Quarter Mile Shorts

Knitted shorts! Bottoms- shorts, pants, skirts- are generally not what one thinks of when one decides to sit down and knit something. I don’t know why not; shorts are no more difficult than a raglan sweater, and they’re super comfy. Knit yourself some shorts for lounging or sleeping, or use a cotton blend and make yourself some running shorts.

These shorts begin with a provisional cast on for the inner waistband. A purl row forms a turning ridge, then the inner and outer waistbands are knitted together to create a channel for elastic. A ring of elastic placed inside the waistband before closing helps keep the shorts in place and creates stability. The back of the shorts has some short-row booty shaping, and a twist-stitch lightning bolt pattern runs down each side. Once the legs are divided, more short rows lower the back of the legs, then garter stitc