The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top is a free crochet pattern below that is made to measure, size inclusive and super easy. It is designed and written specifically for beginners. The full instructions are posted below for you to view for free.
We love crochet cover ups .. and we don’t always use them as cover ups either ๐ Most often, we are wearing them as large comfortable oversized mesh tops that drape and fall easily over shorts! True…the Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top works well as something to drop over your cute swim suit, but a lot of the time we are just wearing it like a lacy tee over The Fast Easy One Hour Crochet Bra. With its relaxed, netted design and modern oversized fit, The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top has started this season as one of our sunny favorites. We are just loving how lightweight and breathable it is.
Do you like the cute little sleeves?
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The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top is an absolute beginner top! It works up incredibly fast thanks to the open, mesh-like stitch pattern. If you have been following our blog for a while you probably know that we LOVE crocheting into spaces. It’s super relaxing … and sometimes if the space is big enough we can crochet without taking our eyes off our movie ๐
We made our version of The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top using Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK, but you can easily substitute this with your favorite cotton or cotton blend yarn. Whether you prefer working with worsted weight or a lighter DK yarn, this pattern will adapt to your measurements and your gauge as it is a “made to measure” pattern. What makes this crochet pattern so beginner-friendly is you can use any yarn and hook you like. We do suggest selecting a yarn that has a great drape to it! Check out all the details related to the yarn we selected in the section “Crochet Materials”.
We also love how The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top is completely customizable, including the neckline. Whether you want it hitting at the waist or a longer tunic length, you can adjust it easily. Because itโs quick to make and size inclusive, this pattern also makes a beautiful handmade gift. If you have ever gifted something hand made (and gorgeous), you will quickly realize how meaningful, unique and budget friendly it is.
Looking for more super easy oversized summer tops? Then check out the long sleeve Nusa Mesh Net Crochet Sweater Top and The Casey Draping Vertical Stripe Crochet Top.
So, let’s get started on The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top! Click on the social media icons below to follow us and stay up to date with Kiks + Jack Crochet Pattern releases (and please show us what you are making too!) Scroll down for the free pattern and get ready to crochet your new favorite summer piece.
DESCRIPTION of The The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top
The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top is designed to be a loose, modern and oversized mesh top.ย It uses a beautiful stitch that gives the top stunning drape. We used a self striping yarn that gives random pops of color without a lot of weaving in, however this would look amazing in a solid color too.
The neckline is completely customizable and you can adjust it to sit off the shoulder or keep it tighter and stay comfortably on top. The natural scalloped edge forms the neckline for a relaxed, effortless finish.
The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top is a simple and free crochet pattern thatโs beginner friendly and fully customizable to any size. Designed as a made to measure project, it uses mostly double crochet stitches and chains, making it perfect for those new to crochet or anyone looking for a relaxing, straightforward make.
CROCHET MEASUREMENTS & SIZES
The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top pattern instructions are made to measure, based on your required measurements.
At Kiks + Jack Crochet, we love designing patterns that are made to measure rather than using fixed sizes (XS – 5XL). This approach allows crocheters to create garments that fit their bodies just right, with the freedom to use any yarn and gauge they prefer. We understand, though, that taking measurements isn’t always practical or preferred, so weโve also included standard sizing guidelines for anyone who would like to use it.
To use the Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top pattern you will need the following measurements and you should write them down for easy reference:
Chest/Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest/bust. Do not draw the tape too tightly.
Finished Length: Measure from your below your hips (or where you would like the top to end) up to the top of your shoulder.
Armhole Depth: Measure from the top outside edge of the shoulder down to the armpit
Standard Sizing (For Reference)
If you would like to use standard sizing for the chest/bust โ then for XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) use approximately 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) inches or 71-76 (81-86, 91-96, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-158) centimetres.
If you would like to use standard sizing for armhole depth – then for XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) use approximately 6-6.5 (6.5-7, 7-7.5, 7.5-8, 8-8.5, 8.5-9, 9-9.5, 9.5-10, 10-10.5) inches or 15.5-16.5, 16.5-17.5, 17.5-19, 19-20.5, 20.5-21.5, 21.5-23, 23-24, 24-25.5, 25.5-26.5) centimetres
Note: The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top is designed as a loose fit with significant positive ease.
CROCHET GAUGE for The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top
The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top pattern is made to measure and therefore can accommodate for different gauges. However try to select a yarn weight and hook size that is similar to ours.
We suggest using a yarn that has some drape for this pattern.
For this pattern, we used a weight 3/DK/light worsted cotton yarn and hook size 4 and our gauge is approximately 15 stitches and 9 rows of double crochet in 4โณ x 4โณ (10 cm x 10 cm).
CROCHET MATERIALS for The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top
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Yarn Brand: 24/7 Cotton DK Yarn by Lion Brand Yarn. Weight 3/DK/Light Worsted. 100g per skein and 273 yards (or 250 m). We used the colour Spring.
