Crocheting A Crop Tank Top: Easy Steps For Beginners

There are many ways to crochet a crop tank top, and it can be an easy project for beginners. The Skylar Crop Top, for instance, is a stylish ribbed singlet that can be made by crocheting a rectangle, sewing the edges together, and adding braided tie straps. The Blair Crop Top is another beginner-friendly project that uses simple stitches like single crochet and half double crochet to create a modern and wearable tank top. For a more advanced project, you can try the Scallop V-neck Tank Top, which features scallop edges and tied straps for a feminine touch. When choosing a pattern, it's important to consider your skill level, the type of stitches and construction, and the yarn weight and fibre content.

Choosing the right yarn

Yarn Weight

The weight of the yarn will determine the thickness of the crochet stitches and the overall structure of your crop top. For a lightweight and breathable top, choose a light or medium weight yarn such as DK (double knitting) or sport weight yarn. If you prefer a bulkier and warmer top, go for a worsted or aran weight yarn. The pattern you choose to follow may also specify the recommended yarn weight.

Yarn Fibre

The fibre or blend of fibres used in the yarn will affect the drape, stretch, and feel of your crop top. Here are some common yarn fibres to consider:

• Acrylic: Acrylic yarn is affordable, durable, and easy to care for. It is also lightweight and breathable, making it a good choice for summer garments.
• Cotton: Cotton yarn is soft, breathable, and comfortable to wear. However, keep in mind that 100% cotton yarn may stretch out and not regain its original shape. A cotton-synthetic blend is a better option if you want the benefits of cotton with added stretch.
• Merino Wool: Merino wool is a natural fibre that is soft, smooth, and breathable. It is a good choice for a crop top that can be worn in any season.
• Cotton-Acrylic or Cotton-Merino Blends: These blends combine the benefits of both fibres, resulting in a yarn with good stretch, breathability, and durability.

Yarn Colour and Texture

The colour of your yarn will depend on your personal preference and the desired look of your crop top. You can choose a solid colour, a multicoloured yarn, or even switch colours after crocheting the band section for a unique look. Additionally, consider the texture of the yarn. A yarn with a smooth texture will result in a sleek and polished look, while a textured yarn will add visual interest and depth to your crop top.

Amount of Yarn

When choosing your yarn, consider the amount you will need for your crop top. The required amount may vary depending on the size of the top and the weight of the yarn. As a general guideline, a skein of worsted weight yarn that is 4.5 ounces (127.5 grams) or 227 yards (208 metres) long should be sufficient for a medium-sized crop top. However, it is always a good idea to have a little extra yarn on hand in case of mistakes or adjustments.

How much yarn you'll need

The amount of yarn you will need to crochet a crop top depends on several factors, such as the size of the top, the thickness of the yarn used, and the crochet pattern.

A good way to estimate how much yarn you will need is to check the crochet instructions. The instructions usually include information on the type and amount of yarn needed. For example, the amount of yarn needed for a women's crop top is about 200 g. Once you have decided on a pattern, it is best to check the instructions to find out exactly how much yarn you need. This way, you can make sure you have enough yarn for your crochet crop top without running out.

If you are unable to find a similar pattern to follow, you can estimate the amount of yarn you will need by measuring either your body or one of your existing shirts to figure out how many square meters/feet of fabric you'll require. Weigh your yarn, make a gauge swatch, weigh your yarn again, and measure your gauge swatch. Based on how much yarn you used for the size of that swatch, calculate how much yarn you'll need for the area of your crop top.

When in doubt, it is always better to err on the side of having too much yarn than too little. You can always use the leftover yarn for another project!

Basic stitches

To crochet a crop tank top, you'll need to be familiar with some basic stitches. These are the stitches that will form the basis of your garment and will be repeated throughout the pattern. Here's a detailed guide to the basic stitches you'll need to know:

Chain Stitch (ch):

The chain stitch is the foundation of all crochet projects. It creates a base chain from which you will work your other stitches. In the crop top patterns, you'll start by chaining a certain number of stitches to form the foundation of your top. The number of chains you make will depend on the size and style of the top you want to create.

