Snuggle Trousers in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino (EN) - RB002-00009-ENP - Downloadable PDF

Snuggle Trousers in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino by Erika Knight – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Snuggle Trousers (pattern code RB002-00009-ENP) is a knitting pattern designed by Erika Knight and published by Rowan. It produces a pair of cosy, snug-fitting baby leggings or trousers worked in the round from the upper waistband edge downward. The pattern is rated intermediate in skill level and is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a pair of baby trousers or leggings designed to fit infants aged 0–3, 3–6, 6–9, and 9–12 months, with actual waist measurements ranging from 55 cm to 60 cm (approximately 21¾ to 23½ inches). The trousers are worked in the round as a single tube from the waistband downward, then divided at the crotch to form two separate legs, each finished with a neat ribbed ankle cuff. A decorative cast-off ridge sits on the right side of the work at the crotch seam, giving the garment a charming, well-finished detail. The waistband is finished with an elasticated rib for a comfortable, secure fit on a baby.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino, a luxuriously soft 4-ply weight yarn. The quantity required is 2 x 50 g balls for the three smallest sizes and 3 x 50 g balls for the largest size. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in the colourway Pickles 123. In addition to yarn, knitters will need a length of 2.5 cm (1 inch) wide elastic to thread through the waistband rib.

Needles Required

• 3½mm (UK 10/9, US 4) circular needle, no more than 40 cm long – used for casting on and working the main body of the trousers in the round
• Set of 4 double-pointed 3½mm (UK 10/9, US 4) needles – used for working the legs in the round and for joining the crotch seam using a three-needle cast-off
• Set of 4 double-pointed 3¼mm (UK 10, US 3) needles – used for working the ribbed ankle cuffs

Construction Method

The trousers are constructed top-down and worked entirely in the round, making them virtually seamless apart from the crotch join. The knitter begins at the upper edge by casting on between 118 and 130 stitches (depending on size) onto the circular needle and works a ribbed waistband. A stitch marker is placed to denote the beginning and end of each round, which also serves as the inside leg seam reference point.

After the waistband rib, the body is worked in stocking stitch (stockinette) in the round. Shaping is achieved through decrease rounds using K2tog tbl (knit two together through the back loop) and K2tog at either side of the marker, creating a neat, symmetrical taper. The stitches are then divided for the crotch, with groups of stitches placed on holders for both the front and back crotch seams.

Each leg is then worked separately in the round on double-pointed needles, continuing in stocking stitch before transitioning to a smaller needle size for the ribbed ankle cuff, which measures 5 cm in depth. The cuff is cast off in rib for a stretchy, comfortable finish.

Crotch Seam Finishing

One of the more technically interesting aspects of this pattern is the three-needle cast-off used to join the crotch seam. The held stitches from the front and back crotch seam holders are placed on separate double-pointed needles, held with wrong sides together so that the resulting cast-off ridge appears on the right side of the work. A third needle is then used to cast off both sets