Orton Overalls

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Let’s get started.
   Using the 4mm hook, start by chaining 77 81 85 97 101.
   
   Round 1 (RS) – Work a HDC into the 2nd chain from the hook and then work a HDC into each chain. Join with a SlSt into the top of the first HDC. (Make sure that your work is not twisted.) Ch1 and turn. 76 80 84 96 100 sts
   
   Round 2 (WS) – Work a SC into the first stitch. Work a DC into the second stitch. Continue to alternate SC and then DC until the end of the round. Join with a SlSt into the top of the first SC. Ch1 and turn. 76 80 84 96 100 sts
   
   Round 3 – Working into the back loops only, work a HDC into each stitch. Join with SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 76 80 84 96 100 sts
   
   Round 4 (Increase Round) – *HDC 8 9 9 11 11. 2HDC. Repeat from * 7 more times. Work a HDC into the last 4 0 4 0 4 sts. Join with SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 84 88 92 104 108 sts
   
   Round 5 – Work a HDC into each stitch. Join with SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 84 88 92 104 108 sts
   
   Rounds 6 to 26 32 34 38 38 – Repeat round 5. 84 88 92 104 108 sts

2. We are now going to start the first leg.
   Round 1 – Work a HDC into the first 42 44 46 52 54 sts. Join with a SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 42 44 46 52 54 sts
   
   Round 2 – HDC2tog. HDC 38 40 42 48 50. HDC2tog. Join with SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 40 42 44 50 52 sts
   
   Round 3 – Work a HDC into the first 19 20 21 24 25 sts. Work 2HDC into each of the next 2 sts. Work a HDC into the last 19 20 21 24 25 sts. Join with a SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 42 44 46 52 54 sts
   
   Round 4 – Work a HDC into each stitch. Join with a SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 42 44 46 52 54 sts
   
   Round 5 – Repeat round 4. 42 44 46 52 54 sts
   
   Round 6 – Working into the front loop only, HDC into each stitch. Join with a SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 and turn. 42 44 46 52 54 sts

3. Complete the leg frill.
   Round 1 – *HDC. INC. Repeat from * until the end of the round. Join with a SlSt to the top of the first HDC. Ch1 but do not turn. Remain on the right side.
   
   Round 2 – Work a DC into each stitch. Join with a SlSt to the top of the first DC. Fasten off.

4. Start the second leg.
   Working on the right side, leaving a tail of approximately 7 inches (17.5 cm), attach your yarn to the first unworked stitch at the crotch.  Repeat the instructions for completing the first leg. You will have a small hole where the two legs join each other. This can easily be stitched up using the tail of your joining yarn.

5. Create the front bib.
   Lay the overalls flat, front facing, with the joining seam at the back. Mark out 32 32 34 38 40 sts centrally on the top of the body. Turn the overalls over and do the same on the back. Check you have 6 8 8 10 10 sts between the front and back markers on each side of the overalls. If you don’t have this amount then adjust your markers to achieve this. We want to ensure that the front and back bibs are centered. You should have 30 30 32 36 38 sts between markers on the front and back, 6 8 8 10 10 sts between each marker on the sides and the 4 sts that the markers are placed in. This totals 76 80 84 96 100 sts.
   
   Row 1 – Starting in the marked stitch (front of overalls facing you), attach the yarn. Ch1 and then HDC2tog across this stitch and the next one. Work a HDC into the next 28 28 30 34 36 sts. HDC2tog over the last 2 sts (the last stitch is the marked stitch). Ch1 and turn. 30 30 32 36 38 sts
   
   Row 2 – Work a HDC into each stitch. Ch1 and turn. 30 30 32 36 38 sts
   
   Row 3 – HDC2tog. HDC 26 26 28 32 34. HDC2tog. Ch1 and turn. 28 28 30 34 36 sts
   
   Rows 4 to 9 9 11 15 15 – Repeat row 2. 28 28 30 34 36 sts
   
   Row 10 10 12 16 16 (Create the buttonholes) – HDC 1 1 2 2 2. Ch1, skip 1 st. Work a HDC into each stitch until you have 2 2 3 3 3 sts remaining. Ch1, skip 1 st and work a HDC into the last 1 1 2 2 2 sts. Ch1 and turn. 28 28 30 34 36 sts
   
   Row 11 11 13 17 17 – Work a HDC into each stitch and chain space. Ch1 and turn. 28 28 30 34 36 sts
   
   Final Row – Working through the front loop only, HDC into each stitch. Fasten off. 28 28 30 34 36 sts

6. Complete the back bib.
   Complete the back bib by repeating rows 1, 2 and 3 of the front bib.
   
   Rows 4 to 12 12 14 18 18 – Repeat row 2. At the end of the last row, do not fasten off. 28 28 30 34 36 sts

7. Start the first strap.
   Row 1 – HDC 3 3 4 5 5. Ch1 and turn.
   
   Row 2 – Work a HDC into each stitch. Ch1 and turn. 3 3 4 5 5 sts
   
   Repeat row 2 until you have completed approximately 13 13 15 17 18 rows. Fasten off.
   
   Note – The strap should sit comfortably behind the front bib (allowing for a button) and your overalls should measure approximately 12.5 14 15 18 18.5 inches / 31 35 38 45 46 cm from the top of the shoulder (top of strap as worn) to the crotch. If need be, adjust your strap length to achieve this.

8. Work the second strap.
   Working on the wrong side, count in 3 3 4 5 5 sts from the opposite side and attach your yarn. Ch1 and repeat the process as we did for the first strap. Fasten off.

9. Complete the front frill.
   The frill is worked into the remaining loops from the final row of the front bib. With the top of the bib nearest to you, attach the yarn into the first stitch, leaving a 4-inch (10-cm) tail. Ch1 and HDC into the same stitch.
   
   Row 1 – Work INC. HDC alternately across the row. Ch1 and turn.
   
   Row 2 – Work a HDC into each stitch. Ch2 and turn.
   
   Row 3 – Work a DC into each stitch. Fasten off leaving a 4-inch (10-cm) tail.
   
   The front frill will conceal the buttonholes. Use the tail ends to attach the side of the frill to the edge of the bib.

10. Complete the edging.
    Using the 3.5mm hook, working on the right side, attach the yarn to a stitch at the side between the bibs. Ch1 and SC into the same stitch. Work a continuous row of SC all around the top edge of the overalls. As a rule, work a SC into each stitch or into the edge of each HDC row. Stitch count does not matter but try to keep your stitches neat and consistent. When working around the outer corners of the bib and straps, work 3SC into each corner. At the end of the round join with a SlSt to the first SC and fasten off.

11. Finishing off.
    Weave in your ends and sew on your buttons.

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