Last season I made granny stitch shorts too. They were fitted, structured, snug at the hips. I loved them. But this time I wanted something more relaxed — more air through the body, less hold.
So I went back to the granny stitch and redesigned the whole thing.
What's different this time
The fit is the main story. These shorts have a snug ribbed waistband with a drawstring that sits right where you want it, but from there the granny stitch opens up and the body moves freely. No compression through the hips and thighs, just that open cluster texture and a scalloped border at the hem that finishes everything off nicely.
The yarn is Sultan Shadow in Black Amber — a 100% cotton gradient that shifts from warm burnt orange at the waist down to deep burgundy at the hem. With gradient yarn the color does its own thing as you work, which honestly makes the whole process more interesting.
How it's built
Start with the waistband in hdc ribbing, work the hips in joined rounds, then continue in granny stitch down to the crotch. Each leg is worked separately in rounds and finished with the scalloped border. A drawstring at the waist lets you adjust the fit. Rated intermediate — not because the stitches are complicated, but because the construction has a few steps that need attention.
Made to measure
Your hip circumference, your leg length, your waist. No size chart needed — you build it around your body from the start.
Want all the pattern details?
See the pattern page for all available information for this design, like tutorial, photos, materials list, gauge, size guide, finished measurements, stitch key, specialty stitches, notes, FAQs and reviews.
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