Knitted Baby Trousers

Instructions

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1. 1WaistWith the circular needle cast on 88/96/104 sts and join in the round. The round starts at center back; place a marker. Work 5 cm of *k1, p1* rib. This rib is folded in half at the end to form a casing for the elastic.
2. 2Back short rowsPair 1: k18 past the marker, turn and make a DS; purl until 18 sts past the marker on the other side, turn and make a DS. Pair 2: turn 6 sts before the previous turn (12). Pair 3: turn at 6 sts. Knit one full round, working each double stitch as one.
3. 3Hip increasesKnit 2 rounds. Increase round 1: *k11/12/13, M1* 8 times (96/104/112). Knit 6 rounds. Increase round 2: *k12/13/14, M1* 8 times (104/112/120). Knit straight until the trousers measure 16/17/18 cm from the fold line (middle of the rib), measured at center front.
4. 4Dividing for the crotch and first legStarting at center back, knit 52/56/60 sts; you are now at center front. Place the remaining 52/56/60 sts on waste yarn. Cast on 4 sts (crotch) and join to the first st at center back (56/60/64). Place the new round marker in the middle of the 4 cast-on sts (inner leg). Change to double-pointed needles when needed.
5. 5Leg decreasesDecrease round: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 0-3 months: every 4th round 8 times; 3-6 months: every 4th round 8 times, then 7 rounds straight; 6-12 months: every 5th round 8 times, then 8 rounds straight (40/44/48). Work 3 cm of *k1, p1* rib and bind off loosely.
6. 6Second legPlace the 52/56/60 held sts on the needles, join yarn at center front, knit these sts and pick up 4 sts from the cast-on edge of the first leg's crotch sts (56/60/64). Move the round start to the middle of these 4 sts and work as for the first leg.
7. 7Waistband and finishingClose the small gaps at the crotch with the tails. Fold the waist rib in half to the inside and tack the cast-on edge to the wrong side with loose stitches, leaving a 3 cm opening. Cut the elastic 2-3 cm shorter than baby's waist, thread it through the casing with a safety pin, overlap and sew the ends, and close the opening. Weave in all ends, wash the trousers and dry flat.