Crocheting Granny Shorts involves creating a charming and comfortable pair of shorts using the iconic granny square pattern. To start, you'll crochet multiple granny squares, small squares of crochet made in rounds, typically showcasing a vibrant mix of colors. These squares are then joined to form the main body of the shorts. The size and number of squares you'll need depend on the desired size of the shorts. After assembling the squares, additional crocheting is done to shape the waistband and leg openings, often with an elastic or drawstring waist for a snug fit. This project is perfect for those who want to combine the simplicity and nostalgia of granny squares with the fashion-forward appeal of handmade clothing.
Crochet Granny Shorts Pattern
Yarn:
- Red Heart® Super Saver® (7 oz/198 g; 364 yds/333 m)
- Main Color (MC): Black (0312)
- Sizes XS/S, M, L/XL: 1 ball
- Size ⅔XL: 2 balls
- Yardage/Meters Needed: XS/S (260/236), M (310/282), L/XL (360/330), ⅔XL (415/380)
- Main Color (MC): Black (0312)
- Red Heart® All in One Granny Square™ (8.8 oz/250 g; 417 yds/381 m)
- Contrast A: Black - Neon Light (2024)
- All Sizes: 1 ball (Note: 1 ball makes 14 Motifs)
- Contrast A: Black - Neon Light (2024)
Tools:
- U.S. I/9 (5.5 mm) Susan Bates® Silvalume® crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- Susan Bates® stitch markers
- Susan Bates® yarn needle
Sizes:
- Will stretch slightly to fit
- To fit hip measurement:
- XS/S: 30-34" [76-86.5 cm]
- M: 36-40" [91.5-101.5 cm]
- L/XL: 42-46" [106.5-117 cm]
- ⅔XL: 48-54" [122-137 cm]
- Finished hip measurement:
- XS/S: 30" [76 cm]
- M: 36" [91.5 cm]
- L/XL: 42" [106.5 cm]
- ⅔XL: 48" [122 cm]
Gauge:
- Motif = Approximately 6" [15 cm] square
Instructions:
The instructions are written for size XS/S. Changes for larger sizes will be denoted as follows: XS/S (M-L/XL-⅔XL). Numbers for each size are represented in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.
Abbreviations
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Begin(ning)(s)
- Ch = Chain(s)
- Dc = Double crochet
- Hdc = Half double crochet
- PM = Place marker
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- RS = Right side
- Sc = Single crochet
- Sc2tog = Draw up a loop in
- each of next 2 sc. Yoh and draw
- through all 3 loops on hook
- Sl st = Slip stitch
- Sp(s) = Space(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- Tog = Together
- Yoh = Yarn over hook
Crochet Granny Squares: Tips and Motif Pattern
Yarn Handling for Red Heart® Granny Square All in One™:
- Start with Color 1, which is the shortest color repetition from the yarn's center, and leave a 4" [10 cm] tail for weaving.
- Align each yarn color with one round (rnd) in the motif; there are five colors in total.
- Adjust your stitches near the end of a round to achieve a smooth color transition: loosen stitches if there's too much yarn left or tighten them if there's too little.
- After the motif is finished, cut the yarn at the end of Color 5 (the longest color repetition), leaving a tail for weaving. Repeat with Color 1 for the next Motif.
Motif Pattern Notes:
- Chain 3 (ch 3) at the beginning of a round counts as one double crochet (dc).
- Chain 6 (ch 6) at the start counts as one dc plus a chain-3 space (ch-3 sp).
- Complete rounds with a slip stitch (sl st) to the third chain of the initial chain-6, unless instructed otherwise.
Creating the Motif:
- With Color 1, chain 4. Join with a sl st to form a ring.
- 1st rnd (Right Side): Ch 6. Work (3 dc, ch 3) three times in ring. Add 2 dc in the ring. Join.
- 2nd rnd: Sl st in ch-3 sp. Ch 6, 3 dc in the same space. *Ch 1, work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp. Repeat from * two more times. Ch 1, add 2 dc in the first ch-3 sp. Join.
- 3rd rnd: Similar to 2nd, incorporating ch-1 spaces between new dc clusters and existing ch-3 spaces.
- 4th and 5th rnds: Continue pattern, creating the square by working into each ch-1 space and ch-3 corner space.
- Make 10 (12-14-16) Motifs with Contrast A.
Finishing and Assembly:
- Join 5 (6-7-8) Motifs into two strips using the Main Color and Flat Slip Stitch seam for the top part of the shorts.
