OBSESSED WITH QUALITY YARN SINCE 1952
What A Life
Design: Katja Dyrberg // Popknit
Embracing life, tasting all the fruits of the garden and experiencing all the colours of the
rainbow, this was the designer’s inspiration for the colour scheme
of these beautiful summer shorts, with a cut and fit that invites you to play, move and enjoy life
to the fullest.
These shorts matches perfectly with the Joyride top.
#FilcolanaWhatALife 1st edition - January 2024
filcolana © 2024 English translation: Sanne Bjerregaard
Sizes & Measurements
XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL
Fits hip width/waist
84-91/60-67 (92-99/68-75) 100-107/76-83 D D
(108-116/84-93)117-126/94-105 (127-136/106-
117)137-146/118-129 cm
A
Hip width (A)
85 (93) 101 (109) 117 (127) 137 cm
Leg, inseam (B) B
10 (10) 10,5 (10,5) 11 (11,5) 12 cm
Knitting direction (D)
Materials Materials
YARN FROM FILCOLANA NEEDLES
3.5 mm and 4 mm circular needles,
Colour A 40 cm and 60-120 cm.
Arwetta colour 380 (Coral Sunset)
50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (100) 100 g and EXTRAS
Tilia colour 335 (Peach Blossom) 1 Stitch marker
25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (50) 50 g 3 Stitch holders
Colour B 3 (3) 4 (4) 4 (4) 4 cm wide elastic band, the length that
Arwetta colour 313 (Bubblegum) equals the circumference of your waist
50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (100) 100 g and
Tilia colour 313 (Bubblegum)
25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (50) 50 g
Colour C
Arwetta colour 365 (Calendula) Gauge
50 (50) 50 (50) 50 (100) 100 g and
Tilia colour 365 (Calendula)
25 (25) 25 (25) 25 (50) 50 g 21 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette, using 4 mm
needle and 1 strand of Arwetta and 1 strand of Tilia
Colour D held together = 10 x 10 cm.
Arwetta colour 379 (Sprout)
50 (50) 100 (100) 100 (100) 100 g and Gauge is measured after washing.
Tilia colour 367 (Lemongrass)
25 (25) 50 (50) 50 (50) 50 g Needle sizes are for guidance only.
If you have more stitches on 10 cm, change to a larger
Each colour is worked with 1 strand of Arwetta and needle. If you have fewer stitches on 10 cm, change to
1 strand of Tilia held together throughout work. smaller needles.
#FilcolanaWhatALife 2 of 7
Technique
Short row stitch
Slip 1st onto right-hand needle with yarn in front.
Tug the yarn up and over the right-hand needle (away
from yourself). This creates a double stitch. Continue
working the row as instructed in the pattern. On next
ABBREVIATIONS
row work the double sts together as either k2tog or
p2tog depending on what the stitches indicate.
k: knit
This technique is called German Short Rows.
row purl
st(s): stitch(es)
Knitting cast on
RS: right side
*K1, but leave the stitch on the left needle, slip the new
WS: wrong side
stitch on the right needle twisted onto the left needle
tog: together
in front of the first stitch*, repeat from * to * until you
tbl: through the back loop of stitch
have cast-on the desired number of stitches.
M1R (Right slanted increase)
From the back, lift the horizontal strand between the
Workflow
two stitches with the left needle and knit through the
front loop.
M1RP (Right slanted increase worked on WS)
With the left needle pick up the strand between 2 sts What A Life shorts are worked in stockinette stitches,
from back to front and purl through the front loop. and 2 pieces and then grafted together at mid front and
mid back.
M1L (Left slanted increase)
From the front, lift the horizontal strand between Lefthand side and righthand side of the shorts are
stitches with the left needle and knit through the back worked separately top down, each in 2 colours using
loop. intarsia technique when changing between the colours.
To create an oblique crotch seam, increases are worked
M1LP (Left slanted increase worked on WS) in different intervals on each side of each piece.
