A lightweight top that's comfy enough for weekend adventures and cute enough for pictures along the way!
This post contains affiliate links. All that means is that I get a tiny commission if you purchase something by going through one of my links at NO extra charge to you! It helps support my business, making it a win win for everyone!
ABOUT
This beautiful, textured crochet top features a flattering scoop neckline, gorgeous texture, and unique wrap around straps. It’s made up entirely of beginner stitches and has perfectly shaped armholes so there’s no awkward, bulging fabric. Plus, like most of my designs, no undershirt is required!
As always, the pattern is size inclusive (XS-5X), includes easy to follow, row by row instructions, and has helpful diagrams/example photos, so there's no confusion!
BEHIND THE DESIGN
In April of 2021, I was lucky enough to be asked by one of my favorite yarn companies, Circulo, to design 2 summer garments for their magazine. After immediately saying "yes", I sat down and pondered about what I wanted to offer.
On top of my usual goals when designing (timeless, textured, & wearable), I quickly decided that the tops needed to be lightweight and eye-catching, but not intimidating. Which led me to my next decision.
Beginner stitches. But, as you know, designs with beginner stitches can look unoriginal really quick if they aren't used in a unique way or if there are no additional, interesting elements. So, stitch combos with unique straps it was!
I sent photos of 4 sketches and swatches to the Circulo team, and they voted on this design and the Riverbank Tank!
On top of those 2 patterns, you'll also find 10 other beautiful crochet and knit patterns by other incredible designers! If you want to get your hands on a copy, check with your local yarn store. Most copies will be distributed next week (06/19/22-06/25/2022) in the United States and around the world by fall.
It's been incredibly hard keeping this design and opportunity a secret for so long! I hope you love making and wearing it ❤
SIZES & MEASUREMENTS
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
MATERIALS NEEDED
HOOKS: 3 & 4 mm crochet hooks (or hook needed to obtain gauge)
YARN: Approx. 455 (590, 665, 810, 965) (1160, 1350, 1445, 1545) yards of Charme by Circulo (Great substitutions include: Wrapology by Yarn Bee, Cotton Fair by Premier, Brava Sport by KnitPicks, or any sport weight yarn.)
NOTIONS: tape measure, threading needle, stitch markers, scissors
TESTERS
Below are the talented, beautiful makers who tested this pattern! They each gave up time, used up yarn, and shared their knowledge to help make this pattern what it is and for that, I'm truly grateful. Scroll down to meet each amazing lady and don't forget to click on each photo to give some love on Instagram!
PRINT THE PATTERN
There is an affordable pdf on ETSY and RAVELRY! This makes crocheting a bit more relaxing since the pdf offers color coded sizes, is printer friendly, and ad-free!
CHECK OUT MY OTHER TANK TOP PATTERNS!
1) Riverbank Tank 2) Susan Tank 3) Daydreamer Tank
ABBREVIATIONS
- ch(s): chain(s)
- blsc: back loop single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- dc3tog: double crochet 3 together (See page 3.)
- f/o: finish off (See notes.)
- fsc: foundation single crochet
- LPS: lemon peel stitch (See page 3.)
- RS: right side of work
- sc: single crochet
- slst: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- WS: wrong side of work
- X: times
- y/o: yarn over
GAUGE
17 sts x 12 rows = 4 inches (with 4 mm hook)
ROW 1: ch 18, sc in 2nd ch from hook, *dc in next ch, sc in next ch*, repeat ** across, turn – 17 sts
ROW 2: ch 1 (never counts as st), dc in first st, *sc in next st, dc in next st*, repeat ** across, turn – 17 sts
ROW 3: ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st*, repeat across, turn – 17 sts
ROWS 4-12: Repeat ROWS 2 & 3.
DIFFICULTY
Easy
NOTES
- Sizes are in the following order: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
- Garment is worked from the bottom-up in 2 separate panels.
- Recommended negative ease: 1 inch
- Finish off (f/o): ch 1, cut yarn, pull tail through loop to knot
- If instructions state to repeat ** or (), simply repeat the instructions located inside of those symbols.
SPECIAL STICHES
Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog)
*y/o, place hook into next st, y/o, pull up a loop, y/o, pull through 2 loops*, repeat ** 2 more x (4 loops on hook), y/o, pull through all loops on hook (See ROW 5 in the st chart below.)
Lemon Peel Stitch (LPS)
(Also known as the Griddle Stitch) In this pattern, this stitch is a 2 st, 2 row repeat. You will always place a dc over a sc and vice versa. (See example instructions and st chart below.)
ROW 1: ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st*, repeat across, turn
ROW 2: ch 1, dc in first st, *sc in next st, dc in next st*, repeat across, turn
ROWS 3 & 4: Repeat ROWS 1 & 2.
ROW 5: (DEC ROW) ch 1, dc3tog, LPS across, turn
ROW 6: ch 1, LPS across, turn
PATTERN
BODY PANEL x 2
With larger hook (4 mm), fsc 61 (69, 77, 85, 95) (103, 111, 119, 129) ROW 1 (RS): ch 1 (never counts as st), sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st*, repeat ** across, turn – 61 (69, 77, 85, 95) (103, 111, 119, 129) sts
ROW 2: ch 1, dc in first st, *sc in next st, dc in next st*, repeat ** across, turn – 61 (69, 77, 85, 95) (103, 111, 119, 129) sts
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until body measures approx. 10.5 (11, 11, 11.5, 11.5) (12, 12, 12.5, 12.5) inches or desired length. (Keep in mind that the ribbing for the underarm will add an additional 1.5 inches.) f/o leaving a long enough tail to seam side. (approx. double the length of the body) Continue to SHAPE ARMHOLES.
