Hello! I am so happy to share the Shelly Bikini Top pattern made by me (finally!). I made this bikini top a year ago, yet this is the only time I decided to make a written pattern. And since it is the first finished written pattern, I decided to have it for free!
After being a pattern tester to many other crochet designers, I decided to try making an easy bikini top to share with everyone for free. I named it Shelly Bikini Top as it is composed of shell stitches in both bra cups.
When I was choosing the right type of yarn for making bikini, I learned that cotton soaks up so much water, so I decided to use one that would absorb a little water. And since you wear a bikini in water, it is helpful that the material dries easily. Knowing the different types of yarn and their uses can help you decide which is best for a specific pattern.
Are you excited to make your Shelly Bikini Top? Then let’s get to business and make your next beach OOTD! Gather all the needed materials and make sure to read the pattern first so you can visualize how you will be making this bikini top.
Don’t hesitate to comment or message me if you have any questions regarding this bikini top free pattern. I would gladly help you out so you can make your version! 🙂
Materials used:
- Hook sizes 3.0 mm and 4.0 mm
- About 100 to 150 grams of Indophil yarn (Medium weight yarn) – depending on size
- Measuring tape
- Pen and paper to write down body measurements
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
Legend:
Ch – chain
St – stitch
Sc – single crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
Dc – double crochet
Let’s start making the Shelly Bikini Top:
MA: Measurement from the nipple to the underbust
MB: Measurement from the outer part of the boob to the center of your chest
MC: Measurement of your underbust, divide it into 2, then subtract 2 inches.
For example:
My underbust measurement is 31 inches
31 inches/ 2 = 15.5 inches
15.5 inches – 2 inches = 13.5 inches.
Making the first cup
Ch12 (or until you reach MA)
R1: Make hdc in each stitch until before the last stitch (mine is 10 hdc), 3 hdc in the last stitch (add a stitch marker at the second/middle stitch). You will be working on the other side of the chain, making the same number of hdc.
R2 – R14 (or until you reach MB): Repeat R1
Try out the cup if the coverage is to your liking. You may add more rows if you want more coverage.
Now, you will be making the front tie strap
Turn the cup 90 degrees. Make sure that the pointed top part is on the left side.
R15: Ch2, 6 dc, turn.
R16 – R72 (about 21 inches): Repeat R15 (Total of 57 rows)
Fasten off.
Making the second cup
Following the instructions in making the first cup, you will make the second cup.
Follow until R72, but do not fasten off!
You will now start making the shell stitches of your second cup: starting from the front tie straps and going up to the pointed top part of the cup.
Attach yarn from the 6th dc of R15 of your second cup. *Skip 1 stitch, 5 dc in the next st, skip 1 stitch, sc in the next stitch* repeat * until you reach the top of your cup.
Do not fasten off.
Tie straps on the neck
Ch140 (about 30 inches). Turn then sc along the chain back to the cup.
Make the shell stitches the same as the first side of the second cup, leaving 6 stitches unworked.
Dc into the last 6 stitches. Do not fasten off and move to the next part.
Back strap
You will now be making the back strap of your crochet bikini. Same as the front tie strap, you will continue making 6 dc in each row until you reach MC. I made 13.5 inches.
Make sure that you end at the bottom part of the cup since you will start attaching at the bottom part of the first cup. Do not worry if the back strap seems short, as the yarn will still stretch.
Attaching the 2 cups
Once you are done with the back straps, you will now attach the two cups.
Slip stitch 6 times to your first cup (slip stitch at the cup side opposite the front tie strap). Then you will make the shell stitches the same as the second cup.
When you reach the top of the cup, make the tie straps on the neck, then continue making shell stitches until you reach the front tie strap of the first cup. Slip stitch to the first dc of the front tie strap, and you are done!
Congratulations! You now have a Shelly Bikini Top!
I hope you enjoyed making Shelly Bikini Top! Please don’t forget to link back to my post if you have made your bikini top using my free pattern!
Please also follow me on my Instagram account loving_hookin.
