Butter Shell Lounge Shorts: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Butter Shell Lounge Shorts are a relaxed, minimalist pair of crocheted shorts designed for anyone with a 30–32 inch waist and 36–38 inch hips who wants something soft, breezy, and a little bit special to wear around the house or out on a warm day. Worked in the round from the waist down in fingering weight wool, they have a bumpy, scalloped shell-stitch texture that feels cozy against the skin and drapes beautifully. The butter-yellow body is broken up by crisp white shell-stripe bands near each hem and above the leg split, giving a clean, modern look. With a short 5-inch inseam and a comfortable 10-inch rise, these shorts are easy to wear and even easier to love.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Fingering weight wool (sample used: Knit Picks Palette, 100% wool, 231 yds per 50 g ball).
  • Main color (MC), Butter Yellow: 3 balls (approx. 600 yds)
  • Contrast color (CC), White: 1 ball (approx. 100 yds)
• Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors
• Finished size: To fit waist 30–32 inches, hips 36–38 inches. Finished measurements: Waist 32 inches (unstretched), Hips 40 inches, Inseam 5 inches, Rise 10 inches.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
• sk – skip: miss the stated number of stitches without working into them.
• rep – repeat: work the instructions again as many times as stated.
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• MC – main color (Butter Yellow)
• CC – contrast color (White)

Gauge

One shell (5 dc) plus one sc measures 2 inches (5 cm) wide, and 4 rows measure 1 inch (2.5 cm) in the shell pattern. To check, crochet a small swatch in pattern and measure across several shells and down several rows; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your shells after every round — you should always have 20 on the body and 10 on each leg. The pattern is easy to lose track of, so a quick count keeps the shape even.
• When you join the starting chain into a ring, check carefully that it isn't twisted before working Round 1; a twist here can't be fixed later.
• Change colors at the end of the round by finishing the last stitch with the new color, so the color bands stay crisp and even.
• Try the shorts on (or measure against yourself) after the leg split to confirm the rise and inseam feel right before fastening off.

Step-by-Step Instructions

The shorts are worked in the round from the waist down, then divided for the legs.

Body (Waist Down)

Set-up: With MC, ch 120, join with sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

R1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (120 sc).

R2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 4 dc in same st, sk 2 sc, *sc in next sc, sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-3 (20 shells).

R3: Ch 1, sc in same st, *5 dc in next sc, sc in next dc (center of shell); rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc (20 shells).

R4–12: Rep R3 (20 shells).

Change to CC.

R13–14: Rep R3 (20 shells).

Change to MC.

R15–24: Rep R3 (20 shells).

Change to CC.

R25–26: Rep R3 (20 shells).

Change to MC.

R27–36: Rep R3 (20 shells). Piece measures approx. 9 inches from waist.

Divide for Legs

Count 10 shells for the front and 10 shells for the back. Place a marker at the beginning of the round (center back). Work the first leg over 10 shells, then the second leg over the remaining 10 shells.

Leg 1

Set-up: With MC, join yarn at center back.

R1: Ch 1, sc in same st, *5 dc in next sc, sc in next dc (center of shell); rep from * around 10 shells, join with sl st to first sc (10 shells).

R2–6: Rep R1 (10 shells).

Change to CC.

R7–8: Rep R1 (10 shells).

Change to MC.

R9–10: Rep R1 (10 shells). Fasten off.

Leg 2

Set-up: With MC, join yarn at center front (opposite side of Leg 1).

R1–10: Work same as Leg 1 (10 shells). Fasten off.

Waistband Edge

With MC, join yarn at center back and work 1 round of sc evenly around the waist opening (approx. 120 sc). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. There is no seaming required — the shorts are worked in one piece and the legs are joined in the round. Block lightly to the finished measurements: waist 32 inches, hips 40 inches, inseam 5 inches, rise 10 inches. Pin the shorts flat, mist with water, and let them dry completely before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• For a longer inseam, add a few more MC shell rounds to each leg before the white band; for a shorter, sportier look, work fewer rounds.
• Swap the white contrast for a soft cream, mint, or dusty rose to change the mood while keeping the same striped shell effect.
• Add a drawstring by chaining a cord in MC and threading it through the waistband edge, or work the waistband edge in CC for a subtle contrast finish.