Home » Crochet » Elise Crochet Tank Top Pattern

Elise Crochet Tank Top Pattern

With its simple construction of two rectangular panels and minimal shaping, my Elise crochet tank top pattern has a unique design element that will have you stepping out in style.

three images of a crochet tank top in orange of different lengths - crop, standard, dress - styled on a mannequin
© Jera’s Jamboree

One of the great features of this pattern is its flexibility in length.  Whether you prefer a crop top, standard length, tunic or dress, you’ll find it easy to customize to your desired fit (even if you’re a beginner, you’ll be able to make the adjustments). Mine looks fab as a beach cover up dress!

The optional ruffle gives a playful and feminine flair, lifting this garment from ordinary to unique. Pair this tank with a skirt, shorts or sun hat to complete your outfit.

Crochet summer top styled on a mannequin showing a close up without ruffles and with ruffles around the armhole

I’ve written the pattern instructions in US crochet terms for sizes S through to 3X.

The pattern is free to view here on the blog or you can upgrade to a PDF in my shop.

Why you’ll Love to Crochet this Summer Top

Customization: Easily adjust your length to create a trendy cropped top, a classic standard length, or an elegant dress version that perfectly fits your personal style and wardrobe needs.
Simplicity: The straightforward construction with just two rectangular panels and minimal shaping makes this pattern accessible for all skill levels.  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crocheter, you’ll enjoy this quick make.
Texture: The two-row repeat block stitch and the ruffle adds an interesting texture making your tank top stand out.
Four images showing a top styled on a mannequin and one image of the crocheted fabric laying flat

Skill Level

Easy

Supplies and Materials

  • King Cole Cottonsoft DK; 594, (675, 776, 864, 956, 1050) yds
  • 5mm / H-8 crochet hook
  • Stitch Markers
  • Tape Measure
  • Scissors
  • Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I recommend using DK cotton yarn, which is ideal for warm-weather wear.

I’ve used my favourite yarn in this tank top project – King Cole Cottonsoft DK.  It’s worked up and washed so well for years and I’ve continued to use it now I’m designing.  There are 44 different colours so a wide choice available!

Not only is it great to work with but Cottonsoft also gives excellent stitch definition, allowing the beautiful two-row repeat block stitch to really stand out.

Tip:  I tend to look out for this yarn in the sales and even if I don’t have a specific project in mind, make a purchase so it’s in my stash.  If you have a favourite yarn, then this should work for you too.

BrandKing Cole Cottonsoft
Yarn WeightDK
Fibre Blend100% Cotton
Care InstructionsDry Flat, Machine Wash – Cotton Wash – 40°C
Length210 metres / 230 yds
Ball Weight100g

Searching on YarnSub, excellent matches (99%) for Cottonsoft include:

  • Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/6
  • Sirdar Snuggly 100 Cotton
  • DMC 100% Baby Cotton
  • Papatya Supreme Cotton
  • Emu Cotton DK

Gauge

18 stitches and 11 rows on a 5mm hook = 10cm X 10cm / 4in X 4in

If you substitute the yarn or are finding it difficult to match my gauge, use the stitch gauge converter to make adjustments and you’ll achieve the perfect size, fit, and finish.

Glossary

Stitches

You will need to be familiar with these stitches for the pattern:

US crochet terms

  • Single Crochet (sc)
  • Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)
  • Double Crochet (dc)
  • Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog)
  • Slip Stitch

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

US Crochet TermsUK Crochet Terms
single crochet (sc)double crochet (dc)
half double crochet (hdc)half treble crochet (htr)
double crochet (dc)treble crochet (tr)
treble (tr)double treble (dtr)
double treble (dtr)triple treble (trtr)

If you need help on how to work these stitches,  follow the instructions in my crochet stitch library.

Abbreviations

The following common abbreviations are used in this pattern.

 Abbreviation
Betweenbet
Chainch
Chain Spacech-sp
Eachea
Looplp
Remainingrem
RepeatRep
Skipsk
Spacesp
Stitch/esst/s
Right SideRS
Wrong SideWS

Garment Measurements

These are the final measurements for your top.  I’ve also included the yarn amounts you will need for each separate size.

Sizes are based on guidance from the Craft Yarn Council.

To Fit (inches)Width (inches)Length (inches)Amount of Yarn (yards) approx.
S 32 – 343622  594
M   36 – 384022.5  675
L 40 – 424423.5  776
XL 44 – 464824  864
2X 48 – 505224.5  956
3X 52 – 545625  1050
If you customize this pattern by altering the length you will need more or less yarn than stated

How the tank top pattern is worked

This summer top uses the two-row repeat block stitch throughout for the body.  It’s such a versatile stitch! One of my favourite wearables, the Larissa cardigan, uses this stitch pattern too.

Construction is easy – two rectangular panels (with minimal shaping for armholes and shoulders) which are seamed together at the shoulders and sides.  The ruffle around the armhole is crocheted last. There are options for you to customize this easy tank top pattern.

