"Lillen Bottoms" - Top Beginners Knitting Pattern For Babies - Top Knitting Pattern For Babies in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Lillen Bottoms – Beginner Baby Knitting Pattern by MillaMia

The Lillen Bottoms is a charming baby trouser knitting pattern from MillaMia, designed as a beginner-friendly project that pairs beautifully with the matching Lillen Top. The pattern produces a pair of sweet baby trousers with a distinctive flared leg silhouette, achieved by blocking the legs wide at the base. Moss stitch (also known as seed stitch) hems add a textural, decorative finish that makes this an ideal introduction to combining stitch patterns within a single garment.

What Is Being Made

The pattern creates a pair of knitted baby trousers sized to fit ages 0–3, 3–6, 6–12, 12–18, and 18–24 months. The actual garment measurements range from 20½ cm (8 in) to 30½ cm (12 in) over the nappy, with lengths ranging from 29 cm (11½ in) to 43 cm (17 in) depending on the size. The fun flared legs give the trousers a playful, fashionable look that is well suited to babies and makes a wonderful handmade gift.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: The trousers are knitted flat (back and forth on straight needles) rather than in the round, making the construction straightforward and accessible for beginners.
• Moss stitch (seed stitch) hems: The hem sections are worked in moss stitch, which involves alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence to create a textured, non-curling edge. This is highlighted as a great introduction to the technique for beginner knitters.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The main body of the trousers is worked in stocking stitch, the most fundamental knitting fabric, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows.
• Blocking: The pattern specifically instructs knitters to block the legs wide at the base to achieve the intended flared leg shape, demonstrating the importance of finishing techniques even in beginner projects.
• Seaming: As the pieces are worked flat, seaming is required to join the trouser sections together.

Stitches Used

• Moss stitch / seed stitch – used for the decorative hems at the leg openings and waistband area, creating a neat, textured border that lies flat without curling.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – used for the main body of the trousers, providing a smooth, classic knitted fabric.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 3 (3:3:3:4) × 50g / 1¾ oz balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino in Forget me not (shade 120). This is a sport weight yarn, making it lightweight and perfect for delicate baby garments. Suggested alternative colourways include Petal, Putty Grey, Daisy, and Midnight.
• Needles: A pair each of 3mm (US 2) and 3.25mm (US 3) straight knitting needles. The smaller needles are typically used for the moss stitch hems, while the larger needles are used for the main stocking stitch body.
• Optional: A waist length of elastic to help the trousers stay in place comfortably on a baby.

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the finished trousers match the intended measurements, so knitting a tension swatch before beginning is always recommended.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as a beginner pattern, the Lillen Bottoms is an excellent project for