Hello friends! I've really been digging crop tops lately, and while it's not necessarily a winter-time outfit, I live in LA so I can get away with it. 😂 If it's too cold where you live , it's the perfect project to start now, so your spring and summer game are on point! They are quite the fashion rage, now, aren't they! Plus, they are great for layering, so don't let the cold keep you from rocking your favorite fashion statement!
Besides being into crop tops, I've also been on a journey to create tops that fit well while making room for ladies with bigger busts! In this case, I've experimented with ways to increase and decrease the shape around the chest in a flattering way. I have to say, I'm most proud of this crop tank top pattern! I hope you'll give it a try and share your feedback with me.
I'd love to know how your parts turned out, if you enjoyed this pattern, or if you have any other feedback or concerns, so do please share with me (you can email me at studiosquaredaway@gmail.com). Otherwise, please enjoy this free pattern!
PATTERN NOTES
This pattern is written using US crochet terms, and sizing is listed in inches.
This pattern includes directions for sizes XS-2XL. Stitches and rows will be listed like this: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
This pattern is fun because it's all worked in one piece, requiring slip stitch seams only along the back seam, and the two shoulder straps. Additionally, XS-M can be completed with just one skein of yarn, and only up to 2 for L-2XL!
The piece is worked starting with the ribbing at the bottom, then worked in vertical double crochet rows. You'll increase and decrease the number of stitches per row depending on which part of the tank top you are on. For example, you'll decrease for the arm hole, and increase for the straps.
Below, the tank is folded in half along the cross section to give a sense of how the increases and decreases and the shaping comes together. The left edge is the center of the back panel. One of the last steps is to seam these ends together.
MATERIALS
Any worsted weight yarn. I used Big Twists 100% acrylic yarn in color Pale Peach
Yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape, stitch markers
GAUGE
For the most accurate gauge, crochet in the different styles squares that are larger than 4"x4" so that you can measure the center, stitches which will more accurately reflect the overall pattern.
Ribbing
16 rows of ribbing st = 4"
Double crochet
8 rows x 14 st = 4" x 4"
STITCH KEY
Ch(s) = chain(s)
Sc = single crochet
Sl St = slip Stitch
Sk = skip
Dc = double crochet
Dc2tg = Decrease by double crocheting two stitches together
BLO = back loop only
SIZING
PATTERN
Ribbing
For sizes XS-M, ch 16. for sizes L-2XL, ch 26 Turn.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and across to end - 15 (15, 15, 25, 25, 25)
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st, sc in blo. Continue sc in blo of each remaining st to the end - 15 (15, 15, 25, 25, 25)
Row 3 - 88 (96, 108, 124, 140, 156): Repeat Row 2. -15 (15, 15, 25, 25, 25)
Bring together the two ends of your ribbing to make a loop, and sl st seam them together.
Ch 1, sc in the end of each ribbing row all the way around - 88 (96, 108, 124, 140, 156)
Sl st with starting sc to complete the round.
Top
We'll be working vertical rows, perpendicular to the row of sc you just completed. You'll start with a series of chains
Row 1: ch the following number for the size you are crafting: 30 (32, 32, 34, 34, 36)
Row 2: In the third ch from the hook, dc. Continue to dc in each ch across. The total number of dc stitches will include the ch 2 at the start of the row here and throughout. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 3: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in next 4 sc sts. Turn your work and continue along the double crochet row you made in row 2 by skipping the 4 sl stitches. You'll continue this method of skipping the sl st along the ribbing throughout the whole pattern.. Dc across to end. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as first st here and throughout). Dc in next st and each st across to end. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 5 - 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12): Repeat rows 3 and 4.
Arm Hole
We will decrease the number of stitches to create the first arm hole.
Row 1: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 4 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc 13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first st here and throughout). Dc in each st across to end. - 13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)
Row 3 - 9 (9, 9, 11, 11, 11): Repeat rows 1 and 2. - 13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)
Strap
To work up the straps, you'll continue from the end of the previous row with a series of stitches.
Continuing from the previous row, ch the following number for the size you are crafting: 25 (25, 27, 27, 29, 29)
Row 1: In the third ch from the hook, dc. Continue to dc in each ch across, then continue dc in each dc from previous row to end. The total number of dc stitches will include the ch 2 at the start of the row as a st here and throughout. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 2: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. (Please note that you'll only sl st in 2 st here, where you were doing 4 in previous rows). Turn your work. Dc across to end. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 3: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in second st from hook and each st across to end. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 4: Repeat row 2. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 5: Repeat row 3. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Neckline
We will spend a couple rows decreasing for a nice curve in the neckline, then use a combination of dc and sc to create shape for the bust.
