Crochet Vest and Shorts Pattern | Boho Lace Summer Set (PDF Download)

There is something deeply satisfying about wearing something you made yourself, especially when it turns out looking like something you would find hanging in a beachside boutique with a price tag that makes your eyes water. This boho lace summer set — a flowy crochet vest paired with matching lace shorts — is exactly that kind of project. It is the kind of pattern that gets compliments everywhere you go, and when people ask where you got it, you get to smile and say you made it.

This blog post walks you through everything you need to know about this crochet vest and shorts pattern, from the yarn and hook you will need, to tips on achieving that perfect drape, to how to adjust sizing so the finished set fits your body exactly the way you want it to. The full step-by-step pattern is available as a PDF download, which you can print out, annotate, and keep in your craft bag for easy reference.

Whether you are a confident intermediate crocheter looking for your next warm-weather project or an adventurous beginner ready to level up, this boho lace set is a wonderful choice. Let’s get into it.

Why This Boho Lace Set is Worth Making

Summer crochet gets a lot of attention for good reason. Lace crochet is one of the most versatile techniques out there — it creates fabric that is light, airy, and absolutely stunning when it catches the light. When you combine that quality with a boho aesthetic, you get something that works at the beach, at a rooftop party, at a festival, or layered over a slip dress for a casual dinner.

The vest in this set features an open lace pattern with a slightly oversized silhouette, making it universally flattering and easy to wear over a bikini top, a crop top, or a simple bralette. The shorts use the same lace motif so the set feels cohesive without being matchy-matchy in a way that feels costumey. They sit comfortably at the waist with a simple drawstring, and the lace paneling down the sides adds a gorgeous detail that elevates the whole look.

What makes this pattern special is that it is designed with wearability in mind. A lot of crochet lace garments look beautiful on the hanger but end up stiff or scratchy against the skin. This pattern specifically calls for yarn weights and fiber types that give you softness along with structure, so the finished garment feels as good as it looks.

Materials You Will Need

Before you download the PDF and cast on, here is a general overview of what you will need to gather. The full materials list with exact quantities by size is included in the downloadable pattern.

Yarn: This pattern works best with a lightweight cotton or cotton-blend yarn, ideally in a fingering or light DK weight. Cotton is the gold standard for summer crochet garments because it is breathable, gets softer with every wash, and holds stitch definition beautifully so your lace work really shows. A cotton-linen blend adds a slight sheen and a bit of extra drape if you want something with a more luxurious feel. Avoid acrylic for this project unless you are in a pinch — it tends to trap heat and does not have the fluid drape that makes this set work.

Good yarn options to look for include Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Drops Safran, or any similar smooth, plied cotton yarn in a light weight. If you want the linen blend, Drops Lin or Paintbox Simply DK in a linen-cotton blend are excellent choices.

Hook: The pattern primarily uses a 3.5mm (US size E/4) crochet hook for the main lace sections. You may need a 4.0mm hook for the waistband and finishing edges depending on your personal tension. As always, the gauge swatch is your best friend here — more on that below.

Notions: You will also need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, a measuring tape, and approximately one yard of thin elastic or a length of ribbon or cord for the shorts waistband drawstring. A pair of small scissors rounds out your kit.

Understanding the Lace Pattern

The stitch pattern used throughout this set is a variation of a classic shell lace, which sounds fancy but is made up entirely of chains, single crochets, and double crochets. If you can do those three stitches, you can do this pattern.

The basic repeat creates a scalloped, open texture that looks intricate but works up quickly once you get the rhythm of it. Most crocheters find that after two or three repeats, their hands start moving on autopilot, which makes this a wonderful project for listening to podcasts or catching up on your favorite shows.

The lace creates a natural drape because of the large open spaces between stitches, which is what gives the finished fabric that flowy, boho quality. The key to getting this right is not pulling your chains too tight. Loose, relaxed tension is your friend when working lace crochet. If your lace is coming out stiff or puckered, try going up half a hook size before reswatching.

The PDF pattern includes a written stitch diagram and a visual chart for the repeat, so you have two reference points regardless of whether you prefer reading patterns or reading charts.

Sizing and Gauge

This pattern is written in sizes XS through 3X, with full measurements given in both inches and centimeters. The PDF includes a size chart with finished garment measurements so you can choose your size based on how you want the item to fit, not just based on your body measurements alone.

Because the vest is designed with an oversized, flowy silhouette, most people will want to choose their size based on their bust measurement and then size down one size if they prefer a slightly more fitted drape. The shorts are designed with approximately two to three inches of ease at the hip, so choosing your true hip size for those is usually the right call.

Gauge for this pattern is 18 stitches and 8 rows to four inches in the shell lace pattern, using the 3.5mm hook and your chosen yarn. Please do not skip the gauge swatch. I know swatching is the part everyone wants to skip, but garment sizing is genuinely affected by even small differences in gauge. A swatch takes maybe twenty minutes and will save you from finishing a vest that fits like a tube or a tent. Wash and block your swatch before measuring it, since cotton can relax significantly after its first wash.

Making the Crochet Vest

The vest is worked in one piece from the bottom hem upward, then divided at the underarms to work the front and back panels separately before being seamed at the shoulders. This construction method keeps finishing work minimal and gives you a clean, professional result.

You begin with a foundation chain, which the pattern calculates for each size, and immediately begin the lace repeat. The bottom hem is worked in a simple single crochet rib for a clean, stable edge that prevents rolling without adding too much visual weight to the hem. From there, you transition into the main shell lace body and work upward to the underarm division point.

