Sage Shorts in Rowan Cotton Cashmere - RM004-00002-DE - Downloadable PDF

Sage Shorts in Rowan Cotton Cashmere

What is Being Made

The Sage Shorts is a knitted garment designed by Chloe Thurlow for Rowan. This is an intermediate-level knitting project that creates a pair of shorts with a finished hip width of approximately 92, 102, 112, 122, or 132 cm, depending on the size selected. The shorts are measured approximately 15 cm below the waist, and the design features two separate legs that are knitted using specific techniques to create a structured, wearable garment.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several key techniques appropriate for an intermediate knitter. The construction begins with flat knitting on straight needles before transitioning to circular needles for seamless construction. The pattern includes a fold line created by reverse stockinette stitch, which allows the fabric to fold neatly at a specific point in the garment. Decreasing stitches is used strategically to shape the shorts, and the pattern requires working increases and decreases in specific sequences to achieve the desired fit. The shorts are constructed with a turning row technique that creates a professional finish at the fold line.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (Glatt re): The primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, creating a smooth, flat fabric on the right side.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used to create the fold line or turning row, which is then folded to the back of the garment.
• Yarn Over (Umschlag): Incorporated into the stitch pattern to create texture and shaping details.
• Decreases (Zusammenstricken): Used to shape the legs and achieve the proper fit at various points in the pattern.
• Knit and Purl Combinations: The pattern uses sequences of knit stitches combined with yarn overs and decreases to create structured shaping.

Materials

The Sage Shorts are knitted using Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn, a blend that combines the breathability of cotton with the softness of cashmere. The yarn weight is DK (Double Knitting), which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and structure. The pattern requires 4 to 6 balls of 50g yarn, depending on the size being knitted. The recommended needle sizes are 3½ mm straight needles and 4 mm needles, with 4 mm circular needles used for seamless construction. The pattern also calls for 2 stitch holders or double-pointed needles in 3½ mm to manage stitches during construction. The gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch using 4 mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The yarn shown in the pattern photography is in the colorway Dark Olive 218.

Pattern Overview

The Sage Shorts pattern is presented in German and includes detailed instructions for both the left and right legs. The construction method involves casting on stitches for each leg separately, working flat initially, then transitioning to circular needles for seamless knitting. The pattern includes specific row-by-row instructions with abbreviations for various techniques. Knitters will work through repeating sequences of rows that incorporate shaping decreases and yarn overs to create the finished silhouette. The intermediate difficulty level indicates that knitters should be comfortable with reading patterns, managing multiple needles, and executing increases and decreases accurately.