From the front, lift the horizontal strand between
stitches with the left needle and purl through the back Then work is then divided, and each leg is finished
loop. separately with short rows to create a rounding at the
bottom of each leg.
ssk improved worked on RS
Slip 1 stitch knitwise and next stitch purlwise, insert Left and right side of the shorts are sewn together along
left needle tip into the fronts of these 2 slipped stitches the sides and inner seam of the legs are also sewn with
and knit them together. mattress stitches.
ssk improved worked on WS All stitches are bound off with an I-cord.
Slip 2 stitches individually as if to knit, slip both sts Stitches are picked up along the cast on edge, and
purlwise back on left needle tip and work p2tbl. waistband is worked in twisted rib with a wide elastic
band pulled through.
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
Intarsia
When changing colours, the strands should be
crossed on the WS of work to avoid holes at the colour
transition. Place the strand with the present colour
OVER the new colour that you will be working with,
cross the strands, tighten the new colour slightly, and
continue knitting it.
#FilcolanaWhatALife 3 of 7
Repeat 1st-4th row 3 times = 90 (98) 106 (114) 122
Pattern (132) 142 sts.
Repeat 1st–2nd row 3 times = 96 (104) 112 (120)
128 (138) 148 sts.
SHORTS
Left side Now increase on every other row at mid front and on
Cast on 78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (120) 130 sts on 4 mm every row at mid back, as follows:
needle, in colour A, using 1 strand of Arwetta and 1st row (RS): K3, M1L, knit to last 3 sts, M1R, k3 =
1 strand of Tilia held together. Make sure to have a 98 (106) 114 (122) 130 (140) 150 sts.
long tail of yarn (approx. 0.5 mtr) left from cast on, this 2nd row: P3, M1RP, purl to end of row = 99 (107)
is for seaming together later. 115 (123) 131 (141) 151 sts.
1st row (WS): P39 (43) 47 (51) 55 (60) 65 sts, place Repeat above 2 rows another 5 times = 114 (122) 130
marker, join colour B to work, p39 (43) 47 (51) 55 (138) 146 (156) 166 sts. Last row is from WS.
(60) 65 sts.
2nd row: K39 (43) 47 (51) 55 (60) 65 sts, change
to colour A using the intarsia technique, k39 (43) 47
(51) 55 (60) 65 sts.
Now work der short rows and change colours at the
marker, using the intarsia technique, as follows:
1st short row (WS): P17 (18) 19 (20) 21 (22) 23 sts,
turn work.
2nd short row (RS): Work short row st, k16 (17) 18
(19) 20 (21) 22 sts.
3rd short row (WS): Purl to short row st from previous
row, purl through both loops of the short row st as if to
purl together, p8 (9) 9 (10) 10 (11) 11, turn work.
4th short row (RS): Work short row st, knit to end of
row.
Repeat 3rd – 4th row 3 times more.
Next row (WS): Purl to the short row st from previous
row, purl through booth loops of the short row st, as if
to purl together, purl to end of row.
All short rows are now completed.
Work 0 (0) 0 (4) 4 (8) 8 rows in stockinette st. Last
row is from WS.
Now work increases each side, as follows:
1st row (RS): K3, M1L, knit to last 3 sts, M1R, k3 =
80 (88) 96 (104) 112 (122) 132 sts.
2nd row: Purl to end of row.
3rd-8th row: Knit to end of row.
Repeat 1st–8th row 2 times more = 84 (92) 100 (108)
116 (126) 136 sts.
#FilcolanaWhatALife 4 of 7
Work 14 (14) 16 (16) 18 (20) 22 rows of stockinette Next row: Purl to short row st from previous row, work
st. Last row is from WS. both loops of the short row st together as to p2tog,
work all short row sts the same way, end p1.
From here each leg is worked separately and rounded #
with short rows at the bottom.
