How to Make Crochet Shorts: A Complete Pattern Guide for Beginners and Beyond

There is something deeply satisfying about wearing something you made yourself, and crochet shorts are one of those projects that perfectly balance style, wearability, and the kind of skill-building that keeps crafters coming back to their hooks again and again. Whether you are a beginner looking to take on your first garment project or an experienced crocheter who wants to add a breezy summer staple to your handmade wardrobe, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a beautiful, comfortable, and well-fitting pair of crochet shorts.

From choosing the right yarn and hook to working through each step of the pattern, we will cover gauge swatching, construction methods, sizing, finishing techniques, and tips for customizing the design to suit your personal style. By the end of this post, you will have a complete pattern you can follow along with as well as enough understanding of the construction to make thoughtful adjustments along the way.

Why Crochet Shorts Are Worth Making

Before we dive into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why crochet shorts deserve a spot in your project queue.

Unlike knitted or woven fabric, crochet creates a textured, breathable structure that works beautifully for warm-weather garments. The stitch pattern you choose will determine how open and airy the fabric feels, which means you can design shorts that range from a solid, modest look to a more delicate, lacy aesthetic you might layer over a swimsuit or wear to a beach bonfire.

Crochet shorts are also one of the more approachable garment projects. Unlike sweaters, which require careful shaping across multiple panels or working a complex yoke, shorts have a relatively simple silhouette. You work two panels or work in the round, join them at the inseam, and add an elastic waistband. The learning curve is manageable, and the reward is enormous — a wearable piece you actually want to put on.

They are also endlessly customizable. Want a longer Bermuda-style short? Add length. Want a wide-leg, boho silhouette? Adjust your increases. Want to add a ruffle hem or a lace panel? The stitch vocabulary of crochet makes all of this possible without needing to follow an entirely different pattern.

Materials and Tools You Will Need

Getting started means gathering your supplies. Here is what you will need for this pattern.

Yarn: For warm-weather shorts, you want a lightweight, breathable yarn. Cotton yarn is the most popular choice for crochet shorts because it holds its shape, softens with washing, and comes in a wide range of colors. Look for a DK or worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn. Good options include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Cotton DK, or Scheepjes Cahlista. For this pattern, plan on approximately 400 to 600 yards for sizes small through large, and up to 800 yards for sizes XL and above.

Hook: A 4.0mm to 5.0mm crochet hook works well for most DK and worsted weight cottons. The exact size will depend on your gauge, which we will discuss in a moment. Ergonomic hooks are worth the investment for a project like this, since you will be crocheting for several hours.

Elastic: You will need a length of 1-inch wide braided elastic for the waistband. Measure your natural waist or wherever you want the shorts to sit, and cut the elastic to a comfortable, slightly snug fit — usually about 1 to 2 inches shorter than your actual measurement.

Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and seaming the inseam if needed.

Stitch markers: These are helpful for marking the beginning of rounds and any shaping points.

Measuring tape: Essential for checking your gauge and taking your body measurements.

Taking Your Measurements and Choosing Your Size

Before you swatch or cast on a single stitch, take your measurements. This is the single most important step in any crochet garment project, and it is one that beginners often skip at their peril.

You will need the following measurements:

Your hip circumference, measured at the fullest part of your hips. Your waist circumference, measured at the natural waist or wherever you want the shorts to sit. Your desired length from the waist down to the hem. Your inseam length, which is the length of the inner leg from the crotch to wherever you want the hem to fall.

For reference, here are the general size guidelines this pattern follows:

Extra Small fits a hip measurement of 32 to 34 inches. Small fits 35 to 37 inches. Medium fits 38 to 40 inches. Large fits 41 to 43 inches. Extra Large fits 44 to 46 inches. 2X fits 47 to 49 inches.

The pattern is written with about 2 inches of positive ease built in, meaning the finished garment will be slightly larger than your actual measurements. This gives the shorts a comfortable, relaxed fit. If you prefer a more fitted look, you may want to size down, or simply work to your exact hip measurement.

