Cotton Summer Shorts Knitting Pattern
Introducing: the Cotton Summer Shorts Knitting Pattern
One of the best things about hand-knit items is they just get better with age. The stitches contour your shape perfectly and the fiber feels like it was made for you, because it was!
My goal with this pattern was to embrace the feeling of that perfect knit sweater, but in shorts! Constructed in one piece and shaped from the waistband down, these shorts are simple and a real joy to knit.
Cotton Summer Shorts Knitting Pattern
© ORIGINALLY LOVELY 2024
This pattern and photographs of this garment are property of Kaitlin Barthold of Originally Lovely. This pattern, photos, and design are subject to copyright and are for personal use only. All commercial use is strictly prohibited. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern under any circumstances.
The free version of this pattern must be viewed from the webpage.
Skill Level
Intermediate
For this pattern, you will need to know how to knit in the round, increase, work simple shaping, be familiar following written instructions, and be willing to learn unique cast on and bind off methods.
Materials Needed to Knit These Shorts
Gauge
5 stitches = 1” in stockinette stitch
Please note: Always remember to gauge swatch especially when substituting yarn in a pattern! Small changes in gauge can lead to large changes in the finished garment so assure a proper fit with the proper gauge!
Construction Notes
This project will be worked in the round beginning at the waistband and working down to shape each leg.
Sizing
Dimensions
| Size: | Small | Medium | Large | Extra Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Circumference | 12″ | 13.5″ | 15″ | 17″ |
| 30.5cm | 34.5cm | 38cm | 43cm |
Abbreviations
Knitting Pattern Instructions
Size Small
Cast on 176 stitches using provisional cast on method. Join to work in round. Place stitch marker to denote beginning of each round. This stitch marker will be considered marker 1.
Waistband:
1-11: knit.
12: *k39, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, PM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k39, PM. Repeat from * once more.
13 and all odd rows unless otherwise stated: knit, slipping markers as you pass.
14-16: as row 12, slipping markers as you pass.
17: k2, k2tog, YO, knit to last 4 st, YO, ssk, k2.
18-22: as row 14.
23: Knit across to create a foldover waistband. To do this, lift each stitch as you work from the provisional cast on edge behind work and onto left needle. Knit stitch from CO edge together with the stitch to be worked.
Body:
24: *k5, kfb, (k10, kfb) 3 times, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, kfb, (k10, kfb) 3x, k5, SM. Repeat from * once more.
25: knit.
26: *knit to 5 before marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to next market, SM. Repeat from * once more.
27: knit.
28-31: Repeat 26-27 twice more.
32: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 st before third marker, m1r, k2, SM, k2, m1l, k to 5 st before fourth marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, knit to end of round.
33: knit.
34-41: repeat 26-33 once more.
42-45: repeat rows 26-27 twice.
46: *k2, m1l, k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 before third marker, m1r, k2, SM. Repeat once more from * for marker 3 to end.
47: Knit.
Repeat rows 42-47 four more times.
72-73: as 26-27.
74: as 46.
75: knit.
Repeat rows 72-75 four more times.
92: as row 46.
93: knit.
Repeat rows 92-93 six more times.
Legs:
Slip stitches between first and third markers onto scrap yarn or stitch holder to be worked later. With remaining stitches on needles, cast on 6 stitches and join to work in round for right leg.
1: Place marker to denote beginning of round. k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to end.
2: knit.
Repeat 1-2 three more times. If you wish to have a longer inseam in your shorts, you may continue to repeat rows 1-2 at this point.
On the next round, you will transition to knitting flat.
9: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn work. This will now be the end/beginning of each row.
10: sl1 p-wise, p3, p2tog, p to last st 5 before point where turned, sl1, p2, sl1, p1. Turn.
11: sl1, k3, ssk, k to last 5, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn.
Repeat rows 10-11 six more times.
Work 5 more rows even in stockinette stitch.
Cast off to create a foldover hem. To do this, take a spare needle and thread through each purl on the wrong-side row 10 rows below. As you knit each stitch to cast off, slip each corresponding stitch from below up onto the working needle and knit together with the main stitch.
