Freebie: "Crofter Baby Shorts"

Here is a freebie for you! I am still trying to use up the occasional single skein of yarn that I have laying around. This weekend I came across Crofter Dk by Sirdar. It's a Fair Isle effect Dk in "Shade 51" (how specific!) Since they didn't name the shade, I would describe it as a Fair Isle in the colors of muted pinks, purples and blacks.

It's an easy pattern so I didn't make a pdf file for it yet. Hopefully I'll get around to it, but here are my notes in the mean time. This is sized for 0-3 months since I only had one skein to make them.

Crofter Baby Shorts

Materials needed:

• 1 skein of Crofter Dk (50g/184 yds)
  
• One pair of U.S. 3 circular needles and set of U.S. 3 dpns.
  
• Darning needle
• Marker for beginning of round
• Stitch holder or scrap piece of yarn

Work Body of Shorts: Cast on 92 sts on U.S. 3 needles (using any method that you prefer for circular knitting) . Work in 2x2 rib for 1 1/4 inches. Then switch to stockinette stitch and work in the round for an additional 6 more inches (total inches = 7.25).
Work Leg Openings of Shorts: At the beginning of next round knit back and forth on first 7 sts in 1x1 rib for 7 rows. Cut yarn and leave long tail. Slip next 39 sts. Place marker. Knit next 7 sts in 1x1 rib (place marker). Repeat 1x1 ribbing for a total of 7 rows and break yarn leaving a long tail. *You should have two sets of 7 sts between markers with 39 stitches on both sides of them.*
Using a 3 needle bind off technique, bind off the two sets of 7 stitches together. You will now have two leg openings of 39 stitches each with a 7 stitch grafted crotch area.
Work Legs of Shorts: Place one set of 39 stitches on a stitch holder or a length of scrap yarn. Working on one set of 39 stitches at a time, join yarn to the first stitch past the worked crotch. Work row in stockinette stitch. When you reach the end of the first round where the crotch section is, pick up 9 sts evenly across the area. Continue working in the round for 2.5 inches. Then switch to 2x2 rib and work for another 1 inch. Cast off using a stretchy cast off technique or using large needles (you don't want the leg openings to be binding). Repeat this section for other leg.
To Finish: Weave in loose ends and enjoy!

Addendum: Here is another pair I whipped up (this time making the crotch in stockinette stitch and folding under the cuffs, not making them ribbing):