Crochet Summer Dresses Guide: Shorts Bella Color Plus in Crochet with Bella Yarn

There is something deeply satisfying about wearing a garment you made yourself, especially when the sun is warm, the days are long, and the piece you are wearing is both beautiful and handmade. Crochet summer fashion has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, moving far beyond the granny squares and pot holders that many people associate with the craft. Today, crochet is high fashion. It walks runways, fills boutique windows, and, most importantly, lives in the hands of passionate makers who understand that slow fashion can be stunning fashion.

This guide is dedicated to one of the most exciting projects you can take on as a crochet enthusiast: the Shorts Bella Color Plus, made with the gorgeous Bella yarn. Whether you are an experienced crocheter looking for a new challenge or an intermediate maker ready to level up your wardrobe, this project has everything — color, texture, wearability, and that undeniable pride that comes from wearing your own work.

Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about this project, the yarn, the technique, and the joy of crochet summer dressing.

Why Crochet Summer Dresses and Shorts Are Having a Moment

Before we get into the specifics of the Shorts Bella Color Plus project, it is worth talking about why crochet summer garments have become so popular. The fashion world has been leaning heavily into handmade aesthetics, cottagecore vibes, and the broader slow fashion movement. Crochet sits beautifully at the intersection of all of these trends.

Crochet fabric is inherently breathable. Unlike knitted fabrics, which can trap heat and sit heavily on the body, crochet creates an open, lacy structure that allows air to move freely. For summer dresses, shorts, and cover-ups, this makes crochet an ideal choice. You get the beauty of a textile garment without the stuffiness that summer heat can otherwise make unbearable.

There is also the matter of customization. Store-bought summer clothes come in limited sizes, limited colors, and limited styles. When you crochet your own pieces, you control every variable. You choose the colorway, the stitch pattern, the length, and the fit. For anyone who has ever struggled to find ready-to-wear clothing that fits their body well — and that is a very large number of people — crochet is genuinely liberating.

The Shorts Bella Color Plus project embodies all of this. It is a wearable, fashionable piece that celebrates the maker’s body and skills while producing something genuinely stunning.

Getting to Know the Bella Yarn

The star ingredient in any crochet project is the yarn, and the Bella yarn is a particularly wonderful choice for summer garments. Understanding the properties of your yarn before you begin is one of the most important steps in any crochet project, and the Bella yarn rewards careful attention.

Bella yarn is typically made from cotton or a cotton-blend fiber, which is precisely what you want for warm-weather wearables. Cotton fibers have natural moisture-wicking properties, meaning they pull perspiration away from the skin rather than holding it against you. This keeps you comfortable even on humid days when synthetic fibers might feel sticky or suffocating.

The texture of Bella yarn is smooth and consistent, which makes it an excellent choice for garments that will be worn close to the skin. Scratchy yarns are wonderful for home décor and accessories, but when you are making shorts or dresses, softness matters enormously. Bella yarn delivers a gentle, comfortable hand feel that makes finished garments a pleasure to wear throughout the day.

One of the most exciting things about this yarn line is its color range. The “Color Plus” aspect of this project is not just a name — it speaks to the vibrant, saturated hues that Bella yarn is known for. Whether you are drawn to bold jewel tones, soft pastels, earthy neutrals, or bright tropical shades, the Bella yarn range has options that will make your finished piece truly sing. The dye lots are consistent and the colors hold their vibrancy wash after wash, which matters tremendously for a garment you will want to wear season after season.

The weight of the yarn also matters when you are constructing a garment. Bella yarn falls into a weight range that allows you to create fabric with beautiful drape without sacrificing stitch definition. You can see every stitch clearly, which is important both for the construction process and for the finished aesthetic of the piece. Nobody wants a summer garment that looks muddy or unclear — the stitch pattern is part of the beauty.

Understanding the Shorts Bella Color Plus Design

The Shorts Bella Color Plus is a design that celebrates femininity, color, and the unique beauty of plus-size bodies. The name itself is significant. The “Plus” does not only refer to the plus-size range — though it absolutely is designed to be flattering and comfortable across a wide range of body shapes — it also speaks to the abundance of the design itself. The richness of color, the generosity of the construction, the “plus” of beauty that crochet adds to a simple garment.

The silhouette of these crocheted shorts works well as a standalone piece or layered under a flowing crochet top or beach cover-up. The design typically features a waistband that can be adjusted for comfort, a flowing or structured leg opening depending on the variation you choose, and the distinctive colorwork that makes this project immediately recognizable.

