With a high rise, body-skimming silhouette and slightly flared leg, Leto shorts call back to vintage beachwear and lingerie.

Leto shorts are worked seamlessly from the top down, starting with provisional CO for the folded waistband.
The back is raised with German short rows, and a gathered detail is worked at each side in the front, before knitting the stockinette part of the shorts in the round.
A single purl stitch column runs down on each side as a ‘seam’.
The increases are worked both along the center back and front. The stitches are divided for working the legs, provisional CO is used to add stitches for the crotch.
The legs are then knit in the round to add curve to the hem - longer in the back to provide more coverage.
The hems are finished with I-cord bind off.

Materials: 2(3, 3, 4)4, 4, 5, 5 skeins of Urth Monokrom Cotton

Sizes: 1(2, 3, 4)5, 6, 7, 8 to fit 35.5(39.5, 43.25, 47.25) 51.25, 55.25, 59, 63”/90(100, 110, 120)130, 140, 150, 160 cm wearer’s hips, intended to be worn with 8.75-12.25”/22.5-31 cm positive ease

Needles: US 6/4.00 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge; smaller circular needles to hold stitches from provisional CO

Notions: Tapestry needle, different stitch markers, scrap yarn, 1-1.25”/2.5-3 cm wide flat elastic for the waistband, safety pin, sewing needle and thread

Skill level: Intermediate

Techniques: Italian provisional CO, magic loop, German short rows, I-cord bind off, grafting