Knitted Shorts for Beginners: Your Complete Guide to Getting Started

If you’ve been knitting for a while and feel comfortable with scarves and dishcloths, you might be wondering what comes next. Knitted shorts are one of those projects that feel ambitious but are surprisingly achievable for beginners who are ready to level up. They’re wearable, practical, and honestly pretty impressive to show off. This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from choosing the right yarn to casting off the waistband — so you can make your first pair of knitted shorts with confidence.

Why Knit Your Own Shorts?

Before diving into the how-to, it’s worth pausing on the why. Store-bought clothes are easy to grab, sure, but there’s something deeply satisfying about wearing something you made yourself. Knitted shorts offer a level of customization that no retailer can match. You choose the yarn, the color, the length, the fit. If you have a short torso or long legs or wide hips, you can adjust the pattern to suit your actual body rather than squeezing into a size that almost fits.

Beyond the personal satisfaction, knitting your own shorts is also a chance to explore the more structural side of the craft. Unlike flat projects, shorts require you to think in three dimensions — you’re shaping fabric to wrap around a body. That’s a new and exciting challenge, and the skills you learn will carry over into every garment you knit afterward.

Understanding the Basics Before You Cast On

Knitted shorts are not quite the same as knitting a scarf, but they’re not as complex as a full sweater either. Most beginner-friendly shorts patterns fall somewhere in the middle. Here’s what you should be comfortable with before you start:

Knit and purl stitches. These two form the foundation of almost every knitted fabric. If you can knit a swatch using both, you’re already most of the way there.

Basic increases and decreases. Shaping the legs and waistband requires adding or subtracting stitches at certain points. Common techniques include k2tog (knit two together) for decreasing and M1 (make one) for increasing. These are straightforward once you try them a few times.

Working in the round. Most shorts are knitted in the round on circular needles or double-pointed needles. This creates a seamless tube of fabric, which is ideal for garments. If you’ve only ever knitted flat, working in the round takes a brief adjustment but becomes second nature quickly.

Reading a pattern. Patterns use abbreviations and shorthand that can look like a foreign language at first. Getting comfortable with terms like CO (cast on), BO (bind off), PM (place marker), and SM (slip marker) will make the process much smoother.

If any of these feel shaky, it’s worth spending a few hours practicing before jumping into a shorts project. A small hat or a pair of mittens knitted in the round is a great warm-up.

Choosing Your Yarn

Yarn choice makes an enormous difference in how your finished shorts look and feel. For a beginner making their first pair, comfort and practicality should guide your decision.

Fiber content matters a lot for garments. Pure wool can feel itchy against bare skin, which is a real concern for shorts since they sit close to your thighs. Merino wool is a softer option and is much more wearable next to skin. Cotton and cotton blends are popular for shorts because they’re breathable, easy to wash, and have a nice drape. Linen is another excellent choice — it softens with wear and is wonderfully cool in warm weather. Acrylic blends are budget-friendly and machine washable, though they can trap heat and may not feel as natural.

Weight matters too. For shorts, you generally want a light to medium weight yarn — DK weight or sport weight tend to work well. Bulky yarns can make the fabric feel stiff and heavy, which is uncomfortable in shorts. Fingering weight is possible but produces a thinner, more delicate fabric that takes longer to knit.

Consider the drape. You want your shorts to hang gracefully and move with your body, not stand out stiffly. Yarns with a bit of natural drape, like those containing cotton, bamboo, or Tencel, work beautifully for this reason.

When in doubt, buy a little extra. Running out of yarn mid-project is frustrating, and dye lots can vary between skeins if you buy more later.

Choosing the Right Pattern

For a first pair of knitted shorts, look for patterns that include the following features:

Simple construction. The most beginner-friendly shorts are worked in the round from the waistband down. This approach is intuitive and doesn’t require a lot of seaming at the end.

Minimal shaping. Some patterns are almost entirely straight knitting with just a bit of shaping at the crotch. These are ideal for beginners. Save the complex side shaping and tailored fitting for a second or third project.

