Hemingway Shorts by Lara Booth

Hemingway Shorts

Knitting
July 2022
DK (11 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in stocking stitch
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
656 - 1575 yards (600 - 1440 m)
A-N
English
This pattern is available for $8.00 USD buy it now

Description:
The Hemingway Shorts have a straight fit with neutral ease over the hips and elastic pulling them in at the waist. The shorts are knit from the top down, in the round with optional shaping to fit a variety of hip-to-waist ratios. Optional pockets are made by leaving stitches aside to be picked up and knit in the round later using the `forethought' method. Two rise options are given in the pattern, though the rise is easily customised: highrise sits above the top of the bellybutton and midrise just below the bellybutton. The back is longer than the front to improve fit over the bum. The extra length at the back is made through short rows beneath the waistband and additional stitches cast on between the legs.

Sizing:
The pattern is in testing for sizes (A, B, C), (D, E, F, G), (H, I, J), (K, L, M, N) to fit a hip measurement of (80-85, 85-90, 90-95), (95-100, 100-105, 105-110, 110-115), (115-120, 120-125, 125-130), (130-135, 135-140, 140-145, 145-150) cm

Size-Inclusivity Commitment:
If your size is NOT available and you would like to knit the Hemingway shorts, email your hip size to me at theknittingbooth@gmail.com. I will happily grade your size in a timely manner and send you a free copy of the pattern. In return I’d love for you tell me how the finished garment fits and how much yarn you needed to make it!

Needles:

  • 4 mm US 6 circular needles (60, 80, or 100 cm)
  • 4 mm US 6 circular needles (40 or 60 cm) for the legs
  • 3 mm US 2.5 circular needles (40 or 60 cm) If you can’t find 3 mm needles, you can substitute with 3.25 mm

Please note, to meet gauge you may need to go up or down a needle size in your main needles.

Yarn:
Approximately (5∗, 5, 6∗), (6, 6, 7∗, 7), (8∗, 8, 9∗), (9, 10, 11∗, 11) skeins of Drops Belle or (600∗, 600, 720∗), (720, 720, 840∗, 840), (960∗, 960, 1080∗), (1080, 1200, 1320∗, 1320) metres. Each skein is 120m / 50g.

Yarn estimates are based on the highrise option with pockets. You may need more yarn if you wish to add length to the suggestion for your size.

∗indicates a skein was added to the estimate because the estimated amount of yarn was right between two skeins. If you see this mark and wish to knit midrise or pocketless shorts, you ought to get away with purchasing one skein or 120 m fewer than recommended.

Yarn Alternatives:
You may substitute any DK weight yarn with similar gauge on 4 mm.

Tester suggestions: Sandnes Garn Line, KnitPicks CotLin, King Cole Finesse, Lionbrand Truboo, Wool and the Gang Buddy Hemp, Berrocco Pima 100, Rico Creative Lazy Hazy, Mayflower Cotton Merino Classic, Holst Garn Coast (held double), Katia Concept Cotton Yak.

Additional materials:
1-1.5m of elastic band for waistband in the following suggested width:

  • 3.5 cm / 1 ⅜” for sizes A, B, C
  • 4 cm / 1 ½” for sizes D, E, F, G
  • 4.5 cm / 1 ¾” for sizes H, I, J, K
  • 5 cm / 2” for sizes L, M, N

Pick light elastic for light-coloured shorts, dark for dark shorts.

For size E, I used 6 skeins of Drops Belle.