Bayside Tank Top Free Crochet Pattern
The Bayside Tank Top Free Crochet Pattern may be one of my favorites ever. It is the kind of pattern that works up quickly, is great for all levels and creates the kind of garment I will wear over and over again. I have made several of these in a few colors.
The Bayside Tank Top Free Crochet Pattern has a hint of detail at the waist that magically creates the shape without having to do much shaping work in the stitching. This is the the beauty of the design and makes it a very beginner friendly pattern.
Supply List:
Category #4 worsted weight cotton
Main Color 350 (375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525) yds
Contrast Color 75 (85, 95, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200) yds
Wool And The Gang Shiny Happy Cotton shown here in Size Small
Crochet Hook Size I-9 / 5.5 mm
Tapestry needle to weave ends
Tape Measure
Fasteners or safety pins
Stitches Used / Abbreviations:
fhdc – foundation half double crochet
ch – chain loop
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
hdc2tog – hdc 2 together
dc4tog – dc 4 together
dc3tog – dc 3 together
sp - space
Sizes: Extra Small (Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X)
Finished Measurements Bust: 36.5 (39.5, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 56.5)”
GAUGE: 4” square = 11 sts x 10 rows in hdc stitch
NOTES:
This pattern is written for Adult Woman Extra Small. (Size Small, Med, Large,1X, 2X, 3X, 4X in parentheses).
This top is intended to fit with up to several inches of positive ease.
This pattern is made in two panels, front & back and then the bottom “skirt” is added after bust assembly
Assembly calls for Mattress Stitch Method, if you do not know this you can whip stitch instead.
READ THROUGH PATTERN BEFORE BEGINNING
Block BEFORE assembly.
MAKE 2 PANELS IN MAIN COLOR:
Row 1: Fhdc x 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78), turn.
Rows 2 - 16: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 49 (53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)x hdc across for total 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78) hdc incl ch 2.
Begin Shaping Armhole:
Row 17: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), [hdc2tog] 2 times, hdc across to last 4 stitches then [hdc2tog] 2 times, 4 stitches decreased, 46 (50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74) stitches remain.
Rows 18 - 19: Repeat Row 17, 38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66) stitches remain.
Rows 20 – 27 (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34): Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), hdc across for total 38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66) hdc incl ch 2.
Shape Neck & Make First Strap:
Row 28 (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35): Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 5 (6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16)x hdc, hdc2tog, hdc, TURN. Total 8 (9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19) hdc - incl ch 2.
Row 29 (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36): Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 7 (8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18)x hdc across, TURN. Total 8 (9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19) hdc - incl ch 2.
Row 30 (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37): Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 5 (6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16)x hdc, hdc2tog TURN. Total 7 (8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18) hdc - incl ch 2.
Row 31 (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38): Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), hdc2tog, 4 (5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15)x hdc, TURN. Total 6 (7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17) hdc - incl ch 2.
Rows 32 (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39) – 34 (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41): Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 5 (6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16)x hdc across, TURN. Total 6 (7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17) hdc - incl ch 2. each row.
Fasten, leaving long tail for assembly (approx. 6 inches)
Continue Shaping Neck & Make Second Strap:
Rejoin yarn at other side and work as for First Strap.
ASSEMBLY
Marry your two panels with one strap on each side and this will now be INSIDE OUT.
Using your stitch marker or fastener, pin sides of panels together at Row 17 beginning armhole shaping on each side.
Using long tail from bottom, and using mattress stitch method, join sides working from the bottom to the fastener on each side.
Again, using mattress stitch, connect the straps on each side.
After top is assembled TURN RIGHT SIDE OUT then:
CONTINUE WITH MAIN COLOR:
Rounds 1 -3 : Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 99 (107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155)x hdc around, sl st to top of ch 2, total 100 (108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156) incl ch 2.
Large, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X Sizes only:
Rounds 4-6: Rounds 4-6: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 99 (107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155)x hdc around, sl st to top of ch 2, total 100 (108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156) hdc incl ch 2.
Size 3X, 4X only:
Round 7: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 99 (107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155)x hdc around, sl st to top of ch 2, total 100 (108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156) hdc incl ch 2.
WAIST:
NOTE: There is no decrease because the pattern will naturally “cinch” by design
CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Round 1: : Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 99 (107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155) hdc around, sl st to top of ch 2, total 100 (108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156) hdc incl ch 2.
Round 2: Ch 3 (acts as first dc), dc3tog in next 3 sts, Ch 5 *dc4tog in next 4 sts, ch 5* repeat * to * around to first ch 3, then end with ch 2, dc into dc4tog where the row began.
Round 3: * Ch 5, sc into third ch of next ch 5 group * repeat * to * around then end with ch 3 then dc into ch 1 that began round.
Round 4: Ch 2 (acts as dc), dc in same, [4x dc into third ch of next ch 5 group] all the way around then 2x dc into same sp as starting ch 2, sl st to ch 2 to complete round.
Round 5: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 99 (107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155)x hdc in each dc around, sl st to top of ch 2, total 100 (108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 155) hdc incl ch 2.
BOTTOM / HIP INCREASE:
CHANGE TO MAIN COLOR AND BEGIN HIP INCREASE:
Round 1: : Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 99 (107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155)x hdc around, sl st to top of ch 2, total 100 (108, 116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156) hdc incl ch 2
Round 2: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 48 (52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76)x hdc, 2 hdc in next 2 hdc, 48 (52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72, 76)x hdc, 2 hdc in last hdc, sl st to top of ch 2, total 104 (112, 120, 128, 136, 144, 152, 160) hdc incl ch 2.
Round 3: Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78)x hdc, 2 hdc in each of next 2 hdc, 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78)x hdc, 2 hdc in last hdc, sl st to top of ch 2, total 108 (116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156, 164) hdc incl ch 2.
Round 4-10 Ch 2 (acts as first hdc), 107 (115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155, 163)x hdc around, sl st to join to ch 2 for total 108 (116, 124, 132, 140, 148, 156, 164) hdc incl ch 2.
FINISHING & TRIM:
NECK EDGING:
Attach MAIN color at back center of neckline , Then:
Ch 1, sc across working 1 sc in each hdc and 2 sc in each ch-2, sc in each hdc across the front neckline, sc in each hdc up the second strap and 2 sc in each ch-2, sc in each hdc across back neckline, sl st to beg ch 1.
CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Ch 1, sc around neckline and sl st to ch 1 to join and complete.
Fasten off.
ARM EDGING:
Attach MAIN color at back where strap begins , Then:
Ch 1, sc up the strap and around each armhole placing 1 sc in each hdc and 2 sc in each ch-2.
CHANGE TO CONTRAST COLOR
Ch 1, sc around armhole and sl st to ch 1 to join and complete.
Fasten off.
Repeat on other side.
Weave in all ends.