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How to Knit the Pants With Garter Stitch Cuffs
Knit a practical pair of baby and toddler pants with simple garter stitch cuffs and a ribbed elastic waistband. The front and back are worked alike, beginning with each leg separately before joining at the crotch and continuing upwards to the waistband.
This pattern is available in sizes from newborn to 24 months and uses straightforward stocking stitch, garter stitch and ribbing techniques.
Project: Pants With Garter Stitch Cuffs
Pattern: A466
Craft type: Knitting
Difficulty: •••
Measurements
| Months | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fits waist cm | 35 | 40 | 45 | 52 | 54 |
| Length cm | 28 | 32 | 37 | 43 | 49 |
Yarn Required
| Yarn | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincraft Double DK 200g balls | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Needles
- A pair of 4.00mm knitting needles.
- Wool needle for sewing up.
Requirements
- A stitch holder.
- Hat elastic.
Tension
22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over sticking st, using 4.00mm needles.
BACK AND FRONT (make 2)
First Leg:
Using 4.00mm needles, cast on 25 (28-30-33-34) sts.
Knit 9 (9-11-13-13) rows garter st, first row is wrong side, and inc 2 sts evenly across last row ... 27 (30-32-35-36) sts.
Work in stocking st, beg with a knit row, until work measures 11 (13-17-21-25) cm from beg, ending with a purl row. **
Leave sts on a stitch holder.
Second Leg:
Work as for First Leg to **.
Crotch:
1st row: K25 (28-30-33-34), K2tog, slip sts from stitch holder onto left hand needle, sl 1, K1, psso, knit to end ... 52 (58-62-68-70) sts.
Cont in stocking st until work measures 25 (29-34-40-46) cm from beg, ending with a knit row.
Next row: P0 (3-0-1-2), * P2tog, P3 (3-4-6-6), rep from * to last 2 (5-2-3-4) sts, P2tog, P0 (3-0-1-2) ... 41 (47-51-59-61) sts.
Waistband:
1st row: K2, * P1, K1, rep from * to last st, K1.
2nd row: K1, * P1, K1, rep from * to end.
Last 2 rows form rib.
Work a further 6 rows rib.
Cast off in rib.
FINISHING
Join side and leg seams. Thread hat elastic through the 2nd, 4th and 6th rows of waistband, on the wrong side. Sew in all ends.
Alternative Yarns
The original pattern uses Lincraft Double DK. When choosing a substitute, select a yarn that can achieve the original tension of 22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch using 4.00mm needles.
Suitable Yarn Types
- DK acrylic yarn – a practical, easy-care choice for baby and toddler garments.
- DK wool blend – offers warmth and softness while generally being easier to care for than pure wool.
- Machine-washable DK wool – suitable for a warmer pair of pants with the benefits of a natural fibre.
- DK cotton blend – can create a cooler garment with clear stitch definition.
- DK bamboo blend – may provide a soft feel and fluid drape, although the finished fabric should be checked for excessive stretch.
Customisation Ideas
- Use a self-striping yarn to create colour changes throughout the legs and body without changing yarn manually.
- Work the garter stitch cuffs in a contrasting colour for a simple two-tone finish.
- Use a contrasting waistband to coordinate with the cuffs.
- Choose neutral shades for an everyday wardrobe basic or brighter colours for a playful finish.
- Add decorative embroidery after finishing, taking care not to reduce the stretch of the knitted fabric.
To retain the original proportions and fit, keep all stitch counts, size brackets, shaping instructions and row counts unchanged when making decorative customisations.
Care Instructions
Follow the washing and care instructions on the ball band of the yarn used for the project.
- Ensure all seams and yarn ends are securely finished before washing.
- Wash using the method and temperature recommended for the selected yarn.
- Avoid excessive heat that may damage synthetic fibres or affect the waistband elastic.
- Gently reshape the pants after washing.
- Dry flat where appropriate to help maintain the original dimensions.
- Check the waistband elastic periodically and replace it if it loses its stretch.
