Want a soft summer set that feels special yet actually wearable? This butter yellow two-piece pairs a fan-stitch bralette with a cute center bow and matching high-waist shorts. Familiar stitches like single crochet and double crochet create the elegant repeating pattern. You get a finished look that works for beach days or casual evenings without complicated construction.
The set is sized for Small (US 4/6) with clear notes for Medium or Large. Expect about 10 to 14 hours on the bralette and 14 to 18 hours on the shorts. Intermediate crocheters who have made at least one garment before will handle it fine once the fan stitch rhythm clicks.
Why This Butter Yellow Set Feels So Special
The romantic vibe comes straight from the fan stitch texture covering both pieces. Each fan uses five double crochet stitches in one stitch, making those pretty shell-like waves. Scalloped straps add soft detail, and the centered bow pulls everything together.
Construction stays practical. You work the bralette in flat panels and seam them, so you can check fit as you go. The shorts start at the waistband and work downward in the round, which means less finishing at the end.
That wide ribbed waistband on the shorts is a standout. Worked in back loop only single crochet (blo sc), it creates stretchy ridges that hug without digging in. Elastic inside is optional but helpful for extra security.
Ready to gather supplies?
Materials You Need for the Full Set
Grab everything first so the project flows smoothly.
Yarn: DK weight (CYCA 3), 100% cotton or cotton-blend. Plan on about 600 yards total—250 yards for the bralette and 350 yards for the shorts. Larger sizes need an extra 100 yards just in case.
Good options include smooth DK cottons in soft yellow shades like banana cream or goldenrod tones. A cotton-polyamide blend works well if you want extra durability.
Hooks:
- US size E-4 / 3.5 mm for the main fabric
- US size D-3 / 3.25 mm for ribbing and straps
Notions:
- Tapestry needle for finishing
- 6 to 8 locking stitch markers
- 3 small buttons (about 0.5 inch) or a hook-and-eye set for the bralette back
- 1-inch wide elastic, 26 inches long, for the shorts waistband (optional but recommended)
- Sewing needle and matching thread if you add elastic
Stick with smooth, tightly plied DK yarn. Fuzzy or textured yarns will hide the pretty fan stitch details. FYI, a clean yarn shows off every shell wave better.
Gauge and Finished Sizes
Gauge matters on fitted pieces like this. Swatch before you start.
With E-4 / 3.5 mm hook in Fan Stitch Pattern:
- One fan repeat (6 stitches wide) = 1.25 inches
- 6 rows = 2 inches
With D-3 / 3.25 mm hook in ribbing:
- 20 stitches = 4 inches
- 20 rows = 4 inches
Work a swatch of at least 24 stitches by 12 rows. Block it flat, then measure. Too big? Drop a hook size. Too small? Go up one.
Bralette measurements:
- Band circumference: 30 inches (stretches to fit 28 to 32 inches)
- Cup height: 5.5 inches
- Strap length: 10 inches (adjustable)
Shorts measurements:
- Waist circumference unstretched: 26 inches (stretches to fit 26 to 32 inches)
- Hip circumference: 36 inches
- Rise (front): 11 inches
- Inseam: 2.5 inches
- Total length: 13.5 inches
Stitch Abbreviations and Special Techniques
Here is every abbreviation you will meet. Learning them first keeps the pattern easy to follow.
blo = back loop only. Insert the hook under only the back loop for ribbed texture.
ch = chain. Wrap yarn over hook and pull through the loop.
ch-sp = chain space. The gap made by a chain in the previous row.
dc = double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over and pull through last 2.
sc = single crochet. Insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops), yarn over and pull through both.
sk = skip. Pass over the stitches without working them.
sl st = slip stitch. Insert hook, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on the hook.
st(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side (the public-facing side)
WS = wrong side (the inside)
t-ch = turning chain
sc2tog = single crochet two together (a decrease)
Fan Stitch (Multiple of 6 Stitches Plus 1)
This creates the shell-like texture on both pieces.
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.
Mark the center dc of each fan with stitch markers for the first few rows until the pattern feels natural.
Scallop Stitch (For Strap Edging)
Working along a straight edge: 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)
Working 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 the center to gather. Wrap the center band tightly around the gathers and seam the ends together at the back.
Bralette Instructions Step by Step
Lower Band
The lower band forms the foundation and works flat in ribbing for stretch.
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 about 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 about 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 about 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 from Waist to Hem
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 and Size Customization Tips
Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle, working ends back and forth through at least 1 inch of fabric in two directions.
Wet block both pieces by submerging in cool water for 10 minutes. Press out water gently without wringing. Lay flat on a blocking mat and pin to measurements. Allow 12 to 24 hours to dry completely. Blocking evens the fan stitches and gives that polished 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.
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).
To lengthen the shorts, add fan stitch rounds in pairs before leg separation. Each pair adds about 0.66 inches.
IMO, a little extra length on the shorts makes them even more wearable for everyday outfits.
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Ready to Start Stitching Your Set?
This butter yellow romantic crochet set delivers soft texture, flattering fit, and just enough pretty details to feel special. The fan stitch looks fancy but settles into a steady rhythm quickly. Take your time with the gauge and the first few fan rows, and the rest of the project becomes genuinely enjoyable.
Once you finish, block it well and try it on. You will see how the ribbing hugs and the bow sits just right. Share your finished set with friends or keep it as your new favorite warm-weather piece. Happy stitching from the Sumara Patterns team—go make something beautiful this weekend.