The armholes are shaped with simple decreases worked across one row on each side, and then the front and back panels are worked separately to the shoulder. The shoulders are joined with a slip stitch seam, which gives a nice flat join that does not add bulk. The armhole edges are finished with a single round of single crochets to neaten them up.

The neckline is intentionally left open and wide for that classic boho vest feel — it drapes naturally into a V or U shape depending on how you wear it, and no additional neckline finishing is needed beyond weaving in ends.

The finished vest length hits at approximately hip length in most sizes, making it perfect for wearing over shorts, a swimsuit, or high-waisted trousers. If you want a longer vest, the pattern includes notes on how to add length at the body section before the underarm division.

Making the Lace Shorts

The shorts are worked in the round from the waistband downward. The waistband is a simple ribbed band worked in slip stitch rib, which gives fantastic stretch and recovery — important for a waistband that needs to stay put while still being easy to pull on and off. A channel for the drawstring is worked right into the waistband construction, so there is no fiddly sewing required.

From the waistband, you work the main body of the shorts in joined rounds using the same shell lace pattern as the vest. The shorts are worked as a tube until you reach the crotch point, at which time the pattern guides you through a simple crotch shaping that divides the tube into two leg sections. Each leg is then worked separately in rounds to the desired length, with a small number of decreases to shape the inner thigh and keep things comfortable.

The side panels of the shorts feature a slightly more open lace variation that creates a beautiful visual detail when you are moving or when there is a breeze. It is a simple variation on the main repeat and is fully explained in the PDF.

The finished shorts have a short-to-mid thigh inseam that works well as beachwear or festival wear. If you want a longer inseam, the pattern includes notes on extending the leg length and adjusting the lace repeat to accommodate.

Finishing and Blocking

Blocking is what takes a crochet garment from looking handmade to looking professionally crafted. For cotton, wet blocking is the method of choice. Simply soak your finished pieces in cool water for about fifteen minutes, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing, and then lay them flat on a blocking mat or clean towel. Pin everything into shape according to the measurements in the pattern, and leave it to dry completely before wearing.

Blocking opens up the lace stitches and gives the fabric that light, airy quality that makes lace crochet so beautiful. It also evens out any tension inconsistencies that appeared while you were working. The difference between a blocked and unblocked lace garment is genuinely remarkable, so do not skip this step.

Weave in your ends carefully and securely, especially at the seam points. Since this is a garment that will be worn and washed, ends that are only woven in for an inch or two may eventually work their way loose. Weave each end in at least two different directions for maximum security.

Styling Your Boho Lace Set

Once your set is finished and blocked, the fun part begins. Here are some ways to wear it:

The classic combination is the vest over a triangle bikini top or bralette, with the matching lace shorts and a pair of flat sandals or espadrilles. This is the quintessential beach or festival look, and it is absolutely effortless.

For a slightly more dressed-up version, try the vest over a silky slip dress with the lace shorts swapped for wide-leg trousers. The vest works beautifully as a layering piece even beyond the summer months, especially over long-sleeve fitted tops when the weather starts to cool.

The shorts can absolutely be worn without the vest. Pair them with a simple cropped tee or a tucked-in tank and you have an everyday summer outfit that is comfortable and stylish without looking like you are trying too hard.

Accessorize with natural materials — rattan bags, shell jewelry, wooden bangles, and woven hats are all perfect companions for this aesthetic. The natural fiber yarn already gives the set a warm, organic feel, and natural accessories lean into that beautifully.

Care Instructions

Cotton crochet garments are wonderfully easy to care for. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cool water, and either lay flat to dry or tumble dry on the lowest heat setting. Avoid high heat, which can cause cotton to shrink and stiffen over time.

If your set starts to look a little tired after several wears, a quick re-blocking can work wonders. Even just soaking it in cool water and laying it flat to dry will refresh the lace and give it that just-made quality again.

About the PDF Pattern

The downloadable PDF for this crochet vest and shorts pattern includes everything you need to complete the full set from start to finish. Inside you will find a complete materials list with yardage requirements by size, a full stitch glossary with explanations of every technique used, written instructions for each pattern piece, stitch charts for the main lace repeat, sizing charts with finished garment measurements, step-by-step finishing instructions, and care guidance.

The PDF is formatted for easy printing on standard letter or A4 paper, and is also designed to be read comfortably on a tablet or phone screen if you prefer going digital. Each section is clearly labeled and the layout is designed to make it easy to follow along while you work without having to scroll back and forth looking for information.

This pattern is written at an intermediate skill level, which means it assumes you are comfortable with basic crochet stitches — chains, single crochet, double crochet, and working in both rows and rounds. No advanced techniques are required. If you are a confident beginner who has already made a few simple projects, you will be well positioned to work through this pattern with the help of the detailed instructions.

Final Thoughts

There is a particular joy that comes with finishing a wearable crochet project — a joy that is genuinely different from finishing a blanket or a decorative piece. When you wear something you made with your own hands, every compliment means something a little different. Every time you put it on, you remember the rows, the rhythm, the way the lace started to look more beautiful with every repeat.

This boho lace summer set is the kind of project that earns its way into your regular rotation. It is thoughtfully designed to be flattering, comfortable, and genuinely wearable, not just a showpiece. Whether you are making it for yourself, as a gift, or as a personal challenge to try something new, it is a project worth your time.

Grab the PDF download, find yourself some beautiful cotton yarn, and settle in for a summer project that you will still be reaching for years from now.