# Panda Bear Baby Overalls Free Crochet Pattern
I dare you to look at these overalls and not smile. A chubby little panda face right on the bib, black straps, black-trimmed cuffs — this is the outfit that turns a regular Tuesday into a photo shoot. I made the 6–12 month size for my friend’s baby and she sent me seventeen pictures the first day. Seventeen. I counted.
The construction is wonderfully straightforward: two little legs worked in the round, joined for the hips, then a front bib and back panel with button straps. The panda face is just simple circles sewn on — no intarsia, no colorwork headaches, I promise.
What You’ll Need
- DK weight cotton yarn (CYCA 3): approximately 250 yards (229 m) in white and 120 yards (110 m) in black — cotton is my pick for baby wear: soft, breathable, and machine washable
- US size G-6 / 4.0 mm crochet hook
- 2 buttons, about 3/4 inch (20 mm) — wooden or coconut buttons look adorable here
- Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors
Finished size:
- Size 6–12 months. Waist/hip approximately 18 inches (46 cm) around
- Total length from shoulder to hem approximately 16 inches (40.5 cm)
- Inseam approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm)
Gauge:
- 15 half double crochet stitches × 10 rows = 4 × 4 inches (10 × 10 cm)
- Babies grow fast but overalls should still fit — check your gauge
The Pattern
Stitch guide: ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, sk = skip, st(s) = stitch(es). Hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together. Ch 2 at the start of a round counts as the first hdc. Work the legs and hips in joined rounds; the bib and back panel in turned rows.
Legs (Make 2)
With white, chain 34, join with sl st to form a ring (do not twist).
Rounds 1–8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch-2. (34 hdc each round)
Round 9 (cuff): Join black. Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (34 sc)
Round 10: Ch 1, [sc in front loop only of next st, sc in back loop only of next st] — no wait, keep it simple: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. Fasten off black. (34 sc)
Set the first leg aside (do not fasten off the second leg — you will join from it).
Hips
Joining round: With white on the second leg still attached, ch 2, hdc in each st of the second leg (34), then hdc in each st of the first leg (34), join with sl st to top of ch-2. (68 hdc) Place markers at the two side joins.
Rounds 2–11: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join. (68 hdc each round)
Fasten off.
Checkpoint: The piece should measure about 7.5 inches from the cuff to the top edge, and about 18 inches around.
Front Bib
Count 34 stitches for the front (centered between the side markers). Join white at the left edge of the front section.
Row 1: Ch 2, hdc in next 21 sts (center 22 sts of the front). Turn, leaving remaining sts unworked. (22 hdc)
Rows 2–11: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn. (22 hdc each row)
Row 12: Join black. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off. (22 sc)
Back Panel
Join white at the right edge of the back’s center 22 sts (centered between the markers on the back).
Rows 1–6: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn. (22 hdc each row)
Row 7: Join black. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off. (22 sc)
Straps (Make 2, Black)
Chain 8.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (7 sc)
Rows 2–16: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (7 sc each row)
Row 17 (buttonhole row): Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Turn.
Row 18: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in last 3 sts. Turn. (7 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the plain end of each strap to the inside top corners of the back panel. Sew the buttons to the top corners of the front bib — the straps button over them.
Panda Face Appliqué
Eye patches (make 2, black): Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc into ring, pull tight, join. (6 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (12 sc) Fasten off with a long tail.
Ears (make 2, black): Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc into ring, pull tight — do not join.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each st across. (12 sc) Fasten off with a long tail. (A half-circle ear.)
Muzzle (white): Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc into ring, pull tight, join. (8 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 4 times, join. (12 sc) Fasten off with a long tail.
Sew the ears to the top corners of the bib, the eye patches angled slightly in the upper middle, and the muzzle centered below them. With black yarn, embroider a small triangle nose and a sweet little mouth on the muzzle.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. If the legs curl, give the cuffs a quick steam. Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry — cotton softens beautifully with every wash.
Sophie’s Tips
- Sew the appliqué pieces on with the bib flat on a table and step back to check the face before you knot anything — panda symmetry matters, and unpicking is no fun.
- Weave those black ends in extra carefully on the inside; little fingers find every loose end known to humankind.
- Make the straps first if you are unsure about length — it is much easier to adjust a strap than to rework a bib.
Someone is going to look unbearably cute in these — happy crocheting, friend!
