The Fast Car shorts were named after Tracy Chapman’s iconic song. For me, it captures the essence of freedom and adventure of those carefree student summers with no set plans. These lightweight, loose-fitting shorts are knitted from the top down and feature a high waist and practical side pockets. The elastic waistband ensures a snug yet comfortable fit while the loose legs sway in the summer breeze. You can also knit the legs shorter or longer or even transform them into full-length trousers!

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)

Recommended ease
5 cm / 2” of negative ease at the waist. The shorts are supposed to be fitted at the waist but loose on the hem.
Sample shown with 5 cm / 2” of negative ease on the waist.

Finished measurements
Waist circumference (waistband, narrowest part): 60 (70, 80, 90, 100) (110, 120, 130, 140) cm / 24 (28, 32, 36, 40) (44, 48, 52, 56)“.
Length from waist to hem: 39 (39, 40, 40, 41) (41, 42, 42, 42) cm / 15 (15, 16, 16, 17) (17, 18, 18, 18)”— this can be altered.
Length of the inner side of the short leg: 10 (10, 10, 11, 11) (11, 12, 12, 13) cm / 4 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5) (4.5, 5, 5, 5.5)“.

Yarn
Approx. 690 (780, 850, 950, 1050) (1200, 1300, 1450, 1600) m / 760 (850, 930, 1050, 1150) (1300, 1450, 1600, 1750) yds of fingering-weight yarn.

Sample knitted with: 2 (3, 3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins of Ritual Dyes Undine (100 g / 350 m / 380 yds, 60% organic cotton, 40% linen), photographed in colourway Hyacinth.

Needles
3 mm / US 2.5 60 cm / 24”or 80 cm / 32” circular needles.

Other materials
Stitch markers, tapestry needle, 4 cm / 1.5” wide elastic band for the waistband (length: check your waist measurement + 1 cm / 0.5”), needle and thin yarn for the waistband, dpns.

Gauge
22 sts × 30 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4” in stockinette stitch with 3 mm / US 2.5 needles (after blocking).