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Bunny raglan baby dress, headband and bootie set

A half double crochet (UK half treble) raglan baby dress with bunny face, plus headband and booties; US and UK terms both given.

Bunny raglan baby dress, headband and bootie set
Skill
Intermediate
Time
10-14 hours
Yarn weight
DK
Hook
4.0 mm

Intermediate

What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.

DK

What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.

10-14 hours

What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.

About this pattern

This set includes a top-down raglan baby dress with a colour-blocked bunny face, a matching ear headband and booties, worked in half double crochet and single crochet with DK yarn and a 4.0 mm hook. Rated intermediate for the dress's raglan shaping and colour changes, it takes roughly 10 to 14 hours total, with the dress alone accounting for 7 to 9 hours plus embroidery finishing time.

This three-piece set pairs a raglan baby dress with a coordinating headband and booties, built mainly in half double crochet (UK: half treble) with smaller amounts of single crochet for the ears, booties and edging. The dress carries a colour-blocked bunny face on the skirt, finished with embroidered features rather than hard eyes for the youngest sizes. Together the pieces use three colours of DK yarn and a single 4.0 mm hook, keeping the stitch count modest while the raglan shaping and panel embroidery do the real work.

Construction starts at the neckline with a turned chain of 57 (63) stitches worked in hdc rows, then splits by stitch markers into five raglan sections — two fronts, two sleeves and a back — before the sleeves are set aside at the underarm. The bodice continues down to the colour change, where the skirt opens into a white front panel worked flat for the bunny face and a lavender back panel to match, with side panels shaping the bunny ears into the skirt itself. The headband's outer and inner ear pieces are crocheted separately in rows with shaping increases, then paired, embroidered, assembled with the button band and neck edging, and finished with a ribbon bow at the waist.

Materials

Yarn

  • Main Color (MC): DK weight yarn in soft lavender, approximately 300 yards / 275 meters (350 yards / 320 meters for larger size)
  • Color A (CA): DK weight yarn in white, approximately 150 yards / 137 meters (175 yards / 160 meters)
  • Color B (CB): DK weight yarn in soft pink, approximately 25 yards / 23 meters

Hook

  • US size G-6 / 4.0 mm crochet hook

Notions

  • 2 stitch markers
  • Yarn needle for seaming and weaving ends
  • 3 small pearl buttons, approximately 8 mm diameter
  • 2 black safety eyes or button eyes, 9 mm diameter (use embroidery for infants under 3 years)
  • Black embroidery thread for whiskers and lashes
  • Pink embroidery thread for nose
  • Scissors and tapestry needle
  • 1 small pink satin ribbon bow, approximately 1.5 in / 3.8 cm wide, or approximately 12 in / 30 cm of narrow pink satin ribbon

The list is the pattern's own wording.

Instructions

Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.

Shell Stitch

Work 5 hdc all into the same stitch. This creates a fan shaped shell used at the hem edge. In the edging, shells are separated by: skip 2 stitches, single crochet in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, then shell into next stitch.

Raglan Increase Round

Work hdc to 1 stitch before the raglan marker, then work 2 hdc in next stitch, slip marker, 2 hdc in next stitch. Repeat at each of 4 raglan points, then hdc to end. This adds 8 stitches every increase round.

Hdc2tog (Half Double Crochet Decrease)

Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into following stitch, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over, draw through all 5 loops. One stitch decreased.

Sc2tog (Single Crochet Decrease)

Insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop. Insert hook into following stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops. One stitch decreased.

Neckline and Yoke Setup

With MC, ch 57 (63).

  1. Round 1

    (RS): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook (skipped ch does not count as stitch), hdc in each ch across, turn. (55 hdc) (61 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
  2. Round 2

    (WS): Ch 2, hdc in first st, hdc across, hdc in last st, turn. (55 hdc) (61 hdc)After Row 2, place stitch markers to divide the row into sections: Smaller size stitch distribution (55 stitches total):Left Front: 9 sts Left Sleeve: 8 sts Back: 17 sts Right Sleeve: 8 sts Right Front: 9 sts Larger size stitch distribution (61 stitches total):Left Front: 10 sts Left Sleeve: 9 sts Back: 23 sts Right Sleeve: 9 sts Right Front: 10 sts

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    WS
    wrong side
  3. Round 3

    Raglan Increase Row, RS Ch 2, [hdc to 1 st before marker, 2 hdc in next st, sm, 2 hdc in next st] 4 times, hdc to end, turn. 8 sts increased. (63 hdc) (69 hdc)

