I am so pleased with how these shorts turned out! I used to hate making granny squares – something about the repetitive crocheting did not interest me – but as I get more into making my own clothes I have started to enjoy designing them by just using granny squares. This simple pattern works like a custom recipe – even with a skirt option. Read on to learn how to make your own pair of shorts or skirt!
I created these shorts so I could pop them on and take a walk, wear them over a swim suit for a cover-up, shop around town, or even just wear them while crocheting on the couch. They are seriously comfortable. I am wearing them while I type up this post and have no intention of taking them off!
The environmentalist in me was so excited when Lion Brand Yarn came out with their new eco-friendly recycled cotton yarn, Re-Up. This yarn is 85% recycled cotton and 15% polyester. Using just one skein of Re-Up Yarn saves 5,900 cups of water!
Not only is this yarn sustainable, but it is cheap! Check out these $2 skeins here and get a start on a funky pair of shorts.
Create a matching set by working up my Mellow Yellow Crop Top with cotton yarn, it’s a match made in heaven!
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DESCRIPTION
Super soft cotton summer shorts or skirt made from just four crocheted granny squares; these squares are “filled-in” meaning they will give you the coverage you need! The pattern is incredibly easy to adjust if you want a longer or roomier pair of shorts and the gathered, high-waist is flattering on everyone.
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Re-Up Cotton Yarn (Weight: 4/medium – 115 yds, 2.5 oz) XS: 400, S: 500, M: 600, L: 700, XL: 800. Yardage estimates are very rough as each pair of shorts or skirt is unique depending on your choices.
- Size H (5 mm) crochet hook – I have recently begun using Furls Crochet hooks and have seen immediate relief from the hand pain that used to bother me. I am an affiliate of Furls Crochet and am so proud to represent their quality products.
ABBREVIATIONS
ch: chain
st: stitch
sp: space
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet two stitches together
dc: double crochet
GAUGE
4″ x 4″ Square = dc x rows on size H (5 mm) crochet hook
SIZING
This pattern is available in sizes xs, s, m, l, and xl, according to Craft Yarn Council standards. Stitch () and row counts [] for each size are given in order from smallest to largest (xs, s, m, l, xl). See table below.
The shorts are meant to fit loosely and are short. You can always add more length the legs if you would like! Or end them as a skirt!
There are many ways to customize the fit of these shorts; I will outline the options throughout the pattern below.
DIRECTIONS
You will be making four granny squares of different sizes depending on the size of the shorts you are making. Refer to the table below before starting your granny squares.
If you would like color burst shorts as I created then follow the color table below. I use five different colors of Lion Brand Re-Up Cotton Yarn in total.
| SIZE | PINK | ORANGE | YELLOW | GREEN | WHITE | TOTAL # ROWS |
| XS | Rows 1-2 | Rows 3-4 | Rows 5-6 | Rows 7-8 | Row 9 | 9 |
| S | Rows 1-2 | Rows 3-4 | Rows 5-6 | Rows 7-8 | Row 9-10 | 10 |
| M | Rows 1-3 | Rows 4-6 | Rows 7-9 | Rows 10-11 | Row 12 | 12 |
| L | Rows 1-3 | Rows 4-6 | Rows 7-9 | Rows 10-12 | Row 13 | 13 |
| XL | Rows 1-3 | Rows 4-6 | Rows 7-9 | Rows 10-12 | Rows 13-15 | 15 |
GRANNY SQUARE (MAKE 4)
Use the video above or the photo tutorial below if this is your first time crocheting a granny square – or maybe you just need a little refresher!
The chain at the beginning of a row counts as a double crochet stitch, you are working in the round and you will turn after each row.
ch 3
(Wondering what the checkboxes are for? Check out this tutorial and make online patterns easier to follow!)
Finish off and weave in ends. Block your granny squares to get even squares and shorts that don’t pull or buckle.
ASSEMBLY
Join your granny squares together into two rectangles, each with two granny squares, by single crocheting them together. Note: you can use another technique like the mattress stitch if you do not like the raised seam – I liked the added detail of the seam, but it is optional.
Fasten onto the corner of the short side of one of the rectangles. You will now be joining the two rectangles into a large four-panel loop.
ch 4. sl st to corner of opposite panel. sl st into next two st on this panel. ch 4 and sl st into 2nd st down from last chain. Repeat down the length of the panels, zig-zagging back and forth between them. *You can shorten or lengthen these chains based on how much skin you want to show, or how loose you want the shorts to fit – it’s all up to you!
Repeat on the opposite side so that you have a four-panel loop. Once finished with the second side, do not fasten off – keep make right side out. You will now move on to working on the waist.
DRAWSTRING
Make a chain long enough to comfortably fit around your waist with enough left to make a bow. Fasten off and cut ends short. Thread the drawstring through the waistband in the chain spaces left in row 4. Cinch to appropriate size and tie a bow in the front.
you now have the option of finishing your make with legs for a pair of shorts or as a skirt – skip down to the appropriate section below:
SHORTS OPTION
With the four-panel loop laying flat and right side out, insert your hook through both layers at the middle point (the ridged seam) to begin crocheting in the round. You are creating two different tubes (leg holes) that diverge at the halfway point.
The legs are worked in the round.
Fasten off and repeat with other side for second leg.
SKIRT OPTION
Fasten on to bottom hemline, with your make right side out.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
You are finished! Throw your make on and head out the door to the sunshine!
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ah! I can’t seem to do it right! Either I have too much stitches or I can’t read the pattern right. I started over three times already :'(
I’ll let you know about my progress 😛
Oh no! Where are you having issues? I am happy to help! You can always email me pictures or more detailed notes about where you having a difficult time 🙂 ellie@hookyarncarabiner.com
Hi! My calculations show that there is one too many stitches beginning at row 3.
Row 3 = 5 dc. Each row after increases by 4 dc. Is that correct or have I missed a stitch somewhere in row 2 or row 3? Thanks!
Hi there! It sounds like you might not be counting the ch-3 at the beginning of each row as a stitch! Does that help?
Each row increases by 4dc.