Annotated image of a crocheted tank top showing instructions: adjusting the length, the ruffle begins at the start of the shoulder strap to the back of the strap, decreasing the neckling and armhole edging
  1. Starting at the hem, the piece is worked without shaping to the underarm.  This is where you can customize how long your top will be.  You will need to measure from your underarm to hem and adjust the rows accordingly.  For a dress or tunic length, you will need to crochet more repeats and for a cropped top, less.  Repeats should end at row 3 to continue with the armhole shaping.
  2. The first row of the armhole shaping uses slip stitches at the start of the row and leaves the same number of stitches unworked at the end of the row. The following row (and repeats, depending on the size you are making) you’ll work stitches together at both ends of rows to achieve the decrease.
  3. Next, the shoulders are crocheted with right and left worked separately.
  4. To assemble, both pieces are placed together with the right-side facing inwards and seams are sewn for the shoulders and from the armhole to the hem for the side seam.
  5. The neck edge is shaped next by working stitches together to decrease at the strap edges and the middle of the neckline on both front and back.
  6. To finish off, the shoulder straps are edged with single crochet to give a neat finish.
  7. Finally, I have added the option of working a ruffle around the armhole.  This isn’t worked around the entire armhole (it would be uncomfortable under your arm!).  Yarn is rejoined with a slip stitch where the shoulder strap begins and the ruffle is worked to where the strap ends on the other side.  A slip stitch secures the ruffle to the armhole on the other side. I recommend using stitch markers for each side before you begin so that the ruffles are both the same size.
close up of a ruffle around the armhole of a crocheted summer tank top

Tank Top Pattern Notes

  • Pattern is written in US crochet terms for sizes S through to 3X (see table for separate measurements)
  • Multiples of 3 (plus 3)
  • Size instructions are written thus S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X).
  • Repeated instructions are denoted with * for example, * sk 2 sts, sc in next st, ch2, * repeat across
  • A block is made up of 3 double crochets worked in each chain-2 space.
  • Tank top is worked in rows and turned.
  • Front and back are the same.
  • Weave in ends as you go.
4 images show side and front views of a top styled on a mannequin and the crocheted fabric laid flat

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Included in the tank top pattern:

  • how the pattern is worked
  • pattern notes
  • clear written instructions

Crochet Tank Top Instructions US Terms

Make 2

With a 5mm / H-8 hook

Ch 84, (90, 96, 105, 114, 123)

Hem to Armhole

Row 1 (RS): dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in ea ch across, ch1, turn

Row 2: sc in base of 1st st, ch2, *sk 2 sts, sc in next st, ch2, * rep across ending with sc in last st, ch2 turn

Row 3: *3dc in ch2-sp, * rep to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn

Row 4: sc in base of 1st st, ch2, *sc in sp bet 3dc, ch2, * rep across, ending with sc in last st, ch2, turn

(Rows 3 and 4 complete block stitch pattern)

Row 5 – 36, (36, 38, 38, 38, 38) rep rows 3 and 4

*Customize the length by amending the number of total rows above*

Armhole Shaping

Row 37, (37, 39, 39, 39, 39): sl st in 4, (4, 4, 7, 7, 7) sts, ch2, rep row 4 to last 4, (4, 4, 7, 7, 7) sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 38, (38, 40, 40, 40, 40): dc3tog, rep row 3 to last ch2-sp, dc3tog, dc in same ch-sp, ch1, turn

Row 39, (39, 41, 41, 41, 41): rep row 4

Rep above 2 rows 1, (1, 1, 1, 3) more times

Rep rows 3 and 4 a further 2, (2, 3, 3, 3, 3) times

Do not fasten off

Setting up for the Shoulder and Neckline

Identify the middle block of the neckline and place a st marker in the middle dc.  Count towards the left 5 blocks and place a st marker in the ch-sp between the 5th and 6th blocks.  Count towards the right 5 blocks and place a st marker in the ch-sp between the 5th and 6th blocks.

First Shoulder

Next row: rep row 4 to st marker, ch2, turn leaving rem sts unworked (total 6 blocks worked)

Rep rows 3 and 4 until armhole is a total of 18, (20, 20, 22, 22, 24) rows

Remove stitch marker from centre and right-hand side

Fasten off leaving a longer tail to sew the shoulder seam

Second Shoulder

Rejoin yarn with a sl st at the st marker

Rep instructions for first shoulder

Assembly

With RS facing inwards, line up the 2 pieces, one on top of the other

Sew shoulder seams

Sew side seam from the bottom of the armhole to the hem

Edging Armhole

Working on the RS, rejoin yarn underarm, ch1

Row 1: sc evenly around armhole, sl st to ch1

Fasten off

Rep on other side

Edging and Decreasing Neckline

Decide which will be the front of your garment

Place a st marker in the centre st of the neckline on both front and back

Working on the RS rejoin yarn at the back of neck, next to shoulder, ch1

Row 1:  sc2tog three times, sc evenly along the back of the neck to 6 sts before the st marker, sc2tog three times, sc in centre st, sc2tog three times, sc to 6 sts before shoulder, sc2tog 3 times, sc evenly up the shoulder, down the front of the shoulder, sc2tog three times, sc to 6 sts before centre st on front, sc2tog three times, sc in centre st, sc2tog three times, sc evenly to 6 sts before shoulder, sc2tog three times, sc up the shoulder, down the back of shoulder, sl st to ch1

Fasten off

Optional Ruffle

Place a st marker in the armhole in alignment to where the shoulder strap begins and another one where it ends on both front and back

Working on RS, rejoin yarn at st marker

sl st in st before st marker

Row 1: *5dc in next st, * rep in ea st around to st marker

Sl st in next st

Fasten off

Repeat on the other side

Congratulations!  Your summer top is finished and ready to be blocked and worn.

three images show a tank top in orange styled on a mannequin showing with and without a ruffle edging on the shoulder strap

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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.

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