Because knitted baby pants are so much more awesome than you ever thought possible.
 Rocky JoggersÂ
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering Weight in Sand and a OOAK (you can see the OOAK when I knit it into a cowl here)
Mods: I wasn’t getting gauge- my fabric was coming out a bit big. But going down needle sizes made the fabric too dense, so I knit the newborn size, which worked out perfectly for the 6 month size I was aiming for. Ravelry Project page can be found here.
Notes: Who knew that knitted baby pants would be so freaking amazing?!
I’m crazy about these rocky joggers. I started knitting these last September when I was pregnant with James,  and I deliberately didn’t finish them before he was born. I know that seems like an odd choice, but I was worried about the fit (these worries were completely unfounded, they are so forgiving), and it worked out really well for me. James has really long arms and legs (85th percentile for length!), something I hadn’t expected. Long sleeves and long pants are always short on him unless wearing a much bigger size. But since I hadn’t finished knitted the pants, I added a lot more length to them to accommodate his long legs and I’m so glad I did! We still have about 1.5 inches room to grow, and of course the knitted fabric is nice and stretchy.
The waist band has lots of room, and I knitted the i cord waist tie at a larger gauge  so that it would be soft and not hard and lumpy when he was lying down.
The pattern is fantastic. I loved that they also included notes about adding extra short rows for the little baby bum section to accommodate cloth diapers! I cloth diapered both my babies, and while I love the diaper choice I made it does indeed add a lot more diaper bulk than disposables. I’ve never had a problem with pants fitting, but I love that this pattern gives the option to add more room.
I’m really happy with the contrasting waistband and cuffs, it was a great way to use up some leftover yarn that I adored, and looks so good with the light grey/beige of the Sand colourway. James loves wearing them, especially because the drawstring provides something fun to tug on and play with!
In these photos you can see  James playing with his favourite knitted toys, which is the little Fudge puppy that I knit him, and a knitted hedgehog that was a gift from Erica. She tells me that it’s one of her favourite toy patterns to knit, and she frequently gifts them to the new babies in her life. At this stage, those two are his favourites for being fun and squishy!
If you end up making these, here are a few tips that will help you get a good fit and make for some awesome knitted baby pants:
- Err on the side of too long. You can always turn the cuffs up or roll them if they need to be shorter, but if they are already too short, the shelf life for these pants is going to be really ‘short’. Ah, puns.
- If knitting an i cord drawstring, knit a a much larger gauge than you think you need, to make it a soft, squishy tube rather than a thick rope. This will ensure comfort when babies are lying down, on their back s or their tummies.
- Attaching a safety pin to one end of the i cord and feeding it through the waistband made getting the i cord in there a breeze.
- These could easily be a great stash busting knit- I opted for contrasting waistband and cuffs, but you could also knit stripes! These would be so amazing in stripes.
- Choose an easy care yarn that is really soft against baby’s sensitive skin. Superwash merino, light cotton, or even acrylic blends would be ideal. Anything that lets the parents toss them into the washing machine.
Wow, James really pulled out his A game for this photoshoot! Such a happy guy. You’ve got some framers there for sure. My favourite is the 3rd photo down. Squeal!
Also, totally agree with EVERYTHING about this post and those pants. I had no idea how much I love knitted baby pants until I knit these for Micah and they kind of changed my life. So cute.
These are so cute! I might have to think about a pair of baby pants to go with the sweater I just started last night, for a little girl.
And James is just adorable!
Oh Julie, these look amazing on your little guy, or should I say big guy? He is such a cutie! I wish had made some of these for Max, they were on my list….but I have not made much for him as he has groan sooooo quickly.
Those are so cute!! James looks so chic and comfortable 🙂
Oh my gosh … best pants ever! Although, the teeny-tiny Levi’s he was wearing the other day are pretty darn cute too. Love his big happy smile and wish I could just reach into these pictures and pick him up for a hug. xo
He looks like Guy. A lot. I think it’s certain facial expressions. He might look like you all the rest of the time…but there are certain faces that remind me of your husband 🙂
First, I could just die from all the cute in this post. Heart heart heart. Second, you have just answered the question of what the heck should I knit as a gift for my cousin’s new baby boy, born at the end of last month. Thanks
So adorable! Your boy is so big, I can’t believe it! I still remember the post where you announced that he is coming to this world in several months! Time does fly… The pants are just perfect – what a great fit. Knitted hedgehog – how cute is that?!!
These joggers are beautiful!! And James is goooorgous!!!!! You don’t read enough blog posts, or see enough patterns really, about baby clothes that aren’t pullovers or blankets! He looks comfy and dapper, great pictures 🙂
jenny xx
We are a cloth diaper family too–so many woolly pants! Short rows in the back were a must for my chunky babies. If you want a thin/strong drawstring, try making a lucet cord.
Okay now I gotta knit ’em. They’re awesome!
These are super cute (almost as cute as your baby!) and have answered the question of what I should knit for my little guy next…
He is a sweetheart. I love his photo shoot in this cute joggers.
He’s so gorgeous Julie! What a smile! And glad to hear from a mom that knitted baby pants can be a useful garment, broadens the baby-knittting options a bit!
Awesome pants that look so good in your handsome baby boy. Great work, I’m sure you’re planning for a larger size next, no? Sand is a lovely colorway, a perfect neutral for any contrasting color.
How adorable! He looks so comfy ; ) I am half way through knitting some pants in a fingering weight yarn. I chose a camo colour for a little guy. Now in anxious to see them done!
OMG Julie! How adorable is your cute baby boy in his pants? My friend is expecting a baby boy and I was going back and forth between knitting him a pair of joggers. Girl, I’m going for it! I suppose James can be very convincing! 😉
So incredibly adorable! Looks like he loves his new pants. What a sweetheart!
Wow! The cuteness level here is through the roof! Baby James looks absolutely adorable here. <3 The pants looks so comfy and fits him really well!
Wow, what a cutie pie! He’s got the best smile! Love the knitted joggers. They look comfy and very practical. A stripey version would be awesome.
You have such a cute baby! And what awesome photos, children are so difficult to photograph. I absolutely love those baby pants, they look so soft and comfy!