Pick up 6 stitches between legs and slip stitches that were set aside to be worked onto needles. Beginning at center inseam, knit left leg as done for right leg.
Size Medium
Cast on 184 stitches using provisional cast on method. Join to work in round. Place stitch marker to denote beginning of each round. This stitch marker will be considered marker 1.
Waistband:
1-11: knit.
12: *k41, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, PM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k41, PM. Repeat from * once more.
13 and all odd rows unless otherwise stated: knit, slipping markers as you pass.
14-16: as row 12, slipping markers as you pass.
17: k2, k2tog, YO, knit to last 4 st, YO, ssk, k2.
18-22: as row 14.
23: Knit across to create a foldover waistband. To do this, lift each stitch as you work from the provisional cast on edge behind work and onto left needle. Knit stitch from CO edge together with the stitch to be worked.
Body:
24: *k8, kfb, (k7, kfb) 4 times, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, kfb, (k7, kfb) 4x, k8, SM. Repeat from * once more.
25: knit.
26: *knit to 5 before marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to next market, SM. Repeat from * once more.
27: knit.
28-31: Repeat 26-27 twice more.
32: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 st before third marker, m1r, k2, SM, k2, m1l, k to 5 st before fourth marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, knit to end of round.
33: knit.
34-49: repeat 26-33 twice more.
50-53: repeat rows 26-27 twice.
54: *k2, m1l, k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 before third marker, m1r, k2, SM. Repeat once more from * for marker 3 to end.
55: Knit.
Repeat rows 50-55 four more times.
80-81: as 26-27.
82: as 54.
83: knit.
Repeat rows 80-83 four more times.
100: as row 54.
101: knit.
Repeat rows 100-101 six more times.
Legs:
Slip stitches between first and third markers onto scrap yarn or stitch holder to be worked later. With remaining stitches on needles, cast on 6 stitches and join to work in round for right leg.
1: Place marker to denote beginning of round. k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to end.
2: knit.
Repeat 1-2 three more times. If you wish to have a longer inseam in your shorts, you may continue to repeat rows 1-2 at this point.
On the next round, you will transition to knitting flat.
9: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn work. This will now be the end/beginning of each row.
10: sl1 p-wise, p3, p2tog, p to last st 5 before point where turned, sl1, p2, sl1, p1. Turn.
11: sl1, k3, ssk, k to last 5, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn.
Repeat rows 10-11 six more times.
Work 5 more rows even in stockinette stitch.
Cast off to create a foldover hem. To do this, take a spare needle and thread through each purl on the wrong-side row 10 rows below. As you knit each stitch to cast off, slip each corresponding stitch from below up onto the working needle and knit together with the main stitch.
Pick up 6 stitches between legs and slip stitches that were set aside to be worked onto needles. Beginning at center inseam, knit left leg as done for right leg.
Size Large
Cast on 196 stitches using provisional cast on method. Join to work in round. Place stitch marker to denote beginning of each round. This stitch marker will be considered marker 1.
Waistband:
1-11: knit.
12: *k44, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, PM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k44, PM. Repeat from * once more.
13 and all odd rows unless otherwise stated: knit, slipping markers as you pass.
14-16: as row 12, slipping markers as you pass.
17: k2, k2tog, YO, knit to last 4 st, YO, ssk, k2.
18-22: as row 14.
23: Knit across to create a foldover waistband. To do this, lift each stitch as you work from the provisional cast on edge behind work and onto left needle. Knit stitch from CO edge together with the stitch to be worked.
Body:
24: *k8, kfb, (k6, kfb) 5 times, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, kfb, (k6, kfb) 5x, k8, SM. Repeat from * once more.
25: knit.
26: *knit to 5 before marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to next market, SM. Repeat from * once more.
27: knit.
28-31: Repeat 26-27 twice more.
32: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 st before third marker, m1r, k2, SM, k2, m1l, k to 5 st before fourth marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, knit to end of round.
33: knit.
34-49: repeat 26-33 twice more.
50-53: repeat rows 26-27 twice.
