Moss Stitch Wide-Leg Lounge Pants: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
These wide-leg lounge pants are the kind of project you'll reach for again and again: soft, cozy, and surprisingly simple to knit. Each leg is a straight tube worked in the round in squishy moss stitch, so there's no complicated shaping to worry about. The sage green body with a cream hem band gives them an easy, coastal-grandmother feel that looks just as good curled up on the sofa as it does on a slow morning walk. If you can knit and purl, you can make these pants.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Aran weight wool blend (e.g., 80% wool, 20% nylon). Total approx. 800 (900, 1000) yds: 700 (800, 900) yds sage green (A), 100 yds cream (B).
- Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needles, 24" or longer, for magic loop or two circulars; or a set of 5 double-pointed needles.
- Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, tape measure, 1" wide elastic (waist measurement minus 2"), sewing needle and thread.
- Finished size: To fit waist 28-30 (32-34, 36-38)". Finished unstretched waist 26 (30, 34)"; hip 40 (44, 48)"; inseam 30" (adjustable); leg opening 20 (22, 24)" circumference.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- PM: place marker
- m1L: make one left (lift the bar between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loop)
- m1R: make one right (lift the bar between stitches from back to front and knit through the front loop)
- BO: bind off
- moss st: moss stitch (alternating knit and purl, offset each round as described)
Gauge
16 sts and 24 rnds = 4" in moss stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round and measure a 4" section; adjust needle size if needed to match.
Tips Before You Start
- Moss stitch is just knit and purl, but keep an eye on which stitch sits over which so the texture stays offset — the pattern rows tell you exactly what to do.
- Try the leg on (or measure against a favorite pair of pants) before binding off to confirm your inseam.
- Use a stretchy bind-off so the hem and waistband don't pull tight.
- Work both legs identically and note your increase rounds so the pair matches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Leg (make 2)
Set-up: With A, CO 80 (88, 96) sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM for beginning of round.
Rnd 1: [k1, p1] to end (80 (88, 96) sts).
Rnd 2: [p1, k1] to end (80 (88, 96) sts).
Rnds 3-4: Repeat Rnds 1-2 (80 (88, 96) sts). Continue repeating Rnds 1-2 for moss stitch.
Work even in moss stitch until piece measures 2" from CO.
Inc rnd: k1, m1L, work in moss st to last st, m1R, k1 (82 (90, 98) sts).
Rnds 1-5: Work 5 rnds even in moss st (82 (90, 98) sts).
Repeat the inc rnd every 6 rnds 5 more times total (92 (100, 108) sts).
Work even in moss stitch until piece measures 30" from CO, or desired inseam.
Change to B. Rnds 1-4: Work 4 rnds in moss st (92 (100, 108) sts).
BO loosely in pattern.
Joining the Legs (Crotch)
Turn one leg inside out. Insert it inside the other leg, matching inseams and aligning the bound-off edges. Join the two legs at the crotch using a three-needle bind-off or graft the crotch seam, working across the inner leg edges to close the gap and form the pants.
Waistband
With A, pick up and knit 80 (88, 96) sts evenly around the waist opening. PM and join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: [k1, p1] to end (80 (88, 96) sts).
Rnd 2: [p1, k1] to end (80 (88, 96) sts).
Repeat Rnds 1-2 until waistband measures 1.5". BO loosely in pattern.
Assembly and Finishing
Cut elastic to your waist measurement minus 2". Overlap the ends and sew them securely into a loop. Insert the elastic through the waistband casing, then sew the small opening closed. Weave in all ends. Block the pants to the finished measurements, laying them flat and smoothing the moss stitch; allow to dry fully before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Make the hem band wider (6-8 rnds) in cream for a bolder contrast stripe.
- Shorten the inseam to 26-28" for cropped, ankle-skimming pants.
- Add a drawstring through the waistband alongside the elastic for an adjustable fit.
