How to Crochet a Swimsuit

Crocheted swimsuit

Go to the beach or the pool, and you’ll encounter all kinds of swim wear. You'll see everything from modest 1-piece suits that provide plenty of coverage to teeny-tiny bikinis that leave almost nothing to the imagination. If you have a little girl who loves to run through the hose or splash in the pool, you can make her a two-piece swimming suit that is both cute and modest. Crochet a swimsuit for your little one and turn her loose to splash and play. The directions may look complicated, but this is a very simple pattern that will fit a toddler. You can adjust it to fit a larger child or an adult.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn (cotton fiber works well)
• 1 Skein Sport Weight (for a child's suit) or
• 2 skeins Sport Weight (for a larger suit)
• Crochet Hook Size E (or size that will produce a tight weave)
• Darning Needle (to sew sides of panties)
• Contrasting Yarn for Trim

Instructions

1. Crochet the panties in one piece, starting with the front. Make a chain of 51 chain stitches. Work 1 single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 1 and turn you work. For the next 9 rows, work one half double crochet in each stitch, chain 2 at end of row, and turn your work.

2. To make leg holes, decrease* one stitch at beginning of Row 11. Work half double crochet in each of next 4 stitches, make decrease over next 2 stitches across Row 11; finish row by making a decrease across last 2 stitches in row. Continue to decrease evenly across next 5 rows so you have 8 half double crochets left. *To decrease, throw yarn over your hook, insert your hook in next stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop, and pull all loops off hook.

3. To make crotch of panties, work 8 half double crochet stitches, chain 2 at end of row and turn your work, over next 8 rows.

4. Make a chain of 10 chain stitches at end of the 8th row of crotch to make the back of the panties. Make a single crochet in second chain from hook and in each half double crochet across. At end of row, make a chain of 10 chain stitches. Turn your work, single crochet in second chain from hook and in each stitch across, chain 2 and turn your work. Now you must start to add stitches for the panties back. Work 2 half double crochets in first stitch, half double crochet in next 5 stitches, 2 half double crochets in next stitch, end with 2 half double crochets in chain 2. Make 2 chains, turn your work, and continue to increase evenly over next 5 rows so you have 75 stitches. (The back will be poufier than the front.) Work 12 rows evenly, and tie off.

5. Sew side seams of panties, easing back to fit front. For each leg hole, attach yarn with slip stitch, single crochet evenly around leg hole. Insert elastic or drawstring around top for fit.

6. To make top, crochet 2 triangles. Make 16 chain stitches, single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across. Make 1 chain and turn your work. For Row 2, half double crochet in each single crochet across. Make 2 chains and turn your work. To work Rows 3 through 6, repeat Row 2 four times. For Row 7, skip first half double crochet, work half double crochet in each stitch across to within 2 stitches of end; skip next half double crochet, work single crochet in last half double crochet. Make 2 chains and turn your work. Repeat Row 7, decreasing two half double crochets on each row until you have 3 half double crochets left. Make 1 chain and single crochet in each stitch around the triangle. Fasten off and weave in ends.

7. To finish the top, place the triangles together face-to-face, matching the edges and sew Rows 1 through 6 of the triangles together along one side to make a bikini top. For shoulder straps, attach yarn with slip stitch to bottom outside edge and single crochet in each stitch to point. Make a chain 10 inches long, single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain back to point. Repeat for other “cup.”

8. For back straps, crochet a chain 10 inches long, attach to bottom corner of top, single crochet in each stitch across bottom of both cups, and finish with a chain 10 inches long. Single crochet in second chain and in each stitch and chain across to end. Tie off and weave in ends.

Tips & Warnings

• Use bright summer colors and weave in a tie of a contrasting color.

• Don't leave material lying around the house, especially if you have children. These materials could cause harm if left in the way.

Resources

• Crochet Guild of America