Ruffle Hat & Two-Piece Toddler Set – Step by Step
Handmade toddler outfits are pure joy: they work up fast, use little yarn, and look impossibly cute. This set combines a ruffly sunhat, a cropped top with “chocolate-dot” accents, easy pull-on shorts with a tie belt, and a tiny boxy bag. The stitches are simple—mostly single crochet, half double, and shells—so confident beginners can succeed.
The secret to the chunky, plush look is cotton blend bulky yarn and a slightly larger hook to keep the fabric soft. The top and shorts are worked flat/round with minimal shaping, then finished with a scalloped edge. The “dots” are small bobble circles sewn to the top; swap them for flowers or hearts for a different vibe.
Fit is forgiving. The top is meant to skim the chest, the shorts have a comfy elastic/drawstring waist, and the belt is purely decorative. If you’re making this as a gift, just follow the size chart and measure as you go—adding or removing a few rows makes easy adjustments.
Safety first: if the outfit is for a very young child, skip buttons/loose beads and sew every knot securely. Cotton is ideal for warm weather and easy care; machine-wash gentle, lay flat to dry.
Materials
- Bulky/Aran cotton or cotton-blend (#4–#5): Main/cream 250–300 g, Contrast/brown 50–80 g
- Hooks: 6.0 mm (main) and 5.0 mm (edgings)
- 1 cm elastic for shorts waistband (cut to child’s waist) OR make a drawstring
- Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape
Sizing & Gauge
- Written for 12–24 months (chest ~20–21.5″ / 51–55 cm; waist ~19–20″ / 48–51 cm). Notes show how to size up.
- Gauge (6.0 mm, hdc): 11 sts × 8 rows = 4″ (10 cm). Adjust hook to meet gauge.
Abbreviations (US)
ch chain • sl st slip stitch • sc single crochet • hdc half double crochet • dc double crochet • tr treble • inc increase (2 sts in 1) • dec decrease (sc2tog) • BLO back loop only • sk skip • Bobble (Bbl) = yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 5 times in same st, yo, pull through all loops.
1) Ruffle Sunhat
Crown (cream, 6.0 mm):
R1: MR, 10 hdc, join.
R2: ch1, 2 hdc in each (20).
R3: ch1, hdc, inc around (30).
R4: ch1, 2 hdc, inc around (40).
R5: ch1, 3 hdc, inc around (50).
R6: ch1, 4 hdc, inc around (60). (Crown ≈ 5½–6″)
Sides:
R7–R10: ch1, hdc around (no increases).
Ruffle brim:
R11: ch1, (2 dc in next st, dc in next) around.
R12: ch2, (2 dc in same st, dc in next 2) around.
R13 (scallop edge, 5.0 mm): sc, sk1, 5 dc in next, sk1 repeat; join, fasten off.
Optional headband: with brown, sc one round at base of crown or crochet a separate 1″ band to wear under the hat.
2) Crop Top (front & back alike)
Back panel (cream, 6.0 mm):
Ch to child’s half-chest + 1″ ease (about 36–40 ch).
Row1: hdc in 2nd ch and across.
Rows2–10: ch1, turn, hdc across. (Add rows for length.)
Straps: from each top corner ch 14–18, sl st to back to form straps; sc back along chains for sturdiness.
Front panel: work like back to Row6.
“Chocolate dots” (make 3, brown, 5.0 mm):
R1: MR, 8 dc, join.
R2: ch1, (Bbl, ch1) in each dc (8 bobbles). Fasten off, leave tails.
Sew evenly across Row6 of the front panel.
Join & edging: Sew side seams (2–2½″ under arm). With 5.0 mm hook, sc around neckline/armholes.
Hem scallops: sk1, 5 dc in next, sk1, sc around the lower edge.
(Size up: add foundation chains and rows; strap length = child’s shoulder-to-back measure.)
3) Shorts (make 2 legs; join for rise)
Leg (cream, 6.0 mm):
R1: Ch 32 (≈ 18–19″ hip), join.
R2–R7: ch1, hdc around, join.
R8 (leg scallop): sc, sk1, 5 dc in next, sk1 around; join. Fasten off first leg.
Join legs:
With second leg, do not fasten off. Ch 4, join to first leg with sl st to bridge.
R1 (join round): hdc around first leg, hdc 4 across bridge, hdc around second leg, hdc 4 across bridge (place markers at sides).
R2–R6: hdc around; dec 2 sts at front and 2 at back every other round to shape rise. Stuff a scrap of paper inside to check coverage.
Waistband:
R7: ch1, sc around evenly to a multiple of 4.
R8–R10: BLO sc around for a ribbed band.
For elastic casing: fold band to inside and stitch down leaving an opening; thread elastic and close.
For drawstring: make an i-cord or ch 80–90, sc back; weave through R9.
Belt loops (optional, 5.0 mm): ch 6, sc back; make 4–5 and sew around waistband.
4) Tie Belt (brown)
Ch 70–80, hdc in 2nd ch and across. Taper ends with hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc for a point; make two tails and knot in front.
5) Mini Box Bag
Panels (make 2, cream, 5.0 mm): ch 16, sc 14 rows → ~4″ square.
Gusset: ch 52, sc 4 rows (long strip).
Sew gusset around first panel, then the second.
Handle: ch 28, sc back; sew to top edges. Add a button loop if desired.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends securely.
- Light steam-block to smooth shells.
- Tie the belt, pop on the hat, and enjoy the cutest summer set.
Size up to 2–3T: add +4 ch to each short leg foundation and +2 rounds in the rise; for the top add +4–6 ch and +2 rows; for the hat add one more crown increase round before the sides.