Clear written instructions. Some patterns rely heavily on charts. These are fine once you get used to them, but a pattern with clear row-by-row written instructions is more beginner-friendly.

Gauge swatch instructions. Any pattern worth its salt will tell you to knit a gauge swatch. This is how you match your knitting to the measurements in the pattern, and it’s especially important for garments. Don’t skip this step.

Ravelry is a wonderful resource for finding free and paid patterns. Searching “beginner knitted shorts” or “easy knit shorts pattern” will surface many options. Look at the project photos uploaded by other knitters — seeing how the pattern actually turned out in different yarns is invaluable.

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need

Getting your tools together before you start will make the whole process feel smoother. Here’s what you’ll need for most beginner shorts patterns:

Circular needles. Most shorts are knitted on a 24-inch or 32-inch circular needle. The needle size will depend on your chosen yarn and pattern. Many patterns use US size 3–5 (3.25–3.75mm) needles for a DK or sport weight yarn.

Stitch markers. These little rings slip onto your needle and mark important points in the pattern, like the beginning of a round or the spot where shaping begins. You’ll need at least four to six.

A tapestry needle. Also called a darning needle, this is used to weave in your yarn ends when you’re finished.

Measuring tape. You’ll use this constantly — checking gauge, measuring length, comparing to your own body.

Scissors. A small, sharp pair dedicated to your craft supplies is useful.

Elastic for the waistband. Many knitted shorts use an internal elastic waistband to keep things in place and prevent the waist from stretching out. Check your pattern for the recommended width.

A notepad or row counter. Keeping track of where you are in the pattern prevents a lot of confusion, especially when you’re new.

Knitting Your Gauge Swatch

This step is easy to want to skip, and skipping it is one of the most common beginner mistakes in garment knitting. The gauge swatch is a small sample of fabric that tells you whether your knitting tension matches what the pattern is designed for.

To knit a gauge swatch, cast on the number of stitches your pattern specifies (usually around 20–30) and knit in the stated stitch pattern for a few inches. Bind off loosely, wet block your swatch if the yarn benefits from blocking, and let it dry flat. Then measure how many stitches and rows fit within a four-inch square.

If your stitch count is higher than the pattern calls for, your stitches are too small — go up a needle size. If your stitch count is lower, your stitches are too large — go down a needle size. Even being off by a single stitch per inch can translate to an inch or two of difference in the finished garment, which is the difference between shorts that fit and shorts that don’t.

Take this step seriously. It will save you hours of frustration.

Casting On and Building the Waistband

Most top-down shorts begin with a long-tail cast on, which creates a clean, slightly elastic edge that’s perfect for waistbands. If you haven’t done a long-tail cast on, it’s worth learning — there are many excellent video tutorials online, and it only takes a few minutes to pick up.

Once you’ve cast on your stitches and joined them into a round (being careful not to twist them — this is a common beginner mistake that’s difficult to fix later), you’ll typically work a ribbed waistband. Ribbing is created by alternating between knit and purl stitches, often in a 1×1 (k1, p1) or 2×2 (k2, p2) pattern. This creates a stretchy, textured fabric that grips the waist and holds the shorts in place.

The waistband usually continues for somewhere between one and three inches, depending on the pattern. Some patterns include a fold-over waistband with a channel for elastic, which is sewn down after finishing. Others use a simple ribbed edge that sits at the natural waist with elastic threaded through afterward.

Knitting the Body of the Shorts

After the waistband, you’ll continue working in the round to build the body of the shorts. This is often the most relaxing part of the project. You’re working in a relatively simple stitch pattern — many beginner shorts use straightforward stockinette (knit every round) — and the fabric grows quickly.

Pay attention to any markers your pattern asks you to place. These often mark the front and back center points or the side “seams.” Even though you’re knitting in the round without actual seams, having these reference points makes it easy to stay oriented in the pattern.

