Baby shorties

The little guy like many toddles his age is really adept at taking off his diaper. He is a master of Velcro so it helps to have a cover over his diaper. I found really cute examples of knitted diaper covers on the web and decided to make a pair for him out of cotton yarn to be worn over his diapers. I came up with my own version since I didn't find any simple patterns that used worsted weight or thicker yarn. I really like using worsted weight or thicker yarn these days since my knitting time is a bit less since the little guy was born. I also like simple patterns since I tend to knit in small spurts now. I can put down my knitting and pick it up later without being totally lost in the pattern. Here is my version. Enjoy!

Baby Shorties

Size: small (medium, large). Hip size: 17 in. (20 in., 23 in.)

Materials: 175 (200, 225) yards of cotton worsted weight yarn. I used 2 skeins of Love it
by Berroco. Elastic to use for the waistband.

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 in. stockinet stitch for main body.

Needles: US size 6 - 16 in circular needle, US size 8 - 16 in. circular needle, 4 US size 6
double point needles or sizes need to get gauge.

Notes: w&t - Slip the next stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front. Turn work and wrap
yarn around to the back of the stitch. Slip the stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front.

Main Body
Cast on 68 (80, 92) sts using US size 6 circular needle and join in the round being careful
not to twist stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Knit 6 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing. Change to US size 8 circular needle.

Begin Short Rows

Size small only:
Knit 23 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size medium only:
Knit 26 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

Size large only:
Knit 29 sts, w&t.
Purl 12 sts, w&t.
Knit 15 sts, w&t.
Purl 18 sts, w&t.
Knit 21 sts, w&t.
Purl 24 sts, w&t.
Knit 27 sts, w&t.
Purl 30 sts, w&t.
Knit 33 sts, w&t.
Purl 36 sts, w&t.
Knit 39 sts, w&t.
Purl 42 sts, w&t.
Knit to the end of the round.

For all sizes:
Knit in rounds until piece measures 3.5 in. (4.5 in., 5.5 in) from the purl ridge.

Shaping for leg openings
Knit 34 sts (40 sts, 46 sts). Place these stitches on a holder and work only on the remaining stitches.
Bind off 3sts (4 sts, 4 sts). Knit to the end of the row.
Bind off 3sts (4 sts, 4 sts). Purl to the end of the row.
Knit 2 sts, k2tog. Knit to 4 sts before the next maker, k2tog, knit 2 sts.
Turn and purl one row.
Continue to decrease 2 sts every right side row and purl every wrong side row until 16 sts
(18 sts, 20 sts) remain.
Knit in stockinet stitch for 1 inch.
Knit 2 sts, inc 1 st. Knit to 2 sts before the next maker, inc 1 st, knit 2 sts.
Turn and purl one row.
Continue to increase 2 sts every right side row and purl every wrong side row until 34 sts
(40 sts, 46 sts).

Join the back and front leg openings by doing a three needle bind off or by grafting the
stitches together. You can also bind off the stitches and sew the seam together. I use a
three need bind off and have a seam in the back of the pants.

Ribbing for the legs
Change to US size 6 double point needles.
Pick up and knit 40 sts (44 sts, 48 sts) around one of the leg openings.
Knit rounds in knit two, purl two ribbing until leg measures 2 in. (2.5 in., 3 in.).
Bind off all stitches loosely.
Repeat for the other leg.

Finishing
Sew in all the loose strings. Fold over the waistband at the purl ridge and stitch in place
leaving space open to put in the elastic. Cut half inch elastic to 15 in. (18 in., 21 in) or to
size needed for waistband. Insert the elastic in the casing. Stitch the rest of the casing
closed.