Every so often a project comes along that feels like pure sunshine in your hands — this darling two-piece set is exactly that. Picture a delicate fan stitch bralette with the sweetest little bow at its center, paired with breezy high-waist shorts finished with a comfy ribbed waistband. Worked in familiar stitches like single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc), this elegant repeating pattern is lovely enough for a beach getaway yet simple enough for real-life wear.
This makes such a dreamy gift for yourself or a dear friend. The pattern is written for a Small (US 4/6), with thoughtful guidance for resizing to Medium or Large. Expect the bralette to take around 10 to 14 hours and the shorts about 14 to 18 hours — a delightful weekend adventure or a slow, cozy week of evening stitching.
If you have an intermediate skill level and have finished at least one garment before, you will find this pattern beautifully manageable with a little patience. Once you find the rhythm of the fan stitch repeat, it flows along wonderfully, and every step is explained below.
Why You Will Love This Crochet Set Pattern
The romance of this little two-piece lives in its fan stitch texture, which sweeps across both the bralette and the shorts. Every fan is five double crochet stitches tucked into one stitch, forming those soft shell-like ripples you can see in the photos. Feminine scalloped straps and a sweet centered bow tie the whole look together.
The construction is wonderfully practical, too. The bralette works up in flat panels that you seam as you go, so checking your fit is easy. The shorts grow in the round from the waistband downward, which means barely any finishing at the end.
Let me also sing the praises of that wide ribbed waistband on the shorts. It is made with back loop only single crochet (blo sc), giving a stretchy, ridged texture that hugs you gently without pinching. You may thread elastic inside for a little extra hold, but the ribbing alone is nice and springy.
Materials You Will Need
Gather your supplies before you cast on — having everything within reach makes stitching so much more relaxing.
Yarn: DK weight (CYCA 3), 100% cotton or cotton-blend. You need approximately 600 yards total. That breaks down to 250 yards for the bralette and 350 yards for the shorts. If you are making a larger size, grab an extra 100 yards to be safe.
Recommended yarn options:
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Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Banana Cream or Daffodil Yellow
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Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Goldenrod
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Drops Safran (cotton/polyamide blend) for extra durability
Hooks:
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US size E-4 / 3.5 mm for main fabric
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US size D-3 / 3.25 mm for ribbing and straps
Notions:
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Tapestry needle for finishing
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6 to 8 locking stitch markers
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3 small buttons (approximately 0.5 inch diameter) or hook-and-eye closure set for bralette back
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1 inch wide elastic, 26 inches long, for shorts waistband (optional but recommended)
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Sewing needle and matching thread if using elastic
Substitution tip: Choose any DK weight yarn with a smooth, tightly plied construction. Avoid fuzzy or textured yarns because they will hide the pretty fan stitch detail.
Gauge Information
A fitted garment rewards a little patience at the start, so please do take time to swatch before you begin.
With E-4 / 3.5 mm hook in Fan Stitch Pattern:
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One fan repeat (6 stitches wide) = 1.25 inches
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6 rows = 2 inches
With D-3 / 3.25 mm hook in ribbing:
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20 stitches = 4 inches
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20 rows = 4 inches
Work a swatch of at least 24 stitches by 12 rows. Block it flat before measuring. If your swatch is too big, try a smaller hook. If it is too small, go up a hook size.
Finished Measurements
Bralette:
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Band circumference: 30 inches (stretches to fit 28 to 32 inches)
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Cup height: 5.5 inches
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Strap length: 10 inches (adjustable)
Shorts:
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Waist circumference unstretched: 26 inches (stretches to fit 26 to 32 inches)
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Hip circumference: 36 inches
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Rise (front): 11 inches
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Inseam: 2.5 inches
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Total length: 13.5 inches
Stitch Abbreviations and Definitions
Here is a quick glossary of every abbreviation in this pattern. A quick glance through now will save you lots of head-scratching later.
blo = back loop only. Instead of inserting your hook under both loops of the stitch, you insert it under only the back loop. This creates ribbed texture.
ch = chain. Wrap yarn over hook, pull through loop on hook. Example: ch 5 means make 5 chain stitches.
ch-sp = chain space. The gap created by a chain in the previous row.
dc = double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain), yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
sc = single crochet. Insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops.
sk = skip. Pass over the indicated number of stitches without working into them.
sl st = slip stitch. Insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on hook in one motion.
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side. The public-facing side of your work.
WS = wrong side. The inside of your finished piece.
t-ch = turning chain
sc2tog = single crochet two together. A decrease that joins two stitches into one.
Special Stitches for This Pattern
Fan Stitch (Multiple of 6 Stitches Plus 1)
This stitch gives both pieces their gorgeous shell-like texture.
Setup row (RS): Sc in first st, sk 2 sts, work 5 dc all in next st (this is 1 fan made), sk 2 sts, sc in next st. Repeat across, ending with sc in last st.
Fan row (RS): Ch 3, turn. Work 2 dc in first sc (half fan at edge), sk 2 sts, sc in center dc of next fan, sk 2 sts, work 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sts, sc in center dc of next fan, sk 2 sts. Continue across, ending with 3 dc in last sc (half fan at edge).
Return row (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, sc in next sc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc (center of fan). Continue across, ending sc in top of t-ch.
Use stitch markers to mark the center dc of each fan for the first several rows until the pattern feels natural.
Scallop Stitch (For Strap Edging)
Along a straight edge, work: sl st in first st, ch 3, work 4 dc in same st, sl st in next st. Repeat (sl st in next st, ch 3, 4 dc in same st, sl st in next st) across.
Picot Ball Trim (For Shorts Hem)
Into the hem row: sc in first st, ch 3, sl st in first ch of ch-3 to close picot, sc in next st. Repeat around.