    Key4
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
    sm
    slip marker
  4. Round 4

    Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn. (63 hdc) (69 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  5. Round 5

    Raglan Increase Row Ch 2, [hdc to 1 st before marker, 2 hdc in next st, sm, 2 hdc in next st] 4 times, hdc to end, turn. (71 hdc) (77 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    sm
    slip marker
  6. Round 6

    Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn. (71 hdc) (77 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  7. Round 7

    Raglan Increase Row Ch 2, [hdc to 1 st before marker, 2 hdc in next st, sm, 2 hdc in next st] 4 times, hdc to end, turn. (79 hdc) (85 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    sm
    slip marker
  8. Round 8

    Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn. (79 hdc) (85 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  9. Round 9

    Raglan Increase Row Ch 2, [hdc to 1 st before marker, 2 hdc in next st, sm, 2 hdc in next st] 4 times, hdc to end, turn. (87 hdc) (93 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    sm
    slip marker
  10. Round 10

    Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn. (87 hdc) (93 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  11. Round 11

    Raglan Increase Row Ch 2, [hdc to 1 st before marker, 2 hdc in next st, sm, 2 hdc in next st] 4 times, hdc to end, turn. (95 hdc) (101 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    sm
    slip marker
  12. Round 12

    Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn. (95 hdc) (101 hdc) Checkpoint: Your yoke should measure approximately 3.5 in / 9 cm from the foundation chain at center back.

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain

Outer Ear (make 2, in MC)

Ch 7.

  1. Round 1

    Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn. (6 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  2. Rounds 2–4

    through 4: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (6 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  3. Round 5

    Increase Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (8 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  4. Rounds 6–8

    through 8: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (8 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  5. Round 9

    Increase Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (10 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  6. Rounds 10–14

    through 14: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (10 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  7. Round 15

    Decrease Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (8 sc)

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  8. Round 16

    Ch 1, sc across, turn. (8 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  9. Round 17

    Decrease Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (6 sc)

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  10. Round 18

    Ch 1, sc across, turn. (6 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  11. Round 19

    Decrease Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (4 sc)

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  12. Round 20

    Ch 1, sc across, turn. (4 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  13. Round 21

    Ch 1, sc2tog twice, turn. (2 sc)

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  14. Round 22

    Ch 1, sc2tog. (1 sc) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)

Inner Ear (make 2, in CB)

Ch 5.

  1. Round 1

    Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, turn. (4 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  2. Rounds 2–3

    through 3: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (4 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  3. Round 4

    Increase Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (6 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  4. Rounds 5–8

    through 8: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (6 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  5. Round 9

    Decrease Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (4 sc)

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  6. Round 10

    Ch 1, sc across, turn. (4 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  7. Round 11

    Ch 1, sc2tog twice, turn. (2 sc)

    Key3
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  8. Round 12

    Ch 1, sc2tog. (1 sc) Fasten off, leaving long tail. Sew inner ear CB pieces centered onto outer ear MC pieces. Then sew completed ear panels to the sides of the skirt front panel, with the bottoms aligned at the waist join.

    Key5
    sc2tog
    single crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
    CB
    Color B (pink)
    ch
    chain
    MC
    main color (lavender)
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)

Button Band and Shoulder Closure

With RS facing, join MC at the neck edge of the right front shoulder opening.

  1. Round 1

    Ch 1, sc evenly along the right front shoulder edge, approximately 8 sc (10 sc). Turn.

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  2. Round 2

    Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (8 sc) (10 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  3. Round 3

    Buttonhole row Ch 1, sc 1, [ch 2, sk 2, sc 2] 2 times (3 times for 3 buttons), sc to end. Turn.

    Key3
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
    sk
    skip
  4. Round 4

    Ch 1, sc across, working 2 sc into each ch-2 sp. Turn. (8 sc) (10 sc)

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
  5. Round 5

    Ch 1, sc across. Fasten off. (8 sc) (10 sc) Work a corresponding flat button band (without buttonholes) on the back right shoulder edge, working 5 rows of sc.

    Key2
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet (insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)

Overlap front button band over back button band and sew 3 pearl buttons aligned with the buttonholes.

Underarm Separation

  1. Round 13

    Separation Row, RS Ch 2, hdc across 14 (15) Front sts to first marker, remove marker, ch 2, skip 18 (19) Sleeve sts to next marker, remove marker, hdc across 27 (29) Back sts to next marker, remove marker, ch 2, skip 18 (19) Sleeve sts to next marker, remove marker, hdc across 14 (15) Front sts to end, turn.

