purlJam

## Dollhouse Shorts

**A Basic Top-Down Seamless Knit for 18-inch Dolls**

This pattern creates a simple, seamless pair of shorts for an 18-inch doll, knit from the waistband down. Perfect for beginners, it uses basic stitches and a straightforward construction.

**Sizes**
18-inch Doll

**Finished Measurements**
*   **Waist Circumference**: 10¼" (26 cm)
*   **Hip Circumference**: 12¼" (31 cm)
*   **Leg Circumference**: 8" (20.5 cm)
*   **Rise (waist to crotch)**: 4½" (11.5 cm)
*   **Inseam**: 2½" (6.5 cm)
*   **Total Length**: 8" (20.5 cm)

**Yarn**
DK weight yarn, 50-75 yards (45-68 meters)
*   *Recommended*: Soft, machine-washable blend (e.g., superwash merino, cotton blend, acrylic) for durability and ease of care.

**Needles**
*   US 6 / 4 mm circular needle, 16" (40 cm) long, or size needed to obtain gauge.
*   US 6 / 4 mm DPNs (double-pointed needles) or a longer circular needle for magic loop, for knitting the legs.

**Gauge**
5.5 sts and 7.5 rnds = 1" (2.5 cm) in Stockinette Stitch (St st) in the round, after blocking.
*   *It is crucial to check your gauge for accurate sizing.*

**Notions**
*   Stitch marker (1)
*   Waste yarn or stitch holder
*   Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

**Abbreviations**
*   **BO**: Bind Off
*   **CO**: Cast On
*   **K**: Knit
*   **K2tog**: Knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
*   **M1L**: Make 1 Left (lift strand between needles from front to back, knit into back of loop – left-leaning increase)
*   **M1R**: Make 1 Right (lift strand between needles from back to front, knit into front of loop – right-leaning increase)
*   **P**: Purl
*   **Rnd(s)**: Round(s)
*   **St(s)**: Stitch(es)
*   **St st**: Stockinette Stitch (K every rnd in the round)

**Pattern Notes**
*   This pattern is worked seamlessly in the round from the top (waistband) down.
*   The "rise" is the measurement from the top of the waistband to the crotch.
*   For a true beginner, ensure you are comfortable with knitting in the round, basic increases (M1R/L), and binding off.

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### Pattern Instructions

**1. Waistband**
Using the US 6 / 4 mm circular needle, CO 56 sts. Place stitch marker and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist stitches. (56 sts total)
Work K1P1 Rib for 1" (2.5 cm). (This is 8 rnds based on 7.5 rnds/inch. 1 inch * 7.5 rnds/inch = 7.5 rnds. Round up to 8 rnds.)

**2. Body (Waist to Crotch)**
Switch to Stockinette Stitch (K every rnd).
*   **Increase Rnd 1**: *K4, M1R* 14 times. K to end. (70 sts. This is too many, need 12 increases. Recalculate).
    *   *Correction*: We need to increase from 56 sts to 68 sts, which is 12 increases.
    *   **Increase Rnd 1 (Revised)**: K 4, M1R, *K5, M1R* 11 times, K remaining 2 sts. (56 + 12 = 68 sts)
        *   *(Validation: 56 sts / 12 increases = ~4.6 sts between increases. K4, M1R repeats 12 times in total. (4+1) * 12 = 60 sts. This is wrong).*
    *   *Let's distribute 12 increases over a few rounds for a smoother transition.*
    *   **Alternative Increase Method: Over 3 rounds.**
        *   **Rnd 1**: K all sts.
        *   **Rnd 2 (Increase Rnd)**: K 4, M1R, *K9, M1R* 6 times. K to end. (56 + 6 = 62 sts).
            *   *(Validation: 56 sts / 6 increases = 9.3 sts between increases. K4, M1R, then (K9, M1R) * 5, then K to end. (4+1) + (9+1)*5 + 4(remaining) = 5+50+4 = 59. This is still not working simply.)*

    *   **Let's simplify for beginner and spread increases evenly across just a few rounds.**
    *   **Rnd 1 (Set-up)**: K all sts. (68 sts desired, currently 56 sts).
    *   **Increase Rnd 1**: *K5, M1R* 11 times, K to end. (56 + 11 = 67 sts). *Need 12 increases total*.
    *   **Let's do 6 increases per round over 2 rounds.**
        *   **Rnd 1 (Increase)**: K to 2 sts before marker. M1R, K1, slip marker, K1, M1L, K to 2 sts before center back, M1R, K1, slip marker, K1, M1L. No, this is raglan.
    *   **Simplest for beginner**: Increase evenly in a round.
        *   **Increase Rnd 1**: *Knit 4 sts, M1R* 12 times. K to end. (56 + 12 = 68 sts).
            *   *(Validation: 56 sts / 12 increases = 4.66. (K4, M1R) repeated 12 times will yield 5*12 = 60 sts. This is not 68. The increases must be more evenly spread and not fixed repeats).*
        *   **Correct distribution of 12 increases in 56 sts**: 56 divided by 12 is 4 with a remainder of 8. So, (12-8=4) increases after 5 sts, and (8) increases after 4 sts.
        *   **Increase Rnd 1 (Revised)**: *K4, M1R* 8 times, *K5, M1R* 4 times. K to end. (56 + 12 = 68 sts).
            *   *(Validation: (4+1)*8 + (5+1)*4 = 5*8 + 6*4 = 40 + 24 = 64 sts. This is still incorrect).*
        *   **The total stitch count after 12 increases is 68. The initial is 56.**
        *   **Correct Increase Rnd logic**: K (56 / 12) = 4.66. So, K4, M1R (8 times), and K5, M1R (4 times) is the correct *distribution* not *total*.
        *   **Correct logic**: We need 12 increases across 56 stitches. This means approximately one increase every 56/12 = ~4.6 stitches. So we will make 8 increases after 4 stitches, and 4 increases after 5 stitches.
        *   **Increase Rnd**: K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K4, M1R, K5, M1R, K5, M1R, K5, M1R, K5, M1R. K to end. (56 sts + 12 increases = 68 sts).
            *   *(Validation: (8 * 5) + (4 * 6) = 40 + 24 = 64 sts. No, this logic of (Kx, M1R) is adding 1 stitch for each repeat. So 12 repeats will add 12 stitches. The stitches *between* repeats are what matter. Total stitches knitted between increases = (4*8) + (5*4) = 32 + 20 = 52 stitches knitted. Plus 12 increases. 52+12 = 64 sts. Still incorrect.)*

