Looking for a stylish and practical way to cover up at the beach or by the pool? Look no further than my crochet beach cover up!
This free crochet pattern is written in UK and US Crochet Terms. I’ve included instructions for sizes XS to 5X.
Whether you’re relaxing in the sun or taking a dip in the water, this cover up will keep you comfortable and looking your best.
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This is an easy-to-follow pattern crocheted with a soft, lightweight merino mix yarn that will not only keep you cool but also warm on those breezy days.
Perfect for all body types and skill levels, you’ll whip my project up in no time (did I also say this pattern works up great for a sun dress too!).
- Why you'll love crocheting this beach cover-up
- Design Inspiration
- Related Summer Crochet Patterns
- How the cover up pattern is worked
- How to get this pattern:
- Yarn
- Pattern Notes
- Level
- Materials
- Stitches and Abbreviations
- Gauge
- Sizes
- Final Measurements
- Cover Up Instructions UK Crochet Terms
- Cover Up Instructions US Crochet Terms
- Copyright Notice
Why you’ll love crocheting this beach cover-up
Design Inspiration
I needed a practical way to cover up and protect my skin from the sun and wind while at the beach or pool.
I also wanted to have something comfortable to wear when out walking the dog – something not too tight and clingy!
I designed this cover up to be loose fitting with open shoulders and more room for the arms. Perfect to wear in warmer weather!
You’ll find other designs in this collection of free beach cover up patterns.
Related Summer Crochet Patterns
- Whispering Rose Crochet Summer Top
- 20+ Crochet Summer Tops
- 15+ Free Crochet Cover Up Patterns
- Easy Crochet Tank Top
- Easy Crochet Summer Top
- Easy Lacy Scarf
- Easy Lightweight and Lacy Shawl
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- Boho/Festival Free Patterns
- Granny Square Bucket Hat
- Easy Bucket Hat
- 20 Free Bucket Hat Patterns
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How the cover up pattern is worked
This crochet beach dress is an easy pattern with minimal shaping.
Worked from the bottom up, the neckline shaping is achieved by working each shoulder separately (no decreasing needed).
The back panel is worked with no shaping.
A row of 2 treble crochet stitches (US double crochet), chain 2, skip 2, and 2 rows of double crochet (US single crochet) are repeated until the top of the shoulders.
The top of the shoulder is worked in two rows of double treble crochet (US treble crochet).
The front and back panel are joined together at the shoulders by sewing the first two stitches from the neckline and the last two stitches at the sleeve edge. This leaves the shoulders open.
The side seams are sewn from the armhole to the hem leaving an 18cm gap to give a split hem.
Once the side seams are sewn, the yarn is re-joined at the neckline to work a round of double crochet (US single crochet).
Next, I worked a border of double crochet around the armholes and also the split hem to give a professional finish.
To cinch the waist in, I’ve included instructions for crocheting a cord to thread through the eyelets of the pattern.
How to get this pattern:
Option 1: Keep Scrolling to get this pattern for free
Option 2: Purchase the easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF (ad free)
Yarn
Hayfield Soft Twist DK is a blend of 90% anti-pill acrylic and 10% merino.
This yarn uses the twist-on-twist technique which combines strength with softness.
There are three complementary palettes to choose from: classic brights, grown up pastels and deep earthy tones.
I found this yarn fab to work with and will definitely be using it for future projects.
Why did I use this yarn for the beach cover up? Merino wool is good in the heat, as it regulates body temperature really well. It’s just as good of a summertime yarn as it is in the colder months!
Another benefit is merino wool’s ability to insulate when wet. The cold and wet cover up won’t cling to your body like cotton would do.
