Stripey Pants
Wanna good morning laugh? Just feast your eyes on my most recent accomplishment... the No Sweat Pants in Lion Brand Homespun, Regency colorway.
Pants from the Side, Front and Back
I finished up these stripey wonders after a very fun KIP. My tension must have gotten a little loose on top, because they were rather larger than I expected in that area. No matter, that is what a drawstring is for. One of the things that you can't see very well in the picture in the magazine is the drawstring. So I tried to make it more clear. I apologize in advance for exposing my blindingly white skin -- but it's all in the name of exposing the details of this pattern. In IK, the model's shirt comes down over the top of the pants.
I knit these up in the largest size. And the legs are a little larger than normal because I didn't get rid of the 4 stitches that would have gone into the seams. I left them because I like loose and baggy. After knitting the largest size, I now realize why they didn't size up this pattern too much more -- structural integrity. Four skeins of Homepun is 24 ounces -- or a pound and a half. These bad boys aren't lightweights. I think if you made them too much bigger, wearing them around would be a work out.
On one hand, I can't believe I actually made these things. On the other hand, I kind of like them and don't think they look quite as bad as I expected them to (horizontal stripes across the hips usually aren't a figure benefit). I definitely won't be wearing them out on the town, but I'm still wearing them after my little photo shoot. They're comfy and soft and not too warm. And even though they were waaaay oversized on top, that drawstring helps size them right up to my shape.
So what did I learn?
- Lion Brand Homespun isn't so bad. I'm not going to knit with it all the time, but I can see it's value in making a quick afghan or baby blanket with it. It's soft, it knits up on big needles and it's machine washable. It is, however, very easy to split as you knit with it.
- Knitting in the round makes this project a lot easier and it's pretty trivial to modify the pattern. Of course, you do give up those structure creating side-seams. I'll report back later on how well the shape holds up and if gravity gets my pants down!
- Pants are a very simple shape. Two tubes connected into a big tube. Makes me think it might be fun to design some that could be worn on the beach. Maybe with an opaque top and lacy legs? Probably it would be more work than it was worth, but it wouldn't be too hard to design.
- I like my pants. This started out as something of a joke, but turned out to be something comfy that I'll probably wear on a Saturday morning while I'm drinking my coffee and surfing the blog ring.
I'll sum up by saying that if you're intrigued by them, go for it. They're fun and the pattern is easy to follow. It's very easy knitting as well, and doesn't really take very long. Will they stand the test of time? Will you be passing them on to a grand child? Probably not. But I'll be enjoying them for the moment and if nothing else, I think they'll always make me smile.
P.S. I'm going to be co-hosting the Audrey Knit-A-Long with Morgan and Elisabeth. Becky is going to share her button making talents with us, and I'm hoping to set up a little gallery of finshed tops, so even if you don't have a blog, you can share in the fun of showing off your Audrey! If you're interested in knitting-a-long, let me or Morgan or Lis know and we'll keep you posted on the festivities!
Woah ! They actually look very good on you ! Well done, Theresa !
Oh, WOW! They look great! I love that drawstring closure, and it really shows off that fab waist of yours. Brava, brava!
even though i'm a yarn snob ;-) i've used homespun for quite a few baby blankets, it's super soft and looks great after many washings and much loving :-)
absolutely fabulous Homespun pants. I may have to break down and do this project now. I'm impressed with how they look, and very impressed with how quickly you knit them.
Hey, you finished them already! Wow, they look so cool, especially in the variegated colorway. Thanks for the tips about knitting in the round and the structural integrity issues - I just posted about that on my site today! I'm glad to hear that you ended up liking the result. I'm sort of knitting mine on a lark too, but am hoping that I'll end up with something I'll wear. Great job!
Cool. Yay for you for knitting on a lark!
They look great! Perfect lounging-around-the-house pants.
They look really cool Theresa, much better than I ever imagined they would... Well done for making them on a whim and then actually liking / wearing them!
Your Sweaties RULE!!!
THE Perfect East Village Coffee Pantalette! I can see you roaming the hut wearing these, mug in hand!
I double-dog dare you to wear them to Columbus!
Hey, the pants look great. Thanks for listing all the ins and outs on the pants. It will help when I get started on my pair. The yarn from BonneMarie is on it's way. Can't wait, cause this should be fun.
Nice pants! I, too, scoffed at the Homespun yarn, but I decided to use it for the MiniChic poncho, since I did not think I would be wearing a poncho out in public. Well, that poncho is toasty warm, and I now kind of like Homespun! Hope you get a lot of use out of your new sweats!
I started the homespun pants last week but was too embarassed to post about it because I thought everyone would think it was dorky. But you've shown that they're cool and now I can't wait too finish mine. Great job!
Thanks for all the nice comments -- these pants will be just a little warmer for me since I'll remember all the nice words.
It is a fun project and I'm very glad if my pictures made this project more approachable.
One thing I should have added -- it was a suggestion from Thomas Holm -- is that if you want to knit them in the round, but you like the idea of having a side seam, you can create a side seem by crocheting one in! Depending on how mine behave, I may do that. But I want to "do the experiment" and see how they hold up without.
Bonne Marie... how can I resist a double dog dare? ;-) Do I get to bring a change of pants or do I have to wear them the whole day?
Sweet sweats!
My Homespun is staring at me waiting to be transformed into pants. I promised myself I would finish one more project before casting on.
When I saw those pants in the catalog that I received from Lion Brand two weeks ago, I wondered if anyone would really knit them. I thought yeah right. But, now that I see them on you and hear your comments, I think I'll knit them too! I agree that they would be so soft and comfy to wear on a Sunday morning doing the relaxing things we love to do.
I think that they actually look good too...comfortable.
Can I find the pattern somewhere else than in the catalog? We dont have it in Sweden´.
Those pants look great! I may have to try my hand at them as soon as I finish a few other projects I'm working on. I haven't knit anything with Homespun, but I'm crocheting an afghan with it and I'm starting to get the hang of using that splitty yarn. It's tricky, but the end result is worth the extra headache...it's so soft and cozy.
WOW!
So I'm searching the web for tips on pants, and I found these beautific lovelies!! I'm wondring how you join at the crotch, if I don't sound like I'm coming on to you?? :)
I was thinking of making some pants as well, but that bit has me baffled...
:)
Happy panting!
-L.
Hi,
I've been wanting to knit some shorts for my little guy in the round but I'm confused about he crotch and if you knit the waist to thigh first then split into two legs or the opposite?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks oodles...
Love and Laughter,
Amy
I can't believe that people think these pants look good. I have seen so many of you girls, who are slim and cute become strikingly unattractive by wearing these pants. Am I the only one who thinks these are a man repellant?
I found this page in desparation in trying to find a patten for making pants for my girls that do ballet. they want loose knit dpants to wear while they are warming up before class. If anyone knows where I can find the pattern I would appreciate it. Thanks.