The colorwork is where the magic truly happens. Rather than using a single solid color, the Bella Color Plus design encourages you to play with multiple shades of Bella yarn to create gradients, stripes, or more complex colorwork patterns. This is where your personality as a maker really shines through. Two people could make the same pattern and produce pieces that look entirely different simply by choosing different color combinations.

The construction method tends to be intuitive for anyone who has crocheted garments before. The piece is typically worked in sections that are joined as you go, which means you spend less time doing flat seaming at the end and more time actually crocheting, which is always a good thing. The stitch patterns used are generally accessible — variations on single crochet, double crochet, and shell stitches — though the combination of these creates a fabric that looks far more complex than the individual stitches might suggest.

Essential Materials and Tools

Getting your materials together before you begin is one of the most important steps in any crochet project. Here is a thorough overview of what you will need for the Shorts Bella Color Plus.

Yarn: Multiple skeins of Bella yarn in your chosen colors. The exact quantity will depend on your size, but it is always better to purchase a little more yarn than you think you will need. Running out of a yarn mid-project can be deeply frustrating, especially if the dye lot has changed or the color has sold out. For a plus-size garment worked in multiple colors, plan generously.

Hook: The recommended hook size for Bella yarn typically falls in the range that suits the weight of the yarn. Always refer to the yarn band for the manufacturer’s recommendation, but remember that your personal tension may require you to go up or down a hook size. A well-fitting garment depends on accurate gauge, so do not skip the gauge swatch.

Measuring tape: Essential for checking your gauge swatch and for taking body measurements before you begin. Crochet garment fitting is much easier when you know your measurements precisely.

Stitch markers: These small tools are invaluable when working on garments. They help you track rounds, mark increases and decreases, and keep your place when you need to put the work down and come back to it.

Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and for any joining that needs to be done with a needle rather than a hook. You will have plenty of ends to weave in with colorwork, so having a good blunt-tipped yarn needle is important.

Scissors: Sharp scissors make clean cuts and clean cuts make tidy work. This sounds simple but it makes a real difference.

Elastic or drawstring cord: Depending on the waistband construction in your specific pattern, you may need elastic or a drawstring cord to ensure the shorts stay comfortably in place.

The Importance of Gauge

It cannot be overstated how important gauge is when making a crochet garment. Gauge is the number of stitches and rows per inch that your particular combination of yarn, hook, and tension produces. Because everyone crochets differently — some people work loosely, others tightly — the same yarn and hook can produce very different fabric densities in different hands.

Before casting on for the main piece, crochet a gauge swatch of at least four inches by four inches. Wash and block this swatch, because washing can change the dimensions of crochet fabric significantly. Once it is dry, measure it against the gauge given in your pattern.

If your gauge does not match, adjust your hook size. If you have too many stitches per inch, your tension is too tight — go up a hook size. If you have too few stitches per inch, your tension is too loose — go down a hook size. Keep adjusting and swatching until your gauge matches the pattern gauge.

This process can feel tedious, especially when you are excited to start the main project. But a garment made at the wrong gauge will not fit correctly, no matter how beautifully you execute the stitches. A gauge swatch is an investment in the success of your finished piece.

Working with Color in the Bella Color Plus Design

One of the most joyful aspects of this project is the opportunity to work with multiple colors. If you have not done much colorwork in crochet before, the Bella Color Plus design is a wonderful introduction because the color changes are typically manageable — often happening at the end of rows or at designated transition points — rather than requiring you to carry multiple colors simultaneously across a row.

When choosing your colors, think about contrast and harmony. Colors that are too similar in value (meaning their lightness or darkness is comparable) can blur together in the finished fabric, making the colorwork difficult to read. Colors with clear differences in value — a light paired with a medium paired with a dark — create visual clarity.

That said, there is no single right answer for color choice. Some of the most beautiful Bella Color Plus pieces use analogous colors — those that sit next to each other on the color wheel — for a sophisticated, tonal effect. Others use complementary colors — those that sit opposite each other on the color wheel — for bold, eye-catching contrast. Both approaches work beautifully with Bella yarn.

When changing colors, keep your ends manageable. Crochet over the tail of the old color with the first few stitches of the new color so that you have fewer ends to weave in at the end. This technique, sometimes called working over ends, keeps the inside of your garment tidy and saves you significant time at the finishing stage.

