ABOUT…
The Valentine Shorts are a quick to knit and playful pair of shorts, that are worked from the top down in stockinette stitch with an eyelet seam at the outsides of the legs. After having built the width of the shorts with increases, the stitches are separated and the legs are worked. The decorative eyelet hem makes a nice finish. A waistband tunnel (with easy access) makes it possible to adjust the integrated elastic in order to adapt the size of the shorts.

SIZES
You can knit these shorts in sizes 2-4 (6-8) 10-12 (14-16) years:

• 2-4 years: will fit a waist circumference of approx. 54 cm (21¼ inch) and a hip circumference of approx. 55 cm (21¾ inch).
• 6-8 years: will fit a waist circumference of approx. 58 cm (22¾ inch) and a hip circumference of approx. 65 cm (25½ inch).
• 10-12 years: will fit a waist circumference of approx. 63 cm (24¾ inch) and a hip circumference of approx. 78 cm (30¾ inch).
• 14-16 years: will fit a waist circumference of approx. 69 cm (26¾inch) and a hip circumference of approx. 87 cm (34¼ inch).

Positive ease:
The shorts have a positive ease of approx. 20 (15) 12 (8) cm (7¾ (6) 4¾ (3¼) inch) at the hips. Meaning: the hip circumference of the garment is approx. 20 (15) 12 (8) cm (7¾ (6) 4¾ (3¼) inch) wider than the actual hip circumference of the wearer measures.

MATERIALS
The Valentine Shorts is designed to be knitted with a single DK yarn weight merino wool or cotton (see above).

Yarn weight:
You will need (incl. swatch) approx.: 130 (140) 160 (175) g of merino wool or cotton yarn. In skeins of 50 g: 3 (3) 4 (4) skeins. In skeins of 100 g: 2 (2) 2 (2) skeins.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS

• Circular needles size 4.5 mm (US 7/UK 7)° or 4 mm (US/UK 6/8)° and a cable of 20-40 cm (8-16 inch). For the smaller sizes the 40 cm (16 inch) cable will seem pretty tight, but it will loosen up later on. Alternatively start with short needles. As the number of stitches grows, you might want to change to a larger knitting cable.
• Stitch holder or leftover yarn to place stitches on hold
• Stitch markers in 2 colors/types
• Tapestry needle to weave in all ends
• Elastic band of approx. 2 cm width
• Safety pin or elastic threader to insert the elastic into the waistband tunnel
• Sewing needle & sewing yarn to attach both ends of the elastic

°Use the 4.5 mm (US 7/UK 7) for wool and the 4 mm (US/UK 6/8) for cotton yarn. Or a different needle size to match the gauge.