I’ll be honest…I’ve been wanting to make a pair of crochet shorts forever, but I was scared! I’m so glad I took the leap, because these shorts turned out so well. Ready to make your own? If you’re intimidated like I was, don’t worry, we’ll walk through it together. Here’s the secret….
These crochet shorts are actually beginner friendly and very easy to make.
Surprise! My fear of crochet shorts was completely unfounded. Not only can we all make some, they also won’t take long to make and they look really cute.
You can wear them as is, or you could make a pair just for over your bikini at the beach. I actually think for beach wear, the combo of last weeks crochet poncho summer top and these shorts would look awesome together.
If you’d like to make a matching top, here’s the free crochet top pattern and video tutorial
I used Organic Baby Cotton from Ice Yarn for this one. If you haven’t noticed, cotton is my go to summer yarn. I also really like the quality of Ice yarn. They definitely know good quality yarn.
These make up quick, don’t take up a lot of yarn and are a hot commodity for the coming summer, so they’d be perfect as gifts or for those that like to sell their finished work.
You’re welcome to sell your finished products from my design, just tag me for the design credit as usual.
If you’d like to have the ad free PDF with detailed photo instructions for your crochet library, it’s available for purchase on all my usual channels. Shop below:
Materials
- #3 Light/DK yarn
- I used ICE yarn Organic Baby Cotton #3 Light/DK yarn
- Color pictured = Grey
- Crochet hook size 3 mm
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
*These materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.
Stitches Used & Code
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sk = skip
- sp = space
- sl st = slip stitch
- bl = back loop
- REP = repeat
- Picot = ch 3, sl st into the back bump of the first ch that you made
- ” = inches
Notes :
- This crochet pattern is made as US women’s sizes XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL )
- In this picture I have demonstrated with size small
Yarn needed : 450( 490, 560, 610, 680, 730 ) Yards
Gauge blocked :
- Waistband : 20 hdc X 13 rows = 4″
- Body : 20 hdc X 14 rows = 4″
Measurements ( After blocked )
Waist Circumference : 24.92( 26.46, 28.30, 30.15, 32, 33.84 ) inches
Hip Circumference : 32.40( 34.40, 36.80, 39.20, 41.60, 44 ) inches
Length : 13.40( 13.68, 14.45, 14.47, 15.51, 15.80 ) inches
Pattern
Waistband
Note : For the waistband we’re going to crochet in rows and join the ends together to form the waistband
Row 1 : ch 17( 17, 18, 18, 19, 19 ), 1 hdc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 16( 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 ) hdc
Row 2 : Turn, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into the bl of each st across. Total of 16( 16, 17, 17, 18, 18 ) hdc
Row 3 – Row 81( 86, 92, 98, 104, 110 ) REP Row 2
After you reach the end of row 81( 86, 92, 98, 104, 110 ) we’ll connect the ends together. Turn, ch 1, sl st into each st of both ends together across forming a waistband. Turn your waistband inside out so that the bump from the join is on the inside. Do not fasten off. We’ll continue on the body of the shorts.
Body
Notes :
- For the body we’re going to crochet in round.
- For round 1 only, we’re going to crochet into the end of each row of the waistband ( sp for reference )
- Make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in every round.
Round 1 : ch 1 ( do not count as a st ),2 hdc into each sp around. Total of 162( 172, 184, 196, 208, 220 ) hdc. Check picture below
Round 2 : 1 hdc into each st around. Total of 162( 172, 184, 196, 208, 220 ) hdc
Round 3 – Round 25( 26, 28, 29, 31, 32 ) REP Round 2
Left leg
Note : Make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in every round.
Round 26( 27, 29, 30, 32, 33 ) : ch 19( 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 ), sk 81( 86, 92, 98, 104, 110 ) st, sl st into next st, 1 hdc into same st that you just sl st, 1 hdc into each st around ( including the 19( 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 ) ch that you did ). Total of 100( 106, 113, 120, 127, 134 ) hdc. Check picture below
Round 27( 28, 30, 31, 33, 34 ) : 1 hdc into each st around. Total of 100( 106, 113, 120, 127, 134 ) hdc
Round 28( 29, 31, 32, 34, 35 ) – Round 35( 36, 38, 39, 41, 42 ) REP Round 27( 28, 30, 31, 33, 34 ) *If you want a shorter shorts, just make less rows. If you want a longer shorts, just keep adding more rows.
The end of round 35( 36, 38, 39, 41, 42 ) Cut the yarn and weave the end. Check picture below
Right leg
Note : Make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in every round.
Round 26( 27, 29, 30, 32, 33 ) : Add new yarn into the corner that you made the 19( 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 ) ch, then ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), 1 hdc into the same st that we just added new yarn, 1 hdc into each around ( Including the 19( 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 ) ch that you made from the left leg ). Total of 100( 106, 113, 120, 127, 134 ) hdc. Check picture below
Round 27( 28, 30, 31, 33, 34 ) : 1 hdc into each st around. Total of 100( 106, 113, 120, 127, 134 ) hdc
Round 28( 29, 31, 32, 34, 35 ) – Round 35( 36, 38, 39, 41, 42 ) REP Round 27( 28, 30, 31, 33, 34 ) *If you want a shorter shorts, just make less rows. If you want a longer shorts, just keep adding more rows ( Make sure that you have the same amount of rows on both legs ).
Crochet around the waistband edge
For the waistband edge, we’re going to crochet into the end of the row of the waistband ( sp for reference )
Add new yarn anywhere you like, ch 1 ( do not count as a st ), *( 1 sc, Picot, 1 sc, All into same sp ), ch 1 loosely , sk next sp* REP from *TO* around, sl st into the first sc that you did. Check picture below
The Drawstring
I decided to make my drawstring thin, but if you’d like a thicker drawstring, you can put two strands of yarn together to make your chain.
Make the ch until it reaches about 58-70″ long ( Make sure that it’s long enough to wrap around your waist with enough extra to tie a bow), cut the yarn and weave all the ends
Adding the drawstring into your shorts
You can choose whichever side you want to be the front or back. Lay your shorts down with whichever side you chose facing up. We’ll find the center line of the shorts and start threading the drawstring into the ch 1 sp that we did the waistband edge. Insert alternating in and out all the way around, then you can tie it into a cute little bow 🎀 Check picture below
You did it, congratulations! These were the first crochet shorts I’d ever made, and I hope you’re as excited and happy with yours as I was with mine. If you’d like to share your finished work, feel free to tag me on IG or FB, I’d love to see them