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
  2. Round 14

    Ch 2, hdc across all sts including 2 hdc worked into each ch-2 underarm space, turn.Smaller: (63 hdc)Larger: (67 hdc)Work 2 hdc into each of the 2 chains of the underarm ch-2 space, giving 4 hdc total per underarm.

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain

Bodice

Continue flat rows in hdc:

  1. Rounds 15–22

    through 22: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn. (63 hdc) (67 hdc) Checkpoint: The bodice from underarm to needle should measure approximately 2.5 in / 6.5 cm.

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain

Skirt Color Change and Panel Setup

At the end of Row 22, do not turn. Slip stitch the last stitch to the first stitch of the same row to join, forming a ring.

Divide the 63 (67) sts into: Front panel 29 (31) sts in CA, Side/Back 34 (36) sts in MC.

For cleaner color blocks, work the skirt flat in two halves, then seam at sides.

Skirt Front Panel (worked flat in CA)

  1. Round 23

    F (RS): Join CA at the right side edge of the front panel. Ch 2, hdc in each of 29 (31) front sts, turn. (29 hdc) (31 hdc)

    Key4
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    CA
    Color A (white)
    ch
    chain
    RS
    right side
  2. Rounds 24–28

    F through 28F: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (29 hdc) (31 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  3. Round 29

    F (increase row): Ch 2, [hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 5 times, hdc in rem 4 (6) sts, turn. (34 hdc) (36 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    rem
    remaining
    ch
    chain
  4. Rounds 30–34

    F through 34F: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (34 hdc) (36 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  5. Round 35

    F (increase row): Ch 2, [hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 5 times, hdc in rem 4 (6) sts, turn. (39 hdc) (41 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    rem
    remaining
    ch
    chain
  6. Rounds 36–40

    F through 40F: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (39 hdc) (41 hdc) Do not fasten off. Set front panel aside.

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain

Skirt Back Panel (worked flat in MC)

  1. Round 23

    B (RS): Join MC at the right side edge of the back 34 (36) sts. Ch 2, hdc in each of 34 (36) back sts, turn. (34 hdc) (36 hdc)

    Key4
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
    MC
    main color (lavender)
    RS
    right side
  2. Round 24

    B (increase row): Ch 2, [hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 5 times, hdc in rem 4 (6) sts, turn. (39 hdc) (41 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    rem
    remaining
    ch
    chain
  3. Rounds 25–28

    B through 28B: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (39 hdc) (41 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  4. Round 29

    B (increase row): Ch 2, [hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 5 times, hdc in rem 4 (6) sts, turn. (44 hdc) (46 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    rem
    remaining
    ch
    chain
  5. Rounds 30–35

    B through 35B: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (44 hdc) (46 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain
  6. Round 36

    B (increase row): Ch 2, [hdc in next 7 sts, 2 hdc in next st] 5 times, hdc in rem 4 (6) sts, turn. (49 hdc) (51 hdc)

    Key3
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    rem
    remaining
    ch
    chain
  7. Rounds 37–40

    B through 40B: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (49 hdc) (51 hdc)

    Key2
    hdc
    half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
    ch
    chain

Skirt Bunny Ear Side Panels

Make 2 outer ears in MC and 2 inner ears in CB.

Bunny Face Embroidery

With black embroidery floss, embroider 2 round eyes using satin stitch. Position eyes approximately 4 rows down from the waist and 2 in / 5 cm apart, centered on the skirt panel.

With black embroidery floss, embroider 6 whisker lines (3 per side) using straight stitch. Each whisker approximately 0.75 in / 2 cm long.

With pink embroidery floss, embroider a small triangular nose centered below the eyes using satin stitch.

With black embroidery floss, embroider short curved lash lines above each eye (3 short strokes per eye curving upward).

Sew or tie the pink ribbon bow at center front at the waistline.

Neck Edging

With RS facing, join MC at neck edge. Work 1 round of sc evenly around entire neckline, join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Making up

  1. Step 1Block all pieces gently by misting with water and pinning to measurements. Let dry completely before assembling.
  2. Step 2Weave in all remaining ends securely. For baby items, weave ends back and forth multiple times to prevent unraveling during washing.
  3. Step 3Give all seams a final check to make sure buttons are secure and ear panels are firmly attached.

