Berroco Drew Playsuit Knitting Pattern

Berroco Drew Infant Overalls and Playsuits

What is Being Made

The Berroco Drew is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Alison Green for creating infant overalls and playsuits. This intermediate-level project is sized for infants from 3 months through 24 months, with finished chest measurements ranging from 18 inches to 21¼ inches and length from crotch to shoulder (with straps buttoned) ranging from 14½ inches to 18½ inches. The garment features a classic playsuit construction with two separate legs that are later joined, striped colorwork, and functional button closures on the shoulder straps.

Techniques Used

The Drew pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques suitable for knitters with foundational skills. The construction begins with flat knitting on straight needles using seed stitch for the leg cuffs, then transitions to circular needles for seamless in-the-round construction. The pattern incorporates stripe sequence work, alternating 4 rows or rounds in each color throughout the stockinette stitch body. Strategic increases are worked using the kfb (knit front and back) technique to shape the garment, with increases placed differently depending on the size being knitted. The pattern uses stitch markers to track pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds, and incorporates waste yarn techniques to hold stitches temporarily during construction. Button bands are integrated into the design, requiring basic finishing skills.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the main body of the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Seed Stitch: Used for the leg cuff ribbing, creating a textured, elastic edge that provides structure at the leg openings
• Knit Front and Back (kfb): The increase method used to shape the legs and body, creating visible but intentional shaping
• Purl: Used strategically, including a purl row after the color change to establish the stripe pattern

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Drew pattern calls for Berroco Ultra Wool Fine, a fingering-weight yarn. One 100-gram ball each of two colors is required for all sizes: #53161 Matcha (the main color) and #5301 Cream (the contrast color). The yarn is worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles.

Needles required include 16-inch circular needles in sizes 1 (2.25 mm) for the ribbed leg cuffs and size 3 (3.25 mm) for the main body, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. Additional notions include three stitch markers (with one in a different color to mark the beginning of rounds), waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and six ½-inch buttons for the shoulder strap closures. The pattern recommends checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Pattern Details and Sizing

The Berroco Drew is available in six infant sizes: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. The pattern recommends 1–2 inches of positive ease for proper fit. Construction begins with two separate legs worked flat in seed stitch, then transitions to larger needles and begins the striped stockinette body. The stripe sequence alternates 4 rows or rounds in each color throughout, creating a balanced two-color design. Each leg begins with a specific cast-on stitch count that varies by size, followed by increases worked on the right side to double the stitch count before joining the legs together for in-the-round knitting.