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Crocheting garments for summer is fast becoming my favourite thing to do. They are fast, fun and easy to wear. So as someone who doesn’t get to sunbathe all that much living in the UK I wanted to design a crochet bikini cover up pattern that could also function as a top to throw on over a summer outfit or even dress up for dinner!
So if you’re looking for a stylish and easy bikini cover up crochet pattern, look no further! The Easy Peachy is a free crochet bathing suit cover up pattern designed in sizes XS to 5XL. Made with lightweight cotton yarn, this versatile crochet cover up pattern can be worn over your swimsuit at the beach or styled as a trendy summer top.
Free Crochet Pattern for a Swimsuit Cover Up Overview
Designed for adult sizes XS–5XL, this crochet bathing suit cover up pattern uses an easy combination of double crochet and chain spaces to create a light, airy fabric with gorgeous drape. Worked in breathable cotton yarn, it’s a relaxing project that comes together surprisingly quickly and is perfect for throwing on over your swimsuit or styling as a chic summer top.
In this post you’ll find everything you need to know how to crochet a summer cover up top like this including materials, stitches and free written pattern for blog subscribers.
⭐⭐⭐ Difficulty level: Intermediate – but nice and easy once you get going
💬 Hook Size: 4.5mm
📏 Size: XS – 5XL (30-62″ chest)
✨ Crochet Technique: Double Crochet and Chain Spaces
⚖️ Yarn Weight: Double Knit Weight (category 3)
🧶 Yarn Used: Cotlin DK
🕐 Approx Crochet Time: 18-25 hours depending on your pace
👍 Perfect For: beach holidays, poolside lounging, summer festivals, and sunny days by the sea
Table of Contents
Crochet Bathing Suit Cover Up Pattern for Summer
The Easy Peachy Bikini Cover Up crochet pattern uses a mixture of filet crochet technique (not tricky I promise!), slip stitch details and long stitches for the neckline which are really easy to master. If you can work a US double crochet then long stitches are no problem at all, I’ll talk you through it too.
It’s a super easy make (love that for garments) that consists of two matching long rectangles that you seam along the middle for the neckline and up the sides for the armholes.
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The past week I’ve been wearing my Peachy Bikini Cover Top out in the garden and have realised that although I designed it as a bikini dress, it works perfectly over a simple strap top and shorts too!
I’ve only ever worn bikini covers when I’ve been on holiday but now I’m determined to find other ways to style them, I think it could work with jeans and heels too?
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Cover Up Pattern
How to Crochet a Beach Cover Up
Constructed from two long rectangles that are seamed together at the centre front and back, this crochet cover up pattern is wonderfully simple and easy to customise. Adjust the neckline to be as daring or as modest as you like, keep the armholes light and loose or tailor them to your preferred fit, and choose the height of the side splits to create the exact cover up you want.
Just like my Violet lace crochet top pattern and the Penelope crochet maxi dress pattern, this construction is easy, fun and super simple to adjust!
Crochet Swimsuit Cover Up Materials
- A 4.5mm(G+) crochet hook or hook needed to meet gauge
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
Along with the above you will need the following yarn:
Cotlin DK (70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen, 123yds / 112m / 50g)
Shown in White and Flamingo.
Colour A: Approx 5 (6, 8, 10, 11)(12, 13, 14, 15) balls of yarn. Approx 555 (665, 885, 1110, 1215)(1330, 1440, 1550, 1770)yds.
Colour B: Approx 1 ball of yarn for all sizes. Approx 55 (62, 68, 74, 80)(86, 92, 98, 105)yds.
It’s a category 3, double knit weight yarn which is what gives the top its light and delicate feel. Find out more about yarn weights and categories with our handy yarn weight chart.
A great alternative yarn is Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK which is 100% cotton 50g/130m per ball.
There are a few options for you to access and enjoy this crochet pattern:
- View the free pattern on the blog – all blog subscribers will be able to view the patterns supported by ads by logging into their Grow account.
- Go ad-free on the website – join the HanJan Crochet Club to view the pattern online without the interruption of ads.
- Purchase and Print the pattern as a beautifully formatted PDF with stitch chart, schematic, colour information page and more! Yours to print and keep 🙂
Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
To fit chest size: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62) inches.
Finished garment circumference: 34 (38, 42, 46, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64) inches.
Finished length: 31 inches all sizes (easy to adjust).
Are you looking for more wearable summer crochet patterns? 💕 Why not give these a go?
Glossary and Abbreviations
- beg – beginning
- blo – back loop only
- ch(s) – chain(s) (chain stitch tutorial)
- ch-sp(s) – chain space(s)
- flo – front loop only
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
- sp – space
- ss/sl st – slip stitch (how to crochet a slip stitch)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- tog – together
- WS – wrong side
- Yoh – yarn over hook
Stitches
The pattern is written in standard US terms and uses the following crochet stitches:
sc – single crochet (how to single crochet stitch)
dc – double crochet (double crochet stitch tutorial)
dtr – double treble crochet (learn about long crochet stitches)
Learning to Crochet Garments
If you’re new to crochet garments and worried about all the sizing, seaming, gauge and other things that might seem really daunting, please don’t worry. I used to feel exactly the same! If you can make a blanket, then you can make this garment. I promise!
I’ve written all about my experience with learning to both make and design garments and you can learn about crochet garment making and make sure you explore all of these fabulous easy crochet cardigan patterns too. There are so many options out there for every skill level and style!
We also have an article all about how to make perfect crochet garments which is a great read packed full of experience and tips!
