Fortuna's Wheel Trousers by Elspeth Vance

Fortuna's Wheel Trousers

Knitting
January 2024
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in stranded colourwork in the round
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
1481 - 2550 yards (1354 - 2332 m)
Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) Finished waist circumference: 61 (67.5, 77.5, 87.5, 98, 108, 118, 128.5, 138.5)cm / 24 (26½, 30½, 34½, 38½, 42½, 46½, 50½, 54½)" – to be worn with 0-5cm / 0-2" negative ease
English

Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

Finished waist circumference: 61 (67.5, 77.5, 87.5,
98, 108, 118, 128.5, 138.5)cm / 24 (26½, 30½,
34½, 38½, 42½, 46½, 50½, 54½)“ – to be worn with
0-5cm / 0-2” negative ease
Rio’s height is 167.5cm / 5’ 6” with an inseam length of 73.5cm / 29”, hip (widest point) circumference of 91cm / 36”, waist circumference of 71cm / 28”, and is shown wearing a size 2.

Yarn: Illimani Yarn Sabri II (worsted-weight; 85% organic cotton, 15% baby alpaca; 200m / 218yds per 100g ball)
Shades:
Yarn A: Marzipan; 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins
Yarn B: No. 31; 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) skeins
OR approx:
Yarn A: 668 (686, 732, 791, 869, 951, 1024, 1097,
1143)m / 730 (750, 800, 865, 950, 1040, 1120, 1200,
1250)yds of worsted-weight yarn.
Yarn B: 686 (709, 754, 823, 896, 978, 1052, 1143,
1189)m / 750 (775, 825, 900, 980, 1070, 1150, 1250,
1300)yds of worsted-weight yarn.

Gauge: 20 sts & 30 rows = 10cm / 4” over stranded colourwork in the round on 4.5mm needles after blocking.

Needles: 4mm / US 6 circular needles, 40-60cm / 16-24” length (for cuffs) and 60-100cm / 24-40” length (for waistband)
4.5mm / US 7 circular needles, 40-60cm / 16-24”
length (for legs) and 60-100cm / 24-40” length (for waistband)
Always use a needle size that will result in the
correct gauge after blocking.

Notions: 30mm / 1¼“ wide elastic for waistband(see Pattern Notes), scrap yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle

Notes: Fortuna’s Wheel are worked from the topdown, beginning by working flat in rows to create the inner waistband, then joining in the round to make the two-colour outer waistband. A provisional cast-on is used to begin the waistband as well as at the crotch. It is recommended that the waistband is closed around the prepared elastic but, if preferred, elastic can be inserted at the end, before blocking, by lacing it through the channel. Cut elastic to length of waist circumference plus 2cm / ¾“ for overlapping seam. To lengthen the inseam, work additional rounds of Corrugated Rib at the cuffs to achieve desired length.