Moss Stitch Short Lounge Set with Leaf Pockets: Free Knit Pattern

Moss Stitch Short Lounge Set with Leaf Pockets: Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This relaxed, unisex lounge set is the kind of project you reach for when you want something soft, simple, and genuinely wearable. It's designed for knitters who are comfortable with knit and purl stitches and ready to try their first garment — no complicated shaping, no fussy colorwork, just soothing moss stitch from start to finish. The short-sleeve square top and straight-tube shorts are knit in recycled cotton in a deep moss green, with two small lichen-green patch pockets on the front, each finished with a tiny duplicate-stitch leaf. The fabric comes out bumpy, breathable, and slightly rustic — cool against the skin and perfect for warm evenings, slow mornings, and everything in between.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4) recycled cotton, approx 200–220 yd (183–201 m) per 100 g skein.
  • MC (moss green): approx 600–800 yd (549–732 m), depending on size
  • CC (lichen light green): approx 50 yd (46 m) for the pockets
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, 24–32 in (60–80 cm) long, or size to obtain gauge; set of 4 double-pointed needles US 7 (4.5 mm) for sleeves and shorts legs (optional if you use magic loop)
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, tapestry needle, 1 in (2.5 cm) wide elastic for the waistband, 4.5 mm crochet hook (optional, for edging)
• Finished size: S (M, L, XL). Finished chest circumference: 36 (40, 44, 48) in (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122) cm. Finished length: 24 (25, 26, 27) in (61, 63.5, 66, 68.5) cm. Shorts waist: 28 (32, 36, 40) in (71, 81, 91.5, 101.5) cm, with elastic. Shorts inseam: 4 in (10 cm). Pocket: 4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm).

Abbreviations

• CO — cast on
• BO — bind off
• k — knit
• p — purl
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• RS — right side (the outside of the fabric)
• WS — wrong side (the inside of the fabric)
• dec — decrease (knit or purl 2 stitches together)
• beg — beginning
• rep — repeat
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• MC — main color (moss green)
• CC — contrast color (lichen light green)

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in moss stitch pattern, blocked. Knit a 6 x 6 in swatch, block it, and measure a 4 in section in the middle — if you have more stitches than 18, go up a needle size; if fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Moss stitch is a two-row repeat, but every row looks the same. Place a marker on the RS of your work so you always know which row comes next — this saves a lot of ripping.
• Cotton has little stretch. Work your bind-offs loosely (or use a needle one size larger) so necklines, armholes, and leg openings stay comfortable.
• Swatch and block first. Recycled cotton can grow slightly in length after washing, so trust the blocked gauge, not the unblocked one.
• Try the top on as you go. Because the body is knit flat and straight, it's easy to hold it up against yourself before seaming to check the length.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Moss Stitch Pattern (multiple of 2 sts)

Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 2: *p1, k1; rep from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1–2 for pattern. When working in the round, use the same sequence, adjusting as needed.

Back (MC)

CO 80 (90, 100, 110) sts.
Work in moss st until piece measures 14 (14.5, 15, 15.5) in from CO, ending with a WS row.
Shape armholes: BO 4 (5, 6, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Dec 1 st each side every RS row 3 (4, 5, 6) times — 66 (72, 78, 84) sts.
Work even until armhole measures 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5) in, ending with a WS row.
Shape shoulders: BO 6 (7, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 4 rows.
BO remaining 30 (32, 34, 36) sts for back neck.

Front (MC)

Work as for Back until armhole measures 4 (4.5, 5, 5.5) in, ending with a WS row.
Shape neck: Work 24 (27, 30, 33) sts, join second ball of yarn and BO center 20 (22, 24, 26) sts, work to end.
Dec 1 st at each neck edge every RS row 5 (6, 7, 8) times — 18 (21, 24, 27) sts each side.
Work even until armhole measures same as Back.
Shape shoulders: BO 6 (7, 8, 9) sts at beg of next 4 rows.

Sleeves (MC) — make 2

CO 40 (44, 48, 52) sts.
Work in moss st for 4 in.
BO all sts loosely.

Pockets (CC) — make 2

CO 18 sts.
Work in moss st for 18 rows.
BO all sts.
Leaf motif (MC): Using duplicate stitch, embroider a simple leaf shape at one corner of each pocket: work straight stitches from the corner point outward, then add a center vein. Alternatively, follow a small chart: Rows 1–5, work the leaf shape with 5–7 sts in duplicate stitch.

Shorts (MC)

CO 120 (136, 152, 168) sts. Join to work in the round. Place marker for beg of rnd.
Work in moss st in the round:
Rnd 1: *k1, p1; rep from * around.
Rnd 2: *p1, k1; rep from * around.
Repeat Rnds 1–2 until piece measures 2 in from CO.
Shape crotch: BO 6 (8, 10, 12) sts at beg of next 2 rnds (front and back). Now work back and forth in rows for each leg separately.

Left Leg

Work even in moss st on 54 (60, 66, 72) sts until leg measures 4 in from crotch, ending with a WS row.
BO all sts loosely.

Right Leg

With RS facing, rejoin yarn to remaining 54 (60, 66, 72) sts and work same as Left Leg.
BO all sts loosely.

Waistband

With MC, pick up and knit 120 (136, 152, 168) sts evenly around waist edge.
Work in k1, p1 rib for 1 in.
BO loosely.
Cut elastic to waist measurement minus 2 in; thread through waistband casing (or sew elastic to inside of waistband). Sew opening closed.

Edging (optional)

Work a single crochet edging around neck, sleeves, and leg openings to neaten, using MC and a 4.5 mm hook. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew shoulder seams. Sew side seams. Sew sleeve seams and set in sleeves. Sew pockets to the front at the desired position — approx 2 in above the hem, centered on each front side. Weave in all ends. Block the top and shorts to the measurements listed above, pinning the pockets flat so they don't curl. Let dry completely before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make it a dress: lengthen the top body and skip the shorts for a simple moss-stitch shift.
• Play with pockets: swap the leaf for a tiny flower or a simple initial in duplicate stitch, or use a contrasting yarn for the whole pocket.
• Adjust the fit: add or remove stitches in multiples of 2 to change the ease, and lengthen the shorts legs for a capri look.