15+ Free Crochet Cover Up Patterns : Create the Perfect Beach Look

Crochet cover ups are a great way to stay stylish and covered up while you’re enjoying the sun and sand. The free crochet patterns I’ve chosen to include in this roundup are perfect for those warm days spent lounging by the water and will add a touch of style to your wardrobe.

The designs available to choose from are very flattering for all body shapes giving a confidence boost!

If you’re looking for inspiration, or want to design your own cover up, my collection of free cover up crochet patterns might just be a great fit for you.

What is a crochet cover up?

A crochet cover up is typically worn over a swimsuit or bikini to provide some coverage and protection from the sun while at the beach or pool.

Crochet beach cover ups come in a variety of styles and designs, but they typically have an open, lacy pattern that allows for some breathability and air flow. They may also feature decorative elements such as tassels, fringes, or beads, and they can be made in a range of colors and sizes to suit different tastes and preferences.

Cover ups have a relaxed and comfortable feel that is perfect for a casual summer day.

They are also lightweight and easy to pack, making them a convenient option for traveling to beach destinations.

How do you crochet a beach cover up dress?

A crochet beach cover up dress can be as simple as two crocheted rectangles that are sewn together at the front and back or one rectangle with a neck opening. And just as easy, cover ups can also be crocheted in the raglan style.

These summer crochet cover up patterns include rectangles and raglan. 

I’ve chosen designs for different features in the pattern.  You’ll find short and long lengths, sleeveless, short sleeves and long sleeves. 

Two things the free beach cover up patterns have in common in this collection:

• Crocheted in a mesh stitch – perfect for lightweight and lacy garments worn in warmer weather
• Crocheted in a cotton/cotton blend – the best yarn for a crochet cover up as it’s a natural fibre and breathable

Why you’ll love crocheting a cover up

Free Crochet Cover Up Patterns

Clicking on the numbered pattern name will take you to the free crochet patterns.

Most patterns use US crochet terms.

For my UK crocheters, the table below is a conversion of basic crochet stitches from US to UK.

1. Beach Bloom Crochet Beach Cover Up Free Pattern

Get beach-ready with my easy crochet beach cover up pattern free, a sustainable and affordable alternative to buying pre-made swimsuit cover ups.

Written in UK Crochet Terms and US Crochet Terms, the pattern is available in 9 sizes, ensuring that the cover up fits different body types.

I’ve designed this crochet beach cover up pattern to be loose fitting with open shoulders and more room for the arms. Perfect to wear in warmer weather!

Creating your own crochet beach wear with this pattern allows you to express your creativity and personal style. It can be made with various color yarns so that you can customize it according to your preference (or use what you have in your stash!).

• Recommended yarn: Hayfield Soft Twist DK (300 – 600g depending on size)
• Sizes: XS, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X

This pattern is available to purchase on Etsy and Ravelry.

2. Sunshine Crochet Beach Cover Up

I love the flattering neckline on this free crochet pattern. The longer sleeves of this beach dress are great if you want to have more cover from the sun .

Best of all though, the small tassel on each side gives the option of closing the cover up by using a tie.

Made with a crochet mesh stitch that is delicate but also gives some cover for your body, this is an easy crochet cover up pattern suitable for beginners.

You’ll crochet two rectangles for front and back, sew shoulder and side seams before crocheting the sleeves directly into the armholes (no sewing in the sleeves!).

As well as the written pattern with photos, you can follow the ‘How to crochet a swimsuit cover-up’ video tutorial.

• Recommended yarn: cotton DK
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL,2XL, 3XL ,4XL

This pattern is also available as a PDF on Etsy.

3. Easy Crochet Beach Cover Up

Basic crochet stitches and chains combine to make this comfortable mesh cover up.

The body is slouchy, relaxed and very oversized so it’s super comfy and airy.

The body panels are worked lengthways which means that the foundation chain runs the length of the sweater, not the width.

The sleeves are also worked lengthways and finished off with simple back loop half double crochet ribbing.

This long sleeved top (this pattern has cuffed sleeves) is perfect for wearing to the beach, throwing on over a swimsuit or pairing the cover up with jeans and a vest underneath.

• Recommended yarn: Shine Worsted weight yarn (pima cotton mixed with modal)
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

If you prefer to crochet from a PDF, this pattern is available to buy on Etsy.