Care Instructions | Dry Flat, Machine Wash – Wool Wash – 40°C, Tumble Dry – Low Heat |
Fibre(s) | Acrylic, Merino Wool |
Length (y) | 354 |
Crochet Hook Size | 4mm |
Ball Weight | 100g |
Pattern Notes
- Size instructions are written thus XS, (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
- Read the pattern through before you start
- Chain 1 does not count as a stitch
- Chain 3 counts as a treble (US double)
- Chain 4 counts as a double treble (US treble)
- The turning chain at the end of a row (instead of the beginning) will keep your edges neat. If you’re used to the turning chain at the start of the row you can continue to do that
- Repeating instructions are denoted between asterisks (ie; * stitches to repeat * and ** repeat instructions **
- Front and back are identical in length
- Make sure you don’t twist the shoulders when you’re crocheting the border around the neckline
Level
Easy
Materials
- Hayfield Soft Twist DK in Sunflower (or any yarn that matches gauge)
Size | Yards | (100g balls) |
XS | 863 | 3 |
S | 1025 | 3 |
M | 1125 | 4 |
L | 1266 | 4 |
XL | 1413 | 4 |
2X | 1568 | 5 |
3X | 1728 | 5 |
4X | 1896 | 5 |
5X | 2070 | 6 |
- H/8 5mm Crochet Hook
- Tape Measure
- Stitch Marker (x2)
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
Stitches and Abbreviations
UK stitches:
Double Crochet (dc)
Treble Crochet (tr)
Double Treble Crochet (dtr):
US stitches:
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Treble Crochet (tr)
- Ch – chain
- St/s – stitch/es
- Sk – skip
- Rep – repeat
- Sp – space
- Chsp – chain space
- Ea – each
- Rem – remaining
- Instr – instructions
- Cont – continuity
- RS – right side
- Sl st – slip stitch
Gauge
With a H/8 5mm crochet hook:
10cm X 10cm
UK: 5 rows [2 treble crochet, chain 2, skip 2] and 8 rows of double crochet = 13 rows X 15 double crochet stitches / 7 x chain 2, 7 x skip 2 and 8 treble crochet stitches
US: 5 rows [2 double crochet, chain 2, skip 2] and 8 rows of single crochet = 13 rows X 15 single crochet stitches / 7 x chain 2, 7 x skip 2 and 8 double crochet stitches
Sizes
This pattern follows the Yarn Craft Council Measurements:
XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Final Measurements
I’ve included extra room for movement (positive ease):
cm | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2X | 3X | 4X | 5X |
Finished Bust Measurements | 94 | 104 | 114 | 124 | 134 | 144 | 154 | 164 | 174 |
Finished Length Measurements | 72 | 75 | 76 | 79 | 82 | 84 | 85 | 90 | 91 |
Cover Up Instructions UK Crochet Terms
Front Panel
Ch 71, (79, 87, 95, 103, 111, 119, 123, 131)
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook dc across, ch3, turn
Row 2: tr in next st, ch2, sk2, *tr in next 2 sts, ch2, sk2, * rep to last st, tr in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: dc in base of 1st st, dc in ea st and 2dc in ea chsp across, ch1, turn
Row 4: dc in base of 1st st and ea st across, ch3, turn
Rep row 2 – row 4 until work measures 62, (64, 64, 66, 68, 68, 68, 72, 72) cm ending with row 3
Shaping Shoulders
**Next row: dc in next 24, (28, 30, 34, 38, 40, 46, 50) sts, ch 3 turn (leaving rem sts unworked)
Keeping cont of pattern, rep row 2 – 4 until shoulder measures 6, (7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15) cm ending with row 4
Next 2 rows: ch4, dtr in ea st across
Fasten off and weave in ends **
Count 24, (28, 30, 34, 38, 40, 46, 50) sts from the edge and re-join yarn to shape the other shoulder
Rep instr **
Back Panel
Rep front panel to shaping shoulders.
Keeping cont of pattern, rep rows 2 – 4 for a further 6, (7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15) cm ending with row 4
Next 2 rows: ch4, dtr in ea st across
Fasten off and weave in ends
Assembly
Shoulder Seams – With front and back RS facing inwards, sew the first 2 sts from the neck edge and the last 2 sts from the sleeve edge. Rep for the other side
Side Seams – from the shoulder measure 18.5, (19.5, 21, 23.5, 25, 26, 27.5, 28.5) cm Place a st marker at this point. Measure 18cm from the hem and place a st marker here. Sew between each st marker. Rep for the other side
Turn garment RS out
Borders
Neckline – re-join yarn at the back in the st before the dtr on the shoulders.