Single Crochet (sc):

Single crochet is one of the most basic stitches in crochet. To make a single crochet, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. You will then have two loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook. Repeat this process across the row. Single crochet creates a tight fabric and is often used for the ribbed sections of the crop top, such as the waist ribbing.

Half Double Crochet (hdc):

Half double crochet is another essential stitch for crop tops. It creates a slightly taller stitch than single crochet, giving the fabric a bit more stretch. To make a half double crochet, yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over again, and pull up a loop. You will now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over one more time and pull through all three loops on your hook. Repeat this process across the row. Half double crochet is often used for the body of the crop top to give it a comfortable fit.

Double Crochet (dc):

Double crochet is a taller stitch that creates a more open fabric. To make a double crochet, yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over again, and pull up a loop. You will now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You will still have three loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull through the remaining three loops. Repeat this process across the row. Double crochet is not as commonly used in crop top patterns but can be found in some designs.

Slip Stitch (sl st):

Slip stitch is a basic stitch used to join pieces of your crochet project together. It creates an invisible seam that blends in with your stitches. To make a slip stitch, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull the loop through both the stitch and the loop on your hook. This will create a new loop on your hook. Repeat this process to join your pieces together. Slip stitch is used in crop top patterns to join the sides of the top or to create a seamless finish.

These basic stitches form the foundation of your crop tank top crochet pattern. By repeating these stitches in various combinations and row repeats, you will create the different sections of your top, such as the waist ribbing, body, and straps. Remember to refer to the specific crop top pattern you are following for detailed instructions on when and where to use these basic stitches. Happy crocheting!

Simple construction

The construction of a crochet crop tank top is quite simple. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Crocheting the Rectangle

The first step is to crochet a rectangle that will serve as the base for your crop top. The size of the rectangle will depend on your desired fit and measurements. The Skylar Crop Top pattern suggests crocheting a foundation chain that is roughly the length you want your top to be. Then, you will crochet rows of half-double crochets until your rectangle can wrap comfortably around your body. Remember, the fewer rows you crochet, the tighter your top will be, and vice versa.

Step 2: Sewing the Rectangle

Once you have crocheted your rectangle to the desired size, it is time to sew the short sides together to form a tube. Try on the tube to ensure it fits well. You can use stitch markers, safety pins, or bobby pins to mark where you want the straps to go. Sew the sides of the tube together, either by hand or using a sewing machine.

Step 3: Creating the Straps

There are several ways to create straps for your crop top. One method is to braid 6 strands of yarn together to form strong straps. You can also create plain straps by crocheting chains and sewing them onto the top. The length of the straps is adjustable, and you can even make them extra-long to tie into bows for a cute and adjustable fit.

Step 4: Adding Finishing Touches

After attaching the straps, your crop top is almost ready! Weave in any loose ends of yarn to give it a neat finish. You can also add decorative elements, such as buttons, lace, or embroidery, to personalise your top further.

Step 5: Trying It On

Finally, try on your new crochet crop tank top! Adjust the straps to your liking, and pair it with your favourite jeans, skirts, or layer it under a cardigan. Enjoy your handmade creation!

Adjusting the length

The length of your crocheted crop top is completely customisable. You can make it longer or shorter by adjusting the number of chains in your foundation chain. If you want a longer tank top, simply add more chains to your foundation chain. If you prefer a super-cropped bralette/bikini style, you can remove chains from your foundation chain.

The Skylar Crop Top is worked lengthways, so the foundation chain runs the length of the garment, not the width. This makes it very easy to change the width of the garment. As you crochet more rows, you can wrap the rectangle around your body to find the perfect fit.

The Blair Crop Top is worked widthways, so the foundation chain runs the width of the garment, not the length. To adjust the length of the Blair Crop Top, you can add or remove rows. Remember that crochet projects tend to stretch out, so it's generally better for your garment to be a bit small rather than too big.

If you want your crop top to be super form-fitting, you can remove rows to make your top fit snugly around your bust. If you want a loose-fitting singlet, add more rows until you have positive ease (i.e. your top is larger than your actual measurements).

The key to getting a fitted crop top is to crochet a top slightly smaller than your actual bust measurement and to pick a stretchy yarn.

Frequently asked questions