20 Stylish Crochet Shorts You’ll Want to Try This Summer

There is something undeniably satisfying about wearing something you made with your own hands, especially when it looks like it came straight off a boutique rack. Crochet shorts have been having a serious moment in fashion, and for good reason. They bring together the breezy practicality of summer dressing with the textured, artisanal beauty of handmade craft. Whether you are an experienced crocheter looking for a fresh project or a beginner ready to level up, this roundup of 20 stylish crochet shorts will give you all the inspiration you need to get your hooks moving before the warm weather slips away.

From boho beach cover-ups to chic high-waisted designs, there is a style on this list for every body, every skill level, and every summer occasion. Let’s dive in.

Why Crochet Shorts Are the Summer Staple You Need

Before we get into the designs themselves, it is worth talking about why crochet shorts deserve a permanent place in your warm-weather wardrobe. First, they are breathable in a way that most fabrics simply cannot match. The open-stitch construction allows air to flow freely, which makes them genuinely comfortable on hot days rather than just stylish in photographs.

Second, crochet shorts are endlessly customizable. You choose the yarn, the stitch pattern, the length, and the fit. You can make them exactly the color you want, adjust the waistband for your specific measurements, and add embellishments that feel personal. No two pairs end up exactly alike, which means you are always wearing something truly one of a kind.

Third, and perhaps most importantly right now, crochet fashion is having a major cultural revival. What was once seen as a grandmother’s hobby has been fully reclaimed by younger crafters, independent designers, and even high-end fashion houses. Wearing crochet in 2024 is a style statement as much as it is a craft project.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Most crochet shorts projects call for a few key materials. Cotton yarn is by far the most popular choice for warm-weather garments because it is soft against the skin, holds its shape well, and washes easily. Mercerized cotton gives a slight sheen that elevates the finished look. Bamboo blends are another excellent option if you want something with a bit of drape and a silky feel.

For hooks, the size will depend entirely on the pattern and yarn weight you choose, but most shorts projects fall in the 3.5mm to 5.5mm range. A tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a stitch marker or two, and a measuring tape round out your basic toolkit.

Most importantly, before starting any wearable garment, always make a gauge swatch. An inch’s difference in gauge can change the finished measurements of your shorts significantly, and nobody wants to finish a two-week project only to discover it does not fit.

1. Classic Boho Cutoff Shorts

This is the design that started the crochet shorts trend for many crafters. Worked from the waist down in a simple granny square or mesh stitch, these shorts hit mid-thigh and have a relaxed, festival-ready feel. They look incredible over a swimsuit and pair beautifully with sandals and an oversized linen shirt. The waistband is typically worked in a single crochet or ribbed stitch for structure, while the body opens up into a looser pattern. Use a natural beige or cream cotton for the most versatile version.

2. High-Waisted Textured Shorts

For a more polished look, high-waisted crochet shorts with a dense stitch pattern like the moss stitch or linen stitch offer real coverage with serious style. These sit at or just above the natural waist and can be styled as a genuine outfit piece rather than a cover-up. Pair them with a tucked-in crop top or a bralette and block-heeled sandals. Because the stitch is dense, these work wonderfully in a solid color where the texture itself does the talking.

3. Granny Square Patchwork Shorts

If you love the idea of using up yarn scraps or simply enjoy the meditative process of making individual motifs, granny square shorts are your project. Each small square is made separately and then joined together in a layout that fits your measurements. The result is a patchwork look that is colorful, retro-inspired, and completely personal. You can use a rainbow of leftover yarns or stick to a two or three color palette for a more cohesive result. These are inherently one of the most unique designs on this list because no two people will choose the exact same combination.

4. Lace-Effect Flutter Shorts

These shorts take their inspiration from vintage crochet lace doilies and translate that delicate openwork into a wearable garment. The stitch pattern creates a soft, lacy texture that catches the light beautifully, and the hem is often finished with small shell or picot edging for an extra touch of femininity. Wear these as a beach cover-up over a one-piece swimsuit or style them for an evening out with a fitted tank and wedges. White or ivory in a mercerized cotton is the classic choice, though a pale sage or dusty rose version is equally stunning.