Bow Construction
Rectangle: Ch 25. Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (24 sc) Rows 2 through 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across. (24 sc) Fasten off.
Center Band: Ch 7. Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (6 sc) Rows 2 through 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across. (6 sc) Fasten off.
Pinch the rectangle at center to gather. Wrap the center band tightly around the gathers and seam the ends together at back.
Bralette Instructions
Lower Band
Work this ribbed lower band flat — it is the sturdy foundation everything else attaches to.
With D-3 / 3.25 mm hook, ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (10 sc)
Rows 2 through 120: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo of each sc across. (10 sc)
The band should measure approximately 24 inches. Fold so the short ends align. Sl st the first and last rows together to form a ring. This seam sits at center back.
Back Closure Band
With D-3 / 3.25 mm hook, ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (10 sc)
Rows 2 through 24: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo of each sc across. (10 sc)
Make two identical strips. Pin them overlapping at center back of the main band with a 1.5 inch overlap zone. Sew buttons through both layers at top, middle, and bottom.
Left Cup
With E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, attach yarn at the left front side of the band on the top edge. Work across 19 stitches for the left cup.
Foundation pickup: Sc evenly across 19 sts of the top edge. (19 sc)
Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in each sc across. (19 sc)
Row 2 (RS, fan row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Work 2 dc in first sc (half fan), sk 2 sc, sc in next sc, sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (fan 1), sk 2 sc, sc in next sc, sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (fan 2), sk 2 sc, sc in last sc, 2 dc in last sc (half fan). (19 sts)
Row 3 (WS, return row): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first dc, ch 2, sc in sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of fan 1, ch 2, sc in sc, ch 2, sc in center dc of fan 2, ch 2, sc in sc, ch 2, sc in top of t-ch. (7 sc with 6 ch-2 sps)
Row 4 (RS, begin decrease): Ch 3, turn. Work 2 dc in first sc, sk ch-2 sp, sc in next sc, sk ch-2 sp, 5 dc in next sc, sk ch-2 sp, sc in next sc, sk ch-2 sp, 5 dc in next sc, sk ch-2 sp, sc in last sc. Leave last 2 dc unworked. (17 sts)
Continue decreasing at the armhole edge through Row 10, following the pattern to taper the cup from 19 stitches down to 10 stitches.
Row 10 (RS, top edge): Ch 1, turn. Sc across all sts and into all ch-sps for a total of 10 sc. (10 sc)
Fasten off. Each cup should measure approximately 3.75 inches wide at the base and 5.5 inches tall.
Right Cup
Attach yarn at center front and work across the right 19 stitches. Mirror the left cup instructions, decreasing at the opposite armhole edge.
Straps (Make 2)
With D-3 / 3.25 mm hook, ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (4 sc)
Rows 2 through 50: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo of each sc across. (4 sc)
The strap should measure 10 inches. Adjust length as needed (5 rows equals approximately 1 inch).
Work scallop edging along both long edges of each strap. Seam the top ends to the cup corners and the bottom ends to the back band, spacing them 3 inches apart.
Attach the bow to the center front V between the cups.
Shorts Instructions
Waistband
With D-3 / 3.25 mm hook, ch 21.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (20 sc)
Rows 2 through 130: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo of each sc across. (20 sc)
The waistband should measure 26 inches long and 4 inches tall. Sl st the short ends together to form a ring.
If using elastic, thread it through the center of the waistband before joining. Overlap elastic ends by 1 inch and sew securely.
Shorts Body
With E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, join yarn to any stitch along the top edge of the waistband.
Foundation round: Sc evenly around, placing 1 sc per row end. With 130 rows, work sc2tog 4 times evenly spaced to reduce to 126 sc. (126 sc)
Round 1 (fan round): Sl st in first sc, ch 3, work 2 more dc in same sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc, sk 2 sc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc, sk 2 sc) rep around, end with 2 dc in same st as beginning ch-3, sl st to top of ch-3. (21 fans, 126 sts)
Round 2 (return round): Ch 1, sc in same sl st, (ch 2, sc in center dc of next fan, ch 2, sc in next sc) rep around, sl st to first sc. (126 sts)
Rounds 3 through 17: Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 alternately. (126 sts each round)
Leg Separation and Finishing
Place stitch markers at two points exactly half the circumference apart. Work the crotch joining round by chaining 6 to bridge each side.
For each leg, work around 72 stitches (reduced from 76 with sc2tog). Continue the fan stitch pattern for 6 rounds, creating a 2.5 inch inseam.
Finish each leg with picot ball trim: (sc in next sc, ch 3, sl st in first ch of ch-3 to close picot) around.
Finishing Your Crochet Set
Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle, working ends back and forth through at least 1 inch of fabric in two directions.
Give both pieces a gentle wet block: submerge in cool water for 10 minutes, press the water out softly without wringing, then lay flat on a blocking mat and pin to your measurements. Let everything dry for 12 to 24 hours. Blocking lets the fan stitches relax and bloom into that polished, boutique look.
Care instructions: Machine wash gentle cycle in cold water or hand wash. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry or iron directly on the fabric. Store flat or folded.
Size Customization Tips
For Medium (US 8/10): Add 12 stitches to the band pickup (2 additional fans). Work the waistband strip to 30 inches (150 rows). Use 138 sc for the shorts body (23 fans).
For Large (US 12/14): Add 24 stitches to the band pickup (4 additional fans). Work the waistband strip to 34 inches (170 rows). Use 144 sc for the shorts body (24 fans).
Want a longer short? Add fan stitch rounds in pairs before you separate the legs. Each pair adds approximately 0.66 inches.
This butter yellow set is the kind of make that looks far fancier than it really is — stitch by stitch, with a little love, it becomes something truly special. Happy crocheting!