If you’re ready to dive and get all of the garment making info in one place then you will LOVE our Crochet Garments with Confidence Course! You get lifetime access to world class crochet garment designers teaching you everything they know!
Video Tutorial: How to Crochet a Beach Cover Up
Come along as I make a swatch of the cover up and see just how easy it is in our step-by-step video tutorial.
Before you dive into crocheting your beach cover up, take a moment to read through the pattern notes—it’s a game-changer!
These handy insights will not only simplify your pattern-reading journey but also ensure a smoother crochet experience. You’ll find helpful tips on deciphering the sizing, transitioning yarn colours, and tips on turning your work.
Trust me, a quick peek at these notes will set you up for crochet success!
Pattern Notes
- A ch1 at the beginning of a row does not count as st.
- A ch5 at the beginning of a row always counts as a stitch.
- Turn at the end of each row.
- Read through the entire pattern before beginning.
- Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
- Make sure that you are familiar with all of the stitches in the abbreviations list before you begin.
- Stitch counts are given in [ ] at the end of each row. If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous row.
- The count number referring to each size is laid out as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).
- The pattern uses standard US crochet terms.
Pattern Gauge
15sts and 8 rows = 10cm by 10cm/ 4” by 4” over main set pattern.
Making a gauge swatch will help you find out if your yarn and hook size will give you the tension for the garment.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Easy Peachy Bikini Cover Up Crochet Pattern
A lightweight cotton yarn is ideal for a crochet bathing suit cover up pattern because it is breathable, comfortable to wear, and holds its shape beautifully. This pattern uses category 3 DK cotton yarn for a soft, airy finish that is perfect for warm summer days.
This crochet bikini cover up is best suited to intermediate crocheters or confident beginners who are comfortable working with double crochet and chain spaces. The pattern includes detailed written instructions and a video tutorial for extra support.
This beach cover up is made from two simple rectangles using an easy combination of double crochet and chain spaces. Once completed, the rectangles are seamed at the centre front and back to create a customizable neckline, armholes, and side splits.
Yes! This versatile crochet cover up pattern can be worn over your swimsuit at the beach or styled as a lightweight summer top with shorts, skirts, or jeans.
The pattern includes adult sizes XS to 5XL, making it a size-inclusive crochet cover up pattern designed to fit and flatter a wide range of body shapes.
Easy Peachy Bikini Cover Up Crochet Pattern
print the pattern here:
Get the PDF Pattern
Perfect to print out or use on any device, with added schematic and charts, colour inspiration and stitch tutorials.
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Easy Peachy Cover Up Crochet Pattern
Row 5: stacked dc, dc in next 2 sts, ch1, skip next st, dc in next 5 sts, ch1, skip next st, *(dc in next st, ch1, skip 1) twice, dc in next 5 sts, ch1, skip next st, rep from * to last 3 sts, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 6: Repeat Row 5.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5.
Row 8: Repeat Row 4.
Row 9: Repeat Row 2.
Size XS only
Rows 10-12: Rep Rows 2-4.
Continue to Centre Section now.
Size S only
Rows 10-14: Rep Rows 2-6.
Continue to Centre Section now.
All other sizes: M to 5XL
Rows 10-16: Repeat Rows 2-8.
Repeat Row 4: X (X, 0, 2, 3) (5, 7, 9, 11) more times.
Continue for the Centre Section.
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CENTRE SECTION
Row 1: ch5, dtr in each st across, turn.
Row 2: ch1, ss in flo of each st across, change to contrast colour of your choice (B), turn.
Row 3: ch5, dtr in blo of each st across, change to main colour (A), turn.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2 of Centre Section.
Break yarn.
BLOCK PANELS
Block both of your Panels to the following measurements.
XS(S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
8.5 (9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12) (13, 14, 15, 16) inches.
All sizes: 62 inches.
CREATE NECKLINE
With RS facing, lay the two panels so that the centre details are lined up. Work a flat ss seam along 80 stitches at either end of the centre detail to create the neck hole. You should have 73 stitches unworked for the neck hole.
Before sewing in your ends try the top on to see if the neck hole looks how you’d like it to on you. If you’d like to adjust it to be more modest and a higher neckline then just add more slip stitches at the front and/or the back.
CREATE ARMHOLES
Now that you have the centre joined, you can try the cover up on and decide exactly how much of the sides you would like to seam to create the armholes.
With the WS facing, place stitch markers at the points you would like to seam and then either sew or slip stitch the seam together.
As an example I joined from stitches 31 to 79 on each side to leave a split at the bottom sides and have a relatively open armhole on me.
You can seam as much or as little of the sides as you like to achieve the look and style that is best for you.
Once complete, weave in your ends and turn the cover up right side facing again.
print the pattern here:
Get the PDF Pattern
Perfect to print out or use on any device, with added schematic and charts, colour inspiration and stitch tutorials.
CREATE TIE
To complete the bikini cover up crochet pattern I made a really simple cord to tie just under the bust and create a lovely empire line.
You can also use it to tie around the waist if you prefer.
Using your main colour Fsc 250, (275,
300, 325, 350) (375, 400, 425, 450) to make a cord tie.
You can adjust this to be any length you like by working more or less stitches.
Slot the cord through the top, just under where the neckline starts and tie to secure.
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Here are a few other easy summer crochet garment patterns you might like to try out next:
- Sleeveless Crochet Top Pattern – a fitted and flattering summer top
- Lace Crochet Dress – leave it as a top or turn it into a dress!
- V Neck Lace Top – a short sleeved summer top
