bottom of right front panel edge.

Row 1: Work sc evenly up the entire front edge, approximately 3 sc per 2 rows.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across.

Fasten off. Repeat for the left front panel, adding buttonholes on Row 2: Buttonhole Row: sc in first 3 sts, [ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in next 8 to 10 sts] 6 times evenly spaced, sc to end.

Bonnet Pattern

With 4.0mm hook, ch 51.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (50 sts)

Work in bobble pattern for 4 inches.

Shape Crown: Begin decreasing: sc2tog at beginning and end of every right side row until 20 sts remain. Fold piece in half and seam the back of the crown closed.

Face Edging: With 3.5mm hook, work 2 rows of sc around face opening.

Ties (make 2): Ch 60. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Fasten off. Attach one tie to each bottom corner of bonnet.

Booties Pattern

Make 2. Sole: With 4.0mm hook, ch 9.

Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain, sc in next 6 ch, 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st. (18 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in last 2 sts. Join. (26 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (26 sts)

Rounds 4 to 6: Working in back loops only for Round 4, then both loops for Rounds 5 to 6, sc in each st around. Join. (26 sts)

Round 7: Sc in first 8 sts, sc2tog 5 times, sc in remaining sts. Join. (21 sts)

Round 8: Sc in first 6 sts, sc2tog 4 times, sc in remaining sts. Join. (17 sts)

Cuff: Work 4 rounds of bobble pattern around ankle opening. Switch to 3.5mm hook and work 3 rounds of sc for cuff. Fasten off.

Finishing & Assembly

Lay the back panel flat with right side up, place the front panels on top with right sides together, matching shoulder edges, and seam the shoulders using whip stitch or mattress stitch. Pin the sleeves into the armhole openings, easing any fullness, and sew them in place. Sew the side seams from underarm to ankle in one continuous seam, then sew the inner leg seams from crotch to ankle. Attach the cuffs to wrists and ankles, and sew the buttons opposite the buttonholes.

Weave in all ends securely. For baby items, make sure no loose yarn can come undone during washing. Block gently if needed; steam blocking works well for acrylic yarns.

Tips

Your bobbles might feel tight at first, and that is normal. They need to be snug so they pop forward nicely. If they are lying flat, you are pulling too tightly on that final yarn over.

Count your stitches after each bobble row. Bobbles love to hide, and it is easy to accidentally skip one or work into the top of a bobble instead of the stitch.

Try the coverall on a doll or stuffed animal before sewing the buttons on permanently, and adjust the spacing if needed.

For washing, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low. The bobbles may flatten slightly when wet but will fluff back up when dry. Sky blue is darling, but this set also works beautifully in soft yellow, mint green, peachy pink, cream, heathered gray or warm oatmeal. Just stick with DK weight yarn so your gauge stays true.