Lucent Shorts Knitting Pattern

Lucent Shorts in MODE at Rowan Cotton DK

What is Being Made

The Lucent Shorts are a beginner-friendly knitted garment designed by Quail Studio. These are pull-on shorts featuring a comfortable waistband with a drawstring tie, suitable for a range of hip measurements from 76 cm to 156 cm (30 to 62 inches). The shorts are available in nine different sizes to accommodate various body measurements.

Design Features

The shorts feature a classic construction with two separate legs that are shaped at the crotch area for proper fit. The waistband is designed with an eyelet detail that allows for an i-cord tie to be threaded through, providing both function and decorative appeal. The legs are worked in stockinette stitch and taper slightly through strategic decreases at the crotch, creating a refined silhouette.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric throughout the garment
• Eyelet row created using yarn overs and purl two together decreases for the drawstring channel
• Folded waistband technique where the cast-on edge is folded and knitted together with live stitches for a professional finish
• Decreasing shaping at the crotch using slip, slip, knit (SSK) and knit two together (K2tog) techniques
• I-cord construction using double-pointed needles for the waistband tie
• Circular needle work for the waistband ribbing section

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout the Lucent Shorts is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for warm-weather garments. The waistband incorporates garter stitch sections created through alternating knit and purl rows. The eyelet detail uses yarn over (yrn) and purl two together (P2tog) to create small decorative holes for threading the drawstring. Shaping decreases employ slip, slip, knit (SSK) and knit two together (K2tog) techniques to maintain even decreases on both sides of the legs.

Materials and Tools

The Lucent Shorts are knitted using Cotton DK yarn from the MODE at Rowan collection. The yarn requirement ranges from 5 to 9 balls of 50-gram weight depending on the size being made. The shorts photographed in the pattern are shown in the colorway Macaroon 011.

The needles required include 3.5mm (US 4) needles for the initial cast-on and waistband sections, and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body of the shorts. A 60 cm circular needle in 4mm (US 6) is used for the waistband ribbing, and a set of 3.5mm (US 4) double-pointed needles is needed to create the i-cord drawstring tie.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the shorts to fit properly across the range of sizes provided. The construction begins with casting on stitches for the left leg, working the waistband with its characteristic folded edge, then continuing in stockinette stitch before shaping the crotch area. The right leg is worked similarly, and both legs are shaped with decreases to create a fitted crotch.