54: *k2, m1l, k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 before third marker, m1r, k2, SM. Repeat once more from * for marker 3 to end.
55: Knit.
Repeat rows 50-55 five more times.
86-87: as 26-27.
88: as 54.
89: knit.
Repeat rows 86-89 four more times.
106: as row 54.
107: knit.
Repeat rows 106-107 eight more times.
Legs:
Slip stitches between first and third markers onto scrap yarn or stitch holder to be worked later. With remaining stitches on needles, cast on 6 stitches and join to work in round for right leg.
1: Place marker to denote beginning of round. k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to end.
2: knit.
Repeat 1-2 three more times. If you wish to have a longer inseam in your shorts, you may continue to repeat rows 1-2 at this point.
On the next round, you will transition to knitting flat.
9: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn work. This will now be the end/beginning of each row.
10: sl1 p-wise, p3, p2tog, p to last st 5 before point where turned, sl1, p2, sl1, p1. Turn.
11: sl1, k3, ssk, k to last 5, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn.
Repeat rows 10-11 six more times.
Work 5 more rows even in stockinette stitch.
Cast off to create a foldover hem. To do this, take a spare needle and thread through each purl on the wrong-side row 10 rows below. As you knit each stitch to cast off, slip each corresponding stitch from below up onto the working needle and knit together with the main stitch.
Pick up 6 stitches between legs and slip stitches that were set aside to be worked onto needles. Beginning at center inseam, knit left leg as done for right leg.
Size Extra Large
Cast on 224 stitches using provisional cast on method. Join to work in round. Place stitch marker to denote beginning of each round. This stitch marker will be considered marker 1.
Waistband:
1-11: knit.
12: *k51, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, PM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k51, PM. Repeat from * once more.
13 and all odd rows unless otherwise stated: knit, slipping markers as you pass.
14-16: as row 12, slipping markers as you pass.
17: k2, k2tog, YO, knit to last 4 st, YO, ssk, k2.
18-22: as row 14.
23: Knit across to create a foldover waistband. To do this, lift each stitch as you work from the provisional cast on edge behind work and onto left needle. Knit stitch from CO edge together with the stitch to be worked.
Body:
24: *k5, kfb, (k8, kfb) 5 times, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, kfb, (k8, kfb) 5x, k5, SM. Repeat from * once more.
25: knit.
26: *knit to 5 before marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to next market, SM. Repeat from * once more.
27: knit.
28-31: Repeat 26-27 twice more.
32: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 st before third marker, m1r, k2, SM, k2, m1l, k to 5 st before fourth marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, knit to end of round.
33: knit.
34-49: repeat 26-33 three more times.
58-61: repeat rows 26-27 twice.
62: *k2, m1l, k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to 2 before third marker, m1r, k2, SM. Repeat once more from * for marker 3 to end.
63: Knit.
Repeat rows 58-63 four more times.
88-89: as 26-27.
90: as 62.
91: knit.
Repeat rows 88-91 four more times.
108: as row 62.
109 : knit.
Repeat rows 108-109 eight more times.
Legs:
Slip stitches between first and third markers onto scrap yarn or stitch holder to be worked later. With remaining stitches on needles, cast on 6 stitches and join to work in round for right leg.
1: Place marker to denote beginning of round. k to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1, SM, k1, sl1, k2, sl1, k to end.
2: knit.
Repeat 1-2 three more times. If you wish to have a longer inseam in your shorts, you may continue to repeat rows 1-2 at this point.
On the next round, you will transition to knitting flat.
9: knit to 5 before second marker, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn work. This will now be the end/beginning of each row.
10: sl1 p-wise, p3, p2tog, p to last st 5 before point where turned, sl1, p2, sl1, p1. Turn.
11: sl1, k3, ssk, k to last 5, sl1, k2, sl1, k1. Turn.
Repeat rows 10-11 six more times.
Work 5 more rows even in stockinette stitch.
Cast off to create a foldover hem. To do this, take a spare needle and thread through each purl on the wrong-side row 10 rows below. As you knit each stitch to cast off, slip each corresponding stitch from below up onto the working needle and knit together with the main stitch.
