Below is a clear, detailed, step-by-step guide on how to crochet a girl’s coat, including materials, measurements, stitch instructions, shaping, assembly, and optional embellishments. This is written like a comprehensive tutorial you can follow or adapt to any size.

How to Crochet a Girl’s Coat – Detailed Tutorial

1. Materials You Will Need

• Yarn: Worsted-weight (Category 4) acrylic or cotton blend.
  Amount:

  • Toddler (2–3 yrs): ~400–500g

  • Child (4–6 yrs): ~500–650g

  • Older child (7–10 yrs): ~650–800g

• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) hook or size recommended on yarn label.

• Notions:

  • Yarn needle

  • Stitch markers

  • Scissors

  • 4–6 buttons (¾”–1”)

  • Optional: decorative appliqués or edging trim

• Stitches Used:

  • Chain (ch)

  • Slip stitch (sl st)

  • Single crochet (sc)

  • Half double crochet (hdc)

  • Double crochet (dc)

  • Increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)

  • Decrease (crochet 2 stitches together)

2. Measuring and Sizing

To make any coat fit properly, measure the child:

1. Chest circumference

2. Coat length (shoulder to desired hem)

3. Arm length (shoulder to wrist)

4. Arm circumference

For a classic coat shape, add 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) ease to the chest measurement so the coat is not tight.

3. Construction Overview

This coat is made in four main parts:

1. Back panel

2. Two front panels (left & right)

3. Sleeves

4. Collar/hood (optional)

5. Sew all pieces together, then add button band and edging.

4. Step-By-Step Instructions

A. Back Panel

1. Foundation Chain:
   Chain long enough to equal the coat width (¼ of chest measurement × 2 + ease).
   Example for size 4–6 yrs: Chain 60.

2. Rows 1–4: Ribbed Hem (optional)
   Work hdc in the back loop only (BLO) across. This creates a stretchy hem.

3. Body of Coat:
   Continue working dc rows until the piece measures from hem to underarm length.

4. Shaping the Armhole:

   • At the start of next row: skip first 3 chains (counts as decrease).

   • At the end: leave last 3 stitches unworked.
     Repeat this decrease row once more.
     Continue working evenly until back panel reaches shoulder height.

5. Finish:
   Fasten off.

B. Front Panels (Left & Right)

Make two, mirroring each other.

1. Foundation Chain:
   Chain half the amount of the back panel minus 3 stitches for button band overlap.
   (Example: back chain 60 → each front panel chain 27–28)

2. Repeat hem pattern (hdc BLO rows).

3. Work dc rows upward until length matches the back panel’s armhole start.

4. Armhole Shaping:
   On the side closest to the armhole, decrease the same way as the back.

5. Neck Shaping:
   When near the top (last 2–3 inches):

   • Decrease 1 stitch every row on the inner edge (center front) for 4–6 rows.

6. Shoulder:
   Continue straight until shoulders match back panel height.

C. Sleeves

1. Foundation Chain:
   Chain to match arm circumference (for 4–6 yrs: ~28–32 chains).

2. Work hdc or dc rows until sleeve measures from wrist to underarm.

3. Increasing:
   Add 1 stitch at both ends every 4th row to widen the sleeve.

4. Cap Shaping (top of sleeve):

   • Decrease 2 stitches at row beginning & end for 6–10 rows.

   • Decrease 1 stitch at each end until sleeve top rounds off.

5. Finish:
   Fasten off.

D. Assembly

1. Lay pieces flat.

2. Sew shoulder seams: attach both front panels to the back.

3. Attach sleeves:

   • Find sleeve center and align with shoulder seam.

   • Pin along the armhole curves.

   • Sew neatly.

4. Sew side seams:

   • Start at hem, up sides, and down sleeve edges.

E. Button Band

1. With coat facing you, attach yarn along right front edge.

2. Crochet sc rows up the entire front, around neck, and down left front.

3. On the left side, crochet buttonholes:

   • Every 6–8 stitches, chain 2 and skip 2 stitches.

4. Add 2–4 more rows for thickness.

F. Optional Add-Ons

1. Collar

• Attach yarn at neckline.

• Work hdc or dc rows for 4–6 rows.

• For a wider collar, increase stitches toward outer edges.

2. Hood

1. Pick up stitches evenly around neckline.

2. Crochet dc rows up to desired height.

3. Fold and sew top seam.

3. Pockets

• Crochet small rectangles.

• Sew onto the front panels.

4. Edging

• Add a row of sc or shell stitch around the entire coat for decoration.

5. Tips for a Professional Finish

• Block pieces lightly before sewing to shape them evenly.

• Use matching buttons for a cohesive look.

• Choose soft yarn for comfort.

• Use stitch markers to ensure symmetrical shaping.

6. Simple Pattern Summary (Child 4–6 years)

• Back: ch 60 → dc rows → shape armholes → finish at 16–18” height.

• Front panels: ch 28 each → match back shaping.

• Sleeves: ch 30 → increase gradually → shape cap.

• Join pieces → add button band and collar.

If you want, I can also create:
✅ a printable crochet pattern PDF
✅ a diagram/chart
✅ a version for any specific age or size
✅ a video-style step-by-step script

Would you like that?

Watch tutorial: