Knitted shorts by Tejiendo la isla: a refreshing pattern to knit in summer with Love Denim
When I was a little girl I use to wear a pair of shorts to do gymnastics, they were navy blue with white stripes at one side. Those shorts were practically indestructible. Furthermore, my mother recycled the ones that weren’t suitable for school anymore and I’d wear them during the summer. The Caroline knitting pattern is inspired by those shorts. Moreover, it’s a basic, easy to knit item which is both comfortable to wear and can be combined with everything. Therefore, I propose that you let your creative side loose with the Love Denim (a recycled yarn in shades of denim blue) colour range. Follow the Caroline pattern and enjoy making this simple knitted shorts – to the length you prefer – this summer.
Tejiendo la isla
My name is Pilar R. Méndez, and like many women of my generation I started making handicraft projects with my grandmother: crochet rugs, clothes for my dolls and a terrible cover for my Walkman. Some time later I learned the Scandinavian knitting technique thanks to my mother-in-law. Suddenly, I was a much quicker knitter and I felt more confident to tackle complicated projects. On Internet I’ve found numerous knitters and crocheters with whom I share my interests through Tejiendo en la isla (Knitting the island). Inspired by them, I organized a hand knit sock exchange, the Swapetines. Then I co-founded the Gran Canaria knitting group, Las Palmas Knits.
I like to transmit my passion for knitting and crocheting either as teacher or as a writer specialized in handicraft projects. In my role as a knitted garment designer I enjoy creating simple and timeless designs. In addition, I’m a firm defender of the therapeutic properties of making handmade objects. Knitting, or crocheting, is probably much more affordable than a psychiatrist and infinitely more productive.
Caroline Knitted Shorts
Pilar R. Méndez – Tejiendo en la isla
Sizes: S/M/L/XL
Materials: 5/ 6/ 7/ 7 balls of Katia Love Denim dark blue col. 101, 1 ball of Katia Love Denim cream col. 100, circular knitting needles size 11 (U.S.)/(8 mm) / 31”(80 cm) long, circular knitting needles size 11 (U.S.)/(8 mm) / 16”(40 cm) long; Stitch markers, large safety pin or left over lengths of yarn to leave stitches on hold, 3/4″ (2 cm) wide elastic: length = required waistband contour measurement, needle and sewing thread the same colour as the elastic and wool sewing needle with a blunt point.
Abbreviations
- K2 tog: knit two stitches together
- P2 tog: purl two stitches together
- KFB: knit in front and back of same stitch (= 1 increase)
- k: knit
- RS: right side of work
- SlM: slip marker
- M: marker
- s (sts): stitch (stitches)
- PM: place marker
- p: purl
- WR: wrong side of work
- sd: single decrease
- R(s): Row/Round (s)
Techniques
Short row shaping
KFB
I-Cord bind off
Tension Square: 13 sts x 17 rows using the size 11 needles in stockinette st.
How to follow the work
- Work in the round starting at the waistline, making the waistband and short row shaping.
- The work is separated into two parts to work the legs.
- Level: intermediate
Instructions knitted shorts
Using the size 11 circular needles (31”/ 80 cm) and Katia Love Denim in cream, loosely cast on 92/96/100/104 sts. Join the sts to form a ring, being careful not to twist the sts, and PM at the start of the round.
Work 7 rounds in knit. Cut the yarn and change to Katia Love Denim in dark blue. Work 1 round in purl st and 7 more rounds in knit. PM in the middle of the work (46/48/50/52 sts).
Short row shaping
R1 (RS): k until 4 sts after the 2nd M, wrap and turn.
R2 (WS): p until 4 sts after the 1st M, wrap and turn.
R3 (RS): k until 4 sts before the next wrapped st, wrap and turn.
R4 (WS): p until 4 sts before the next wrapped st, wrap and turn.
R5 (RS): k the whole row, working the wrapped sts when they are reached (see video).
Place 2 more M in the middle of the front and back (23/24/25/26 sts).
Increases
Increase before and after these 2 M in the following manner: knit as far as 1 st before the M, KFB,
K1, SlM, K1, KFB.
Work the total number of increases as follows:
On every 2nd row: 10/12/14/16 times
Every 4th row: 2/3/3/4 times
On every row: 5/6/7/8 times
Leg separation
Leave half of the stitches (= on one side of the central stitch marker) on hold on a large safety pin or a left over length of yarn.
Change to the 16” (40 cm) size 11 circular needles.
Preparation: PM, cast on 4/5/5/6 sts, PM.
R1: k to M, SlM, sd, k to 2 sts before M, K2 tog, SlM.
Size S
R2: k to M, SlM, sd, SlM
R3: k to M, SlM, K2 tog, remove M.
Sizes M/L
R2: k to M, SlM, sd, K1, SlM
R3: k to M, SlM, K2 tog, SlM.
R4: k to M, SlM, sd, remove M.
Size XL
R2: k to M, SlM, sd, K2 tog, SlM
R3: k to M, SlM, sd, SlM
R4: k to M, SlM, K2 tog, remove M.
All sizes
R5 and all following rounds: work in the round until the required length. Bind off using the I-cord method (see video).
Using the 16” (40 cm) size 11 circular needles, bring back into work the sts previously left on hold for the other leg.
Preparation: PM, pick up 4/5/5/6 sts from the set up of the other leg, PM.
Work the other leg the same as the first.
Finishing and making up
Cut a length of elastic which is slightly smaller than the waist circumference. Fold the waistband in half lengthwise along the row of purl stitch. Next, sew the waistband down on the inside of the knitted shorts with Katia Love Denim in cream using the wool sewing needle. Before completely finishing to sew down the waistband, insert the piece of elastic and sew the ends together (overlap one end over the other) using the sewing thread. Neaten off and weave in all the loose ends.