5. Drawstring Waist Jogger-Style Shorts

Who says crochet has to be delicate? These slouchy, relaxed shorts feature a drawstring waist that lets you adjust the fit, a looser leg opening, and a length that sits just above the knee. The style borrows from athletic shorts silhouettes and gives them a handmade twist. These are excellent for lazy mornings on a porch, casual beach walks, or as pajama-style loungewear during a heatwave. A chunky cotton in a muted tone like terracotta, sage, or dusty blue gives them a relaxed earthy aesthetic.

6. Ribbed Biker Shorts

One of the more modern silhouettes on this list, crochet biker shorts sit close to the body and end just above or just below the knee. They are made with a dense, stretchy ribbing stitch throughout so they hug the figure without being restrictive. This is a more advanced project because achieving stretch and recovery in crochet requires careful yarn and hook selection, but the result is genuinely wearable in a contemporary way. Style them with an oversized blazer and sneakers for the kind of effortless outfit that looks like it took no effort at all.

7. Colorblock Shorts

Two or three bold blocks of contrasting color separated by clean horizontal lines make these shorts look modern and graphic. The construction is straightforward since you simply change yarn colors at set intervals as you work down from the waist. The visual impact, however, is much bigger than the technical difficulty. Try a combination of cobalt blue and white, black and sunshine yellow, or dusty pink and camel for a retro-inspired colorblock effect that feels very current.

8. Floral Appliqué Shorts

Start with a simple solid-color base and then add dimension by attaching crocheted flower appliqués scattered across the fabric. The flowers can be made in any size, from tiny forget-me-not clusters to large statement blooms, and they can be worked in colors that coordinate or contrast with the base. This project is really two projects in one, which makes it ideal for crafters who like variety in their work sessions. The finished shorts have a whimsical, garden-party energy that is genuinely hard to find in a store.

9. Shorts with Crochet-Trim Denim Base

Not everything on this list has to be made entirely from scratch. This hybrid approach takes a pair of old denim cutoff shorts and adds a wide crochet border around the hem, replacing or enhancing the raw edge. It is one of the most accessible projects for beginners because the construction is limited to a decorative strip rather than a full garment. The combination of structured denim and delicate crochet edging creates an interesting contrast that looks intentional and stylish. A simple shell stitch or fan stitch border in white cotton is a foolproof starting point.

10. Open-Weave Mesh Shorts

Mesh stitch shorts are essentially a wearable net, and they are perfect as a layering piece over swimwear. The wide-open construction means they work up quickly since there is simply less yarn being used, and they pack down to almost nothing in a beach bag. Choose a bright, saturated color for maximum visual impact. Tangerine, electric blue, or cherry red in a smooth cotton works beautifully. The quicker construction also makes these a great confidence-builder for newer crocheters who want to finish a wearable project without committing to weeks of work.

11. Shorts with a Ruffled Hem

Take any standard shorts pattern and finish the hem with two or three rows of ruffling worked in a shell or ruffle stitch. The result is a flirty, feminine finish that adds movement and a little extra length at the sides. This embellishment works particularly well on shorts that are cut slightly asymmetrically, where the side hems are longer than the front and back. Choose a color that coordinates with a summer dress or swimsuit for a pulled-together beach look.

12. Striped Summer Shorts

Horizontal stripes are a classic for good reason. They are easy to achieve in crochet, requiring nothing more than yarn color changes at the end of rows, and the visual result is clean, cheerful, and universally flattering when you choose stripe widths strategically. Thin alternating stripes in navy and white have a nautical feel that never goes out of style. Wider stripes in warm tones like rust, mustard, and cream evoke a 1970s summer vibe. The pattern itself can be as simple as rows of single or half double crochet.

13. Shorts with Wooden Button Closures

Instead of a traditional elastic or drawstring waistband, these shorts feature a front or side button closure using beautiful wooden or shell buttons. The waistband and button band are worked in a firm single crochet, and carefully placed buttonholes allow for an adjustable fit. The buttons add a craft-forward, handmade detail that elevates the whole piece. This style photographs particularly well and tends to get compliments from people who do not immediately realize the shorts are handmade.