Sizing and Fit Considerations for Plus-Size Crochet

One of the most important conversations to have around any plus-size crochet pattern is the question of fit. Garments that drape beautifully on a size-small dress form do not automatically translate to comfortable, flattering garments at larger sizes. The Bella Color Plus design takes this seriously.

Good plus-size crochet design accounts for ease — the difference between your body measurements and the finished garment measurements. Positive ease means the garment is larger than your body measurements, which creates a relaxed, comfortable fit. For shorts and summer garments, some amount of positive ease is usually desirable. You want to be able to move freely, sit comfortably, and enjoy your day without feeling constricted.

When working from a pattern, always check the finished garment measurements against your own body measurements rather than simply working the size that corresponds to your measurements on a size chart. If the pattern’s size chart has you in a medium but the finished measurements of the large would give you more comfortable ease, make the large.

Also consider the garment’s construction at key fit points. For shorts, the waistband and the thigh circumference are the most critical measurements. A waistband that fits well but thigh openings that are too tight will still produce a garment you can not wear comfortably. Check every relevant measurement before you begin.

Blocking and Finishing Your Crochet Shorts

Once you have completed all of your crocheting and woven in your ends, blocking and finishing will transform your work from a handmade piece into a polished, professional-looking garment.

Blocking is the process of wetting or steaming your crochet fabric and then shaping it to the correct dimensions while it dries. For cotton and cotton-blend yarns like Bella yarn, wet blocking works beautifully. Submerge your finished piece in cool water, gently press out the excess water without wringing the fabric, and then lay the piece flat on a blocking mat. Use rust-proof pins to shape the piece to your desired dimensions, and allow it to dry completely.

Blocking opens up the stitches, evens out any inconsistencies in your tension, and gives the fabric a softness and drape that it may not have had straight off the hook. It is genuinely transformative, and many makers are amazed at how different their finished piece looks before and after blocking.

Finishing details matter too. Ensure that all of your ends are securely woven in — nothing is more disheartening than wearing a garment you worked hard on only to have it begin unraveling because an end was not secured properly. Weave each end through at least several stitches in different directions to lock it in place.

If your design includes a waistband with elastic, ensure the elastic is securely sewn at the join so it does not twist or pop out. If it uses a drawstring, make sure the cord is long enough to tie comfortably.

Caring for Your Finished Crochet Garment

Crochet garments made with Bella yarn are relatively easy to care for, but understanding how to wash and store them will ensure they stay beautiful for years.

For cotton and cotton-blend crochet, a gentle machine wash on a cool or warm cycle is generally safe. Turn the garment inside out to protect the exterior surface of the stitches. Avoid hot water, which can cause cotton fibers to shrink, and avoid harsh detergents that can strip the natural softness from the fiber.

Air drying flat is ideal. Hanging a damp crochet garment can cause it to stretch under its own weight, distorting the shape. Lay it flat on a clean towel or drying rack, reshape it gently to its original dimensions, and allow it to air dry away from direct sunlight, which can fade even the most vibrant dye over time.

Store your crochet garments folded rather than hung, for the same reason. A garment folded neatly in a drawer or on a shelf retains its shape far better than one dangling from a hanger.

Styling Your Shorts Bella Color Plus

The finished Shorts Bella Color Plus are incredibly versatile. They pair beautifully with a simple cotton tank for a casual beach day look, or with a flowing crochet top in a complementary color for a more put-together outfit. Layer them under a crochet kimono or beach cover-up for a coordinated summer ensemble that looks effortlessly chic.

Because the colorwork in these shorts is already a statement, you do not need much additional decoration. Simple sandals, minimal jewelry, and a straw hat are all the accompaniment this piece needs. Let the crochet speak for itself.

The Deeper Joy of Making

There is something that goes beyond the practical in making your own clothing. Every stitch in the Shorts Bella Color Plus is a stitch you made. Every color choice reflects your taste. Every hour spent working this project is an hour of creativity, meditation, and self-expression. When you wear the finished piece, you carry all of that with you.

Crochet summer fashion is not just a trend. It is a return to something fundamental about the human relationship with clothing — the understanding that what we wear can be made with intention, skill, and love. The Bella yarn and the Shorts Bella Color Plus design give you the raw materials to do exactly that.

So gather your colors, check your gauge, and begin. The best summer wardrobe is the one you made yourself.