Do not break the yarn. Slip all sts to a stitch holder and
From RS, slip last 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (81) 86 sts of leave them to rest while working the back part of the leg
row to a stitch holder and leave sts to rest, with the yarn as follows:
balls in colour A still attached to work, while short rows
are worked over the 54 (58) 62 (66) 70 (75) 80 sts on Left side, back part of leg
front part of leg, as follows: Slip all sts from the back part of the leg to 4 mm needle.
Left side, front part of leg Grab colour A attached to the sts, begin on RS and
# work the sts as on front part of the leg from # to #, but
1st short row (RS): Knit to 1 st left on needle, turn 3rd - 4th short row is worked 6 times in total.
work.
2nd short row (WS): Work short row st, purl to 1 st Do not break the yarn. Slip all sts to a stitch holder
left on needle, turn work. and leave them to rest while working right side of the
3rd short row (RS): Work short row st, knit to short shorts, as follows:
row sts from previous row and turn work before this st.
4th short row (WS): Work short row st, purl to short RIGHT SIDE
row st from previous row and turn work before this st. Cast on 78 (86) 94 (102) 110 (120) 130 sts on 4 mm
needle, in colour C, using 1 strand of Arwetta and 1
Repeat 3rd – 4th short row 4 gange times more. strand of Tilia held together. Make sure to have a long
tail of yarn (approx. 0.5 mtr) left from cast on, this is
Last short row (RS): Work short row st, knit to short for seaming together later.
row st from previous row, work both loops of the short
row st together as to k2tog, work all short row sts the 1st row (WS): P39 (43) 47 (51) 55 (60) 65 sts, place
same way, end k1. marker, join colour D to work and p39 (43) 47 (51)
55 (60) 65 sts.
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Now work der short rows and change colours at the Now work increases each side, as follows:
marker, using the intarsia technique, as follows: 1st row (RS): K3, M1L, knit to last 3 sts, M1R, k3 =
1st short row (RS): K17 (18) 19 (20) 21 (22) 23 sts, 80 (88) 96 (104) 112 (122) 132 sts.
turn work. 2nd row: Purl to end of row.
2nd short row (WS): Work short row st, p16 (17) 18 3rd-8th row: Knit to end of row.
(19) 20 (21) 22 sts.
3rd short row (RS): Knit to short row st from previous Repeat 1st–8th row 2 times more = 84 (92) 100 (108)
row, knit through both loops of the short row st as if to 116 (126) 136 sts.
k2tog, k8 (9) 9 (10) 10 (11) 11, turn work.
4th short row (WS): work short row st, purl to end of Repeat 1st-4th row 3 times = 90 (98) 106 (114) 122
row. (132) 142 sts.
Repeat 3rd – 4th row 3 times more.
Repeat 1st–2nd row 3 times = 96 (104) 112 (120)
Next row (RS): Knit to the short row st from previous 128 (138) 148 sts.
row, knit through booth loops of the short row st, as if
to k2tog, knit to end of row. Now increase on every other row at mid front and on
every row at mid back, as follows:
All short rows are now completed. 1st row (RS): K3, M1L, knit to last 3 sts, M1R, k3 =
98 (106) 114 (122) 130 (140) 150 sts.
Work 1 (1) 1 (5) 5 (9) 9 more rows in stockinette st. 2nd row: Purl to last 3 sts, M1LP, p3 = 99 (107) 115
Last row is from WS. (123) 131 (141) 151 sts.
Repeat above 2 rows another 5 times = 114 (122) 130
(138) 146 (156) 166 sts. Last row is from WS.
Work 14 (14) 16 (16) 18 (20) 22 rows of stockinette
st. Last row is from WS.
From here each part of the leg is worked separately and
rounded with short rows at the bottom.
