Berroco Towhee Knitting Pattern

Berroco Towhee Infant Pants

What is Being Made

The Berroco Towhee is a seamless infant pants pattern designed by Amy Christoffers, available in five sizes ranging from newborn (0–3 months) through toddler (12–18 months). The finished waist measurements range from 18 to 21 inches, with lengths from 15½ to 21½ inches including the waistband. These are practical, everyday pants suitable for babies and young toddlers.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Towhee pants are worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, comfortable fit for infants. The construction begins at the waistband and progresses downward to shape the legs. A key design feature involves short-row shaping at the back, just above the crotch area, which creates a back panel that is 1 inch longer than the front—a thoughtful detail that prevents the pants from riding up at the back during wear.

The pattern uses bottom-up construction logic despite being worked from the top down, as the waistband is established first and the garment expands outward from that foundation. The beginning of round shifts strategically: it starts at the center back during the main body shaping and moves to the inseam once the legs are divided, allowing for precise stitch placement and easier leg modifications.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Towhee employs fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate-level project. The primary stitch used is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for infant wear. The waistband features garter stitch (created by knitting every round), which provides structure and prevents rolling at the top edge. A purl round creates a turning ridge, which serves as a fold line for the waistband casing that will house the elastic.

Shaping is accomplished through make-one increases (M1), worked strategically in the increase round to expand the stitch count from the waistband to the hip area. The pattern includes precise increase placement instructions, with different increase frequencies across the five sizes to ensure proper fit and proportional shaping.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The pattern calls for Berroco Comfort yarn in colorway #9797 Fig. Yardage requirements are modest, ranging from 2 balls (100 grams each) for the smallest sizes to 3 balls for the largest sizes—making this an economical project suitable for stash-busting or quick gift knitting.

The needle requirements include both circular needles and double-pointed needles in two sizes. Knitters use size 6 (4.00 mm) needles for the waistband ribbing and size 8 (5.00 mm) needles for the main body, allowing the fabric to expand slightly and creating a subtle visual distinction at the waistband. A 16-inch circular needle accommodates the body stitches, while double-pointed needles in both sizes facilitate the leg portions once stitches are divided.

Additional notions include ¾-inch wide no-roll elastic (measured to the waist measurement plus 2 inches for overlap and threading), a stitch marker to denote the beginning of round, and waste yarn to temporarily hold stitches during construction.

Gauge and Fit Considerations

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit in infant garments, as even small variations can affect the final waist and length measurements. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning to ensure the finished pants fit correctly across the five size options.