GRANNY PANEL (diagram 1)

Using a colour of your choice, shape a magic ring.

1st round: 3 ch (= 1st tr, also for next r.), 2 tr inside the ring, (1 ch, 3 tr inside the ring) 3 times, pull the end of the yarn tightening the ring and work 1 sc in 3rd beg. ch. Cut and tie off the thread. [4 groups of 3 tr, 4 spaces of 1 ch]

Using different colour yarn, cont. in forth and back r.

2nd row: 4 ch (= 1st tr and 1 ch, also for next r.), * (3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr) in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch *, rep. from * to * twice more, 1 tr in last 1-ch-space of prev. r., turn.

3rd row: 3 ch, 2 tr in 1st 1-ch-space, 1 ch, * (3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr) in next 1-ch-corner-space, 1 ch, 3 tr in next 1-ch-space * twice more, working last tr of last repetition in last tr of prev. row. Cut and tie off the yarn, then turn.

Choice a different colour yarn.

4th row: 4 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch) until next 1-ch-corner-space, * (3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr) in corner space, 1 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch) until next 1-ch-corner-space *, rep. from * to * once, (3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr) in corner space, 1 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch) until the end of row, 1 tr in 3rd beg. ch of prev. row. Turn.

5th row: 3 ch, 2 tr in 1st 1-ch-space, 1 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch) until next 1-ch-corner-space,* (3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr) in corner space, 1 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch) until next 1-ch-corner-space *, rep. from * to * once more, (3 tr, 1 ch, 3 tr) in corner space, 1 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch) until last 1-ch-corner-space, 2 tr in last 1-ch-space and 1 tr in 3rd beg. ch of prev. row. Cut and tie off the yarn, then turn.

From 6th to 25th row: always rep. 4th and 5th row, changing colour every 2 rows.

NB: if you need bigger size, work further rows.

Hide the ends inside the fabric.

Shape second granny panel like first one.

FINISHING

Place one granny panel on the other one (RS against RS) and using darning needle and colour of your choice, sew the side edges of both pieces, inserting the needle into every couple of corresponding dc. Complete joining the lower point of 2 panels (crotch), shaping the opening for legs (= cut leg). Turn on RS.

Legs of the short: join colour of your choice in 1-ch-space next to the crotch seam, then cont. around the edge of first cut leg.

1st round: 3 ch (= 1st tr, also for next r.), 2 tr in same space of 3 ch, 1 ch (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch), rep. across the entire round; 1 sc in 3rd beg. ch.

2nd round: 1 sc until 1st 1-ch-space, 3 ch and 2 tr in 1st 1-ch-space, 1 ch, (3 tr in next 1-ch-space, 1 ch), rep. across the entire round; 1 sc in 3rd beg. ch. Cut and tie off the yarn, then change colour as you like.

Cont. granny working until end of 8th round, changing col. every 2 rounds.

Using col. 3 fuchsia, work 1 round in dc around edge of the leg. Cut and tie off the thread.

Hide the ends inside the fabric.

Work the second leg as given for first one.

Top band of short

Work 1st round in empty spaces of the ends of every row of 2 granny panels (diagram 2).

1st round: join colour of your choice in one empty space at the end of one row next to the side seam (top edge of the short). Work 3 ch (= 1st tr) and 2 tr into the same space, 3 tr in every empty space at the end of every row of 2 granny panels, like shown by the diagram 2; 1 sc in 3rd beg. ch.

2nd round. 1 ch (do not count as 1st st.), 1 dc in same base st. of the ch, 1 dc in each tr of the round; 1 sc in beg. dc. turn.

Now work on front and back separately. To make it easier, PM on every side of the short, dividing 2 groups of dc.

Work in forth and back r. on sts. of front, rep. 3rd and 4th row of diagram 2 until end of 10th row; work the rows in dc on RS and the rows in d-tr on WS. At the end of 3rd row, every 2 rows, change colour as you like. Cut and tie off the thread.

Work the back top band as given for front one.

Using same colour of last row of band, work 1 round in dc around top edge of short (side openings included). Cut and tie off the thread.

Hide the ends inside the fabric.

Straps: using col. 3, shape 2 strings in ch, of desired length. Pass every string through the empty squares of side openings of 2 bands (front and back), crossing the ends from down to top. Shape and fix one tassel at the end of each sting. Fasten sides of top edges of short shaping a bow.