14. Vintage-Inspired Shorts with Wide Leg

Inspired by 1970s resort wear, these wide-leg crochet shorts hit mid-thigh but flare gently outward from the hip, creating a silhouette that is both comfortable and surprisingly elegant. Work them in an open stitch like a simple v-stitch or shell stitch to enhance the drape. In a warm camel, chocolate brown, or forest green cotton, these feel sophisticated enough to wear off the beach. Pair with a simple white tank and gold jewelry for an effortlessly put-together summer look.

15. Monochrome All-White Shorts

There is something deeply satisfying about a fully white crochet garment. It reads as both clean and bohemian at once, and it pairs with virtually any other color in your wardrobe. Choose a stitch that highlights texture beautifully, such as the waffle stitch, the puff stitch, or a combination of raised post stitches. The tactile quality of the surface becomes the focal point when color is removed from the equation. White mercerized cotton gives the crispest, most polished result.

16. Festival Fringe Shorts

Fringe has a polarizing reputation, but when it is done well on crochet shorts, it hits just right. These feature a hem finished with evenly cut fringe either worked directly into the final row or attached afterward. Keep the body of the shorts relatively simple and structured so the fringe does not compete with a complicated stitch pattern. In a warm tan or burnt orange cotton, these are the perfect festival or outdoor concert outfit piece, especially styled with ankle boots and layered necklaces.

17. Ombré Dip-Dye Shorts

Ombré effects in crochet are achieved either by using gradient yarn, which transitions through colors automatically as you crochet, or by carefully blending two balls of yarn in the same color family by holding them together at different ratios as you work through the garment. The result is a gorgeous fade effect that looks impressively complex. A fade from deep navy at the waist to pale sky blue at the hem feels cool and coastal. A fade from deep plum to blush pink has a dreamy, sunset quality.

18. Beginner-Friendly Basic Shorts

Not every project needs to be complicated. This design uses nothing more than chains, single crochet, and basic increases and decreases to shape a pair of functional, wearable shorts. Working in rounds from the waist down, it is a perfect first garment project. The finished item may not have the visual complexity of some others on this list, but the accomplishment of completing your first wearable crochet garment is genuinely exciting. A solid color in a premium cotton will make the simple stitching look intentional and refined rather than plain.

19. Cover-Up Shorts with Matching Top

Crochet sets are everywhere in fashion right now, and making matching shorts and a crop top from the same pattern and yarn gives you a complete, coordinated look that is truly your own. The shorts and top do not have to match stitch for stitch, but using the same yarn and keeping the design language consistent ties the set together visually. This is a wonderful project to commit an entire summer to, making one piece at a time and ending up with an outfit that feels genuinely special.

20. Earthy Tonal Shorts with Pocket Detail

The humble pocket is often overlooked in crochet garment design, but a small patch pocket worked separately and stitched onto the front of crochet shorts is both practical and adorable. Keep the overall shorts design simple and neutral, using earthy tones like sand, clay, or khaki, and let the pocket serve as a small visual focal point. Finish the pocket edge with a slightly contrasting color or a simple shell stitch border for definition. The presence of a functioning pocket will genuinely delight everyone who encounters this project.

Tips for Sizing and Fit

Crochet garments have a reputation for being tricky to fit, but a few good habits make all the difference. Always measure yourself at the hip and natural waist before choosing a size from any pattern. Compare your measurements to the finished garment measurements listed in the pattern, not the size labels, because sizing conventions vary widely between designers.

When in doubt, go up a size. You can always take in crochet with simple seaming, but adding fabric after the fact is much more difficult. For shorts specifically, the crotch depth measurement matters a great deal for comfort, so look for patterns that address this measurement or be prepared to make adjustments as you work.

Blocking your finished shorts before wearing them for the first time makes an enormous difference to the drape and fit. For cotton shorts, a wet blocking method works beautifully: soak the shorts in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess, and lay them flat to dry in the shape you want.

Final Thoughts

Crochet shorts are one of those projects that reward the time you put into them with something genuinely wearable and genuinely unique. Whether you are drawn to the free-spirited charm of a granny square patchwork pair, the modern edge of ribbed bikers, or the simple satisfaction of a well-made beginner project, there is a design in this roundup that was made for you.

The best time to start is right now, while summer is still long enough to actually wear everything you make. Grab your hook, pick a pattern that excites you, and get started. Handmade fashion is always in season.