Crochet shorts made from old afghan blankets are exactly what they sound like: a vintage crocheted throw, often a granny-square or zigzag design from decades ago, cut and sewn into a pair of loose, stretchy shorts. In early 2021 they were tipped as a summer trend after an Etsy seller's unisex versions, priced at about $70 a pair, went viral. The pull was easy to see: bright colour, a one-off look, comfort, and the satisfaction of wearing something rescued rather than newly made.
Here is where the shorts came from, what buyers liked about them, the history of the afghan blanket itself, and what to think about if you want a pair or plan to make your own.
The Etsy shop behind the viral shorts
The shorts that drew attention were sold through an Etsy listing by a maker named Lordvon Schmitt, as reported at the time. Each pair was cut from a recycled vintage afghan, so no two matched, and the seller warned that colour schemes depended on what blankets were available. Customers could also send in a blanket of their own to be turned into shorts.
The listing pitched them broadly: for running, dancing, festivals, yoga, lounging after a day on the ski slopes, or everyday wear, and for any gender. The seller described afghans as heritage textiles full of colour and nostalgia, and the shorts as warm yet breathable.
That listing is no longer available on Etsy. Similar upcycled crochet shorts and trousers are still sold by other makers on the site and elsewhere, usually at prices that reflect the hours of cutting, finishing and sewing each one needs.
What buyers said
Reviews on the listing were enthusiastic. Buyers called them fun, funky and very comfortable, and several were returning customers. One woman said a pair was the best thing she had ever bought her husband, and that they fitted perfectly. Another described them as bohemian shorts ideal for lounging or sleeping in, said she would happily wear them out in the right setting, and added that the patterns reminded her of crochet made by her grandmother.
That last point explains much of the appeal. For many people, an afghan in brown, orange and mustard granny squares is a memory of a grandparent's sofa. Wearing one turns that memory into something playful.
A short history of the afghan blanket
An afghan is a blanket or shawl, usually knitted or crocheted and often used as a throw on a bed or sofa. The name refers to Afghanistan. English writers were mentioning "Afghan shawls" by 1831, and by 1860 the word described knitted and crocheted handicrafts shown at fairs. One theory links the style to Afghan textiles built from geometric squares joined together.
The most familiar design is made from motifs, small units such as the granny square that are crocheted separately and then joined. Motif afghans are portable, easy to make from leftover yarn, and endlessly variable, which is why they became a staple of home crafting. They were especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s, the decades whose colour palettes most people now picture when they hear the word. That is why the shorts read as hippie or retro, and why many vintage afghans turn up in thrift shops today.
Did the trend take off?
Crochet did have a real fashion moment around 2020 and 2021. During pandemic lockdowns, home crafting surged, and social media filled with people learning to knit and crochet. When the singer Harry Styles wore a colourful patchwork knitted cardigan by JW Anderson in 2020, fans recreated it at home in such numbers that the label released the pattern. Crochet tops, bucket hats, bags and granny-square pieces appeared widely in shops and on runways the following summers.
Crochet shorts specifically remained a niche item rather than a mass trend. They are bulky, hand-finished and hard to produce at scale, which is also part of what makes them appealing. As a prediction from 2021, the claim was half right: the look became fashionable, the specific garment stayed a statement piece.
Why upcycling an old blanket makes sense
Textile waste is a large and growing problem, and much of what is thrown away is perfectly sound fabric. Turning an unwanted afghan into clothing keeps it in use and avoids making new yarn and dye. It also produces something genuinely unique, which fast fashion cannot.
There is one caution. Some old afghans are family heirlooms or fine examples of handwork. Before cutting into one, consider whether a relative would want it kept whole. A blanket that is stained, damaged or unloved is a better candidate.
Tips for buying or making a pair
- Check the fibre. Many vintage afghans are acrylic, which is hard-wearing and easy to wash but can feel warm in summer. Wool or cotton blends breathe better.
- Ask about lining. Open crochet stitches can be see-through. Some makers add a lining or suggest wearing them over swim shorts or leggings.
- Size generously. Crochet stretches and can sag over a day. A drawstring or elastic waist helps.
- Wash gently. Hand-wash or use a cool delicate cycle, then dry flat to keep the shape.
- Making your own. Use a simple shorts pattern, stabilise cut edges with a zigzag stitch or crocheted border before sewing, and plan where the motifs will fall so the pattern looks deliberate.
Whether you buy a pair or make one, the result is a garment with a past, which is a large part of the charm.
Sources: Etsy listing (now unavailable); Wikipedia: Afghan (blanket); first reported by I Heart Intelligence.
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