- Connect both strips together, then join the back seam.
- Leg Edging: Lay the assembly flat with the back seam centered.
- XS/S and L sizes: Place a marker on the center dc of the center front motif.
- M and ⅔XL sizes: Place a marker at the center front joining seam.
- Sew the back and front together at the markers to define leg openings.
Leg Edging and Waistband Instructions
After completing the assembly of your crochet granny shorts, continue with the leg edging and waistband for a finished look. Here are the detailed instructions:
Leg Edging:
First Round (Right Side):
- Start by joining your Main Color (MC) with a slip stitch (sl st) at the seam created for leg divisions.
- Chain 4 (counts as one double crochet and one chain-1 [dc + ch-1]).
- Repeat the following around the leg opening:
- Work 3 double crochets (3 dc) in the next chain-1 space or across the seam of two joined Motifs.
- Chain 1.
- After reaching the beginning of the round, make 2 dc in the same space as the first slip stitch.
- Join the round with a slip stitch to the third chain of the initial chain-4.
Second Round:
- Slip stitch into the next chain-1 space, then chain 4.
- Similar to the first round, work 3 dc in the next ch-1 space, then ch 1. Repeat from * around.
- Work 2 dc in the same space as the first slip stitch, then join with a slip stitch to the third chain of the chain-4.
- Repeat the second round 1 (2-3-4) more time(s) or until the shorts reach the desired length.
- Fasten off and repeat these steps for the second leg.
Waistband:
First Round:
- Join the Main Color (MC) with a slip stitch to the corner chain-3 space (ch-3 sp) right before the center back seam of the shorts.
- Chain 1, then single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) over the same space as the slip stitch and the next corner chain-3 space.
- Continue around the waist in this pattern:
- *(Work 1 single crochet (sc) in each of the next 3 double crochets (dc).
- Skip the next chain-1 space) 3 times.
- Work 1 sc in each of the next 3 dc.*
- Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) over the next two corner chain-3 spaces.
- Repeat from * around, ending at **.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.
- Place a marker (PM) for the beginning of the round.
- You will have a total stitch count of 80 (96-112-128) single crochets, varying by size.
After completing the first round of the waistband, follow these steps for additional rounds to shape the waistband further and to create a functional and stylish drawstring for your crochet granny shorts.
Waistband Continued:
Second Round:
- Chain 3 (counts as one double crochet [dc]).
- Work 1 dc in each of the next 6 (13-20-27) single crochets (sc).
- Work 1 half double crochet (hdc) in each of the next 7 sc.
- Work 1 sc in each sc to the last 14 (21-28-35) sc.
- Work 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sc.
- Work 1 dc in each sc to the end of the round.
- Join with a slip stitch to the top of the initial chain-3.
Third Round:
- Chain 3.
- Work 1 dc in each of the next 9 (16-23-30) sc.
- Work 1 hdc in each of the next 7 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch to the last 17 (24-31-38) sts.
- Work 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts.
- Work 1 dc in each stitch to the end of the round.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Fourth Round:
- Chain 3.
- Work 1 dc in each of the next 13 (20-27-34) sc.
- Work 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch to the last 21 (28-35-42) sts.
- Work 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts.
- Work 1 sc in each sc to the end of the round.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Fifth Round:
- Chain 2 (does not count as a stitch).
- Work 1 hdc in each stitch around.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first half double crochet.
Sixth Round:
- Chain 1.
- Work 1 single crochet in each hdc around.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
- Fasten off.
Drawstring:
- Start: With Main Color (MC), chain 2. Draw up a loop in the 2nd chain from the hook.
- Yarn over hook (yoh) and draw through 1 loop on the hook (creates a chain).
- Yoh and draw through 2 loops on the hook (creates a single crochet).
- Remaining Stitches: Repeat the following until the drawstring measures enough to fit the waist measurement plus extra length for tying:
- *Draw up a loop in the “chain” of the previous stitch.
- Yoh and draw through 1 loop on the hook (chain).
- Yoh and draw through 2 loops on the hook (single crochet).*
- Fasten off.
Finishing the Drawstring:
- Begin at the front of the waistband; thread the drawstring in and out through the half double crochets in the 5th round of the waistband.
- Tie both ends of the drawstring at the front to secure.
These steps will provide both a comfortable fit and a charming finish to your crochet granny shorts, making them both personalizable and practical for various activities.
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