Adjusting pattern sizing question

Hi everyone! I hope someone can offer me some advice. I'm sewing a pair of
pants and it's my first try a a pattern that isn't one of the "easy" ones.
Here's the issue: my hips are one size smaller than my waist. Can I just
cut on the larger waistline and blend the pattern cutting lines together?
And if that's so, then which crotchline should I use? If I can't do that,
then should I just rely on letting out the waistline darts to make the waist
bigger? TIA!
Sara L.