Approximately 3.6 skeins or 983 yards (or 900 m) used for our garment with a finished width of 26 inches and a finished length of 21 inches.ย
Here are some other yarns we would love to try with this crochet pattern:
Softee Cotton by Bernat. Weight 3/DK/Light Worsted.
24/7 Cotton (weight 4) by Lion Brand Yarns or purchased here on Amazon.
Acacia by Hobbii Yarn Weight 3/DK/Light Worsted.
4 mm crochet hook and 3.5mm crochet hook. We use many different crochet hooks and if you are looking for some great budget friendly ergonomic crochet hooks try these from Amazon. It comes in a set and the grip and the shape is amazing for beginner crocheters. However our two favourites, slightly more pricey crochet hooks are clover crochet hooks and for this version we used the stunning Metal Furls Crochet Hooks. They have them in the most beautiful shades of pink blush, red, golden and silver in their streamline metal crochet hooks!
Measuring Tape. We use a super budget friendly measuring tape. Make sure it has cm and inches (not all patterns are written with both). We are always crocheting on the go so we like our tapes small and compact and we put one in our design area, one in our bag and one in our car. Retractable works best! We use these super cheap mini measuring tapes from Amazon.
Stitch Markers. We use these locking crochet stitch markers from Amazon and these stitch markers that do not lock. They are cheap and colourful.
Blocking Pins. You should buy more pins than you think you need. If you are going to take the time to block don’t skimp on the pins. We like T shaped stainless steel pins that don’t rust when they get wet. We love these blocking T pins from Amazon and the tin means the pins don’t fall out on the floor.
Yarn Needle. Buy blunt needles with large eyes for yarn. We use these Yarn Needles because we like the convenient bottle, they are budget friendly and we get lots of them!
Scissors. We love these thread snippers because they are cheap, we get two of them AND they come with a case (some don’t). Don’t carry these without the case! After you use thread snippers you won’t want to snip with scissors
CROCHET STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS
The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top Pattern uses US terminology.
ch = chain (With one loop on your hook, yarn over and pull through the loopโโ)
sc = single crochet (Insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all two loops)
dc = double crochet (Yarn over and insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all two loops)
ch-3 sp = chain 3 space (eg. crochet into the space and not the stitch)
3-dc decrease = 3 double crochet decrease (*Yarn over and insert hook into desired space and pull through the stitch. Repeat from * 2 more times. You should now have 7 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all the loops except the last. Yarn over and pull through the last two loops.)
tch = turning chain
sl st = slip stitch (Insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook)
st = stitch
sk = skip stitch
* = repeat the instructions following the * as directed
Note unless stated otherwise turning chains do not count as a stitch if there are 1 or 2 chains and the turning chain does count as a stitch if there are 3 or 4 chains.
SUMMARY of CONSTRUCTION for The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top
To make the Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top, you will start by crocheting the back panel. You will crochet from the bottom up, using your body measurements to determine the width and length. Once the back panel is complete, you will crochet the front panel in the exact same way.
You will next decide on your neckline width. You can make it wide so it drapes off the shoulders, or narrower to sit higher and more securely. You will then seam the shoulders together, leaving your chosen neckline width open. Then, you will seam the sides of the top, starting from the bottom edge and working upward leaving armhole openings. Finally you will crochet a cute design to the edge of the sleeves.
This is a made to measure crochet pattern designed with beginners in mind. While your stitch and row gauge should be close to ours for a similar drape, it does not need to match exactly, thanks to the flexible construction method.
PERMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT
You may not publish or share any pattern on this website www.kiksandjackcrochet as your own including this pattern The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top. Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner, Kiks + Jack Crochet.
You may not use any Kiks and Jack Crochet photo as your own photo.
You may crochet items to sell using The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top pattern upon permission by email at [email protected]. Please link back to this post in exchange.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS for The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top
Crochet the Main Back Panel
Use the larger hook size. We used our hook size 4mm.
Calculate the length of your foundation chain as follows:
| Halve your โChest/Bust Measurementโ | Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around. Half our chest/bust measurement = 32/2 = 16 inches |
| Multiply this by 1.6. Note: The top is designed to be oversized so that it hangs off your shoulders like mock sleeves. If you would like it less oversized than ours you can multiply it by less eg 1.4 or 1.5 (and round up). We suggest you use a measuring tape and measure across your shoulders (26 inches in our case) to give you guidance on how far down your arms the top will fall. We will also check this again after the first 4 rows. | 16 x 1.6 inches = 26 inches |
Chain a length as calculated above counting the number of chains at the same time. Do not pull the chain too tight when you measure it.
Tip: Place a locking stitch marker at every 20th chain. It will help you out in case you lose count.
Make sure the number of chains ends on a multiple of 4. If not, increase the number of chains so that you finish on a multiple of 4.
Add 2 more chains.