Row 1: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc the following number of st depending on your size: 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34).
Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. Dc2tg in the next two st. Dc across to end. - 27 (29, 29, 31, 31, 33)
Row 3: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc across, working a decrease by dc2tg in the last two st. - 26 (28, 28, 30, 30, 32)
Row 4: Repeat row 2. - 25 (27, 27, 29, 29, 31)
Row 5: Repeat row 3. - 24 (26, 26, 28, 28, 30)
Row 6: Repeat row 2. - 23 (25, 25, 27, 27, 29)
Row 7: Repeat row 3. - 22 (24, 24, 26, 26, 28).
For XS, skip to the next Row 1 that follows the break ***** below.
Row 8: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in each st across. - 22 (24, 24, 26, 26, 28)
Row 9: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc across except for the last 5 st of the row. Work a sc in these 5 st. - 22 (24, 24, 26, 26, 28)
Row 10: Ch 1 and turn. (Ch 1 does not count as a st). Sc in first 5 st, dc in remaining st across to end. - 22 (24, 24, 26, 26, 28)
*For size Small, repeat rows 9 and 10 two more times. You should have 6 total rows worked with sc along the neckline.
*For size Medium, repeat rows 9 & 10 four more times. You should have 10 total rows worked with sc along the neckline.
*For size Large, repeat rows 9 & 10 six more times. You should have 14 total rows worked with sc along the neckline.
*For size XLarge, repeat rows 9 & 10 ten more times. You should have 22 rows total worked with sc along the neckline.
*For size 2XLarge, repeat rows 9 & 10 eighteen more times. You should have 38 total rows worked with sc along the neckline
*****
Now we will work to increase for the second strap, decrease for the second arm hole, and finish the back half of the piece!
Row 1: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc across until the last st. In the last st work 2 dc to begin the increase for the neckline. - 23 (25, 25, 27, 27, 29)
Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. Increase by one by working a dc in the first st from hook. 1 dc in the next st and to the end of the row. - 24 (26, 26, 28, 28, 30)
Row 3: Repeat row 1. - 25 (27, 27, 29, 29, 31)
Row 4: Repeat row 2. - 26 (28, 28, 30, 30, 32)
Row 5: Repeat row 1. - 27 (29, 29, 31, 31, 33)
Row 6: Repeat row 2. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 7: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc across to end. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Increase for the second strap
Continuing from the end of the previous row, ch the following number corresponding with the size you're making: 10 (10, 12, 12, 14, 14)
Row 1: In the third ch from the hook, dc. Continue to dc in each ch across, then continue dc in each dc from previous row to end. The total number of dc stitches will include the ch 2 at the start of the row as a st here and throughout. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 2: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 2 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc across to end. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 3: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in second st from hook and each st across to end. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 4: Repeat row 2. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Row 5: Repeat row 3. - 36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46)
Arm Hole
We will decrease the number of stitches to create the first arm hole.
Row 1: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 4 sc sts. (Note we are back to four sl st for the rest of the pattern). Turn your work. Dc 13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first st here and throughout). Dc in each st across to end. - 13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)
Row 3 - 9 (9, 9, 11, 11, 11): Repeat rows 1 and 2. - 13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19)
Top
Row 1: ch the following number for the size you are crafting: 11 (13, 13, 15, 15, 17)
Row 2: In the third ch from the hook, dc. Continue to dc in each ch across. The total number of dc stitches will include the ch 2 at the start of the row here and throughout. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 3: In the sc row along the ribbing, sl st in 4 sc sts. Turn your work. Dc across to end. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as first st here and throughout). Dc in next st and each st across to end. - 28 (30, 30, 32, 32, 34)
Row 5 - 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12): Repeat rows 3 and 4.
Joining!
Without trimming out, line up the two back panels and sl st seam them together. Trim out and tie in loose end.
The only other seaming needed for this part is the two straps. Line up the straps with ends of the back panel piece, sl st seam them together, and tie in loose ends using a yarn needle.
Finish
Yessss thank you for the pattern! It's so cute! 🎊