I want to knit shorties but I am so new, can I do it?

[mom2tatum]

can I can I? I really want to try. I was told if I knit in the round, its just knit knit knit, not even purling...

So anyone want to share an easy pattern for a newborn? (my baby will probably be tiny...ds wasn't out of preemie clothes (only 3 1/2 weeks early and 4 lbs 13 oz) until roughly 3 mos and in newborn stuff till 6 mos...seriously...so these shorties gotta be pretty small sized I guess.

Any help or suggestions?

[leerypolyp]

I like the Little Turtle Knits Picky Pants pattern.

If you find an online tutorial that shows you how to knit in the round, it walks you through pretty much everything else. Lots of size and length options.

[mom2tatum]

oh, are these patterns all going to cost me money? I searched online and only found one free by tiny birds, but I don't know that it sounds too easy for me and the pic is not really what I had in mind.

The picky pants one is cute, but I am not about to pay $12 for the pattern that I may or may not be able to even use based on my skills at this point...


ugh, any other free patterns for longies or shorties where I can just knit in the round (I am thinking this is easier to learn than double pointed needle stuff)?

[kundemama]

I taught myself to knit by making ds longies in the round. So it's totally doable, especially with all of the tutorial videos available online. I knit up a swatch to get gauge and took measurements of ds. From that I figured out the dimensions and began without a pattern. The 1st pair didn't look that great, but they were functional
In the round for longies/shorties, the only purling I do is at the top (for ribbing) and at the hem (so they don't curl up).
Here's a free "in the round" pattern and another one. The patterns for both look fairly easy. Have fun!

[sonuptosondown]

The first one I tried was free and came out nice:
http://www.aubreydoodlepants.com/

Read through it and see if it makes sense to you. I'll help you, if you have questions.

You would need 12" circulars for the legs if you don't want to do the DPNs.

I agree with the pp about doing ribbing around the leg cuffs. I found if I don't put ribbing on the cuffs of the littlest sizes, they ride up on a little newborn. Once they get older I like just straight legs. Just my opinion of course!

As far as skills, I think it's a great first project!

[Think of Winter]

The free longie patterns will typically have a lot fewer details and photos than a purchased pattern. If I were starting all over again, and wanted to do longies itr, I'd just buy the Sheepy Pants pattern and join the Yahoo Wool Soaker Group. You'll get a lovely pattern that can be used for lots of variations with tons of tips and pictures for $6. Mandie gives great support, too.

[honeybunmom]

You have to start somewhere. All I knew how to do before trying the Aubrey Doodlepants pattern was, cast on, knit, purl and cast off. I barely knew how to read a pattern. I'd finally learned that on the hat and booties I knit for dd before she was born. I would try the Aubrey Doodlepants rather than the other two if you're knitting for a cd'd baby. The other two don't have short rows, I believe, which give the bum shaping to accommodate the cloth diaper bubble butt. Also, the Tiny Birds pattern is knit flat, so, you can go with that one if you don't want to use circular needles. You'll just have to seem it up in the end.

[USAmma]

I made a nice pair of shorts with the Picky Pants pattern. In each step I picked the easiest option and they turned out great.

[Pariah]

I hate to steal the thread...but I've been wanting to make knit pants/longies for my ds, but I've never knit with circular needles before. How do you do this? I am a total knitting dunce and almost gave up completely, until I decided that I was not going to let the knitting needles win. I WILL learn how to knit, darnit! I'm just going to be asking a ton of questions here...so I'm warning you all now.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by Pariah

I hate to steal the thread...but I've been wanting to make knit pants/longies for my ds, but I've never knit with circular needles before. How do you do this? I am a total knitting dunce and almost gave up completely, until I decided that I was not going to let the knitting needles win. I WILL learn how to knit, darnit! I'm just going to be asking a ton of questions here...so I'm warning you all now.

I'd check out www.knittinghelp.com. That's the most comprehensive source for knitting techniques.

To the OP, my very first project to knit was a soaker for my ds. When I got to the leg cuffs was the first time I'd ever knit with double point needles. Knitting a soaker is not much different from knitting shorties so you can definitely do it. Are you on Ravelry? There's a pattern called the Itchy Fingers Longies Pattern which is free but also pretty detailed (with worksheets and stuff).

[BeanyMama]

You can do it!!!

[ShivayaMama]

I love the Curly Purly pattern
http://www.curlypurly.com/pdf/soaker.pdf
It is easy and quick, and it looks adorable
Good luck, you can do it!

[leerypolyp]

I usually hate paying for pattterns, but sometimes (like with the LTK picky pants) it's really worth it -- there's so much information and tutorial stuff in there. Much nicer than the free patterns -- though I did like the Tiny Birds.