Hayfield Dungarees & Pinafore Dress Knitting Pattern

Hayfield Dungarees & Pinafore in Baby Blossom DK

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern provides instructions for creating two coordinating garments for babies from birth to 2 years: a pair of dungarees and a matching pinafore dress. The dungarees are a classic baby garment with leg openings and adjustable button closures, while the pinafore is a sleeveless dress style that can be worn over other clothing. Both pieces are designed to be worked in Hayfield Baby Blossom DK yarn, a soft double knitting weight yarn suitable for delicate baby garments.

Garment Specifications

The pattern is sized for three age ranges:

• Birth to 6 months: 41cm (16in) chest measurement, dungarees length 50cm (19¾in), pinafore length 32cm (12½in)
• 6 to 12 months: 46cm (18in) chest measurement, dungarees length 56cm (22in), pinafore length 36cm (14in)
• 1 to 2 years: 51cm (20in) chest measurement, dungarees length 65cm (25½in), pinafore length 42cm (16½in)

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques to construct the garments:

• Bottom-up construction: Both the dungarees and pinafore are knitted from the lower edges upward toward the shoulders, allowing for easy length adjustments during the knitting process
• Worked flat: The majority of the garment pieces are worked flat on straight needles, creating individual front and back panels that are later seamed together
• Worked in the round: Certain sections, such as necklines and armholes, are worked in the round using double-pointed needles to create seamless, finished edges
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are carefully seamed together using mattress stitch or similar techniques to create strong, neat seams that are appropriate for baby garments
• Shaping techniques: The pattern includes crotch shaping for the dungarees through strategic increases and decreases, as well as armhole and neckline shaping for both garments

Stitches Used

The pattern primarily utilizes stocking stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows) as the main fabric stitch, creating a smooth, classic baby garment finish. Garter stitch (knitting every row) is also employed in specific areas, particularly for the crotch shaping sections of the dungarees, providing extra durability and texture in high-wear areas. The pattern includes standard abbreviations for knitting techniques such as increases (inc), decreases (dec), yarn forward (yfwd) for eyelet details, and knit and purl stitches worked in various combinations.

Materials Required

The dungarees require 2 x 100g balls of Hayfield Baby Blossom DK in shade 358 across all three sizes. The pinafore requires 1 x 100g ball of Hayfield Baby Blossom DK in shade 356 for all sizes. Baby Blossom DK is a double knitting weight yarn designed specifically for baby garments, offering softness and washability.

Essential tools include:

• 1 pair of 4mm (UK8/USA6) knitting needles for main fabric
• 1 pair of 3¼mm (UK10/USA3) knitting needles for ribbing and edges
• 1 set of 3¼mm (UK10/USA3) double-pointed needles for working in the round
• Stitch holders for holding stitches during construction
• 4 buttons for fastening the dungarees

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch on 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper fit and garment proportions. Knitters should check their tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size accordingly—using thinner needles if achieving more stitches than specified, or thicker needles if achieving fewer