Knit Some Pants for Cooler Weather

One thing that was long on my to-knit list was a pair of lounge pants. I finally knit some a few years ago, out of sock yarn. They took forever, and I do like them because they’re really warm and cozy (and used a lot of leftover sock yarn). But I wouldn’t recommend that style as your first ever knit pants experience because it is such a big project.

I recently found the Easy Caron Lounge Around Pants from Yarnspirations, and I think these might be a good option for your first foray into knitting pants.

They’re actually worked flat from the top down, one leg at a time, rather than working in the round. Short rows are used for extra coverage in the back, and the legs are sewn together and to each other at the inseams and crotch area. The pants have an elastic wasitband so there’s a casing knit for that (as part of the leg) so you can sew in the elastic at the end. The elastic is the only special notion you’ll need outside of regular knitting supplies.

Once you get past the shaping at the top this is a pretty mindless knit, and I think you’ll make progress on it faster than you think.

These pants use worsted weight yarn so even though it’s a big project, it won’t feel like it will take forever. The yarn, Caron Simply Soft, is relatively inexpensive and cozy, though of course you can use whatever yarn you like.

The pattern is rated easy in part because it’s worked in a solid color, but it would be fun to add stripes, too, if you’re into that.

This project is available in five sizes, with a hip measurement ranging from 32-34 inches (86.5-91.5 cm) to 58-64 inches (147.5-162.5 cm).

You can get this free pattern from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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Knitwear designers can get inspiration from almost anything when it comes to re-creating a color scheme, an image or a texture in stitches. Sometimes the inspiration isn’t always obvious in the finished project, but sometimes it’s more literal.

That’s the way it is with the Tin Ceiling Blanket from Purl Soho. Not just because the inspiration is in the name, but if you’ve ever seen one of these old ceilings you can see that the design of the blanket is quite similar to the pattern of the tin tiles.

This is also a good example of the idea that you don’t have to use fancy stitch patterns or lots of color to make a big impact with your knits. This single-color blanket (designed by Gianna Mueller and inspired by a washcloth and towel set designed by Sandi Rosner) is made completely with knits and purls, other than slipped stitches at the beginning of rows to make neater edges.

The pattern is written out row by row, but there’s also a chart, which means this project is a great opportunity to practice reading a chart where you can check your work against the written pattern if you need to.

It comes in two sizes, a crib blanket and a throw. The yarn used in the sample is an organic cotton sold by the cone, which is a great way to get a large quantity of yarn and have fewer ends to weave in. In fact, you can knit either size of the blanket with just one cone of yarn, which isn’t inexpensive but makes you a great, sturdy, heirloom quality but still washable blanket you’ll use for years to come. (Of course you can use any sport weight yarn you like to make this blanket.)

Check out all the details and grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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