This beginner friendly top-down short pattern includes a higher waist and fun (but simple) detail throughout. The classic feel of these shorts will have you making a full collection, perfect for a variety of settings – oversized for throwing over a bathing suit, or more fitted for a day out and about. This pattern is perfect for any body, any yarn, and any skill level.

Finished garment measurements are intended to fit waist sizes: 24, 26, 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48)52, 56“/ 61, 66, 71 (81, 91.5, 101.5, 112, 122)132, 142.5cm. However, because this pattern is meant to fit you at your waist, high hip, 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” of positive ease at the waist. 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” ease at the full hip. However, if you are finding that your body measurements do not fit the proportions above, there are several fixes! You can also size up one size with little impact on the waist since yarn is quite stretchy and there will be an icord tie holding things up. 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.”

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.

Techniques
You will need to know how to cast on with a provisional cast on, knit in the round, increase, decrease, hold stitches, block, weave in ends, and have fun.

Suggested Yarn
Sunfish from thelittlewolfknits: 75/25 superwash merino/nylon, 4-ply, 463yd/424m per 100g

The sample used one skein of “Beach House” for the contrasting color, and one skein of “Surf” for the main color.

Any light fingering should work – just make sure to adjust to get gauge.
-Alternatives include:
o Knit Picks Stroll
o Cascade Yarns Heritage

Suggested Needles
Ribbing Needle: US 4 (3.5mm)
Main Needle: US 5 (3.75mm)
But use whatever needle you need to achieve gauge!
(Or just do the math and do your own thing)

Gauge
25 sts x 30 rows = 4”/10cm stockinette knit in the round and blocked. 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, knit to pattern, will use approximately:
403, 440, 487 (556, 626, 695, 774, 852)940, 1028yd/367, 403, 446 (509, 573, 636, 708)860, 940m for the main color,
and 195, 204, 223 (246, 269, 287, 315, 334)356, 380yd/178, 187, 204 (225, 246, 263, 288, 305)326, 348m for the contrasting color.

If using the suggested yarn weight you will need 1, 1, 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2)3, 3 skeins for the main color and 1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1)1, 1 skein of the contrast color on the Sunfish base from thelittlewolfknits.

If you are hoping to add length, 1”/2.5cm of length will require approximately an additional 34, 35, 37 (42, 45, 48, 52, 55)59, 63yd/31, 32, 34 (39, 42, 44, 48, 51)54, 58m. Please remember that this yardage is the best estimate based on my specific yarn and gauge, yardage may vary with different materials.