I have been trying to finish this tank top crochet pattern for ages now, so I’m super pumped to FINALLY get to share it here with you all.
It was inspired by a crochet tank top I made while I was in Thailand with my family. I used my moms hand plied yarn that she makes and sells, which meant there was no comparable yarn to make a pattern.
I shared that crochet tank top and social media, confident that it would just be for fun….
But, everyone loved that top and asked so many times about a pattern….I really wasn’t going to, but you all asked and I couldn’t leave the knitcro fam hanging!
So here it finally is, the solid shell tank top crochet pattern.
Finding a suitable yarn for the tank top crochet pattern..
The first struggle was finding a yarn that would be close to the original, which I figured was about a lace weight. I’m crazy about this Holst Garn Coast yarn lately and lucky for me, it’s lace weight!
Otherwise everyone would have to order custom plied yarn from Thailand, which my mom would love but the shipping would be bananas for most of us. So Holst Garn it is.
Making the pattern
I designed this with a solid shell stitch, which if you’ve seen my designs, you know I have a thing for. It’s a very easy two piece construction that’s sewn together after.
It’s beginner friendly, super stylish and simple to make. It’s also really easy to turn into a DRESS! Hopefully people read that part, but it usually get’s missed.
This tank top crochet pattern is available for free in US women’s XS-XXL here on the blog, but if you’d like to own the ad free version to print or download to your device, you can find this and many more on my pattern sales channels below.
If you’re looking to find more crochet pattern tutorials, you might like some of these below.
1 Crochet Lacy Summer Top / 2 Crochet Lacy Sweater Top / 3 Crochet Fall Pullover
Materials
- #0 lace/2ply weight yarn
- I used Holst Garn Coast in color Asparagus #0 lace weight yarn
- 3mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
*These materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.
Stitches Used & Code (US Term)
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- Shell st = 5 dc All into the same st
- sk = skip
- REP = repeat
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- ” = inches
Skill: Easy
Notes:
- This pattern is written in English US terminology
- This pattern made in US women’s sizes XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL )
- In this picture I have demonstrated with size small
- This top is worked flat in 2 pieces from the top down and then sewn together. The front and back panel are made the same
- This pattern is in a multiples of 6+2 ch
- This pattern is a 2 rows repeat (row 3 and 4)
Yarn needed: 630(690, 760, 830, 900, 960) Yards
Gauge blocked: 4.5 shell st X 15 rows = 4″
Measurements (After blocked)
- XS = 16.88″ Body width across X 16″ Length
- S = 17.77″ Body width across X 16.53″ Length
- M = 19.55″ Body width across X 17.60″ Length
- L = 21.33″ Body width across X 18.13″ Length
- XL = 23.11″ Body width across X 19.20″ Length
- XXL = 24″ Body width across X 19.73″ Length
Shell Stitch Tank Top Crochet Pattern
FRONT PANEL
Straps (Make 2)
Row 1 (WS): Leave 12-14″ long tail, ch 20(20, 20, 20, 20, 20), 1 sc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 19(19, 19, 19, 19, 19) sc
Row 2 (RS): Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into first st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 3(3, 3, 3, 3, 3) shell st
Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into first st/same ch 3 st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st.
Row 4: Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into first st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 3(3, 3, 3, 3, 3) shell st
REP Row 3 and Row 4: 10(10, 11, 11, 12, 12) more times. You’ll have a total of 24(24, 26, 26, 28, 28) rows
The end of row 24(24, 26, 26, 28, 28) cut the yarn.
Body
*Note: We’re going make some new chains and continue crocheting into the straps for the body part. To do that, make sure to place the straps wrong side facing up and follow the instructions below.
Row 1 (WS): ch 18(18, 24, 24, 30, 30) for the under-arm, 3 dc into first st on the last row of the strap, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st, ch 41(47, 47, 59, 59, 65) for the neckline, 3 dc into first st on the last row of the strap, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st, ch 19(19, 25, 25, 31, 31) for the under-arm and a turning ch. Total of 116(122, 134, 146, 158, 164) st including the ch. Check picture below
Row 2 (RS): *Note, treat the ch as a normal st. Turn, 1 sc into second ch from hook,*sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 19(20, 22, 24, 26, 27) shell st. Check picture below
Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into first st/same ch 3 st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st.
Row 4: Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into first st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 19(20, 22, 24, 26, 27) shell st
REP Row 3 and Row 4: 16(17, 18, 19, 20, 21) more times. You’ll have a total of 36(38, 40, 42, 44, 46) rows
Note: If you want a shorter top, make less repeats, if you want a longer top (even a dress) just keep repeating row 3 and row 4 to desired length.
The end of row 36(38, 40, 42, 44, 46) cut the yarn and leave 30-40″ long tail. Check picture below
For the back panel, you’re going to make it the same as the front panel, but DO NOT leave a long tail at the beginning of the straps.
JOINING THE PANELS TOGETHER
Sewing the straps at the shoulder seams
Take the back and front panel, place them with the correct side facing each other, then we’ll sew on the wrong side. Using the tails that we left earlier on the straps to sew with your method of choice. Check picture below
Sewing the side seams
With your panels right side facing each other, we’ll sew on the wrong side along the side seams. Using the tails that we left earlier to sew with your method of choice. Check picture below
CROCHET AROUND THE ARMHOLE EDGES
Turn your top right side out, we’ll crochet on the right side in the round. We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in each round
Round 1: Add new yarn into the side seam, then ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into the same st, 1 sc into each ch until you reach the strap/under-arm corner, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part. Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the shoulder seam, 1 sc into the shoulder seam, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part. Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the strap/under-arm corner, 1 sc into each ch across. Total of 112(112, 130, 130, 148, 148) sc, if you have a few less or more st it’s ok. Check picture below
Round 2: 1 sc into each st around. Cut the yarn and weave all the ends. Both sides are made the same. Total of 112(112, 130, 130, 148, 148) sc, if you have a few less or more st it’s ok. Check picture below
CROCHET AROUND THE NECKLINE EDGE
With your top right side facing out, we’ll crochet on the right side in the round. We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in each round
Round 1: Add new yarn into the shoulder seam, then ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into the same st, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part. Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the strap/neckline corner, 1 sc into each neckline ch until you reach the strap/neckline corner, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part. Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the shoulder seam, 1 sc into the shoulder seam, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part. Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the strap/neckline corner, 1 sc into each neckline ch until you reach the strap/neckline corner, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part. Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* across. Total of 232(244, 256, 280, 292, 304) sc, if you have a few less or more st it’s ok. Check picture below
Round 2: 1 sc into each st around. Cut the yarn and weave all the ends. Total of 232(244, 256, 280, 292, 304) sc, if you have a few less or more st it’s ok. Check picture below
HERE’S THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR THIS CROCHET TOP
That’s it for this solid shell stitch crochet tank top pattern, I hope you all enjoyed. I really want to see everyone’s fashion style, and it’s always difficult to get everyone’s replies and shares in one place, so I’m going to try something new.
I’m going to make a hashtag for new posts so we can all get involved. This week, let’s use the hashtag and we can all follow along. I’m so excited!
Till next time my friends
✌💖🧶
Wan