Knit Free Pattern: Black and White Strawberry Shorts
Introduction
These bohemian black and white strawberry shorts are a fun, wearable project that looks far more complicated than it is. Worked from the top down with a simple raglan yoke, they use striped mohair-silk yarn held double, so the fabric is light, airy and softly fuzzy against the skin. The drawstring ribbed waist makes the fit forgiving and comfortable, and the tiny red strawberry appliqués add a playful handmade touch. Designed for unisex adults, they are perfect for lounging, layering over swimwear, or wearing on a warm summer day.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Lace weight mohair-silk blend (70% mohair, 30% silk), held double throughout. Black: 200 g (approx. 800 m). White: 200 g (approx. 800 m). Red: small amount (approx. 20 m) for appliqués. Green: small amount for embroidered leaves.
- Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needles in 40 cm and 80 cm lengths, plus a set of 5.0 mm double-pointed needles (or use the magic loop method).
- Notions: Stitch markers (4), stitch holders or scrap yarn, tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors.
- Finished size: To fit waist 76–86 cm, hip 96–106 cm. Finished waist 80 cm, hip 100 cm, inseam 10 cm, rise 28 cm. Instructions are for size M; changes for size L are in parentheses.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k: knit
- p: purl
- k2, p2 rib: knit 2, purl 2 ribbing
- yo: yarn over (wrap yarn around needle to make a new stitch and a small hole)
- p2tog: purl 2 stitches together (decreases by one)
- kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increases by one)
- sm: slip marker
- pm: place marker
- m1: make one (lift the bar between stitches and knit it to increase by one)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (decreases by one, leans left)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (decreases by one, leans right)
- p3tog: purl 3 stitches together (decreases by two)
- BO: bind off
- Rnd(s): round(s)
Gauge
16 sts and 24 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch with yarn held double. Knit a 15 cm square swatch, block it lightly, and measure a 10 cm section in the middle; if you have more stitches, go up a needle size, and if fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Hold one strand of black and one strand of white together as a single working yarn for the main fabric, and swap colors by simply changing which strand you carry — this keeps the mohair halo even.
- Use a locking stitch marker or scrap yarn to hold sleeve stitches; mohair stitches can be slippery, so secure the holder closed.
- Try the shorts on as you go after the underarm divide — the drawstring waist and relaxed fit make small length adjustments easy.
- Keep your tension loose and even; mohair-silk blooms after blocking, so a slightly firmer gauge than your swatch is fine.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Waistband
Set-up: With black, CO 128 (144) sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
Rnds 1–10: Work in k2, p2 rib (128 / 144 sts).
Eyelet Rnd: *k2, p2, yo, p2tog, p2; repeat from * to end (128 / 144 sts).
Rnds 12–16: Continue in k2, p2 rib (128 / 144 sts).
Next Rnd: Change to stockinette (knit every round).
Yoke
R1 (set-up): k20 (22) back, pm, k12 (14) sleeve, pm, k40 (44) front, pm, k12 (14) sleeve, pm, k20 (22) back (128 / 144 sts).
R2 (increase): *k to 1 st before marker, kfb, sm, kfb; repeat from * around (136 / 152 sts).
R3: Knit all stitches (136 / 152 sts).
R4–R19: Repeat R2–R3 eight times (200 / 216 sts).
R20–R23: Repeat R2–R3 twice more (216 / 232 sts).
R24–R31: Repeat R2–R3 four times more, ending with R3 (248 / 264 sts).
R32: Repeat R2 once more (256 / 272 sts). For size M, work R3 once more to end on a plain round (256 sts). For size L, work R2–R3 once more (288 sts).
Divide for Body and Sleeves
Next Rnd: Knit to first marker, place sleeve sts on holder, CO 4 (6) sts underarm, knit to next marker, place sleeve sts on holder, CO 4 (6) sts underarm, knit to end (160 / 180 sts for body).
Body
Rnd 1 (decrease): Knit, decreasing 8 (10) sts evenly across the round (152 / 170 sts).
Rnds 2–3: Knit with black (152 / 170 sts).
Rnds 4–5: Knit with white (152 / 170 sts).
Rnds 6–49: Repeat Rnds 2–5 eleven times, continuing the 2-round black / 2-round white stripes (152 / 170 sts). Piece measures approx. 20 cm from underarm.
Next Rnd: Change to black.
Rnds 50–57: Work in k2, p2 rib (152 / 170 sts).
Next Rnd: BO in rib.
Sleeves (make 2)
Set-up: Place held sts on needles. With black, pick up and knit 4 (6) sts underarm (64 / 72 sts).
Rnds 1–2: Knit with black (64 / 72 sts).
Rnds 3–4: Knit with white (64 / 72 sts).
Rnds 5–6: Knit with black (64 / 72 sts).
Rnds 7–8: Knit with white (64 / 72 sts). Piece measures approx. 2 cm.
Next Rnd: Change to black.
Rnds 9–16: Work in k2, p2 rib (64 / 72 sts).
Next Rnd: BO in rib. Repeat for second sleeve.
Drawstring
With black, make a twisted cord approx. 120 cm long. Thread it through the eyelet round at the waist and knot the ends.
Strawberry Appliqués (make 6)
Row 1: With red, CO 3 sts. k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 (5 sts).
Row 2: Purl (5 sts).
Row 3: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1 (7 sts).
Row 4: Purl (7 sts).
Row 5: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 (5 sts).
Row 6: Purl (5 sts).
Row 7: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (3 sts).
Row 8: p3tog (1 st). Fasten off. With green, embroider small leaves at the top of each strawberry.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the six strawberry appliqués evenly onto the legs, three on each side, using small stitches and matching thread or yarn. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, taking care not to pull the mohair too tight. Block the shorts to the finished measurements by soaking them in cool water, gently squeezing out excess, and laying flat to dry, shaping the waist and legs as you go. Thread the drawstring through the eyelets and tie a bow.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the black and white stripe sequence for a single color, or use a self-striping mohair for a softer, blended look.
- Add more strawberry appliqués, or scatter tiny embroidered flowers along the hems for extra bohemian charm.
- For a longer inseam, simply work extra striped rounds before the leg ribbing, adding 2 cm of length per 5 rounds at this gauge.
