Chunky Bum Flap Baby Pants

Can't get enough of these too sweet for words baby bum flap pants! The merino aran yarn from Camellia Fiber Co. used for the previous version of this pattern is no longer available, so Rebekka was kind enough to send over some of her new yarn for an updated pattern. The Alpaca Wool Handspun yarn from Camellia Fiber Co. was used for this version in the color natural, but it also comes in a variety of other colors including chocolate, charcoal and a beautiful charcoal and white marl (all would be delightful)! The alpaca and merino blend of this yarn give an earthy and fluffy texture, like working with a cloud. If you can see the detailing in the pictures, it gives a nice halo affect, as well. Both the alpaca and merino fibers that make up this yarn were grown and milled in the U.S. and I have to say, the quality is superb. I used a bit larger wooden buttons on these pants to balance with the chunkier fiber, and am so pleased with how the piece came together. I will be making many pairs of these pants for every tiny baby bum I know!

Materials

1 skein of Camellia Fiber Co.'s Alpaca Wool Handspun 

2 wooden buttons

6mm crochet hook

tapestry needle

brown thread and needle

scissors 

Ribbing

Row 1: ch 4. hdc in the second chain from the hook and in each ch across.

Row 2-32: turn and ch 1. hdc in each hdc across back loops only (this creates the ribbing effect).

After the last row is complete for the ribbing, fold the ribbing in half and align the first row of hdc to the last row of hdc. ss these rows together (still only using the back loops) to create the waistband of the pants. Once joined, the piece should measure approximately 6 1/2 inches across. 

Rise

Row 1: With your yarn still attached to the waistband you just created, ch 1. hdc into the side of the first hdc row and in each around. You should have a total of 32 hdc. ss into the first hdc you made on this row.

Row 2: ch 1. hdc around (including the hdc you ss into to join). ss into first hdc of the round.

Row 3: hdc in first 22 hdc of previous round leaving 10 hdc stitches open for the bum flap. turn and ch 1.

Row 4-6: hdc in each hdc from previous round (22 hdc). turn and ch 1. (this is creating the opening for the bum flap.)

Row 7: hdc in each hdc from previous round and do not turn. ch 10. ss into first hdc of current round (this will close the bum flap).

Row 8: ch 1. hdc in each hdc and ch of the previous round. You should have 32 hdc total at the end of this round. The measurement of the rise (from the top of the waistband to the where the legs start) should be 5 inches.

First Leg

Row 1: With your yarn still attached to the rise, ch 1 and hdc in first 8 hdc of the previous round. Join the back of your first leg to the front of the rise by aligning the stitches on the front of the rise with the stitches on the back of the rise. hdc into the 8th hdc from the first hdc on the front side of the pants. hdc in the remaining 8 hdc of the previous round and ss into the top of the first hdc of the round to create the first leg of the pants.

Row 2-7: ch 1. hdc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first hdc. (You should have 16 hdc for each leg. Remember to hdc into the hdc you join into on each round, this helps disguise where you join at.)

Row 8: ch 1. sc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first sc.

Row 9: ch 1. sc into each sc around. ss into the top of the first sc. fasten off.

Second Leg

Row 1: Line up the front and back sides of the rise for your second leg, and join your yarn by joining the first hdc stitches on the front and back nearest the first leg with a ss. ch 1 and hdc around including the hdc stitches you joined your yarn to.

Row 2-7: ch 1. hdc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first hdc.

Row 8: ch 1. sc into each hdc around. ss into the top of the first sc.

Row 9: ch 1. sc into each sc around. ss into the top of the first sc. fasten off. The legs should measure 4 1/2 inches long.  

Bum Flap:

Row 1: ch 13. hdc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across.

Row 2-6: turn and ch 1. hdc in each hdc across.

Row 7: turn and ch 2. hdc in second hdc from previous round (skipping the first hdc of the previous round creates your first buttonhole) and in next 8 hdc. ch 1. skip 1 hdc  hdc in last hdc from previous round (this will create your second buttonhole). fasten off.

Assembly:

Attach the bum flap to the pants using your tapestry needle and remaining yarn by sewing the bottom of the bum flap to the bottom of the bum flap opening. I used the back stitch to secure the bottom of the bum flap to the top of the hdc stitches at the bottom of the bum flap opening. Use your needle and brown thread to sew on your wooden buttons to the top corners of your bum flap. Weave in any ends, and button the bum flap to the pants.