    *   **Simplest distribution: (68 - 56) = 12 increases. Distribute them evenly in the round.**
        *   **Increase Rnd**: K3, M1R, *K5, M1R* 11 times. K to end. (3 + 1) + (5 + 1) * 11 = 4 + 6 * 11 = 4 + 66 = 70 sts. (Still not 68).
        *   **Final Attempt at a simple beginner increase**:
            *   We want 68 sts from 56 sts. Need 12 increases.
            *   **Increase Rnd**: K 3 sts, M1R, *K 4 sts, M1R* 11 times. K to end. (3 + 1 + (4+1)*11) = 4 + 5*11 = 4 + 55 = 59. This is wrong.
            *   **Let's use a simpler increase calculation:** Place 4 markers evenly. Increase around those.
            *   **Increase Strategy**: Place markers at the beginning of the round, and after 17, 34, 51 stitches. Total 4 markers.
            *   **Set up Markers Rnd**: K 17, place marker (PM), K 17, PM, K 17, PM, K 17, PM (end of rnd). (56 sts).
            *   **Increase Rnd 1**: *K to 1 st before marker, M1L, K1, slip marker, K1, M1R* 4 times. (56 + 8 = 64 sts).
            *   **Next Rnd**: K all sts.
            *   **Increase Rnd 2**: *K to 1 st before marker, M1L, K1, slip marker, K1, M1R* 4 times. (64 + 8 = 72 sts). (Too many, need 68).

    *   **Back to basics: Distribute 12 increases evenly over one round directly from 56 sts to 68 sts.**
        *   56 stitches. We need 12 increases. So, increase every 56/12 = 4.6 stitches.
        *   This means 8 increases will happen after K4, and 4 increases after K5.
        *   **Increase Rnd**: (K4, M1R) repeated 8 times, then (K5, M1R) repeated 4 times.
            *   *(Validation: Number of stitches consumed by Kx for all increases = (4 * 8) + (5 * 4) = 32 + 20 = 52 stitches. We have 56 stitches to start. So there are 56 - 52 = 4 stitches remaining to knit at the end of the round. This works.)*
        *   **Increase Rnd**: (K4, M1R) 8 times, (K5, M1R) 4 times. K remaining 4 sts. (56 + 12 = 68 sts)
            *   *(This distributes 12 increases over 56 sts, resulting in 68 sts. This is correct.)*

Work straight in St st until piece measures 4.5" (11.5 cm) from CO edge. (This is 34 rnds based on 7.5 rnds/inch. 4.5 inches * 7.5 rnds/inch = 33.75 rnds. Round to 34 rnds.)

**3. Divide for Legs & Form Crotch**
*   **Divide Rnd**: K 34 sts (Front). Place remaining 34 sts on waste yarn or a stitch holder for the Back.
*   **First Leg**:
    *   CO 10 sts (crotch gusset). (34 sts + 10 sts = 44 sts).
        *   *(Validation: 44 sts / 5.5 sts/inch = 8 inches. This is the desired leg circumference.)*
    *   Join these 44 sts in the rnd, being careful not to twist the newly cast-on stitches.
    *   Work in St st in the rnd on these 44 sts until the leg measures 2.5" (6.5 cm) from the crotch gusset. (This is 19 rnds based on 7.5 rnds/inch. 2.5 inches * 7.5 rnds/inch = 18.75 rnds. Round to 19 rnds.)
*   **First Leg Cuff**:
    *   Work K1P1 Rib for 1" (2.5 cm). (This is 8 rnds.)
    *   BO in K1P1 Rib pattern.

**4. Second Leg**
*   Return the 34 sts from the stitch holder to your working needle.
*   Pick up and knit 10 sts along the underside of the 10 cast-on crotch stitches from the First Leg.
    *   *(Validation: 34 sts + 10 picked-up sts = 44 sts.)*
*   Join these 44 sts in the rnd.
*   Work in St st in the rnd on these 44 sts until the leg measures 2.5" (6.5 cm) from the crotch gusset. (19 rnds).
*   **Second Leg Cuff**:
    *   Work K1P1 Rib for 1" (2.5 cm). (8 rnds).
    *   BO in K1P1 Rib pattern.

**Finishing**
Weave in all loose ends. Gently block to measurements if desired. Your Dollhouse Shorts are complete!