Crafting A Crochet Tank Top: Easy Steps For Beginners

Making a tank top through crocheting is a fun and creative process. The Skylar Crop Top is a beginner-friendly project that serves as an excellent starting point for those new to crocheting garments. This stylish ribbed singlet is constructed by crocheting a rectangle, sewing its edges together, and then braiding straps onto the edges. The simplicity of this design allows for easy customisation to achieve the desired fit, making it a versatile piece for any wardrobe.

Choosing the right yarn

The first thing to consider when choosing yarn is the fibre. Fibres can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of the two. Natural fibres are sourced from animals or plants, and include wool, alpaca, cotton, and silk. Synthetic fibres are manufactured from materials such as polymers, coal, or petroleum, and include acrylic, nylon, and rayon. Blended fibres combine the best qualities of natural and synthetic fibres. For your tank top, you'll want a fibre that is breathable and has some stretch. A good option would be a cotton-acrylic blend or cotton-merino blend. You could also try 100% merino, which is soft and smooth with a good amount of stretch.

The next thing to consider is the weight of the yarn, which refers to its thickness. Yarn weight ranges from 0 (lace weight) to 7 (jumbo). For a crochet project like a tank top, a medium-weight yarn is a good choice. Worsted weight yarn is a popular option and is usually the first yarn encountered by crocheters. Aran weight yarn is slightly heavier than worsted and can also be used for garments.

When choosing yarn, it's important to consider the dye lot, care instructions, and yardage. Make sure to buy yarn from the same dye lot to ensure colour consistency. Check the care instructions to see if the yarn can be machine washed or if it needs to be hand washed. Pay attention to the yardage on the label and do some calculations to figure out how many balls of yarn you'll need for your project. It's always a good idea to buy an extra ball or two to avoid running out midway through your project.

Finally, choose a light-coloured yarn over a dark one as it can be challenging to see your stitches when working with dark-coloured yarns.

Crocheting a rectangle

To make a tank top by crocheting, you need to start by crocheting a rectangle. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to crochet a rectangle:

Materials and Tools

• Yarn (e.g. 100% cotton, merino, or a cotton-merino blend)
• Crochet hook (e.g. 2.5 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm, depending on the yarn)
• Scissors
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Crocheting the Rectangle

Start by creating a foundation chain that is roughly the length you want for the tank top. The longer the initial chain, the longer the rectangle will be. Then, you will crochet rows of stitches until your rectangle is wide enough. The number of rows you crochet will depend on the desired width of the tank top. Remember that fewer rows will create a tighter fit, while more rows will result in a looser fit.

For example, if you are using a sport/fine (2) yarn, you will need more stitches and rows, while an aran/worsted/medium (4) yarn will require fewer stitches and rows. You can also adjust the size of the rectangle by following a formula that calculates the number of stitches needed based on the initial chain length.

To create a ribbed texture, you can work into the back loops of all stitches until the last stitch of each row. This technique will also make the top more stretchy and comfortable to wear. For the last stitch of each row, crochet a normal stitch to keep the edges straight and tidy.

Once you have reached the desired width, fasten off the yarn, leaving a tail that is approximately twice the length of your foundation chain. Then, sew the short sides of the rectangle together to form a tube, which will be the basis of your tank top.

Additional Tips

• When crocheting a rectangle for a garment, it is recommended to use a yarn with stretch, such as acrylic, cotton-acrylic blends, or cotton-merino blends.
• If you are new to crocheting garments, it is better to make the garment slightly smaller rather than too big, as crochet projects tend to stretch out over time.
• You can adjust the length and width of the rectangle to achieve your preferred fit and ease for any size and body type.

Sewing the rectangle into a tube

Once you've crocheted your rectangle, it's time to sew the short sides together to form a tube. This will be the body of your tank top. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through this process:

Pin the Sides:

Before you start sewing, it's a good idea to pin the sides together. Line up the short edges of your rectangle, making sure they are even and match up neatly. Use sewing pins to temporarily secure the edges together. This will make it easier to sew and ensure that your tube is even and not twisted.

Sewing the Tube:

You can sew the sides together using a needle and thread or a sewing machine. If you're using a sewing machine, set it to a zig-zag stitch, which is ideal for stretchy fabrics like crochet. Start sewing from the top of one short side, backstitching a few times to secure the thread. Continue sewing along the edge, removing the pins as you go, until you reach the bottom. Backstitch again to secure the thread, and then cut the thread, leaving a few inches to tie off the ends.

If you're hand-sewing, use a needle and thread that match your crochet yarn as closely as possible. Sew along the pinned edge using a backstitch or a whipstitch, which are both sturdy stitches that can withstand some stretching. Make sure your stitches are relatively small and even, and try to follow the natural flow of the crochet stitches to create a seamless look.

Finishing Touches:

Once you've sewn the tube, try it on to check the fit. Make sure the seam is at the back and that the tube is not twisted. Mark where you want your straps to be placed with stitch markers, safety pins, or bobby pins. You can also use this opportunity to adjust the length of your top by folding and pinning the bottom edge if it needs to be shorter.

At this point, you can also neaten the ends of your yarn from sewing by weaving them into the crochet stitches using a tapestry needle. This will give your tank top a more polished look.

Now that you've sewn the rectangle into a tube, you're ready to move on to the next step of adding straps to your tank top!

Braiding the straps

Now that you've crocheted your rectangle and sewn the edges together, it's time to add the straps. Try on your top and use stitch markers, safety pins, or bobby pins to mark where you want your straps to go. Cut six strands of yarn, each measuring 150-172cm. Insert your hook along the edge of the top where you placed your stitch marker. Pull through the six strands of yarn, pulling the ends to ensure the centre of the strands is in the crop top.

Group the strands into three sets of two strands each. Start braiding by taking the right two strands and crossing them over the centre two strands. Then, take the left two strands and cross them over the centre. Continue this pattern until your braid is approximately 50-65cm long, or you have 2 inches of yarn left. Tie a knot at the end of your braid and trim off the excess to create a neat finish. Repeat this process for the remaining three strands to create the second strap.

If you prefer plain straps without the tie, simply create the two front strands and then tie them to the back of the top. You can refer to the video tutorial for a visual demonstration of this technique.

Adjusting the fit

The Skylar Crop Top is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern that can be easily adjusted to fit your body perfectly. The top is constructed by crocheting a rectangle and sewing the edges together to form a tube. The length of the top is determined by the number of chains in the foundation chain, so if you prefer a longer tank top, simply add more chains to the foundation chain. For a loose-fitting crochet singlet, you can add more rows until you achieve positive ease, which means the top is larger than your actual measurements. Conversely, if you desire a super-cropped look or a form-fitting bralette/bikini-style top, you can decrease the number of chains and rows accordingly.

The choice of yarn is crucial for achieving the desired fit. Opt for yarns with good stretch, such as acrylic, cotton-acrylic blends, or cotton-merino blends. Avoid 100% cotton yarn for fitted crop tops, as it tends to stretch out and not regain its original shape. However, if you prefer a relaxed and loose fit, cotton yarn is a suitable option.

Additionally, the type of crochet hook used can impact the fit. A smaller crochet hook may require more chains in the foundation chain and more rows to achieve the desired size. When in doubt, refer to the measurements provided in the pattern and adjust the number of chains and rows accordingly to create a custom-fitted crochet tank top.

Frequently asked questions