Right side, back part of the leg
From RS, slip last 54 (58) 62 (66) 70 (75) 80 sts of
row to a stitch holder and leave sts to rest, with the
yarn balls in colour C still attached, while short rows
are worked over the 60 (64) 68 (72) 76 (81) 86 sts on
back part of leg, as follows:
#
1st short row (RS): Knit to 1 st left on needle, turn
work.
2nd short row (WS): Work short row st, purl to 1 st
left on needle, turn work.
3rd short row (RS): Work short row st, knit to short
row st from previous row, turn work before this st.
4th short row (WS): Work short row st, purl to short
row st fromprevious row, turn work before this st.
Repeat 3rd - 4th short row 5 times more.
Last short row (RS): Work short row st, knit to short
row st from previous row, work both loops of short row
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st as to k2tog, work all short row sts the same way, end Right leg
k1. With RS facing, slip all sts from right leg to 4 mm
Next row: Purl to short row st from previous row, work needle, begin at inseam of this leg with colour D still
both loops of short row st as to p2tog, work all short attached to the sts.
row sts the same way, end p1.
# Work from ## to ##, when 1 st left in colour D, break
colour D and change to colour C.
Do not break the yarn. Slip all sts to a stitch holder and
leave them to rest while working the front part of the Break the yarn and sew the ends of the I-cord together
leg as follows: with Kitchener sts in colour C.
Right side, front part of the leg Waistband
Slip all sts from the front part of the leg to 4 mm needle. Using 3.5 mm needle and colour C, pick up and knit
sts along RS of the cast on edge. Pick up the new sts in
Grab colour C attached to the sts, begin on RS and the row below cast on row, this will cover the cast on
work the sts as on back part of the leg from # to #, but edge completely.
3rd- 4th short row are worked only 5 times in total. Begin at mid back and pick up 152 (168) 184 (200)
216 (236) 256 sts along the cast on edge. Insert
Do not break the yarn, slip sts to rest on a stitch holder. beginning of round marker and join to a round.
Sew the pieces together Work twisted rib (k1tbl, p1), until rib measures 3 (3) 4
Place both back parts opposite each other, RS up, and (4) 4 (4) 4 cm.
sew the parts together with mattress sts using the long
tail from casting on sts. The crotch seam on the back Purl 1 round.
is sewn with the long tail of colour A, the front seam is
sewn with the long end of colour C. Do not weave in Work another 3 (3) 4 (4) 4 (4) 4 cm of twisted rib
the ends, instead use the tail of colour C for sewing the (k1tbl, p1).
right-side leg inseam and the tail of colour A for sewing
the left-side leg inseam. Join the waistband to WS, as follows:
Measure out a piece of elastic, same length as the
I-CORD circumference of your waist. Carefully sew the ends
Left leg of the elastic band together and place the band to the
With RS facing, slip all sts from left leg to 4 mm needle, inside of the lower part of the rib.
begin at inseam of this leg with colour B still attached Bend upper part of the rib down to the WS and fasten
to the sts. the rib to the cast on edge while binding off the sts, as
follows:
## Lift 1st from the cast on edge to left hand needle tip
Cast on 2 sts using the knitted cast on technique and and work k2tog, *lift next st from cast on edge to
work I-cord bind off, as follows: lefthand needle tip and work k2tog, on righthand
*K2, work ssk improved = 3 sts on righthand needle needle pass second st over first st, as an ordinary bind
tip. Slip these 3 sts back to lefthand needle*, repeat off*, repeat from * to *, to all sts have been bound off.
from * to *, to 1 st in colour B left on lefthand needle, Be careful neither to bind off to lose nor to firm.
break colour B, change to colour A and repeat from * As an alternative you can bind off sts knitwise and sew
to *, to all sts are bound off. onto cast on edge on WS.
##
FINISHING
Break the yarn and sew the ends of the I-cord together Weave in all ends.
with Kitchener sts in colour A.
Wash the shorts according to instructions on labels and
leave them to dry flat on a towel.
#FilcolanaWhatALife 7 of 7
