Knitting for Olive Harebell Bloomers

Harebell Bloomers are cute little shorts that, instead of legs, showcase ruffles around the leg openings, as well as a folded waistband with a drawstring channel and i-cord drawstring. Harebell Bloomers are worked from the bottom up, both flat and in the round with 1 strand of either Merino, Cotton Merino or Pure Silk.

You start by casting on for back crotch using provisional cast-on method to avoid getting a seam between the legs. If you prefer, however, you can cast on using long-tail cast-on method or your normal go-to caston, and then later sew front and back crotch together instead. Back and front crotch are worked and shaped separately, back and forth, before being joined on one needle and continued in the round. The bloomers are further shaped in the back with short rows. Stitches are picked up around the leg openings and the bloomers finished with ruffles worked in the round.

Sizes: 3 (6, 12, 18-24) months // 3 (4) years

Finished measurements: Waist circumference: approx. 34 (36, 41, 43) // 45 (49) cm [13½ (14¼, 16¼, 17) // 17¾ (19¼)]”

Yarn: Knitting for Olive Merino or Pure Silk (250 m [273 yd] / 50 g [1.8 oz]), fingering-weight yarn, 1 (1, 1, 2) // 2 (2) ball(s). Sample is in Merino in Pearl Gray colorway

Needles: 2.5 mm / US1.5 and 3 mm / US2.5 circular needles and double-pointed needles, or in size to obtain gauge

Gauge (after blocking): 28 sts and 38 rows = 10 cm [4”] in st st with 3 mm / US2.5 needles

Notions: Stitch markers, waste yarn, tapestry needle, safety pin