4.  Beachy Keen Cover Up

This crochet pattern for beach cover up is a fast and easy project.

The mesh pattern is a 2-row repeat. 

The first row is a treble crochet (US) /  double treble crochet (UK) and chain 1 followed by a row of single crochet (US) / double crochet.

Two panels are made and then seamed together at the shoulder and sides (this is a sleeveless crochet beach dress).

• Recommended yarn: Bernat Maker Fashion (72% cotton)  /  Yarn substitutions
• Sizes: XS – M /  L – XL  /  2XL – 5XL

The pattern is a free PDF download.

5.  Crochet Beach Cover Up Pattern

This sleeveless mesh beach dress is perfect for wearing in summer over swimwear.

Made from two long panels (a front and back) that are then seamed together, the designer has rated this project advanced beginners.

If you can make a slipknot, create a chain, double crochet (US)  /  treble crochet (UK) and treble crochet (US)  /  double treble (UK) you will be able to crochet this cover up.

• Recommended yarn:  We Are Knitters Pima Cotton
• Sizes: XS to 5XL

6.  Easy to Crochet Beach Cover Up

The trellis stitch gives this crochet tunic a beautiful lacey look.

The tunic is worked in a raglan style – in one piece and in the round, starting from the top. 

Made-to-measure, you’ll need to try on the yoke to determine whether you need more rounds (instructions are for small but also tell you how to increase stitches).

This pattern is easy to adapt.  Crochet less rounds for a crop summer top and more rounds to extend the length.  You could also make the sleeves shorter (although I think it looks great with long sleeves).

• Recommended yarn: Lion Brand Coboo (cotton and bamboo blend)  I’m currently working on a mesh top using this yarn and it is so smooth and soft
• Sizes: made-to-measure

7.  Easy Breezy Swim Cover Up

I like the different lengths of the front and back in this easy swim cover up.

Worked in one big rectangle (no increases or decreases) this project is easy to adapt to a shorter or longer length.

There’s a photo slideshow for where to place the stitches as well as a video tutorial for how to crochet an i-cord.

Designed to be oversized, once you cinch the dress around the waist with the crocheted i-cord you get a more fitted look.  I think it looks great!

• Recommended yarn:  Cotton Worsted/Aran
• Sizes: S/M, L/XL Plus Size

8.  Sea Breeze Cover Up

This pattern is a top-down construction with a V pattern on the front and back panels.

The dress is worked in the round, except when working front and back panels across the armholes.

This is a fitted dress (with no positive or negative ease) so it might not be for everyone.  I wanted to include it because it’s stunning … and you could always go up a size if you wanted movement in your dress!

• Recommended yarn: Hobbii Azalea (4 ply, 52% cotton, 48% acrylic)
• Sizes:  XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL

This pattern is available as a PDF on Etsy (the pattern title is knitted but it is crochet!).

9.  Cover Up Pool Dress

If you have a curvy figure, this is a loose fitting dress designed to be comfortable, give you movement and still keep you covered.

I like the design of lacy stitches combined with denser stitches.  And with the pattern using two colors – so many choices! 

You will crochet two panels which are seamed together at the shoulders and sides.

The designer has rated this cover up advanced beginners.

• Recommended yarn: Wool And The Gang Shiny Happy Cotton
• Sizes: Extra Small/ Small, Medium/Large, 1X/2X

If you prefer working from a PDF, this pattern is available to buy.

10.  Crochet Cover Up

If you prefer a beach cardi cover, this pattern is for you.

I love the drape.  It looks casual and I think finishes off a summer outfit perfectly.

Made in three panels – back and two fronts, the design is oversized and loose.  If you want a more fitted look, size down. To shorten the panels, crochet fewer rows (the width will stay the same). 

If you can half double crochet and double crochet (US crochet terms), you will be able to make this beach robe. 

This free crochet beach cover up pattern is suitable for beginners.

• Recommended yarn: Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend
• Sizes: S/M, L/XL, 2XL / 3XL

11.  Beach Cover Up Dress

This breezy and airy crochet beach dress is a perfect bathing suit cover.

