purlJam

# Men's Simple Knit Boxer Shorts

A comfortable pair of knit boxer shorts worked in the round with an elastic waistband. This beginner-friendly pattern features a snug fit with no fly opening, perfect for learning garment construction basics.

**Finished Measurements:**
- Waist (unstretched): 30.5" (will stretch to fit 32-34")
- Rise: 11.25"
- Leg opening: 21.75"
- Inseam: approximately 1"

**Size:**
32" waist (snug fit)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Approximately 450-500 yards of DK weight yarn (light worsted, #3)
- Suggested: Cotton or cotton-blend yarn for breathability
- Sample shown uses approximately 3 skeins (150 yards each)

**Needles:** 
- US 5 (3.75mm) 24" circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- US 5 (3.75mm) 16" circular needle (for legs)
- US 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles (optional, for legs if preferred)

**Notions:**
- Stitch markers (3)
- Tapestry needle
- 1" wide elastic: 34" for waistband, 48" for leg openings (two 24" pieces)
- Safety pin (for threading elastic)
- Sewing needle and thread to match yarn

**Gauge:**
22 stitches × 30 rounds = 4" in stockinette stitch in the round
**Gauge is critical for proper fit. Please swatch!**

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- BOR: beginning of round

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## PATTERN NOTES

- This pattern is worked from the waist down.
- The waistband is worked flat to create a casing for elastic, then joined to work in the round.
- The body is worked in the round to the crotch, then divided for the legs.
- Each leg is worked separately in the round with short rows for shaping.
- Circular needles are used throughout; switch to DPNs if you prefer for the legs.
- For a looser fit, go up one needle size.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### WAISTBAND

Using 24" circular needle, cast on 168 sts. Do not join.

**Rows 1-12:** Working flat (turning after each row):
- Row 1 (RS): Knit.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl.
- Repeat Rows 1-2 five more times (12 rows total).

**Join to work in the round:**
Being careful not to twist stitches, join to work in the round. Place BOR marker.

**Math check:** 168 sts ÷ 22 sts × 4" = 30.5" waist circumference ✓

### BODY

**Round 1:** Knit all sts.

Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 11" from cast-on edge (approximately 82 rounds total from joining).

**Math check:** 82 rounds ÷ 30 rows × 4" = 10.9" ≈ 11" ✓

### DIVIDE FOR LEGS

**Setup Round:**
K84, pm for side marker, k84 to BOR marker.
(You now have front: 84 sts and back: 84 sts)

### SHAPE CROTCH

**Round 1:** 
- Front: Ssk, knit to 2 sts before side marker, k2tog, sm
- Back: Ssk, knit to 2 sts before BOR marker, k2tog
(4 sts decreased; 164 sts remain: 82 sts front, 82 sts back)

**Round 2:** Knit all sts.

**Rounds 3-16:** Repeat Rounds 1-2 seven more times.
(After Round 16: 136 sts remain: 68 sts front, 68 sts back)

**Math check:** 
- Started with 168 sts
- Decreased 4 sts × 8 times = 32 sts decreased
- 168 - 32 = 136 sts ✓
- 136 sts ÷ 2 = 68 sts per side ✓

**Next Round:** 
- Front: Ssk, k64, k2tog, remove side marker
- Back: Ssk, k64, k2tog, remove BOR marker
(132 sts remain: 66 sts front, 66 sts back)

**Divide for individual legs:**
Place front 66 sts on hold (scrap yarn or spare needle).
You will work the back leg first.

### BACK LEG

**Setup:** The 66 back sts are on your needle. Using 16" circular needle or DPNs:

**Round 1:** K66, then using backward loop method, cast on 6 sts at the crotch. Join to work in the round, pm for new BOR.
(72 sts)

**Rounds 2-3:** Knit all sts.

**Round 4 (decrease round):** 
K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(70 sts remain)

**Rounds 5-6:** Knit all sts.

**Round 7 (decrease round):**
K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(68 sts remain)

**Rounds 8-9:** Knit all sts.

**Round 10 (decrease round):**
K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(66 sts remain)

**Rounds 11-12:** Knit all sts.

**Round 13 (final decrease round):**
K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
(64 sts remain)

**Rounds 14-18:** Knit all sts (5 rounds).

**Math check:** 64 sts ÷ 22 sts × 4" = 11.6" leg opening (will reduce to ~10.9" with elastic) ✓

**Leg Opening Casing:**
**Rounds 19-22:** Purl all sts (4 rounds of reverse stockinette for casing).

Bind off all sts loosely purlwise.

### FRONT LEG

Return held 66 front sts to 16" circular needle or DPNs.

**Setup:** Join yarn at right side of front opening.

**Round 1:** K66, then pick up and knit 6 sts along the cast-on sts at crotch. Join to work in the round, pm for BOR.
(72 sts)

Complete as for Back Leg, working Rounds 2-22.

**Math verification for legs:**
- Started with 72 sts (66 + 6 cast on)
- Round 4: decrease 2 sts → 70 sts
- Round 7: decrease 2 sts → 68 sts
- Round 10: decrease 2 sts → 66 sts
- Round 13: decrease 2 sts → 64 sts
- 72 - 8 = 64 sts ✓

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## FINISHING

### WAISTBAND ELASTIC

1. Fold waistband to WS along the joining round, creating a casing.
2. Pin in place, leaving a 2" opening.
3. Using sewing needle and thread, whipstitch the cast-on edge to the WS, creating an elastic casing.
4. Cut 34" of 1" elastic.
5. Using a safety pin, thread elastic through the casing.
6. Try on and adjust elastic to fit comfortably (should measure approximately 32" when ends meet).
7. Overlap elastic ends by 1" and sew securely together.
8. Close the casing opening.

### LEG OPENING ELASTIC

For each leg:
1. Cut 24" of 1" elastic.
2. Fold the purl casing to WS.
3. Insert elastic into the casing, pinning at quarters to prevent twisting.
4. Overlap elastic ends by 1" and sew securely.
5. Using sewing needle and thread, whipstitch the bound-off edge to the WS, enclosing the elastic.

### FINAL TOUCHES

1. Weave in all ends securely.
2. If there are any gaps at the crotch seam where legs meet, use tapestry needle and yarn to close them with a few discrete stitches.
3. Block lightly if desired, being careful not to stretch elastic.
4. Try on and adjust fit if needed.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water or machine wash gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry. The elastic will maintain better elasticity with hand washing.

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## CUSTOMIZATION TIPS

**For a larger/smaller waist:**
- Add or subtract sts in multiples of 4 to the initial cast-on
- Adjust elastic length accordingly

**For longer rise:**
- Work additional rounds in the Body section before dividing for legs
- Every 7.5 rounds = approximately 1" of length

**For longer inseam:**
- Work additional rounds between decrease rounds in the legs
- Add rounds after Round 18 before working the casing

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Pattern designed for a 32" waist with snug fit. Finished garment will stretch to comfortably fit 32-34" waist.