purlJam

# Flower Petal Shorts

A comfortable pair of beginner-friendly crochet shorts featuring decorative flower petal edging around the leg openings. These shorts are worked in two pieces from the crotch down, then joined at the waistband. Perfect for loungewear or beachwear!

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 600-700 yards worsted weight yarn (approximately 3-4 skeins of 170 yards each)
- Sample shown in 100% cotton worsted weight

**Hook**: 
- Size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook for main body
- Size G/6 (4mm) crochet hook for waistband casing

**Notions**:
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch markers
- 1" wide elastic, 26-28" length for waist
- Safety pin for threading elastic

**Gauge**: 14 sc and 16 rows = 4" (10 cm) with larger hook
*Gauge is important for proper fit - please check your gauge before beginning*

## SIZES

Women's Small (28-30" waist, 36-38" hips)

**Finished Measurements**:
- Waist (unstretched): 28.5" (with elastic will fit 28-30")
- Hip: 37" 
- Inseam: 3"
- Rise: 11"

*Pattern Notes: To adjust size, add or subtract stitches in multiples of 2 for body shaping. For flower petal edging, adjust to multiples of 6+2.*

## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = decrease (single crochet 2 together)
- BLO = back loop only
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- ( ) = stitch count at end of row/round
- [ ] = repeat instructions within brackets

## PATTERN NOTES

1. Shorts are worked in two separate leg pieces from crotch down to leg opening
2. Turning chain does NOT count as a stitch throughout
3. All rows are worked in both loops unless specified
4. Stitch count is provided at the end of each row in parentheses
5. Mark the right side of your work to keep track of orientation
6. Flower petal edging is worked in rounds after leg piece is complete

## SPECIAL STITCHES

**Shell Stitch**: 5 dc in same stitch or space

**Sc2tog (single crochet 2 together)**: [Insert hook in next st, yo, pull up loop] twice, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### LEG PIECE (Make 2)

**Foundation Row**: Ch 66, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (65 sc)

**Row 1 (WS)**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (65 sc)

**Row 2**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (65 sc)

**Row 3**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (65 sc)

**Rows 4-6**: Repeat Row 2. (65 sc)

**Hip Shaping - Increases:**

**Row 7**: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (67 sc)
*Math check: 1 inc + 65 sc + 1 inc = 67 sc ✓*

**Row 8**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (67 sc)

**Row 9**: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (69 sc)
*Math check: 1 inc + 67 sc + 1 inc = 69 sc ✓*

**Row 10**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (69 sc)

**Row 11**: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (71 sc)
*Math check: 1 inc + 69 sc + 1 inc = 71 sc ✓*

**Row 12**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

**Row 13**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

**Row 14**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

**Leg Opening Preparation:**

**Row 15**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (71 sc)

**Row 16**: Ch 1, sc in each st across. DO NOT TURN. (71 sc)

### FLOWER PETAL EDGING (Worked around leg opening)

**Setup Round**: With RS facing, ch 1, work evenly around entire leg opening as follows:
- Work 71 sc across the last row (top edge)
- Work 3 sc in corner
- Work approximately 42 sc evenly down the side edge (about 2-3 sc per row end)
- Work 3 sc in corner  
- Work 65 sc across foundation chain edge (bottom edge)
- Work 3 sc in corner
- Work approximately 42 sc evenly up the other side edge
- Work 3 sc in corner
- Join with sl st to first sc. (approximately 230 sc)

*Note: Adjust to a multiple of 6+2 sts. Count your stitches. If you have 230 sc, work dec or inc evenly to reach 230 sc (multiple of 6+2 = 228+2)*

**Adjustment**: If needed, work next round: Ch 1, sc in each st around, dec or inc as needed to reach 230 sc, join with sl st. (230 sc)

**Petal Round 1**: Ch 1, sc in same st, *sk 2 sts, shell (5 dc) in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * around, ending with last sc joined to first sc with sl st.
*Math check: Pattern repeat is 6 sts (sk 2, shell, sk 2, sc) × 38 repeats = 228 sts, + 2 edge sts = 230 sts ✓*

**Petal Round 2**: Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell (3rd dc), ch 2, sc in next sc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc.

**Petal Round 3**: Sl st into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, [sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc] in same ch-2 sp (petal made), *[sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc] in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

**Weave in ends.**

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### JOINING LEGS AND CREATING CROTCH

Lay both leg pieces flat with RS facing up and foundation edges at top (crotch area).

**Joining Row**: 
1. Place leg pieces side by side with foundation edges touching
2. With RS facing, join yarn at right edge of first leg piece, Row 1 edge
3. Ch 1, working through both layers, sc through corresponding sts of both leg pieces for approximately 25 sts (creating center front seam), then continue working in rounds around waist opening

**Waist Round Setup**: 
- Continue sc around entire waist opening: 65 sts from first leg (minus 25 joined) = 40 sts
- Work across back: 65 sts from second leg = 65 sts  
- Continue around: 40 sts remaining from second leg
- Sc through joined section = 25 sts (but worked into one layer now)
- Join with sl st to first sc. (approximately 100 sc)

*Note: Adjust count to exactly 100 sc by increasing or decreasing evenly if needed*

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### WAISTBAND

**Round 1**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)

**Round 2**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)

**Round 3**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)

**Elastic Casing - Round 4**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)

**Round 5 (Casing Round)**: Ch 1, working in BLO, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)
*This creates a fold line for the casing*

**Round 6**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)

**Round 7**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (100 sc)

**Round 8**: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. Leave a 6" opening, fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. (100 sc)

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## FINISHING

1. **Create Elastic Casing**: Fold waistband at Round 5 (BLO round) to inside. Using yarn needle and long tail, whip stitch the edge of Round 8 to the WS of Round 1, leaving a 2" opening for elastic insertion.

2. **Insert Elastic**: 
   - Cut elastic to comfortable waist measurement (typically 26-28" for size Small)
   - Attach safety pin to one end of elastic
   - Thread elastic through waistband casing
   - Overlap elastic ends by 1" and sew securely together
   - Stitch casing opening closed

3. **Reinforce Crotch Seam**: Using yarn needle and matching yarn, reinforce the center seam where legs join by working several additional stitches through both layers for durability.

4. **Block if Desired**: Gently steam or wet block to even out stitches and set the flower petal shapes.

5. **Weave in All Ends**: Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely on the WS.

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## CUSTOMIZATION TIPS

**Length Adjustment**: Add or subtract rows in the straight section (Rows 4-6 and Rows 13-14) to adjust inseam length. Each 4 rows adds approximately 1" in length.

**Size Adjustment**: 
- For Medium (32-34" waist): Begin with ch 76 (75 sc) and adjust to 115 sc at waist
- For Large (36-38" waist): Begin with ch 86 (85 sc) and adjust to 130 sc at waist

**Petal Color**: Work leg opening edging in a contrasting color for more dramatic flower petals.

**Additional Petals**: For a fuller petal look, work Petal Rounds 2-3 a second time in a contrasting color.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry. Do not wring or twist. If using cotton yarn, shorts may shrink slightly - consider this when choosing your size.

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*Pattern designed for beginner crocheters with basic knowledge of sc, dc, and working in rounds. Estimated completion time: 12-15 hours.*