Matching crochet sets look intimidating. I get it. You see the delicate lace, the fitted cups, the coordinating pieces, and your brain says "nope, that’s way above my skill level." But here’s the truth: if you can single crochet, double crochet, and follow a simple repeat, you can absolutely make this set.
The shell lace pattern that makes this look so impressive? It’s just two stitches worked into the same spot over and over. The cup shaping? Basic increases paired with decreases. The adorable bobble trim on the shorts? Five unfinished double crochets pulled together. Nothing scary. Nothing complicated.
Whether you’re an adventurous beginner ready to level up or an experienced crocheter looking for a satisfying summer project, this dusty rose bow bralette and shorts set breaks down into manageable pieces that come together beautifully. Let me walk you through every single step.
About This Crochet Pattern
This two piece set features a fitted crop bralette with an oversized decorative bow at center front and high waisted shorts with a playful bobble trim hem. Both pieces share the same dusty rose yarn, the same gauge, and the same design language for a cohesive coordinated look.
The bralette is constructed from the bottom up. You’ll start with a stretchy ribbed band, work upward through a shell lace body, shape soft bust cups with simple increases, and finish with wide scallop edged straps. The bow is made separately and sewn on at the end.
The shorts are worked in the round from the top down. A ribbed waistband gives that flattering stretch fit, the shell lace body creates beautiful texture, and the bobble trim along the leg openings adds the perfect finishing touch.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Time Estimate: The bralette takes approximately 8 to 12 hours. The shorts need about 14 to 20 hours. Plan for 22 to 32 hours total depending on your experience level and how fast you work.
Finished Measurements
Bralette (Size Small/Medium):
Shorts (Size Small/Medium):
Materials Needed
Yarn: Approximately 850 to 1000 yards (777 to 914 meters) of DK weight yarn (CYCA 3). A smooth cotton or cotton blend works best for stitch definition, breathability, and drape. You’ll use a single color throughout.
Yarn Suggestions:
Avoid fuzzy or textured yarns. The shell lace pattern needs smooth yarn to show off properly.
Hooks:
Notions:
Gauge
Getting gauge right is critical for fit in both pieces. Please swatch before starting.
Main body (shell lace pattern, blocked):
Ribbing (unblocked, unstretched):
Work a 6 inch square swatch in the shell lace pattern, block it, and measure before beginning.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me walk you through every stitch you’ll need.
Special Stitches
These special stitches create the beautiful texture in this set. Don’t worry, they’re all easier than they sound.
Ribbing
Every row: ch 1, turn, sc in blo across.
This creates a stretchy, ridged fabric that looks like knit ribbing. The right side shows clean horizontal ridges. Working in the back loop only is what gives it that stretch.
Fan (5-dc Shell)
Work 5 dc all into the same stitch or space.
This creates the rounded petal like motifs visible throughout the shell lace body sections. It sounds fancy, but you’re just putting five double crochets in one spot.
V-stitch
Work (dc, ch 1, dc) all into the same stitch or space.
This forms the open diamond structure between the fans.
Bobble (5-dc Bobble)
This stitch creates the adorable ball trim along the shorts hem.
Step 1: Yo, insert hook into indicated stitch or space.
Step 2: Yo, pull up a loop. Yo, pull through 2 loops only. You now have one unfinished dc on your hook.
Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2 four more times into the SAME stitch or space. You now have 6 loops on your hook.
Step 4: Yo and pull through all 6 loops on hook. Ch 1 to close. Bobble made.
The bobble pops to the right side of the work.
Scallop Edging
Insert hook into stitch, work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) all into the same stitch. Skip 2 stitches. Repeat.
This creates a rounded scallop finish on the straps.
The Shell Lace Pattern
This is the main pattern used throughout both pieces. Once you get the rhythm, it practically works itself.
Row/Rnd A (setup or RS row): ch 3 (counts as dc), sk 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk 2 sts, (fan in next st, sk 2 sts, V-st in next st, sk 2 sts) across, dc in last st.
Row/Rnd B (WS row or following rnd): ch 3, (V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st, fan in center dc of each fan) across, dc in top of tch.
Repeat Row/Rnd B for pattern.
