Ribbed for your pleasure! A sweet coordinate for your favorite knit bra or crop, because every butt is a good butt, and a good butt deserves ripples, too.

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To share your projects and see other versions of the pattern, use the #ripplebuttshorts hashtag on Instagram, and tag @jessssiemae.

Seeing your finished objects is one of my favorite parts of designing, and I love when you tag me to share ❤

SIZES:
All of my garments are #sizeinclusive through a size 5X using Craft Yarn Council standards, including the intended ease in the design.

XS (S, M, L, 1X){2X, 3X, 4X, 5X} to fit a waist measurement of:
23-24 (25-26.5, 28-30, 32-34, 36-38){40-42, 44-45, 46-47, 49-50}”
58.5-61 (63.5-67.5, 71-76, 81.5-86.5, 91.5-96.5){101.5-106.5, 111.5-114, 116.5-119, 124-127}cm

Actual measurement of finished garment at waist:
21 (24, 27, 33, 36){39, 42, 45, 48}“
53.5 (61, 68.5, 84, 91.5){99, 106.5, 114.5, 122}cm

Actual measurement of the finished garment at hip:
33 (36, 39, 45, 48){51, 54, 57, 60}“
84 (91.5, 99, 114.5, 122){129.5, 137, 145, 152.5}cm

Finished thigh circumference:
19.5 (21, 22.5, 27, 28.5){30, 33, 34.5, 36}“
49.5 (53.5, 57, 68.5, 72.5){76, 84, 87.5, 91.5}cm

Ease varies from -4” – 0”/-10cm – 0cm at the waist depending on the size. Choose a size close to or smaller than your waist measurement. If you are between sizes, size down. If you prefer a very fitted pair of shorts, size down further. If your hips and waist are the same size, choose a size with a finished hip measurement close to your hip measurement.

Because the shorts are knit in 3x3 ribbing, they are very stretchy. If some of your measurements differ from the measurements above in either direction, that’s okay! These will stretch a lot. Even if your hips are significantly larger than the standards listed above for your waist size, these will stretch enough to fit. Based on tester feedback, I do not recommend modifying stitch counts in any part of the pattern for the shorts, as the give in the rib should accommodate most fit concerns.

A detailed spreadsheet with tester sizing and yardage notes is included here to assist in choosing a size and estimating yardage:
Ripple Buttshorts Sizing and Yardage Information

Materials: Materials: DK or worsted weight yarn, circular needles, stitch markers, scrap yarn or stitch holders, removable stitch markers, additional circular needle for foldover waistband, (optional) crochet hook if using crocheted provisional cast on, darning needle

Suggested Yarn:

Modus Operandi Fibers Silky DK, Single Ply DK, 252yd/100g 40% Baby Alpaca, 40% Merino, 20% Silk

Modus Operandi Fibers Worsted, 4 Ply Worsted Weight, 218yd/100g, 100% SW Merino

Some testers had trouble achieving gauge with DK weight yarn, even after sizing up with needles. If you are a tight knitter or want a denser fabric, I suggested using a heavier worsted weight than DK.

While I used a soft single ply for the sample, any ply will work. As always with my designs, you should use any yarn that is accessible to you with which you can achieve gauge. Budget yarn suggestions are included on the pattern page. You could also use fingering held double or any other yarn you can get gauge with.

Budget Yarn Alternatives: In an effort to increase financial accessibility, Rin of Modus Operandi fibers compiled a list of suitable alternative yarns with similar fiber content to that used for the sample. Thanks so much, Rin!

$$
Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75/20/5 Extra Fine Merino/Silk/Cashmere, $11.95/127yds)

Sugar Bush Yarns Shiver Worsted (65/25/10 Superwash Merino/Kid Mohair/Silk, single ply, $10.95/120yds)

Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK (66/34 Merino Superwash Wool/Tussah Silk, $12.95/147yds)

$ Valley Yarns Northfield DK (70/20/10 Merino Wool/Baby Alpaca/Silk, $6.99/124yds)

Suggested Needles:
US 6 – 4.0 mm circular needles

If you’re not using magic loop, choose a circumference that is several inches shorter than the final circumference of the garment.

If you are not using magic loop, you will also need a 16-24” circular needle for the legs.

Gauge:
16 sts & 29 rows per 4x4” square in 3x3 ribbing

Note: Gauge measured blocked and unstretched. If you can get close to gauge while stretching it a bit, that’s fine. Measuring gauge in ribbing isn’t an exact science, as it is very stretchy. As long as you can stretch the swatch to get gauge, your garment will fit, but note that however much you stretch the swatch to get gauge is at least how much the ribbing will be stretched when you wear the garment.

Yardage:
225-275 (260-315, 290-425, 400-500, 440-550)460-600, 550-650, 575-675, 600-750yds

206-251 (238-288, 265-388, 366-457, 402-503)420-548, 503-594, 526-617, 548-686m

Buttshorts are designed with a high rise intended to hit at the natural waist and short leg. If you plan on adding length to the rise or leg, allow for extra yardage.

Techniques:
knitting in the round, provisional cast on, i-cord, German short rows, increasing, decreasing, holding stitches, reading knit and purl stitches

Construction:
The piece is worked from the top down, beginning with a provisional cast on for a folded waistband. Short rows are worked to increase the area of the seat. Increases are worked at the front and back to the hip. Legs are separated, sts are cast on for the crotch for each leg, and crotch is sewn together to close.

Helpful Links
Crocheted Provisional Cast On
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off
How to Sew Elastic Thread into Ribbing