PURL PAL: Knitted Shorts
Sporty Shorts by Deima, analog photography by Max Wessely
One thing I am noticing this summer – it seems as if knitting patterns for shorts are popping out of the ground like mushrooms. Wide rib, small rib, cables, no cables, … they are everywhere!
Before I get started with the article, I just wanted to link some patterns I found – just in case you want some recommendations but are looking for something slightly different than the one I made.
Let’s start with Boring Knits.
Clearly nothing about these shorts is boring! I just love the simplicity and how clean they are – and the rib at the end of each leg – chef’s kiss!
Next – CozyCableShorts by ANN.KA.THRIN. From less is more to more is more! These are the perfect shorts for the maximalists here – or everyone who loves cables.
The last one I would like to share with you is the Shorts No.1 from My Favourite Things Knitwear. The pattern is currently only released in Danish and Swedish, but I’m 100% sure it’s only a matter of time until it will be released in English as well. So I would recommend keeping your eyes open for it (and to take a look through her other patterns as well, as they are all so gorgeous and very well explained!).
Sporty Shorts by Deima, analog photography by Max Wessely
I made the Sporty Shorts pattern from Deima Knitwear. They were the first pair of knitted shorts I found (which was nearly a year ago, when I started knitting my long woolly pair of pants – yes – you read that right – knitted long pants. And not only once did I ask myself WHYYYY). They even have a cute top that fits with the shorts, which makes a super cute summer combo. Obviously, I knitted the matching top aswell – as if I could control myself… “I had some yarn left…” you know how it goes.
Sporty Shorts by Deima, analog photography by Max Wessely
I knitted the shorts (and the top) in spring. Knitted it, sewed in the elastic, shaved my legs and was ready to go… just to realise that the shorts were too big – but not in a cute comfy way, they were just unflattering and big. So that was a bummer. Not only was I super excited about my new shorts, but also all the work I put into knitting them had gone to waste…. so I left them in a corner for weeks. I even knitted a new pair of them a smaller size, which turned out to look like cycling pants – but I can live with that. One important thing I remembered from knitting the second pair though, is that you need to SEW in the elastic AT THE END! Somehow I thought I needed to knit around the elastic before continuing to knit the rest of the pants.
Sporty Shorts by Deima, analog photography by Max Wessely
So I just opened the waistband again, sewed the elastic tighter et voilà – I‘m ready to go!
(Needless to say – I only take them off when I have to change into my uniform for work)
So swim your swims, knit your knits and enjoy your summer!
Bussis
Sophie
PS: The pattern for the cap is the Sunny Side Cap by Wool+Beyond
PPS: All photos were taken analog by Max Wessely!
Behind the scene (and thank you for nothing Max):
Sporty Shorts by Deima, analog photography by Max Wessely
About Author
Sophie Frank
Sophie is a self-taught sewist living in Vienna, Austria. If she's not sewing or taking analog photos, she's probably running after her son. Instagram: @bitte.mach.dasLeave a comment
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4 Comments
Lori Boone
Non-binding shorts ideal for `kickin’-it’ – looks very comfy and as ideal as the yarn they’re knitted with. Initially my heart started to race when I landed on the article; with my first glimpse of your `knitted’ shorts I saw waffle weave linen/cotton fabric (projecting? – thoughts of shorts I have been creating, in my mind thus far). Maybe a companion pair in IS046 Marguax [while I’m at it]. Those Cozycableshorts you shared are superbly cool too and have side pockets plus a ribbed waistband and thighs . . . (think Margaux). Will be my first elastic experience – I ordered and received 3 sizes of the Organic Cotton type with ‘real’ rubber!!! A hot commodity I found out. A tunic and/or camisole knitted in the same yarn as your shorts would make an attractive outfit as does your beautiful long-sleeved top.
Nancy Evans
I love them but I’ve never liked exposing that much leg maybe to just below the knee?
Linda Hamilton
Those are very cute on you. I keep wondering about the texture, though – does it bother you to wear the shorts with all the texture on your legs? I will stick with sewing my shorts and pants and leaving the knitting to tops where I don’t mind all the texture. I really laughed at the last statement in the parenthesis. It was a great comment for a fun photo.
Kate Renwick
These don’t work on so many levels. I’m reminded of a swimsuit my mom knitted for me when I was small. When I came out of the water it was down to my knees.