Pick up 6 stitches between legs and slip stitches that were set aside to be worked onto needles. Beginning at center inseam, knit left leg as done for right leg.
Finishing (all sizes)
Cut 1” elastic 1/2” longer than needed to fit hip measurement. With the help of a safety pin, thread through drawstring hole. Overlap ends of elastic 1/2” and sew together using a zig-zag stitch. Thread drawstring through. Soak in lukewarm water and lay flat to dry to block.
Enjoy!
Pattern Support
I hope you’ve enjoyed the Cotton Shorts Knitting Pattern!
For questions, please comment below or email: support@originallylovely.com
Did you Knit these shorts?
Show off your finished work by tagging @originally.lovely or using the hashtags #originallylovely and #CottonShorts
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Discover more Originally Lovely knitting patterns:
perfect knit tshirt
Simple summer tank top
Thanks so much for this gift! One of a kind 🙂
I’m so glad you like them! Thanks for reading
Yes thank you indeed for this lovely gift!
I’m so glad you like them 🙂
can you help me with extra small size because small still bigger for me? thank you
Hi! My best advice is to make sure your gauge is correct and possible go down a needle size. Someday I might add more sizes to this pattern 🙂
Hi, thank you for your reply. I’m new to knitting so i’m still confusing, i went down a needle size but it didn’t meet the gauge so i went up, it met the gauge but the shorts still bigger for me. Should i keep go down the needle size until i meet the gauge or should i change the yarn? Thank you.
The links are broken won’t allow me to download any size
Hi Barbara! It seems to look alright and be working on my end. I would recommend making sure that your browser isn’t blocking pop-up windows because it does open in a new tab. Otherwise, you could try right clicking the link and downloading that way.
Hope that helps! -Kaitlin
When I click the download link it takes me to another page that says “oops, that page can’t be found.”
Pop up blockers have been turned off.
Really wanted to knit these – please let me know if there’s an alternate download for the Large pattern! 🙂
Hi Barbara! Thanks for much for your patience – it looks us a second to figure out what is going on. We haven’t quite solved it yet, but you should be able to download the pattern via this link: https://www.originallylovely.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Knit-Cotton-Shorts-SIZE-LARGE.pdf
Please let me know if it continues to not work!
Did you ever succeed in downloading this pattern? If so, can you please let me know what worked for you? I get an error message when I try to access the pattern in any size. It tells me that page can’t be found and suggests the link has changed. I’ve tried all of Kaitlin’s suggestions so I’m hoping you found another way to access.TIA!!!
https://www.originallylovely.com/knitting/cotton-summer-shorts/
Hi Mel! Thanks for your patience as we tried to sort this out. I just tried them and they seem to be working. Give it another try and if you continue to have issues, let me know!
Hello, I just have the same issue. I tried all the links 😥😢
Hi Marie! I just tried them all again and seem to be working – I think they can sometimes be a bit finicky. Can you try them again and see if you are able to access them? If you cannot, let me know and we can figure something out!
Hi! Are hip measurements meant to be children’s sizes? Or would the small fit a women’s small?
Hi Lavinia! They are written with adult hip measurements in mind. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Quick question on the waistband: For rows 15, 19, and 21, will they be knitted based on the odd row instructions or the instructions for the range that they fall in? Thanks! Sorry if this is dumb! This is the first time I’ve tried knitting anything like this.
Hi Kelly! Not a dumb question at all. Any odd rows will be knit based on the instructions with “13 and all odd rows unless otherwise stated”. They only time you will be doing anything different for the odd rows in this section is if it is explicitly stated! Hopefully this makes sense. Let us know if you have any other questions (:
Is there a mistake in the hip measurements? They seem way too small. When it says a circumference of 30.5cm, does it actually mean 30.5 inches?
Hi Kevin, yes, something seems to be off here. We have actually since updated the pattern. You can find the newest pattern here: https://shop.originallylovely.com/shop/knitting/knitting-patterns/perfect-knit-shorts-knitting-pattern/. It isn’t a free pattern but we have redo it so it is more size inclusive and so that the pattern itself is clearer!