A lot of people have expressed their doubts about knitted pants, shorts, and skirts.  I understand why this is so.  It seems like maybe knitted things that go over your legs would just sag, be weirdly uncomfortable, and look awkward.  I have to say I’m a complete believer that none of those problems have to exist.  I completely love my little knitted shorts (and you may remember that I knit a pair of yoga pants entirely out of Rowan Bamboo Tape.)  The keys to success are materials, stitch, and technique. 

I am passionate about fiber choice, and I may be about to suggest a few controversial ideas.  It took me some serious thought to decide on what to make these shorts out of.  The yoga pants were made of bamboo because I had bamboo in the stash and it needed a home.  I will say that those pants are so silky, soft, and cool that I love to wear them.  Plus the shininess is lovely.  But, as many of you may have guessed the 100% bamboo has grown pretty significantly since they were first blocked.  As wonderful as they are, the fiber was one reason I chose not to offer them as a pattern.  (That, and I just wanted to knit for the complete fun of it.) 

Many knitted shorts patterns suggest wool as the solution - it’s got wonderful memory & will bounce back even after being sat on repeatedly.  I do adore wool & its bounciness.  But wool is hot.  The incredible warmth of wool is one of its magical qualities that I praise regularly, and as much as I adore wool for fall, winter, and even spring garments, I don’t want to knit with wool in the summer.  (Some day I will, no doubt, eat these words and make something delightful out of wool in the middle of July.)  And alpaca and other animal fibers are even warmer with less memory and bounce, so I didn’t really consider any of them. 

What I really wanted was to use a plant fiber.  Plants provide cool, breathable fibers that are perfect for summer knitting.  But like bamboo, many plant fibers have beautiful drape, very little memory, and can be quite heavy.  I wasn’t sure about 100% bamboo, linen, hemp and rayon for that reason - shorts don’t need drape.  I decided a blend would be the way to go, and I think a wool/cotton blend would actually be quite nice for this project, but it’s not what I chose.  I went with a cotton/acrylic blend.  Yes, it’s shocking of me to choose a synthetic fiber over all of the natural choices, but I’m sure that I’ve praised this yarn before.  (My Springtime Tank sample is also made of  Knit Picks Comfy Sport.)  The biggest problem with cotton is its heavy weight.  Due to the blend, this yarn is lightweight and is also incredibly soft.

I never want to suggest that there’s just one way of doing something in knitting, or that you should definitely choose the same yarn I picked for this project.  (I pay homage to Anna Zillboorg and Elizabeth Zimmerman for validating me in my postmodern feelings.)  I know there are a huge number of wonderful options, and I’d love to see what you all come up with.  But fiber is a very important consideration when knitting garments to be worn below the waist.  Choose carefully and I’m sure you’ll be delighted with your shorts.