Gauge and Swatching

Gauge is the number of stitches and rows you get per inch of fabric with a specific yarn and hook size. It determines whether your finished shorts will fit correctly, and ignoring it is the fastest path to frustration.

For this pattern, the target gauge is 14 stitches and 16 rows per 4 inches worked in half double crochet with a 4.5mm hook. This is an approximate guide, and your gauge may vary depending on your yarn weight and personal tension.

To make a gauge swatch, chain 20 stitches and work in half double crochet for at least 20 rows. Block the swatch by lightly misting it with water and laying it flat to dry — this is especially important with cotton, which can relax and grow slightly after washing. Then measure the center of the swatch and count how many stitches and rows fall within a 4-inch square.

If you have more stitches than the pattern calls for, your tension is tight and you should move up a hook size. If you have fewer stitches, your tension is loose and you should move down a hook size. Keep swatching until you hit the target gauge, then you are ready to begin.

The Crochet Shorts Pattern

This pattern works the shorts from the waist down in the round, making two legs and joining them at the crotch. It uses primarily half double crochet (hdc) as the main stitch, which creates a dense but comfortable fabric with a pleasing texture.

Abbreviations used in this pattern:

ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, hdc = half double crochet, sc = single crochet, st = stitch, sp = space, BLO = back loop only, MR = magic ring.

Step One: Making the Waistband

The waistband is worked first as a long rectangle that will be folded over to create a casing for the elastic.

Chain 13. Row 1: Hdc in the third chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. (11 sts) Row 2 through Row ending: Work in hdc across, turning at the end of each row, until the waistband measures your hip circumference plus half an inch. This extra length accounts for seaming and stretching. Join the short ends together with a slip stitch or by sewing them with your tapestry needle to form a loop.

Set the waistband aside. You will attach it to the body of the shorts after the legs are complete.

Step Two: Creating the First Leg

The body of the shorts is worked in two separate tubes — one for each leg — and then joined at the crotch.

To begin the first leg, chain the number of stitches corresponding to your size. For extra small, chain 56. For small, chain 62. For medium, chain 68. For large, chain 74. For extra large, chain 80. For 2X, chain 86.

Join with a slip stitch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.

Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), hdc in each chain around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. Round 2 through Round 8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join.

At round 9, you will begin a very gentle increase to shape the hip. To increase, work 2 hdc in one stitch. Place your increases evenly around the leg — for example, in round 9, work an increase every 10 stitches. Continue working rounds with increases every 6 to 8 rounds depending on how much flare you want, until the leg tube measures approximately 4 inches in length or your desired leg length before joining.

After completing the increases, fasten off and leave a long tail. Set the first leg aside.

Step Three: Creating the Second Leg

Repeat the instructions above to create a second identical leg. Do not fasten off at the end of the second leg. Instead, keep your working yarn attached — this is the leg you will use to join.

Step Four: Joining the Legs at the Crotch

This is the step that transforms two separate tubes into a pair of shorts, and it is simpler than it sounds.

Lay both leg tubes flat in front of you. Hold them so the openings face upward. You are going to work around the opening of the first leg and then continue around the opening of the second leg, connecting them as you go.

With your working yarn still attached to the second leg, insert your hook into the first stitch of the first leg. Work 1 hdc across the front of the first leg, working across half the stitches. Work 2 hdc in the stitch at the center back of the first leg to create a slight curve for the crotch. Continue hdc across the remaining stitches of the first leg. Then, without breaking yarn, hdc across the front of the second leg, work 2 hdc at the center back, and continue to the end. You have now joined the two legs and are working in the round across the full seat of the shorts.

Mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker.

Step Five: Working the Body

Continue working in the round in hdc across all stitches. The total stitch count will be the combined stitches of both legs plus any increase stitches added during joining.

