Update! : To see all available sizes of the FREE Elf Coat pattern as well as all the add-ons to the design, please visit the Elf Coat FAQ page for links!
One thing my popular Elf Coat Tunisian Crochet Pattern really needed was some pockets! We all love to have a place to stash our woodland treasures, quest items, and sedition, so I’ve provided here a tutorial on how to create & apply both “Afterthought” pockets – easy and applied on the outside after finishing the coat – or “Inset” pockets, which are more advanced and are placed on the inside of the coat through an opening created at the waistband. All the same pattern specs such as gauge, hook size, and yarn from the original pattern (linked above) can be applied here, so let’s get right on into the instructions!
Pockets (Make 2 for Afterthought pockets- Make 4 for Inset pockets)
Pocket pattern developed from design by Tirzah Norton-Shantie – thanks Tirzah! 😊
To add pockets to the outside of the garment, create 2 matching pieces and sew them on after the coat is finished. To create inset pockets, make 4 matching pieces from the pattern below, then follow Inset Pocket Waistband instructions.
Ch. 19
Row 1: Pick up a loop from ea of the next 18 ch sts. RP. – 19 sts
Row 2: TKS in the next 8 sts, TKS inc in the next space. TKS in the next st, TKS inc in the next sp. TKS in the next 9 sts. RP. -21 sts
Row 3-10: TKS in ea st across. RP. – 21 sts
Row 11: TKS dec over the next 2 sts, TKS in next 7 sts, TKS inc in next sp, TKS in next st. TKS inc in next sp, TKS in next 7 sts. TKS dec over next 2 sts, TKS in last st. RP. – 21 sts
Row 12-16: TKS in ea st across. RP – 21 sts
Row 17: Repeat Row 11
Row 18-26: TKS in ea st across. RP. – 21 sts
Row 27-29: Rpt Row 11
Cut yarn and tie off.
If working outside / afterthought pockets, then work the following LDC rows onto the top of each pocket. Outside pockets can be sewn on after construction.
Photo courtesy of Tirzah Norton-Shantie
If working inset pockets, the LDC rows will be worked later so skip them for now.
Row 30-31 (LDC ROWS): Attach yarn to the top edge of the pocket piece. Ch 3 (does not count as first st). 1 LDC in the same st and in ea st across, inserting hook through each stitch as if to TKS. – 19 sts.
Inset Pocket – Waistband
If working inset pockets, complete 4 pocket pieces (without the LDC rows) and seam each pair together with the wrong sides facing, leaving top open.
To leave an opening at the waistband for inset pockets, there are two choices. The easier option is to complete the entire waistband as instructed and leave a 19-stitch long opening on each side of the garment when seaming together the waistband and the bottom of the Front & back panels.
The more advanced option is to work a set-in pocket in the middle of the waistband. To do so, familiarize yourself with both the Foundation Tunisian Technique here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haU59Ss8Hsw&list=PLwudTTp1E52YwgmfEmdmNSDgKJGbejoOm&index=2
And with the “Adding Length” technique which utilizes Foundation Tunisian, instructions here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsg54HL156M&list=PLwudTTp1E52YwgmfEmdmNSDgKJGbejoOm&index=7
When working the waistband mark off where you will place your inset pockets on either side, then create a 19-stitch long Foundation Tunisian chain at that place (detailed in tutorial photos below). Resume regular TKS until reaching the other pocket point, then repeat for that opening. Return Pass as normal, then work the rest of the rows as normal.
Working Tunisian Foundation in the middle of the waistband for an inset pocket:
TKS until reaching the portion you wish to leave open for inset pocket.
Insert hook into the back of the next st – under the loop highlighted in green.
Draw up a loop from this stitch to begin your Foundation Tunisian chain. Complete 19 Tunisian Foundation stitches.
Once foundation length is complete, skip the appropriate number of stitches on the row below and resume TKS as normal.
Once the entire waistband is complete, locate your two openings. With the two seamed-together pockets, sew the pocket openings into the opening created in the waistband or at the bodice/waistband seam.
Insert pocket envelope into opening
Align the edges and whip stitch together with tapestry needle and yarn.
Attach new yarn and work the Linked Double crochet (Rows 30-31) over the bottom seam of the pocket, working through both the garment layer and the bottom layer of the pocket. Seam this row up the side of the pocket when complete, overlapping the top to hide the opening.
View of the inset pocket from the inside of the coat.