This beginner-friendly, top-down shorts pattern includes a loose fit and adorable fold-over waistband with simple details throughout and was based on the original fingering weight pattern but remade for all of my DK weight lovers. The fit of these shorts will have you making a full collection, perfect for a variety of settings – flirty at the beach, sexy at happy hour, and comfy to hop into bed. This pattern is perfect for anybody, any yarn, and any skill level, and is the best pattern year round.

Sizes
Finished garment measurements are waist sizes: 26, 27, 28 (34, 38, 42, 46.5, 51)56, 59.5“/48, 49.5, 51 (61,68.5, 75.5, 84, 93)102, 108cm. However, because this pattern is meant to fit you at your waist, and hip,check out the schematic on page 8 to ensure you’re choosing the best size for you.

These shorts were intended to be worn with -6” to 0”/-15.5 to 0cm of ease at the waist, which means you should be choosing a size close to 6”/15.5cm smaller than your waist measurement (not waistband, that’s super stretchy). Remember that the knitted fabric of these shorts is quite stretchy, and you can choose a size that meets your desired fit. My recommendation would be -5” to 5”/-13 to 13cm ease at the full hip, however waist will likely be the most important measurement so they stay up. If you are finding that your body measurements do not fit the proportions above, there are several fixes! You can size down one size with little impact on the waist since yarn is quite stretchy - most testers said if they were between sizes they would size down. If you are finding that you still need more increases to fit the hips, you can add extra increases when the pattern suggests you “continue in pattern” for the body length.

Materials
You will need at least nine stitch markers, waste yarn or extra needles to hold live stitches, darning needle, scissors, measuring tape, and your super amazing booty. Elastic thread is optional to reinforce the waist.
Techniques
You will need to know how to cast on with a provisional cast on, knit in the round, increase, decrease, hold stitches, cable cast-on, German short rows, thread elastic, block, weave in ends, and have fun.

Suggested Yarn
420 from thelittlewolfknits: 100% superwash merino, light DK weight 8-ply, 274yd/250m per 100g.

The sample used two skeins of a OOAK colorway. Similar colorways would be terracotta (for a more orange)and brick house (slightly more red).

Any light DK should work – just make sure to adjust to get gauge.
-Alternatives include:
o Knit Picks Swish DK
o Cascade Yarns - Cascade 220

Suggested Needles
Main Needle: US6 (4mm)
Ribbing Needle: US4 (3.5mm)
But use whatever needle you need to achieve gauge!
(Or just do the math and do your own thing)

Gauge
20 sts x 28 rows = 4”/10cm stockinette knit in the round and blocked with the larger needle. When swatching, remember to cast on more stitches than you’re intending to measure so that you can get an accurate measurement (the end and beginning stitches tend to be looser). I recommend using this tutorial
to start and finish the swatch for the most accurate measurements.

Yardage:
Your shorts will use approximately:
279, 303, 325 (389, 443, 499, 568, 639)716, 777yd/255, 277, 297 (356, 405, 457, 519, 285)654, 711m for the main color. The waistband will require an additional 113, 115, 118 (142, 160, 177, 195, 218)236, 254yd/103, 106, 108 (130, 146, 162, 178, 200)216, 232m.

In order to calculate yardage to add length, each additional 1”/2.5cm of length to each leg will require approximately an additional 43, 44, 44 (51, 55, 59, 64, 69)75, 78yd/39, 40, 41 (47, 50, 54, 59, 63)69, 71mand the cuffs for both legs will add an additional 45, 48, 48 (54, 59, 62, 68, 71)77, 83yd/41, 44, 44 (49, 54,57, 62, 65)70, 76m.

If using the suggested yarn, you will need at least 2, 2, 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3)3, 3 skeins of MC and 1 skein of CC in the 420 base from
thelittlewolfknits for the short portion of the pattern as written.
Please remember that this yardage is the best estimate based on my specific yarn and gauge, yardage may vary with different materials.