Round 1: ch1, dc in ea dc, 3 x dc in dtr sps to end, join with a sl st to ch1
Try on your beach dress. If you would like a higher neckline, complete another round of dc
Fasten off and weave in ends
Armhole – re-join yarn underarm, ch1, dc evenly around armhole, join with a sl st to ch1
Fasten off and weave in ends
Hem – re-join yarn to the bottom at the split, ch1, dc evenly to centre of split, 2dc in centre st, dc evenly to bottom of hem working 2dc in last st, cont dc evenly around the bottom, 2dc in last st before split, dc to centre st, 2dc in centre st, dc evenly to bottom of hem working 2dc in last st, cont dc evenly around to start of round, join with sl st to ch1.
Fasten off and weave in ends
Optional Belt:
Ch to preferred length (mine is 150cm), tr in 3rd ch from hook, tr to end of ch, fold in half, sl st through inside loops.
Fasten off and weave in ends
Thread through eyelets at waist height.
Cover Up Instructions US Crochet Terms
Front Panel
Ch 71, (79, 87, 95, 103, 111, 119, 123, 131)
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook sc across, ch3, turn
Row 2: dc in next st, ch2, sk2, *dc in next 2 sts, ch2, sk2, * rep to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in base of 1st st, sc in ea st and 2sc in ea ch sp across, ch1, turn
Row 4: sc in base of 1st st and ea st across, ch3, turn
Rep row 2 – row 4 until work measures 47, (48, 48, 49, 50, 50, 50, 52, 52) cm ending with row 3
Shaping Shoulders
**Next row: sc in next 24, (28, 30, 34, 38, 40, 46, 50) sts, ch 3 turn (leaving rem sts unworked)
Keeping cont of pattern, rep row 2 – 4 until shoulder measures 6, (7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15) cm ending with row 4
Next 2 rows: ch4, tr in ea st across
Fasten off and weave in ends **
Count 24, (28, 30, 34, 38, 40, 46, 50) sts from the edge and re-join yarn to shape the other shoulder
Rep instr **
Back Panel
Rep front panel to shaping shoulders.
Keeping cont of pattern, rep rows 2 – 4 for a further 6, (7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15) cm ending with row 4
Next 2 rows: ch4, tr in ea st across
Fasten off and weave in ends
Assembly
Shoulder Seams – With front and back RS facing inwards, sew the first 2 sts from the neck edge and the last 2 sts from the sleeve edge. Rep for the other side
Side Seams – from the shoulder measure 18.5, (19.5, 21, 23.5, 25, 26, 27.5, 28.5) cm Place a st marker at this point. Measure 18cm from the hem and place a st marker here. Sew between each st marker. Rep for the other side
Turn garment RS out
Borders
Neckline – re-join yarn at the back in the st before the tr on the shoulders.
Round 1: ch1, sc in ea sc, 3 x sc in tr sps to end, join with a sl st to ch1
Try on your beach dress. If you would like a higher neckline, complete another round of sc
Fasten off and weave in ends
Armhole – re-join yarn underarm, ch1, sc evenly around armhole, join with a sl st to ch1
Fasten off and weave in ends
Hem – re-join yarn to the bottom at the split, ch1, sc evenly to centre of split, 2sc in centre st, sc evenly to bottom of hem working 2sc in last st, cont sc evenly around the bottom, 2sc in last st before split, sc to centre st, 2sc in centre st, sc evenly to bottom of hem working 2sc in last st, cont sc evenly around to start of round, join with sl st to ch1.
Fasten off and weave in ends
Optional Belt:
Ch to preferred length (mine is 150cm), dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc to end of ch, fold in half, sl st through inside loops.
Fasten off and weave in ends
Thread through eyelets at waist height.
Happy crocheting!
Copyright Notice
The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree. This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make. If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.