Some patterns ask you to work increases at this stage to add ease through the hip and seat. These increases are usually subtle — a stitch or two every few rounds — but they make the finished shorts much more comfortable to wear.

Continue knitting until the body reaches the point where the crotch shaping begins, usually specified in inches from the cast-on edge.

Shaping the Crotch

The crotch shaping is the part that trips up the most beginners, but it’s not as complicated as it looks. The goal is to divide the shorts into a front and a back and add extra stitches in the middle to allow for the rise — the depth of fabric between your legs.

Most patterns will have you place the stitches on hold using waste yarn or a stitch holder, then work each leg separately from this point. Some patterns use short rows to create the crotch shaping, while others use a series of increases on both legs before joining them into the round again.

Read through this section of your pattern carefully before you begin. It helps to read ahead a few steps so you understand where each instruction is taking you. Don’t rush it — take it one step at a time, and the shaping will come together logically.

Knitting the Legs

Once the crotch is shaped and you’re back to working in the round, the legs are a pleasure to knit. At this point, you’re simply knitting downward until the leg reaches your desired length.

Many patterns include a few decrease rounds near the top of the leg opening to smooth out the transition from the crotch shaping. After those, it’s smooth sailing. Work in your stitch pattern until the leg measures how long you want it — typically two to five inches for shorts, though this is entirely up to you.

Finish each leg with a hem, a ribbed cuff, or a simple bind-off, depending on the pattern. A ribbed cuff similar to the waistband creates a cohesive look and keeps the hem from rolling.

Finishing Your Shorts

Once both legs are complete and bound off, it’s time for finishing. This involves weaving in all your yarn ends using your tapestry needle, which makes the shorts look clean and polished from the inside.

If your pattern calls for elastic, now is the time to add it. Thread a length of non-roll elastic through the waistband channel (a large safety pin attached to one end makes this easy), overlap the ends by about an inch, and sew them together securely. Then sew the channel closed with a simple slip stitch or whipstitch.

Wet blocking is a beautiful final step for knitted garments. Submerge your shorts in cool water, gently press out the excess water (don’t wring), and lay them flat on a clean towel in the shape you want. Let them dry completely. Blocking evens out your stitches, helps the fabric relax into its finished shape, and gives your finished shorts a much more professional appearance.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

A few hard-won lessons that will make your first pair of shorts a success:

Measure yourself carefully before choosing a size, and compare your measurements to the pattern’s finished measurements rather than assuming your usual clothing size will translate.

Keep consistent tension throughout. If you take a long break from knitting and come back to it, your tension may shift slightly. Try to knit in good light when you’re relaxed, which produces more even stitches.

Don’t be afraid to try the shorts on as you go. Unlike socks or mittens, shorts are easy to slip on and check for fit at any point during the knitting process. This is much better than finishing and discovering the fit is off.

If something goes wrong, frogging — which is the delightful knitting term for unraveling your work — is always an option. It feels discouraging in the moment, but it’s better than finishing a garment that doesn’t fit or look the way you wanted.

Getting Inspired and Moving Forward

Once you’ve finished your first pair of knitted shorts, you’ll find yourself thinking about all the variations you want to try. A different stitch pattern. A new color. Slightly longer legs for a Bermuda-short look, or a cuffed hem for something more tailored. The basic skills you’ve learned transfer directly to other garment projects — skirts, pants, leggings, and more.

The knitting community is also incredibly generous with knowledge and encouragement. Online groups on Ravelry and Reddit, local knitting circles, and YouTube tutorials are all available whenever you hit a stumbling block. You’re far from alone in this.

Knitted shorts for beginners are absolutely within reach. The project asks you to stretch a little, learn a few new techniques, and commit to seeing something through from cast-on to finished hem. And when you wear them — which you absolutely will — you’ll have the quiet, private satisfaction of knowing you made something with your own hands that fits your body and reflects your taste. That feeling doesn’t get old, no matter how many projects you complete.

So pick a pattern, choose a yarn you love, and cast on. Your first pair of knitted shorts is waiting.