For example Kiks + Jack crocheted 99 chains to reach a total length of 26 inches as per our calculation. However 99 is not a multiple of 4 (it does not divide into 4 evenly). Therefore we increase the number of chains to a total of 100 by adding 1 more chain so that it is a multiple of 4. We then add 2 more chains to take the total to 102 chains.
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, 1dc in next ch, *[1dc, ch3, 1dc] in next ch, sk ch, 1dc in next ch, 1 dc in next ch, rep from * until end of row and end with dc in last ch. Turn
Row 2: ch5, *[3dc, ch3, 1dc] in next ch-3sp, rep from * until end of row and end with 3dc at top of tch. Turn
Row 3-4: repeat row 2
It’s a great time to perform an intuitive check. See if you are completely happy with the width of the top before you crochet any further. Hold it up against you after 4 rows of crochet. Check if the width of the top still works for you. Place it up against your shoulders and see how it drapes over your shoulders and down your arms. It should drape a little down your arms like mock sleeves – remember this is an oversized design. We will be adding a little extra length (approximately 2 inches depending on your gauge) on the sleeve. If it’s perfect, keep going.
If you would like to make changes to the width, it is best to start again increasing or decreasing the number of chains that you originally used, making sure you follow all stitch multiple rules. It’s important to make these intuitive checks as sometimes your yarn stretches out more or less than you expected and sometimes we just change our minds on desired fit!
Repeat Row 2 until the back panel reaches a length equal to your “Finished Length Measurement“.
Fasten off.
Crochet the Main Front Panel
Repeat all the instructions under โCrochet the Main Back Panelโ so that you have an identical front panel.
Fasten off.
Measure out the Neckline
We will now measure out the perfect neckline width for you. Let’s start with the front panel.
Measure 8 inches in from the left edge of the front panel and place a locking stitch marker. This will be the start of your neck opening.
Repeat the same on the right side of the front panel. Repeat the same on both sides of your back panel.
Line the two panels up together and using the locking stitch markers you placed attach the two panels together at the neckline – ie. they are attached together at the 8 inch mark.
Place the two panels over your head and check whether you need to make adjustments to the neck opening. If you would like the neckline to be tighter then move the stitch markers closer to your neck. If you would like the neck opening wider (eg. more “off the shoulder”), then move the stitch markers away from your neck.
For reference, Kiks + Jack crocheted a top with a total width of approximately 26 inches. We measured approximately 9 inches from each side. This gave us a slightly wider shoulder that could fall off one shoulder if we wanted it to, but was also able to rest comfortably on both shoulders.
Assembly of The The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up
Step 1: Seam the Front and Back Panel at the shoulder.
Place the front and back panels together with the right sides facing together. With a yarn needle and matching yarn, seam the two panels together across the shoulders. Start at the edge and across the top up to your stitch markers.
Fasten off.
We love the raw scalloped edge around the neckline, and kept this as is. However you could also crochet a simple single crochet around the neckline too.
Step 2: Measure the Armholes and Seam the Sides Together
Measure from the top of the sweater and down the side, your “Armhole Depth Measurement” + 1 inch (this depends on how oversized you want the armhole opening) and place a stitch marker through both panels. Do the same on the other side.
For Kiks + Jack Crochet, our armhole depth measurement is equal to 7 inches so we measure 8 inches from the top down the side and place a stitch marker through both panels. This will be the bottom of the sleeve opening.
It’s a great time to do another intuitive check. Try it on and see if you are comfortable with the arm opening. Adjust the stitch markers up and down the sides if necessary and using a measuring tape, make sure it is even on both sides.
Tip: If you are going to use this only as a beach coverup, you may want to measure a larger armhole depth to show case your swim suit. We kept ours smaller as we mainly use this as a top.
Double check the panels are facing wrong side up (right sides together). With a yarn needle and matching yarn, seam the two panels together from the bottom up to the stitch markers on both sides.
Fasten off
Step 3: Finish off the sleeves with a mesh edge
Make sure the top is turned right side out. Use the smaller hook size. We used our 3.5mm hook size.
Attach yarn to the bottom of the armpit.
Round 1: ch1, sc evenly around the armhole. Make sure you end on a multiple of 3, sl st to join to top of ch1.
Tip: Kiks + Jack crocheted 81 single crochets around and then slip stitched to join
Round 2: ch1, sc in 2nd st, sc all around, sl st to join to tch
Round 3: ch4, sk3, sc in next, *ch3, sk2, sc in next, rep from *, sc at end, sl st to join at bottom of tch.
Round 4: ch4, *3-dc decrease in ch3-sp, ch3, rep from * to end, sl st to ch2 of tch
Go back up to the section “crochet stitches” if you need help with the 3-dc decrease.
Round 5: ch4, *3-dc decrease inย next ch3-sp, ch3, rep from * to end, sl st to ch2 of tch.
Fasten off.
Do the same on the other side.
FINISH & CELEBRATE The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top
Weave in all your ends.
Congratulations you have finished The Summer Beach Crochet Cover Up Top and we hope you enjoyed this free crochet pattern.
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