I couldn’t resist adding this pattern for the geometric pattern (made from the triangles and cones lace stitch) – it’s a bit different from the mesh stitches in the other patterns in this collection and I thought it would give you more design choices.

The designer has created a tutorial for this stitch.  If you’re feeling unsure, have a practise before starting your beach dress.

As with all these patterns, you can add pattern repeats for a longer length or less for a shorter length.

Constructed in two panels with the shoulders and sides seamed, this is an easy pattern.

• Recommended yarn:  Pima Comfy Cotton (fingering weight yarn)
• Sizes: XS to 5XL

You can purchase this pattern as a PDF.

12.  Cover Up Dress

This crochet cover up dress is crocheted in Solomon’s Knot stitch pattern which is a two-row repeat (this is a great project to practice the stitch!).

The pattern includes a stitch diagram as well as instructions in three steps for how to crochet the Solomon’s Knot (also known as Lover’s Knot).

The dress is constructed in 2 panels, back and front. The front panel decreases at the neckline to give a V neckline shape to the dress.

• Recommended yarn: DK
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL

There is a PDF of this pattern that is available to buy.

13.  Crochet Swimsuit Cover Up

This crochet swim coverup is crocheted in turning rows, lengthwise from top to bottom.

The lacy stitch is made by double crochet, chain 1.  An easy pattern for beginners.

You will crochet 2 sides and then seam them together, leaving a space in the middle for the neckline.

The belt is made by crocheting a cord and threading through the mesh.

• Recommended yarn:  Lion Brand Pima Cotton
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL & 5XL

The printable version of the pattern (available on Etsy) includes several in-the-making photos, lots of helpful tips and a sizing grid so you can customize to your exact measurements.

14.  Easy Crochet Bikini Cover Up

This crochet cover up is constructed with two matching long rectangles that you seam along the middle for the neckline and up the sides for the armholes.

Easily modified, if you prefer to have more movement for your arms, when you’re seaming the sides leave a bigger space!

Likewise, if you prefer a neckline higher (or lower!), seam the middle higher or lower. 

Simple.

The i-cord tie finishes it off and helps add some depth to the drape.

Filet crochet is used for the lacy pattern (I used the same technique on my summer top) which is easy once you get into the repeats.

The designer has rated the skill level intermediate, however, if you’re a confident beginner I think you should challenge yourself 🙂

• Recommended yarn: Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK
• Sizes: S/M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X

This pattern is available as a PDF on Etsy.

15. Crochet Dress Free Pattern

This is a quick and easy beach dress with a boho vibe.

I love that this crochet beach dress pattern free is completely customizable, coming in 3 different styles!

• crop top
• hip length top
• full dress version

The top portion is worked in 2 separate panels from side to side, creating armholes as you go, and then seamed together in the middle.

Then after re-joining the yarn, the bodice and dress is worked in the round.

• Recommended yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
• Sizes: XS to 3X

Prefer working from a PDF? This pattern is available to buy on Etsy.

16. Crochet Cover Up

I just had to include this crochet cover up pattern … I love the mini dress length but that hood! It’s such a fabulous design addition for wearing on a breezy beach (if you’re not such a fan of hoods you can leave it off).

Beginner friendly, the pattern consists of an eight row repeat that is worked in single crochets followed by a double crochet mesh stitch.

You’ll crochet three pieces: the front panel, back panel and hood

• Recommended yarn: bulky/chunky (the recommended yarn is discontinued but crochet your swatch first and you’ll be able to match the gauge with a substitute yarn)
• Sizes: XS to 2X

Related Summer Crochet Patterns

• Whispering Rose Crochet Summer Top
• 20+ Crochet Summer Tops
• 13 Stylish Crochet Tank Top Patterns
• Easy Crochet Tank Top
• Easy Crochet Summer Top
• Easy Lacy Scarf
• Easy Lightweight and Lacy Shawl
• Lightweight and Lacy Free Scarf Patterns
• Boho/Festival Free Patterns
• Granny Square Bucket Hat
• Easy Bucket Hat
• 20 Free Bucket Hat Patterns
• Crochet Flowers
• 17+ Easy Crochet Wedding Patterns

No matter what your style perference is or skill level, there’s a summer beach cover up pattern for you. I hope you’ve been inspired by these patterns to get crocheting and start enjoying the summer sun!

Happy crocheting!