Notes from the pattern

  • Swatch with the stated G-6 / 4.0 mm hook before starting the yoke; gauge is 16 hdc and 12 rows to 4 in / 10 cm blocked, and a loose or tight swatch will throw off the finished 17 in / 43 cm (19 in / 48 cm) chest measurement.
  • The materials list only 2 stitch markers, but the pattern calls for marking raglan points, round beginnings and colour changes — move the same markers up as rounds progress, or add a few extra, so none of the three jobs gets missed.
  • Decide on eyes before starting the face: 9 mm safety or button eyes are listed, but the source specifies embroidery instead for infants under 3 months, using the same black thread as the whiskers.
  • The skirt alternates colour by panel rather than by round — CA white for the front panel, MC lavender for the back — so weave in colour-change ends securely, since this is a baby item that will be washed often.
  • The pattern includes two sizes, 3 to 6 months (6 to 12 months), given throughout with the larger size in parentheses. Besides the 17 in / 43 cm (19 in / 48 cm) chest, finished measurements are: dress length shoulder to hem 12 in / 30.5 cm (14 in / 35.5 cm); headband circumference 14 in / 35.5 cm (15 in / 38 cm); bootie foot length 3.5 in / 9 cm (4 in / 10 cm).

The essentials

Rounds
55
Parts
16
Level
Intermediate
Time
10-14 hours
Hook
4.0 mm
Yarn
DK

Stitches you will use

  • Top-down raglan shaping Used through the Neckline and Yoke Setup rounds, where stitch markers divide the row into Left Front, Left Sleeve, Back, Right Sleeve and Right Front sections; watch that increase counts stay even across all five sections before separating the sleeves.
  • Colour-blocked panel construction Appears where the lavender MC bodice gives way to a CA white Skirt Front Panel and an MC Skirt Back Panel, both worked flat; watch for a clean colour-change row so the join sits level at the waist.
  • Surface embroidery on blocked fabric Used for the Bunny Face Embroidery step, adding whiskers, lashes and nose with embroidery thread after blocking; watch the choice between safety/button eyes and embroidered eyes, since the source calls for embroidery on infants under 3 months.

Troubleshooting

The raglan diagonals do not line up square at the underarm.

Stitch markers have slipped or a section gained or lost a stitch during the yoke rounds; recount each marked section against the smaller-size distribution of 9 left front, 8 left sleeve, 17 back, 8 right sleeve, 9 right front before moving on to Underarm Separation.

The bunny face panel puckers or doesn't

The CA skirt front panel or MC back panel was embroidered before blocking; block both panels flat first, as the source instructs, since the fabric needs to settle before the eyes, nose and whiskers go in.

The finished chest measurement doesn't

Tension drifted through the 12-round yoke or the swatch wasn't blocked before measuring; re-check gauge against 16 hdc and 12 rows per 4 in / 10 cm on a blocked swatch and adjust the hook before starting the chain of 57 (63) again.

Substituting yarn

100% acrylic, DK weight
Matches the pattern's stated gauge with no changes needed; stays machine washable and keeps the stitch definition the raglan lines and embroidery rely on.
Acrylic blend, worsted weight
Gives a warmer, fluffier fabric but needs a size H-5 / 5.0 mm hook instead of the standard G-6 / 4.0 mm, with gauge rechecked against the 16 hdc / 12 rows swatch.
100% cotton, DK weight
Adds drape for warmer climates but has less stretch than acrylic; size up one hook from the stated 4.0 mm if gauge runs tight.

Washing and care

  • If working in the acrylic DK option, machine wash on a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry; acrylic resists felting, so the lavender-to-white colour block keeps a clean edge even after repeated infant washing.
  • If working in the cotton DK alternative, hand wash and dry flat, reshaping to the stated 17 in / 43 cm (19 in / 48 cm) chest measurement while damp, since cotton has less stretch and holds whatever shape it dries in.

FAQs

Questions

Can the dress be made without safety eyes for a newborn?

Yes, the source specifies embroidering the eyes instead of using the 9 mm safety or button eyes for infants under 3 months. The same black embroidery thread used for the whiskers works for this.

What's the difference between the two sizes?

The pattern covers 3 to 6 months and 6 to 12 months throughout, with the larger size given in parentheses. The smaller size starts from a chain of 57 and finishes at 17 in / 43 cm chest, while the larger starts from 63 and finishes at 19 in / 48 cm.

Why does the pattern call for so few stitch markers if it recommends using them generously?

The materials list only 2 markers, but the instructions suggest marking raglan points, round beginnings and colour changes. Moving the same 2 markers up as work progresses, or adding a few inexpensive extras, covers all three jobs.

How much total time should be budgeted for all three pieces?

Plan for 10 to 14 hours across the dress, headband and booties combined. The dress alone takes about 7 to 9 hours, with extra time needed for blocking and the bunny face embroidery.

These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.