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 Cut-Onsby Rachel “Ivy” Clarke
Difficulty: Advanced Beginner. A quick and easy summer knit. Skills required: Knit, purl, working in the round, and blanket stitch.
Pattern inspiration:
Numerous issues of WoolWorks, a knit-specific trend reporting publication, showed photo after photo of denim cut-offs. At first, I was perplexed: why would denim shorts be in a knitwear publication? On closer inspection, these shorts were banded by rows of ribbing at the hems, creating a fun and feminine look. I especially like that those of us who might normally be more inclined to wear the longer, Bermuda-length shorts because we find cut-offs too (ahem) revealing can still have the cute cut-off look without exposing any shy parts or revealing too much leg. Because you start with an old pair of jeans, the actual construction and knitting is very quick, meaning you can have several pairs of these in time for summer and already ahead of the trends!
Photographer: Chuck Revell/Model: Rachel Clarke
SIZE
variable; adaptable to any size
Sizing information from yarnstandards.com.
Ysolda Teague provides a very extensive size chart on her blog.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length of knitted rib: 2.5 inches (or as desired)
 MATERIALS
Approx. 100 yards of DK weight superwash wool (I used 1 skein of Shepherd Color 4 Me, 98 yards per 50 grams, 100% pure new wool, color 4018). If substituting, I recommend a machine-washable yarn to make laundering easier.
1 US 6/4.0 mm 24-inch circular needle
1 pair of jeans that fit (I bought mine at the local Goodwill)
1 #20 chenille embroidery needle (or any other sharp needle with an eye large enough for your chosen yarn)
1 blunt tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
pins
chalk
sewing machine (optional)
iron (optional)
GAUGE
15 sts X 26 rows = 4" in 1 x 1 rib, unstretched
PATTERN NOTES
MPMK's list of abbreviations.
Tutorial on blanket stitch: Primrose Design has a great illustrated blog post demonstrating how to do the blanket stitch on a hemmed item, here. There are also a few video tutorials available on YouTube, just try searching “blanket stitch."
PATTERN
Prepare your jeans
Try on your jeans. Determine where you would like the bottom of your denim shorts to fall. (Remember that your shorts will be 2.5” longer after knitting.) Mark your chosen length with pins [Figure 1].
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Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Measure 1” below your marking, and with chalk, mark a line around the leg. This extra length allows for hemming to prevent fraying [Figure 2]. With scissors, cut off legs at line [Figure 3]. Finish raw edge with sewing machine, if desired (I used a serger) [Figure 4].
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Figure 3
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Figure 4
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Turn fabric at leg 1/4” to the inside using the original marking line as a guide, and press if desired. If you opted not to finish the raw edge, turn hem under again 1/4” and press. Pin in place or baste with sewing machine, if desired.
Apply Blanket Stitch
With a length of yarn (approx 4-5 times the total circumference of the leg) threaded onto the sharp needle, beg at inseam and leaving approx 6” tail, apply blanket stitch around hem, placing approx 4 sts per inch making sure blanket stitch encompasses all layers of the folded hem. Finish by connecting last blanket stitch to first and cut yarn, leaving a 6” tail [Figure 5].
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Figure 5
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Figure 6
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Work Ribbing
With US 6 knitting needle, pick up and knit 1 stitch in each blanket stitch (number of sts will vary depending on circumference of hem), ending with an even number of sts [Figure 6]. (For reference, model uses 98 sts around a leg circumference of about 24”.) Rnd 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Work even in pat as set until rib meas 2.5” (or desired length). BO all sts in pat.
Repeat for second leg.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends, including tails from blanket stitch. Now figure out what to do with the leftover legs!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
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