Crocheted Laced Shorts

Updated November 19th, 2021

Crocheted Laced Shorts Free Pattern

Free

From McCall's Needlework & Crafts, Spring-Summer, 1972

SIZES: Directions for small size (6-8). Changes for medium size (10-12) are in parentheses.

Body Hip Size: 32-1/2"- 33-1/2" (34-1/2" - 36") Blocked Hip Size: 34" (36")

MATERIALS: Knitting worsted, 2 (4-oz.) skeins red, main color (MC); small amounts of yellow (Y) lilac (L) and rose (R). Crochet hook size F. (Or English size 10.) Hook and Needle size chart.

GAUGE: 4 sc = 1"; 4 rows = 1".

SHORTS: First Leg: Beg at lower edge, above border, with MC, ch 72 (76). Join with a sI st, forming ring and being careful not to twist ch. Mark end of rnds; do not turn.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in joining ch and in each ch around--72 (76) sc. Join with a sI st. Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc in same st as joining, * sk next sc, shell of 2 dc in next sc, repeat from * around, end join with a sl st in top of turning ch. Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in back lp of each st around 72 (76) sc. Join with a sl st; end off. Check gauge; leg should measure 18" (19") around.

2nd Leg: Work same as for first leg; do not end off. Mark last sc for side edge.

Join Legs: Ch 1; working in back lps, sc in each of next 34 (36) sc, sc in 3rd sc on first leg and in each of next 67 (71) sc (leaving 4 sc free for crotch), sk next 4 sc on 2nd leg for crotch, sc in next sc and in each of remaining 33 (35) sc--136 (144) sc. Join with a sl st in first sc. Mark for beg of rnd; do not turn. Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in back lp of each sc around. Join with a sl st; do not turn. Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in front lp of each sc around. Join with a sl st; do not turn. Repeat last 2 rnds until piece measures 3" (3-1/2") above crotch, end with rnd worked in back lp. End off.

Divide for Front Opening: From right side, join MC in front lp of 36th (38th) sc from side st, ch 1, sc in front lp of same sc and in each sc to within last 4 sc--132 (140) sc. Ch 1, turn. Next Row: Sc in front lp of each sc--132 (140) sc. Ch 1, turn each row. Repeat last row until piece measures 7" (7-1/2") above crotch, end wrong side. Drop MC.

Short Rows: Row 1: From right side, join MC in 33rd (35th) sc, work sc in front lp of next st and in each of next 65 (67) sc across back, sl st in next st, turn.

Row 2: Sl st in first st, sc in front lp of next 65 (67) sc, sl st in next st; end off. Pick up MC at beg of row, work in pat until piece measures 8" (8-1/2") above front crotch. Drop MC; repeat short rows 1 and 2. Pick up dropped MC at beg of row. Work 2 rows even. Cut MC; join L. Turn.

Next Row: Ch 3, dc in first sc, * sk next sc, shell of 2 dc in next sc, repeat from *, across; do not turn. Work sc around front opening, being careful to keep work flat. End off.

POCKET: With Y, ch 4, join with a sl st to form ring. Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), make 2 dc in ring, ch 1, * 3 dc in ring, ch 1, repeat from * twice, join last ch 1 to top of ch 3 with a sl st (4 groups of 3 dc in ring). End Off.

Rnd 2: Join R in a ch-1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, repeat from * twice, 3 dc in same sp with first 3 dc, ch 2, join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 3: Join L in a ch-2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, * 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 sp, ch 1, repeat from * around, end 3 dc in same sp with first 3 dc, ch 2, join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off; join Y in a ch-2 sp.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, work from * on rnd 3, having 2 groups of 3 dc between comers. Join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off. Join L in a ch-2 sp.

Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. Join with a sl st in first sc. End off, leaving a long end for sewing. Sew pocket to right front of shorts as pictured.

FINISHING: Run in yarn ends on wrong side. Using rustproof pins, pin out shorts on wrong side, measuring to insure the correct width and length. Steam-press lightly using a steam iron or a damp cloth and a dry iron. Weave crotch seam.

Lower Leg Border: From right side, join Y in foundation ch at side edge. Ch 2, dc in same ch, * sk next st, shell of 2 dc in next st, repeat from * around. Join with a sl st in top of ch 2. Cut Y; join R.

Next Rnd: Sl st in next dc, ch 2, dc in sp between shells, * shell of 2 dc in sp between next 2 shells, repeat from * around, end sl st in top of ch 2. Cut R; join L.

Next Rnd: Sc in each st around. Join with a sl st in first sc. End off. Work same border around other leg.

Cord: With L, ch 36" long. End off; knot ends. Lace through sc of front opening as pictured.