purlJam

# The "Volume-Hip" Winter Lounge Shorts
**Designer:** Pattern AI
**Difficulty:** Beginner
**Season:** Winter

## Description
These cozy, thick knitted shorts are designed with a relaxed fit and distinctive side patch pockets. The pockets are knitted in garter stitch and placed precisely on the hips to create a visual widening effect, balancing the silhouette. The high-waisted design ensures warmth, while the worsted weight yarn creates a dense, structured fabric perfect for winter wear in beige tones.

## Sizes
**S [M, L]**
To fit hip measurement: 90 [100, 110] cm.
*Designed with 10-15 cm positive ease for a relaxed look.*

**Finished Measurements:**
- **Waist Circumference (unstretched):** 70 [80, 90] cm
- **Hip Circumference:** 100 [110, 120] cm
- **Leg Length (inseam):** 10 cm (adjustable)

## Materials
- **Yarn:** Worsted Weight Wool or Wool/Alpaca blend (approx. 100m/50g).
    - *Colour Recommendation:* Warm Beige or Oatmeal.
    - *Quantity:* 4 [5, 6] balls (approx 400-600m).
- **Needles:**
    - 4.0 mm circular needles (40 cm length) for waistband.
    - 4.5 mm circular needles (60-80 cm length) for body and legs.
- **Notions:** Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scrap yarn (for holding stitches), wide elastic band (3-4 cm wide) or drawstring cord.

## Tension (Gauge)
20 stitches and 28 rounds = 10 x 10 cm in Stocking Stitch on 4.5 mm needles.
*Please check your tension before starting to ensure the correct size.*

## Abbreviations (UK Terms)
- **k:** knit
- **p:** purl
- **st(s):** stitch(es)
- **inc:** increase (knit into the front and back of the stitch - kfb)
- **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together
- **PM:** place marker
- **SM:** slip marker
- **RS:** right side
- **WS:** wrong side

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## Instructions

### 1. Waistband
Using 4.0 mm needles, cast on **140 [160, 180] sts**.
Join in the round, being careful not to twist. PM to mark start of round (Centre Back).

**Ribbing Round:** *k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Work in ribbing for 8 cm.
*Note: This will be folded over later to create a casing for elastic.*

### 2. Upper Body
Switch to 4.5 mm needles.
**Next Round:** Knit all stitches.

**Increase Round (Waist to Hip):**
We need to increase width for the relaxed hip fit.
- **Size S:** *k2, inc, k4; rep from * to end. [Total: 20 increases. End Count: 160 sts - wait, need more volume. Let's use uniform increase below].
- **Revised Increase Logic:**
    - **S:** *k2, inc, k2; rep from * to end. [140 + 28 = 168 sts]. Continue to Round 2 increases.
    - **M:** *k3, inc, k3; rep from * to end. [160 + approx 22 = 182 sts].
    - **L:** *k4, inc, k4; rep from * to end. [180 + 18 = 198 sts].

*Since we need to reach 200 [220, 240] sts for the hip, we will increase gradually.*

**Round 1:** Knit all sts.
**Round 2 (Increase Round):** Increase **60 [60, 60]** stitches evenly across the round.
- **Math check Size S:** 140 sts + 60 inc = 200 sts. (Inc approx every 2nd stitch).
- **Math check Size M:** 160 sts + 60 inc = 220 sts.
- **Math check Size L:** 180 sts + 60 inc = 240 sts.

**Instruction:** *k2, inc, k1* (adjust slightly at end of round if necessary to use up sts).

Work straight in Stocking Stitch (knit every round) until piece measures **28 [30, 32] cm** from the cast-on edge (unfolded).

### 3. Dividing for Legs
You will now split the work into two legs.
**Leg Setup:**
1. Knit **100 [110, 120] sts** (First half of stitches).
2. Place the remaining **100 [110, 120] sts** on scrap yarn or stitch holder (this is the other leg).
3. Using the Backward Loop Method, cast on **8 [10, 12] sts** (Crotch stitches).
4. Join to the first stitch of the current needle to work in the round.

**Current Leg Stitch Count:** 100 [110, 120] body sts + 8 [10, 12] crotch sts = **108 [120, 132] sts**.

### 4. First Leg
Work in Stocking Stitch on these **108 [120, 132] sts**.
Continue until leg measures 6 cm from the crotch split (or 4 cm less than desired length).

**Leg Ribbing:**
Switch to 4.0 mm needles (optional, for tighter cuff).
Work in k1, p1 rib for 4 cm.
Cast off loosely in rib pattern.

### 5. Second Leg
Transfer the held **100 [110, 120] sts** back to the 4.5 mm needles.
Attach yarn.
Pick up and knit **8 [10, 12] sts** from the cast-on edge of the crotch from the first leg.
[Total: 108 [120, 132] sts].

Work exactly as for First Leg.

### 6. Finishing Body
1. Weave in all loose ends.
2. Sew the small hole at the crotch closed securely.
3. Fold the waistband inward (in half) and sew it down loosely on the inside, leaving a small 2 cm gap.
4. Thread your elastic band through the casing, sew elastic ends together, and sew the gap closed.

### 7. The "Volume" Pockets (Make 2)
These patch pockets are crucial for the "wide hip" look. They are knitted flat in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for a chunky texture.

Using 4.5 mm needles, cast on **30 sts**.
**Row 1 (RS):** Knit all sts.
**Row 2 (WS):** Knit all sts.
Repeat until piece measures **16 cm**.
Cast off knitwise.

**Placement:**
1. Try on the shorts.
2. Pin the pockets exactly on the side "seam" area (even though there is no seam).
3. **Styling Tip:** Place them slightly higher towards the waistband to emphasise the hip curve.
4. Using the tapestry needle and matching yarn, sew the sides and bottom of the pockets securely to the shorts.

## Technical Notes & Validation
- **Fit Check:** The hip circumference is designed to be 100 [110, 120] cm.
    - *Math:* 200 sts / 20 sts per 10cm = 100 cm. (Size S) - **Verified.**
    - *Math:* 220 sts / 20 sts per 10cm = 110 cm. (Size M) - **Verified.**
- **Leg Width:** 108 sts / 20 sts per 10cm = 54 cm circumference. This provides the requested "Yeoyu-fit" (relaxed fit) for an average thigh.