I think these overalls are absolutely adorable! And they are easy and quick to make, which makes me like them even more.
I've made the overalls to fit the patterns I have for dolls, but you can easily adapt the overalls to whatever doll or animal toy you have. I explain more below the pattern.
This is the pattern for the shorts, as the only difference is the number of rounds for the legs. However, I have included how many rounds you need to make the 3/4 legs or full length legs instead, so you can make those overalls too.
Pattern, shorts
Note that I'm using the US terms. If you're from the UK, a US double crochet is the same as the UK treble crochet.
Use the same yarn and needle size as for the doll.
Make a chain with 21 stitches. Close the circle by making a slip stitch in the first chain stitch.
Round 1: Make 3 chain stitches (ch). This will count as your first double crochet stitch. 20 double crochet stitches (dc). Close the circle with a slip stitch in the last chain stitch [21]
Round 2-4: Repeat round 1. (Make 9 rounds for 3/4 legs or 14 rounds for full length legs.)
End with an extra slip stitch. Don't weave in the top end yet! You'll need it for sewing later.
Make a second leg, but don't cut off the yarn after you've finished the second leg. Now you're going to attach the legs. I prefer to have the "seam" from the beginning of each round between the legs, but it really doesn't matter.
Round 5: Make 3 ch on the second leg. 21 dc on the first leg, and then continue with the last 20 dc of the second leg. Close with a slip stitch in the last chain stitch [42]
There is a gap between the legs. Use the loose end from the first leg to sew the legs together with a couple of stitches, before weaving in the end.
Round 6-9: 3 ch, 41 dc. Close with a slip stitch [42]
End with an extra slip stitch and cut off the yarn.
Back
Now to turn the trousers into overalls. Start by flattening out the trousers so that you have 21 stitches on the front and 21 stitches on the back. On the back, skip the first two stitches from the right and stick your needle through the third stitch. Pick up the yarn.
Row 1: 3 ch, decrease (only make half the first dc, leaving 2 loops on the needle. Then make the second dc. At the end, pull through all 3 loops leaving only 1 loop on the needle), 11 dc, decrease (dec), 1 dc [15]
Row 2: Turn around. 3 ch, dec, 9 dc, dec, 1 dc [13]
Row 3: Turn around. 3 ch, dec, 7 dc, dec, 1 dc [11]
Row 4: Turn around. 3 ch, dec, 5 dc, dec, 1 dc [9]
Row 5: Turn around. 3 ch, dec, 3 dc, dec, 1 dc [7]
Row 6-22: Turn around. 1 ch (does not count as first stitch of the round), 3 single crochet stitches (sc) [3]
Row 23: Turn around. 5 ch, end with a slip stitch in the last stitch of the row. This is the loop that will go round the button. If you use a different button, adapt number of chain stitches to match. You want a close fit.
Cut off the yarn and weave in the end. However, if you are unsure about the fit, leave a longer end so that you can make the straps longer if needed.
Go back to row 5 and start on the inside from the right. Skip the first stitch after the strap and pick up the yarn in the 5th stitch of the row for the second strap.
Row 6: Make 1 ch and then a single crochet stitch in the same loop. Make 2 more sc [3]
Row 7-23: Same as for the first strap.
Cut off the yarn and weave in the end.
Front
Start from the right with the front (right side out) facing you. Skip the first 6 stitches and pick up the yarn in the 7th stitch.
Row 1: 3 ch, dec, 7 dc, dec, 1 dc [11]
Row 2: Turn around. 3 ch, 10 dc [11]
Row 3: Turn around. 3 ch, dec, 5 dc, dec, 1 dc [9]
Cut off the yarn and weave in the end.
Buttons
Make 2 ch. 3 sc in the second stitch from the needle. Cut off yarn and thread the end on a sewing needle.
Make a stitch through the first single stitch from the backside to the front. Do the same in the next 2 stitches.
Pull on the thread to make the yarn form a little sphere. Thread the two ends of the button through the front corner wherever you want the buttons and tie the ends together on the back. Weave in or just cut off the ends.
Weave in all other loose ends you may have left, and the overalls are done!
How to adapt the pattern to other dolls and toys
The principle for the overalls is very simple. The dolls are 42 stitches wide around their bellies, and for this pattern, I use the same thickness of yarn and the same size needle. As double crochet is a slightly looser stitch than single crochet, using the same number of stitches as the widest part of the dolls will give a good fit.
If you are using the same needle size and thickness of yarn for your overalls as for your doll, then the pattern can easily be adapted to fit your doll. If it is 60 s wide, make each leg 30 s.
If you are not using the same size for the needle or same yarn, or maybe the overalls are not for something crocheted, measure the widest part of your toy. Then make a test piece to see how many double crochet stitches you'd need to fit the toy. Note that you'll need a few rounds for good measurements. Once you have the number of stitches you need, divide that in half for the legs.
However! Remember that the legs must fit over the toy's feet also.
When in doubt, overalls that are a little too big are always better than ones that are too small.
For the front and back pieces, I chose to decrease 2 every round on the back piece and 2 every other round on the front piece. However, do whatever you prefer and what suits your toy. You'll have to work hard to make overalls look ugly! I'm sure you'll make something adorable.
Comments