SHAPE ARMHOLES
Turn your work so that the f/o tail is on your righthand side. Attach a new strand of yarn to the 7th (7th, 7th, 9th, 9th) (9th,11th, 11th,11th) st from the right. (See next diagram.)
NOTE: You are about to start decreasing to shape the armholes. When it states to “LPS”, you will simply work a dc above a sc and a sc above a dc.
ROW 1: ch 1, dc3tog, LPS across until 9 (9, 9, 11, 11) (11, 13, 13, 13) sts remain, dc3tog, leave remaining sts unworked, turn – 45 (53, 61, 65, 75) (83, 87, 95, 105) sts
ROW 2: ch 1, dc3tog, LPS across until 3 sts remain, dc3tog, turn – 41 (49, 57, 61, 71) (79, 83, 91, 101) sts
Repeat ROW 2: 1 (3, 4, 4, 5) (7, 8, 10, 12) more x. Last row should have 37 (37, 41, 45, 51) (51, 51, 51, 53) sts. Do not f/o. Continue to TOP RIGHT.
NOTE: If you want more coverage, repeat the following optional row until desired coverage.
OPTIONAL ROW: ch 1, LPS across, turn - 37 (37, 41, 45, 51) (51, 51, 51, 53) sts
TOP RIGHT
ROW 1: ch 1, LPS in the next 10 (10, 12, 14, 16) (16,16, 16,18) sts, dc3tog, turn – 11 (11, 13, 15, 17) (17, 17, 17, 19) sts
ROW 2: ch 1, dc3tog, LPS across, turn – 9 (9, 11, 13, 15) (15, 15, 15, 17) sts
ROW 3: ch 1, LPS across until 3 sts remain, dc3tog – 7 (7, 9, 11, 13) (13, 13, 13, 15) sts
Repeat ROWS 2 and 3 until you have 3 sts.
LAST ROW: ch 1, dc3tog and f/o. Continue to TOP LEFT.
TOP LEFT
With the other strap on the right-hand side, attach a new strand of yarn to the 13th (13th, 15th, 17th, 19th) (19th, 19th, 19th, 21st) st from the left. (See next diagram.)
ROW 1: ch 1, dc3tog, LPS across, turn – 11 (11, 13, 15, 17) (17, 17, 17, 19) sts ROW 2: ch 1, LPS across until 3 sts remain, dc3tog, turn – 9 (9, 11, 13, 15) (15, 15, 15, 17) sts
Repeat ROWS 1 & 2 until you have 3 sts.
NEXT ROW: ch 1, dc3tog, turn – 1 st
FINAL ROW: ch 1, working across neckline, sc in each st/row until you reach the other side, f/o
1st PANEL: Repeat BODY PANEL.
2nd PANEL: Continue to SEAM SIDES.
SEAM SIDES
STEP 1: Place the FRONT PANEL on the floor with the RS facing you. Then, place the BACK PANEL, with the WS facing you, on top of the FRONT PANEL. Attach panels together with st markers.
STEP 2: Using the long tail from the BODY (or by attaching a new strand of yarn to the underarm) whip stitch down the side. Repeat for other side. Continue to STRAPS.
STRAPS x 2
With smaller hook (3 mm) and with the RS facing you, attach a new strand of yarn to the middle st of an underarm.
NOTES:
- If you used the OPTIONAL ROW under SHAPE ARMHOLES for more coverage, scroll all the way to the bottom to determine strap length.
- If you’d like thicker straps, ch more. Keep in mind that doing so will add length to the body and make the straps lay closer to the shoulders.
- If you need help with this next part, check out my YouTube tutorial called How to Add Crochet Ribbing to the End of a Project.
ROW 1: ch 10, blsc in 2nd ch from hook, blsc in each ch down, slst 2x across body, turn – 9 sts
ROW 2: skip both slsts, blsc in each st up until 1 st remains, sc in last st, turn – 9 sts
ROW 3: ch 1, sc in first st, blsc in each st down, slst 2x across body, turn – 9 sts
Repeat ROWS 2 & 3 until body section ends. (NOTE: If you notice your straps are “wavy”, try slst 3x across body instead.)
ROW 4: ch 1, sc in first st, blsc across until 1 st remains, sc in last st, turn – 9 sts
Repeat ROW 4 until strap measures (from where it breaks off the top left/right to current row) approx. 9.5 (10.5, 10, 9.5, 9.5) (10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 12)” (or C: ______ inches.) (See next example photo.)
Flip tank over and fold strap. Make sure strap is not twisted and that hook is on the side nearest the body panel. To reconnect the strap, slst into top sc. (See next example photos.)
NOTE: At this point, I recommend trying it on to see if the strap length works for you. Adjust as needed.
Repeat ROWS 2 & 3 until you reach the first row of ribbing. With the WS facing you, slst first and last rows together and cut yarn.
Repeat STRAP for the other side. Continue to FINISHING.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and block, (if desired).
Voila! You now have yourself a beautiful, comfy tank perfect for adventures! Thank you so very much for supporting me. I hope you like the design as much as I do! Don’t forget to use the hashtags #RoadTripTank and @KayKrochets on social media so I can see your new creation and for a chance to be featured! Have a FANTABULOUS day and never forget that the creator of this universe adores you!
DETERMINE STRAP LENGTH
FIND A: Use the number listed below for the size you’re making for A. (Example: If I were making size small, A = 11”.)
A = 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) (15, 16, 17, 18)”
FIND B: Measure from underarm to TOP LEFT/RIGHT (inches).
Take that total and times it by 2.
(Example: 3” x 2 = 6”)
B = _____”
FIND C: Equation: A – B = C
(Example: 11” – 6” = 5”)
C = _____”
Plug in “C” to paragraph under STRAPS.