Bralette Instructions
Bottom Ribbed Band
Foundation: Ch 13.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (12 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo across. (12 sc)
Repeat Row 2 until band measures 30 inches (76 cm) from beginning, or to desired bust circumference minus 2 inches for stretch. For the sample size, this is approximately 76 rows total.
Do not fasten off. Fold strip so short ends meet. Sl st the two short ends together through both loops to form a closed band. Rotate the ring so the long edge with the ridges is at the top.
Checkpoint: Your joined band should measure approximately 30 inches around the outer edge and 2 inches tall.
Bralette Body Setup Row
You will work along the long top edge of the ribbed band by picking up stitches along the row end edges.
Setup Row: With RS facing, join yarn at side seam. Ch 1. Work 1 sc into each row end edge across the full circumference of the band. You will pick up approximately 76 sc evenly around. If your row count differs, adjust to the nearest number divisible by 6, then add 4. Do not join. This is now worked flat.
Mark the center stitch (stitch 38 and 39 are center front). Place a marker at stitch 20 and stitch 57 to mark the side positions. Place a marker at stitch 1 and stitch 76 for the back edges.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Sk first 2 sts. V-st in next st. (Sk 2, fan in next st, sk 2, V-st in next st) 11 times. Sk 2, dc in last st. (76 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, turn. (V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st, fan in center dc of each fan) 12 times. Dc in top of tch.
Rows 3 through 6: Repeat Row 2 four more times.
Checkpoint: After Row 6, the shell lace body below the cups should measure approximately 3 inches tall above the ribbed band.
Cup Shaping
From this point, work is divided. The front section spans from your side markers (stitch 20 to stitch 57 = 38 working stitches).
Left Cup
Work only over the first 19 stitches of the front section.
Row CL1 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Work shell lace pattern over 18 sts (3 full repeats), dc in 19th st. (19 sts)
Row CL2 (WS): Ch 3, turn. Work shell lace pattern across, dc in top of tch. (19 sts)
Row CL3 (RS): Ch 3, turn. 2 dc in first st (cup increase at side edge), work shell lace pattern across to last 2 sts, sk 1, dc in last st. (19 sts)
Row CL4: Ch 3, turn. Work even in shell lace pattern. (19 sts)
Row CL5: Repeat Row CL3. (19 sts)
Row CL6: Repeat Row CL4. (19 sts)
Row CL7 (top cup edge, RS): Ch 1, turn. Work scallop edging across top of left cup. Fasten off.
Right Cup
With RS facing, join yarn at stitch 20 from center. Work Rows CR1 through CR7 mirroring the Left Cup instructions but with shaping reversed. For Row CR3, work the increase at the outer side instead. Fasten off.
Checkpoint: Each cup should measure approximately 3.5 inches wide and 3 inches tall.
Back Section
With RS facing, join yarn at one back edge marker. Work the back 38 stitches flat in shell lace pattern even (no shaping) for 6 rows matching the front cup height.
Rows B1 through B6: Work shell lace pattern even across 38 sts.
Back top edge (Row B7): Ch 1, turn. Work sc evenly across back top edge. Fasten off.
Side Seaming
Fold bralette so front and back are aligned. Using tapestry needle and yarn, seam the side edges using mattress stitch or whipstitch.
Bralette Straps (Make 2)
Ch 9.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (8 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo across. (8 sc)
Repeat Row 2 until strap measures 11 inches, or to desired length.
Scallop one long edge: With RS facing, join yarn at one short end. Work scallop edging along the entire long edge of the strap. Fasten off.
Pin and sew straps to the inner back top edge, approximately 2 inches from center back on each side. Sew front end of each strap to the top inner edge of each cup.
Bow Construction
Bow Loops (Make 2):
Ch 21.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (20 sc)
Rows 2 through 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo across. (20 sc)
Fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail.
Bow Knot Center (Make 1):
Ch 9.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (8 sc)
Rows 2 through 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo across. (8 sc)
Fasten off leaving a 12 inch tail.
Assembly: Fold each bow loop rectangle in half so short ends meet. Pinch the center. Whipstitch the two folded pieces side by side at their pinched centers. Wrap the knot rectangle around the pinched center and sew the ends together at the back. Sew assembled bow to center front of the bralette.
