These wool pants deflect wet cold conditions of spring weather and sea spray. Additionally, wool baby pants, called longies, are very convenient and healthy as diaper covers for cloth diapered babies. The lanolin in the wool naturally neutralizes urine into water and salt, and the wool is waterproof and breathable. No additional step of covering the diaper with a plastic cover is needed when changing. This button up waist band needs neither elastic nor ties to stay up, and the flap front allows for easy access diaper changes. The preemie to 24 month sizes of these pants accommodate cloth diapered bottoms, while the 2T size fits training pants. Waist size should be 1-2 inches smaller than actual waist measurement. The Cascade Ecological Wool is soft, durable, economical and quick to knit.

This pattern is worked circular from the cuffs up, but shaped like a traditional sewn trouser. The legs are joined front to back, and then knit around the body a few times making shapely short rows at the back, which quickly divide into straight knitting forming the sailor pants flap front closure. Dart shaping towards the waist band maintains the tailored look.

The technique I use on the legs is knitting in the round with two circular needles. If you are very clever and concentrate well, you can knit both legs at the same time this way. However, I have written the pattern for one leg at a time. Use a long cable for magic loop, or DPN’s if you choose to instead.