Knitting a ruffled edge on shorts/capris/longies?

#1

Hi,
I’m a newbie to this forum, but I’ve used the videos quite a bit in the past. I’m wondering if anyone can explain to me how to knit a ruffled edge on a pair of shorts (or longies) that I’m knitting for my daughter.
Thanks!
Lesley

#2

If you start from the bottom of the legs, cast on 3 times as many stitches as you want to work for your pattern, work a few rows in knit 3, purl 3 until it’s as long as you want the ruffle to be, then knit a row of 3 stitches together and start your regular pattern. You’ll knit the 3 knit stitches together, then knit the 3 purl stitches together. If you start at the waist and work down to the cuff knit in the front and back of each stitch for a row, knit each stitch for the second row, knit front and back of each stitch for another row and so on until you like the ruffle. Just avoid straight stockingnette stitch so the ruffle will ruffle and not curl. You might need to use a bigger needle for the ruffle than you do for the longies. Sounds cute!

Linda

#3

Thanks Linda!
I’m knitting top down, so I’m going to clarify here:
first row, knit front and back every stitch
next row knit
repeat until I like the ruffle and then cast off

Sound right?
Should I purl a row before casting off so it won’t curl? I’m going to be working on tiny circulars or DPNS.