P071 Pants with Elastic Waist and Stripe Detail

P071 Pants with Elastic Waist and Stripe Detail

Our comfiest, womenswear pattern yet, these pants are a breeze to knit up and with a simple stocking stitch they can be worked up in front of the tv. Featuring an elastic waist and stripe detailed hem, they offer a cosy, relaxed fit. Using the basic knit and purl stitches and easy shaping techniques these pants are a straight forward project. With no seam at the outer leg they’re knitted as two pieces and sewn together.

How to Knit Recycled Cotton Pants with Stripe Detail

Create comfortable handmade knitted pants featuring a relaxed fit, elastic waistband and decorative stripe detail around the hem. These easy-knit pants are worked in simple stocking stitch with gentle shaping through the waist and crotch for a comfortable everyday fit.

The pants are knitted as two separate pieces with no outer leg seam, creating a smooth finish along the sides. The finished waistband is folded over to create a casing for elastic, making these pants comfortable and easy to wear.

Project: Recycled Cotton Pants with Stripe Detail

Pattern: P071

Craft type: Knitting

Difficulty: Easy

Sizes: S, M, L, XL (8–10, 12–14, 16–18, 20–22)

What You Will Need

Materials

  • Makr Recycled Cotton Yarn – Main Colour (M)
  • Makr Recycled Cotton Yarn – Contrast Colour (C1)
  • 1.2m knitted waistband elastic

Yarn Requirements

Size Main Colour Contrast Colour
S 8 x 100g balls 1 x 100g ball
M 9 x 100g balls 1 x 100g ball
L 10 x 100g balls 1 x 100g ball
XL 11 x 100g balls 2 x 100g balls

Equipment

  • 4mm knitting needles
  • Wool needle for sewing in ends
  • Tape measure
  • Stitch markers
  • Row counter (optional)

Alternative Yarns

These pants are designed using Makr Recycled Cotton yarn. When choosing an alternative yarn, select a yarn with similar weight, softness and drape to maintain the relaxed fit and comfort of the design.

  • 8ply Cotton Yarn – provides a lightweight breathable fabric suitable for everyday wear.
  • Cotton Blend Yarn – offers softness with added durability.
  • Bamboo Cotton Blend Yarn – creates a soft fabric with excellent drape.
  • 8ply Merino Blend Yarn – provides warmth and stretch for cooler seasons.
Helpful hint: Always check tension before starting. Different yarn fibres can change the way the fabric stretches and may affect the waistband fit.

Measurements

Size Finished Length Inner Leg Waist
S 100cm 71cm 78cm
M 101cm 73cm 85cm
L 102cm 73cm 91cm
XL 103cm 74cm 96cm

Tension

  • 19 stitches x 30 rows = 10cm x 10cm over stocking stitch using 4mm needles

Knitting Abbreviations

  • K: knit
  • P: purl
  • K2tog: knit two stitches together
  • Kfb: knit into front and back of stitch
  • P2tog: purl two stitches together
  • P2togtbl: purl two stitches together through back loop
  • Pfb: purl into front and back of stitch
  • Sl1: slip one stitch purlwise
  • SSK: slip, slip, knit
Pattern note: The pants are knitted as two pieces with no outer leg seam. Carry the colour not being worked up the side of the pant leg to reduce the number of ends that need weaving in.

Construction Overview

The pants are made in four stages:

  1. Knit the right leg.
  2. Knit the left leg.
  3. Join inner leg and crotch seams.
  4. Create the elastic waistband casing.

Knit the Right Leg

  1. Using 4mm needles and Main Colour, cast on:
    • 92 stitches (S)
    • 96 stitches (M)
    • 100 stitches (L)
    • 104 stitches (XL)
  2. Work K1, P1 rib until the piece measures 3cm.
  3. Begin stocking stitch and work until piece measures 6cm.

Create Stripe Detail

Continue stocking stitch while changing colours as follows:

  • C1: 4 rows
  • Main Colour: 6 rows
  • C1: 8 rows
  • Main Colour: 4 rows
  • C1: 4 rows
  • Main Colour: 8 rows
  • C1: 4 rows
  • Main Colour: 2 rows
  • C1: 8 rows

Shape the Leg

  1. Continue in Main Colour stocking stitch until the required length before shaping.
  2. Increase stitches at each side using Kfb shaping.
  3. Continue shaping according to size instructions.

Crotch Shaping

  1. Cast off stitches at the beginning of rows to create the crotch opening.
  2. Place a stitch marker to indicate the front crotch.
  3. Work decreases using SSK and K2tog on right side rows.
  4. Work corresponding purl decreases on wrong side rows.
  5. Continue shaping until the required stitch count remains.

Knit the Left Leg

Work the left leg as for the right leg, reversing the crotch shaping so the two pieces mirror each other.

Finishing

  1. Weave in all yarn ends.
  2. Join inner leg seams using mattress stitch.
  3. Sew front and back crotch seams together.
  4. Ensure the waistband fold and inner leg seams align.
  5. Fold the waistband over.
  6. Leave an opening at the centre back seam.
  7. Thread elastic through the casing.
  8. Secure elastic ends together.
  9. Close the waistband opening.
Finishing tip: Take care when joining the crotch seam to ensure the front and back shaping lines match correctly for a comfortable fit.

Customisation Ideas

  • Use different contrast colours to create a personalised stripe pattern.
  • Add extra stripes around the hem for a bolder look.
  • Use a single colour for a classic everyday pair of pants.
  • Adjust the leg length by adding or removing stocking stitch rows before shaping.
  • Create matching tops or accessories using the same yarn.

Care

Follow the care instructions for your chosen yarn.

Reshape the pants while damp and dry flat to maintain the knitted structure and relaxed fit.

Get a copy of the instructions Download guide

Things you'll need