These crochet summer shorts are built in a smart, wearable way that makes sizing simple and the fit adjustable. You start by crocheting a stretchy ribbed waistband in back loop single crochet, seam it into a ring, then work the shorts downward in rounds of single crochet. Because the body is worked after the waistband is complete, you can try it on as you go and adjust the rise length before splitting for the legs. The second waistband layer creates a clean casing for a drawstring, which helps the shorts stay secure without feeling tight.
Crochet Summer Shorts
You can keep the legs short for a sporty look, extend them for more coverage, and even add granny square pockets at the end for a cute handmade finish. If you want comfortable, customizable crochet summer shorts that are beginner friendly but still polished, this pattern delivers.
Materials
- White yarn 2 balls
- Orange yarn 1 ball
- 3.0 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Sewing needle
- Stitch markers optional
- Measuring tape optional
Abbreviations
- ch chain
- sc single crochet
- sl st slip stitch
- BLO back loop only
- st stitch
- rnd round
Notes Before You Start
- The waistband is made in rows, then joined to form a ring
- The shorts body is worked in joined rounds of single crochet
- You can try on after every few rounds to check rise and leg length
- The crotch chain length controls how wide each leg opening is
- The second waistband layer creates a tunnel to hold the drawstring
Fit And Size Planning
- Waistband length should fit around your waist comfortably without stretching too hard
- If you want a snug high waist fit, make the waistband slightly smaller than your waist measurement so it stretches to fit
- Rise length is the distance from the top waist edge down to where you want the crotch to sit
- Leg length is measured from the crotch down to your desired hem
Materials Only
- Keep the same yarn and hook through the whole project unless you want a tighter waistband and use a smaller hook for it
Waistband
Waistband Foundation
- Make a slip knot
- ch 6
Row 1
- sc in the 2nd ch from the hook
- sc in each ch across
- total 5 sc
Row 2
- ch 1 and turn
- sc in BLO of each st across
- total 5 sc
Rows 3 Until Waist Length
- ch 1 and turn
- sc in BLO of each st across
- keep repeating until the strip wraps around your waist to the fit you want
Joining The Waistband Into A Ring
- Fold the strip so the first row meets the last row
- sl st through both layers to join the edges
- make 5 sl sts total to join across
- turn the waistband inside out so the seam sits on the inside
Checkpoint
- Wrap the ring around your waist
- If it feels too loose, remove a few rows and re join
- If it feels too tight, add a few rows and re join
Shorts Body Base Round
Join Yarn
- With white yarn, join into any space along the waistband edge
- ch 1
Round 1
- sc evenly all the way around the waistband
- place 1 sc in a larger gap and 1 sc in a tighter gap to keep spacing even
- sl st into the first sc to close the round
- ch 1
Round 2
- sc in each st around
- sl st into the first sc
- ch 1
Rounds 3 Until Rise Length
- sc in each st around
- sl st into the first sc
- ch 1
- repeat until the shorts reach your desired crotch depth
Rise Fit Check
- Try on the shorts tube
- The bottom edge should sit where you want the crotch split to start
- If you want more coverage, add more rounds
- If you want a shorter rise, stop sooner
Dividing For The Legs
Marking The Split
- Lay the shorts flat with the seam at the back
- Mark the front center point and back center point so the split is even
- Mark the two points where you will connect the crotch chain
Crotch Chain Bridge
- From your first marker, ch 8
- If you need a wider crotch area, chain more than 8
- Connect the chain to the opposite marker point on the other side with a sl st
Creating Two Openings
- You now have two leg openings
- One side will be Leg 1
- The other side will be Leg 2
Leg 1
Joining Into The First Leg Opening
- ch 1
- sc around the entire leg opening
- make sure you sc into each stitch around and also sc across the crotch chain stitches
- sl st into the first sc to close
- ch 1
Leg Rounds
- sc in each st around
- sl st into the first sc
- ch 1
- repeat until the leg reaches your preferred length
Optional Shaping For A Roomier Leg
- If the leg feels tight at the thigh, add increases evenly
- work 2 sc in the same st every 10 to 15 stitches for one round
- return to regular sc rounds after that
Fasten Off
- cut yarn and fasten off
- weave in the end later
Leg 2
- Join yarn at any point on the second leg opening
- ch 1
- sc around the opening including across the crotch chain
- sl st to close
- ch 1
- repeat sc rounds until the leg matches Leg 1 length
- fasten off
Second Waistband Layer
Make The Second Waistband
- Repeat the exact same waistband steps as the first waistband
- Make sure the length matches so it sits neatly on top
Attach The Second Waistband
- Place the second waistband over the first waistband so the top edges align
- Join white yarn at the top edge
- ch 1
- sc through both waistband layers all the way around the top edge
- sl st to close
- ch 1 and fasten off
Drawstring
Crochet The Drawstring
- With orange yarn, make a slip knot
- ch about 50
- Add more chains if your waist is larger or you want longer ties
- fasten off
Thread The Drawstring
- Use a needle or safety pin method
- weave the drawstring between the two waistband layers all the way around
- bring both ends out at the front center
Secure The Bottom Of The Casing
- With orange yarn and sewing needle, stitch the bottom edges of the two waistbands together in several spots
- Make sure you do not sew through the drawstring
- This keeps the drawstring trapped inside the casing but still movable
Optional Granny Square Pockets
- Crochet two small granny squares in matching or contrast colors
- Position them on the front of the shorts
- Sew around the sides and bottom edges only
- Leave the top edge open to create a pocket opening
Finishing
- Weave in all ends securely
- Lightly steam block if needed to smooth the fabric
- Try on and adjust the drawstring tension
Customization Ideas
- Add more leg rounds for biker short length
- Add fewer leg rounds for short sporty fit
- Add a contrast color stripe near the hem
- Add a simple picot or scallop border at the leg hems
- Add pockets or skip them for a cleaner look
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