Work even — meaning no increases or decreases — for approximately 4 to 6 inches, or until the shorts reach your desired waist height. Try the shorts on periodically as you work if possible, or lay them flat and compare to your measurements. The body should feel comfortable and not pull or bunch.

Step Six: Attaching the Waistband

Once the body is complete, it is time to attach the waistband you made earlier.

Hold the waistband ring against the top edge of the shorts body, with wrong sides facing each other. Working through both layers, use single crochet to join the waistband to the top edge of the shorts. Work slowly and evenly around the full circumference, keeping your tension consistent.

Before you complete the join, thread your elastic through the waistband casing using a safety pin attached to one end of the elastic. Overlap the ends of the elastic by about half an inch and stitch them securely together. Then finish joining the waistband closed.

The elastic casing should now be secure, and the waistband should have a satisfying stretch and snap to it.

Step Seven: Finishing the Hem

For the hem of each leg, you have several options. The simplest is a single round of single crochet worked in the back loops only, which creates a subtle rolled edge. For a more polished look, work two rounds of single crochet. For a decorative hem, try a shell stitch border: skip 2 stitches, work 5 double crochet in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, slip stitch to the next stitch, and repeat around.

Weave in all your ends with a tapestry needle. Wet block the finished shorts by submerging them briefly in cool water, gently pressing out the excess moisture, and laying flat to dry. Cotton is especially responsive to blocking and the shorts will look dramatically more polished after this step.

Tips for Getting a Great Fit

Crochet fabric has some stretch, but not as much as knit fabric, so fit matters. If the shorts feel tight around the hips after blocking, you can add a few stitches at the side seams on your next attempt, or choose a larger hook size. If they feel loose, try a smaller hook or subtract a few stitches from the starting chain.

Pay attention to the crotch depth. If it feels too shallow (meaning the shorts bunch uncomfortably between your legs), add a few extra rows to the body before joining the legs. If the crotch hangs too low, you can work fewer rows.

Don’t skip the try-on. Working in the round means you can slip your work over your hips as you go without frogging anything. Taking a moment to check the fit every few inches can save you hours of rework.

Customization Ideas

One of the joys of making your own crochet shorts is the freedom to customize. Here are some ideas to make your pair uniquely yours.

Try a mesh or lace stitch pattern for the body of the shorts. A simple pattern of chain-2 spaces alternating with single crochets creates an open, beachy texture that works beautifully over a swimsuit.

Add side slits by leaving the last inch or two of each side seam unjoined. This adds a casual, relaxed look and makes the shorts easier to slip on and off.

Incorporate color by working striped rounds in the body, or by choosing a contrasting color for the waistband and hem border. Stripes are easy with in-the-round construction — just switch colors at the beginning of a round.

Embroider or appliqué details onto the finished shorts using surface slip stitches or yarn embroidery. Floral motifs, geometric shapes, and simple lines of color all translate well onto crochet fabric.

Caring for Your Crochet Shorts

Cotton crochet garments are relatively easy to care for compared to wool, but a few guidelines will keep them looking their best. Machine wash on a gentle or delicate cycle in cool water. Lay flat to dry rather than putting them in the dryer, which can cause shrinking and distortion. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, which can stretch it out of shape. If the shorts lose their crisp look after washing, a light spray of water and a gentle tug back into shape is usually all they need.

Final Thoughts

Making your own crochet shorts is a project that rewards patience and careful measuring with something genuinely beautiful and useful. The process of working two legs, joining them, and watching the shape of a wearable garment emerge from your hook is one of the more magical moments in crochet making. Once you have completed your first pair, you will likely find yourself imagining variations — different colors, different textures, longer lengths, wider legs — because that is the nature of handmade clothing. It opens up a whole world of possibility.

Take your time with the gauge swatch, trust your measurements, and do not be afraid to try the shorts on as you go. The pattern is forgiving, the construction is logical, and the finished result is something you will be genuinely proud to wear.

Happy crocheting.