Shorts Instructions
Ribbed Waistband
Ch 17.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (16 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in blo across. (16 sc)
Repeat Row 2 until strip measures 28 inches, or to desired waist circumference minus 2 inches. For the sample, this is approximately 112 rows.
Fold strip so short ends meet. Sl st together to form a closed waistband ring.
Checkpoint: Joined waistband ring should measure approximately 28 inches around and 3 inches tall when unstretched.
Shorts Body Setup Round
With RS facing, join yarn at the waistband seam. Work sc evenly around the top long edge of the waistband, picking up 1 sc per row end edge. Adjust to 114 sc (divisible by 6). Join with sl st to first sc to close round. Place marker at join.
Round 1 (setup, RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Sk first 2 sts. V-st in next st. (Sk 2, fan in next st, sk 2, V-st in next st) 18 times. Sk 2. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (114 sts)
Rounds 2 through 10: Ch 3. (Fan in center dc of each fan, V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st) 19 times. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Checkpoint: After Round 10, the shell lace body should measure approximately 5.5 inches below the waistband.
Crotch Divide and Leg Sections
Place markers at stitch 60 (end of front section) and stitch 114/stitch 1 (side seam).
Front Leg Section
Row FL1 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Work shell lace pattern over front 60 stitches (10 repeats). End with dc in last st. Turn. (60 sts)
Rows FL2 through FL4: Ch 3, turn. Work shell lace pattern even. (60 sts)
Row FL5 (decrease): Ch 3, turn. Dc2tog over first 2 sts. Work shell lace pattern to last 3 sts. Dc2tog over next 2 sts, dc in last st. (58 sts)
Row FL6: Ch 3, turn. Work even. (58 sts)
Row FL7: Repeat FL5 decrease row. (56 sts)
Row FL8: Work even. (56 sts)
Fasten off front section.
Back Leg Section
With RS facing, join yarn at the back section starting stitch. Work Rows BL1 through BL8 mirroring Front Leg Section. (Starting at 54 sts, decrease to 50 sts by Row BL8.)
Fasten off back section.
Crotch Seam
With tapestry needle and yarn, whipstitch front crotch edge to back crotch edge along the shaped decrease rows. Seam approximately 2.5 inches.
Bobble Hem Trim
With RS facing, join yarn at front center bottom of either leg opening.
Round 1 (foundation): Ch 1. Work 1 sc into each stitch and space around the leg opening. Approximately 54 sc. Join with sl st. (54 sc)
Round 2 (bobble round): Ch 1. (Bob in next st, sc in next st) around. Join with sl st. (27 bobbles, 27 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (54 sc)
Fasten off. Repeat for second leg opening.
Finishing Your Dusty Rose Crochet Set
Weave in all ends using your tapestry needle, working ends in for at least 2 inches to secure.
Blocking is essential. Wet block both pieces by submerging in cool water for 10 minutes. Gently squeeze without wringing. Lay flat on blocking mats and pin to finished measurements. Allow to dry completely, which takes 12 to 24 hours depending on humidity.
After blocking, check that your shell lace fans are open and well defined. If they didn’t fully open, lightly steam block using a pressing cloth between your iron and the fabric.
Size Customization Tips
To go down a size (XS, 30 inch bust): Work the ribbed band to 27 inches. Reduce pickup stitches to 66. Work 11 shell lace repeats.
To go up a size (Large, 36 inch bust): Work the ribbed band to 34 inches. Increase pickup stitches to 84. Work 14 shell lace repeats.
For shorts adjustment: Measure your hip circumference and adjust the waistband length accordingly, keeping the stitch count divisible by 6.
For length adjustment: Each 2 rounds of shell lace add approximately 0.75 inches of length.
Care Instructions
I really hope you love making this dusty rose bow bralette and shorts crochet pattern as much as I loved designing it. The combination of textures, the sweet bow detail, and that satisfying bobble trim make this such a rewarding project from start to finish.
If you found this crochet tutorial helpful, I’d love for you to save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it whenever you’re ready to start. And please leave a comment below when you finish your set. I genuinely love seeing what you create, and your photos always make my day.
