purlJam

# Pattern: Grey Cabled Winter Hip-Shaping Shorts

**Pattern Name:** The "Volume" Low-Rise Cable Shorts
**Difficulty Level:** Beginner
**Designer:** [System AI]

### DESCRIPTION
These thick, warm winter shorts are designed with a low-rise waist and prominent cable panels running down the sides. The cables provide structural thickness, creating a "hip pad" silhouette that accentuates the hip curve naturally. The pattern is worked in the round from the waist down, ensuring no uncomfortable seams.

### MATERIALS
*   **Yarn:** Worsted (Aran) weight wool or wool blend. Grey colour.
    *   Approximate yardage: 350 - 400 metres.
*   **Needles:**
    *   4.5 mm (UK 7) circular needles (40 cm and 80 cm length) for the main body.
    *   4.0 mm (UK 8) circular needles (40 cm length) for the waistband.
*   **Notions:**
    *   Stitch marker (to mark beginning of round).
    *   Cable needle (cn).
    *   Tapestry needle.
    *   Wide elastic band (3 cm width) for the waistband (essential for low-rise fit).
    *   *(Optional)* Thin foam pads if you wish to insert them inside the cable panels.

### TENSION (GAUGE)
18 stitches and 24 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm in Stocking Stitch using 4.5 mm needles.
*Please check your tension before starting. If you have too many stitches per 10 cm, use a larger needle.*

### SIZE
**One Size (Medium - Fits UK 10-12 / Hip 94-100 cm)**
*   **Finished Waist (unstretched):** 76 cm
*   **Finished Hip:** 100 cm
*   **Length:** Adjustable

### ABBREVIATIONS (UK Terminology)
*   **k**: knit
*   **p**: purl
*   **st(s)**: stitch(es)
*   **inc**: increase one stitch (knit into the front and back of the next stitch)
*   **C6F**: Cable 6 Front (slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k3, then k3 from cable needle)
*   **RS**: Right Side
*   **PM**: Place Marker

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### INSTRUCTIONS

#### 1. WAISTBAND (Low Rise)
Using 4.0 mm needles, cast on **136 stitches**. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to denote the beginning of the round (this is the Centre Back).

*   **Rounds 1–8:** Work in K2, P2 ribbing.
*   **Fold Line:** Purl 1 round (this helps the waistband fold over later for the elastic).
*   **Rounds 10–17:** Work in K2, P2 ribbing.

*Technical Note: We will fold this over and sew it down at the end to create a casing for the elastic.*

#### 2. HIP SHAPING (The "Pad" Effect)
Change to **4.5 mm needles**. We will now increase stitches to accommodate the hips and set up the cable panels on the sides.

**Round 1 (Increase Round):**
*   *Instruction:* [Knit 3, Inc 1] repeat around to end.
*   *Verification:* `[136 sts / 3 ≈ 45 increases]` -> Actual math: 136 + 44 increases = **180 sts**.
*   *Note:* Work increases evenly. End with **180 sts**.

**Round 2 (Setup Pattern):**
We will place a wide cable panel on the Left and Right sides to create bulk.
*   **Knit 35** (Back Right)
*   **P2, K6, P2** (Right Side Cable Panel)
*   **Knit 70** (Front)
*   **P2, K6, P2** (Left Side Cable Panel)
*   **Knit 35** (Back Left)
*   *Check:* `[35 + 10 + 70 + 10 + 35 = 160]` -> Wait, we have 180 sts.
*   *Correction for 180 sts:*
    *   **Knit 40** (Back Right)
    *   **P2, K6, P2** (Right Hip Cable)
    *   **Knit 80** (Front)
    *   **P2, K6, P2** (Left Hip Cable)
    *   **Knit 40** (Back Left)
    *   *Total:* `[40 + 10 + 80 + 10 + 40 = 180 sts]`. Correct.

#### 3. BODY & CABLE PATTERN
Continue working in the round as established.
*   **Main Fabric:** Stocking stitch (Knit all stitches) for the Front and Back sections.
*   **Side Panels:** Work the 10 stitches at each side as: P2, [Cable Pattern], P2.

**Cable Pattern (Worked over the 6 knit sts in the side panels):**
*   **Rounds 1–5:** Knit 6.
*   **Round 6:** C6F (Cable 6 Front).
*   **Rounds 7–8:** Knit 6.
*   *Repeat these 8 rounds for the cable.*

**Work straight** in this pattern until the piece measures **20 cm** from the folded waistband edge (or desired rise length).

*(Design Note: The thick 6-stitch cable flanked by purls creates a dense vertical strip that mimics the volume of a hip pad).*

#### 4. DIVIDING FOR LEGS
We will now split the tube into two leg holes.

**Next Round:**
1.  Knit to the first Side Panel (40 sts).
2.  Work the Side Panel (10 sts).
3.  Knit 40 sts (half of Front). **STOP.**
4.  You are now at the Centre Front.
5.  **Cast off 4 stitches** (for crotch gap) - *Optional: For easier beginners, simply place these 4 sts on a holder, but casting off is more stable.*
6.  You have reached the separation point.

**Left Leg Setup:**
Put the next 90 stitches (Left Leg) on a holder or scrap yarn. Keep the remaining 86 stitches (Right Leg) on the needles.

#### 5. RIGHT LEG
You are working on 86 stitches.
Join to work in the round. When you join, cast on **4 stitches** at the crotch gap using the backward loop method.
*   *Stitch Count Check:* `[86 sts + 4 new sts = 90 sts]`.

**Leg Rounds:**
*   Continue the pattern: Keep the Side Cable Panel correct. Keep the rest in Stocking Stitch.
*   Work straight for **5 cm** (or desired inseam length).
*   **Next Round (Decrease):** [Knit 7, K2tog] repeat around.
    *   *Math:* `[90 - 10 = 80 sts]`.
*   Change to **4.0 mm needles**.
*   Work 3 cm in K2, P2 Rib.
*   Cast off loosely in rib.

#### 6. LEFT LEG
Put the 90 held stitches back onto the 4.5 mm needles.
Join yarn at the crotch. Pick up and knit **4 stitches** from the cast-on edge of the Right Leg crotch.
*   *Stitch Count Check:* `[90 sts + 4 picked up = 94 sts]`.
*   *(Note: To match the Right Leg exactly, decrease 4 stitches evenly in the first round to get back to 90 sts).*
*   Work exactly as for Right Leg.

#### 7. FINISHING (The "Hip Pad" & Waist)
1.  **Waistband:** Fold the ribbed waistband to the inside along the purl fold line. Sew loosely into place, leaving a 2 cm gap. Insert your elastic band, sew the elastic ends together, then sew the gap closed. **This is crucial for low-rise shorts to stay up.**
2.  **Crotch:** Sew up any small holes at the crotch area securely.
3.  **Optional Internal Pad Pocket:** Because of the cable construction, you have a flat area on the *inside* of the shorts behind the cables. If you want extreme hip shaping, cut a piece of fabric (or knit a small square), sew it to the inside of the cable panel on three sides, and slide a foam shoulder/hip pad inside.
4.  Weave in all ends.
5.  **Block:** Wash gently and lay flat to dry. Do not flatten the cables; let them stand out to maintain the "thick" look.