Free Crochet Pattern ~'Nanny's Little Helper' Children's Apron

I used:
Yarn: Bernat Super Value Medium 4, Colours 'Soft Mint' & 'Cool Blue'
Hook: 4.5 mm hook
2 x 1 inch buttons
Needle

For a better understanding of my Crochet Patterns, please refer to

my-special-crochet-abbreviations.

Gauge
Approximately  12 hdc = 4 inches.
approximately  7 rows = 4 inches.

Always working in front loops only, unless otherwise stated.

Apron
Starting with Soft mint yarn
Row 1:
Ch 27, Hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Hdc in ea st across. (25hdc)
Rows 2-11:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in ea fl across.(25hdc)
Rows 12-18:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in same st. Hdc in ea fl across, placing 2 hdc in last fl. (Increasing by 2 sts per row)
Rows 19-27:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in ea fl across.(40hdc)
Rows 28-32:
Turn. Hdc in ea fl across. Sk last st(Each row should decrease by 2 sts). Fasten off at end.

Border
Using cool blue yarn
Round 1:
Ss to join cool blue where you left off. Working from left to right, toward top of apron.  Evenly sc around, placing 2 sc in corners until you reach bottom. Now working along bottom of apron. *Ss in first st, sk next st, 5dc in next st, sk next st.* Repeat from * to * across. (8shells).

Pocket
Using cool blue yarn.
Row 1:
Ch 9. Turn. hdc in 3rd ch from hook. hdc in ea ch across.(8hdc)
Rows 2 -6:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in same st. Hdc in ea fl across, placing 2 hdc in last fl. (Increasing by 2 sts per row)
Rows 7-10:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in ea fl across.(19hdc)
Round 11:
Ss to join new yarn(soft mint). Fasten off blue. Ch 1. Evenly sc around. Ss to join. Fasten off.
Pin pocket in palce. When sewing to apron be careful not to sew through to other side of apron. Instead, for a cleaner look, just sew to the front side of the apron. Carefully sew top of pocket to apron using needle and new piece of yarn. Do not sew the 'hand holes' closed! Sew along the sides and bottom.

Waist Ties
Working in both loops.
Row 1:
Ch 7. Turn. Hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Hdc in ea st across. (5hdc)
Rows 2 - 43:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in ea st across.
Sew the Ties to the sides of the apron with needle and new yarn, at waist.

Neck Strap
Working in both loops.
Row 1:
Ch 7. Turn. Hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Hdc in ea st across. (5hdc)
Rows 2 - 23:
Ch 2. Turn. Hdc in ea st across.
Row 24:
Turn. Ss in next st. Sk next st, 5dc in next st, sk next st, ss in last st. Fasten off
Using new yarn, complete another shell at other end of neck tie
Position and sew ends of neck strap to top of apron. I chose to use buttons(but the strap does not unbutton).