Crochet Striped Shorts Tutorial!

Summary

In this tutorial, Savannah teaches viewers how to crochet a stylish pair of summer shorts, inspired by Pinterest designs. Using red and white yarn, she demonstrates the process of creating a textured waistband, shaping the body with increases, and adding colorful stripes. The shorts are crafted in the round, with a step-by-step guide for separating the legs and finishing the piece. Savannah also offers tips for custom sizing and shares her personal experience with fitting, making these shorts perfect for a comfy and fashionable summer look. Viewers can follow along to create their own or purchase finished shorts from her Vinted account.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start by measuring your waist and subtracting 2 inches to determine the length of your waistband chain.
• 😀 Use a 6mm crochet hook for the red yarn to create a chunky waistband and switch to a 4mm hook for finer yarn.
• 😀 To create ridges on the waistband, alternate between single crochet in the regular stitch and the back loop.
• 😀 Make sure to try on the waistband periodically to ensure it fits snugly but comfortably.
• 😀 Once the waistband is long enough, connect the ends by slip stitching to form a circle.
• 😀 For the body of the shorts, crochet downwards in rows, adding increases at the hips for a wider fit.
• 😀 To add stripes, change yarn color between rows, like alternating between red and white.
• 😀 When increasing, add three single crochets into the same stitch at the hips to widen the shorts.
• 😀 Once the body fits, start separating the legs by counting stitches and chaining to mark the crotch area.
• 😀 After separating the legs, crochet each leg in the round, adjusting the length until it fits as desired.
• 😀 When finished, join the final row, cut the yarn, and weave in the ends to complete your crochet shorts.

Q & A

What size crochet hook should I use for this project?

The script suggests using a 4mm crochet hook with the regular yarn and a 6mm hook when working with the chunky red yarn.

How do I measure my waist for the crochet waistband?

To measure your waist, wrap a tape measure around your waist and subtract 2 inches from the measurement. For example, if your waist is 29 inches, you’ll crochet for 27 inches to allow for stretching.

Why is it important to crochet into the back loop when creating the waistband?

Crocheting into the back loop only creates ridges, which gives the waistband a textured, ribbed look that adds to its stretch and fit.

How do I join the waistband once it's the right size?

Once you've crocheted the waistband to the correct size, you’ll line up the two ends and use slip stitches to join them together to form a circle.

What’s the purpose of increasing stitches around the hips?

Increases are made to shape the shorts around the hips. By adding extra stitches (3 single crochets into one stitch), the shorts gradually widen to create a more comfortable fit around the body.

How do I create the stripes on the shorts?

The stripes are created by changing yarn colors at regular intervals. You can switch between colors like red and white to form thick or thin stripes, depending on your preference.

What should I do if I’m unsure about when to stop increasing for the hips?

It’s best to try the shorts on as you go. Since crochet fabric stretches, you’ll want to make sure the hip area fits snugly but comfortably. Stop increasing when it reaches the right size.

How do I separate the legs of the shorts?

To separate the legs, divide the total stitch count by four, then single crochet until you reach the middle. Chain 12 stitches to create the gap for the crotch, then single crochet into the stitches on the other side of the gap to form each leg.

Can I use a different yarn or crochet hook size for this project?

Yes, you can adjust the yarn and hook size to your preference, but keep in mind that this will change the overall fit and texture of the shorts. A larger hook and thicker yarn will make the shorts bulkier, while thinner yarn and a smaller hook will result in a tighter fabric.

How do I know when the shorts are long enough?

The length is determined by trying on the shorts as you go. You can stop increasing and start working on the legs once the body of the shorts reaches your desired length, usually around the hips or upper thigh.