The high-fashion trend of crochet shorts gets a crafty makeover

Crochet shorts are popping up all over runways and celebrities this summer season. For those not interested in paying big bucks for tiny clothes, consider making DIY crochet shorts instead. Not a fan of making lace from scratch or crochet in general — or, uh, even sewing? We’ve get your fanny covered with our favorite no-sew and even no-crochet crochet shorts as well as from-scratch shorts that dyed-in-the-wool yarn heads will love.

Caught Short

Life's Too Short

Sometimes there’s a reason a crochet pattern is free. If you're not up for wasting your time on an unreviewed pattern, consider buying one instead. This $6 crochet shorts pattern is simple and offers a little more assurance that your end product was not doomed from the beginning.

Sara Dudek sells the crochet shorts pattern at Ravelry.

In Stitches

Perhaps you understand the basics for making DIY crochet shorts and want to jazz them up a little. Consider using a pineapple crochet lace stitch (not for beginners), inspired by the high-fashion brand Letarte Swimwear’s $150 pair (featured left). 

Head to Mostly Crochet for the free crochet shorts stitch pattern.

Skirt Around

Shorts not doing it for you? Consider making a crochet skirt for your trip to the beach this summer. This free pattern can be shortened or lengthened, depending on your preference, but uses the same whimsical designs of crochet shorts. 

Go to FaveCrafts for the free crochet skirt pattern.

Fancy Pants

This free, reviewed pattern from DROPS Design offers a simple crochet stitch with lace trimming along the hem. Even better, the average cost to make these shorts is $21, a bargain compared to store-bought crochet shorts, often landing over $50. 
For the free crochet shorts pattern, check out DROPS Design. 

All Day Thong

This pattern looks suspiciously like a yarn thong in the early stages of its creation, but in the end turns out a fashionably airy pair of shorts. Thread a colorful ribbon through the top for a cute and easy drawstring.

Check out Crochet Chiq for the free crochet shorts pattern.

Image credits (from top): ReadyTwoWear, ReadyTwoWear, Inspired Soul, Sara Dudek, Swell Mayde, Letarte Swimwear / Mostly Crochet, FaveCrafts, DROPS Design, Crochet Chiq.