How to Crochet a Bikini Fringed Top

You can wear a fringed bikini top as you relax at poolside or at the beach with friends, or you can pair it with shorts or a long sarong skirt. Making a crocheted bikini top is not very difficult, although you will need to know how to make a slip knot, slip stitch, double crochet and shell stitch, as well as knowing how to crochet to the correct gauge for the correct fit.

Things You'll Need

• Size B1 crochet hook or size needed for correct gauge
• Fine cotton-wool blend yarn
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• One-half yard fabric for lining
• Sewing thread, same color as yarn
• Needle or sewing machine
• CD case or stiff cardboard, same size as CD case

Instructions

Cups (make two)

1. Crochet a test swatch using double crochet stitch. Your gauge should be 16 rows and 30 stitches of double crochet, measuring 4 inches square. Once you have crocheted the correct gauge, chain 20 foundation stitches.

2. Double crochet in the fourth chain from your hook, then double crochet in each chain to the end for 18 stitches.

3. Chain three for the first double crochet for row two. Double crochet in each stitch to the end. Make a seven-double crochet shell in the end chain-three space. Working on the opposite side of the foundation chain, double crochet in each chain across, then turn for 43 stitches.

4. Chain three for the first double crochet for rows three through eight. Double crochet in each stitch across to the center double crochet at the top. Make a seven-double crochet shell in the center top double crochet, then double crochet in each stitch across. Turn work. 79 stitches at the end of row eight.

5. Chain three for first double crochet for rows nine through 12 (see Tips for size variations). Double crochet in each stitch across to center double crochet at the top. Make five-double crochet shell in center top double crochet, then double crochet in each stitch across. Turn work. 95 stitches at the end of the final row. Fasten off and weave ends in with tapestry needle. Repeat for second cup.

String (make three)

1. Chain a multiple of three stitches equal to the length needed to fit around your chest and tie in a bow at your back. The length of string may be approximately five feet long or 300 stitches.

2. Double crochet in fourth chain from hook, skip next two chains, single crochet, chain three and double crochet stitch in the next chain, skip next two chains and repeat from "single crochet, chain three and double crochet stitch" all the way across. Fasten off, weave ends in.

3. Weave the string over and under each stitch across the bottom edge of each cup. Leave equal lengths of string on each side of bra cups. Using the same stitches, crochet two shorter strings to attach to the tops of each bikini cup and tie around your neck. These strings will be 18 inches long.

Lining (Make Two)

1. Fold one cup in half along the increases. Lay folded cup along the fold of your fabric and cut out a triangle shape using the cup to guide you.

2. Draw a line along the extra fabric at the center from the bottom edge to the middle of the cup.

3. Sew a dart in the lining, then attach it to the cup, wrong side to wrong side and sew along all three sides with a zigzag stitch. Repeat for cup two.

Fringe

1. Wrap cotton yarn several times around the CD case, enough for amount of fringe desired for the bikini top. Cut the wrapped yarn on one side of the case.

2. Take two strands at a time and push your crochet hook from front to back through a space at the bottom of the bikini top. Hook the yarn at the fold and pull it through to the front of your top. Hook all four strands of yarn and pull it through the loop on the hook.

3. Continue to take two strands of yarn at a time and repeat as in step 2.

Tips & Warnings

• This pattern fits bra cup sizes 32, (35, 38, 41 and 45) At row nine, you'll crochet to row 12 to finish the cup for size 32, from row nine to 13 for cup size 35, from row nine to 14 for cup size 38, from row nine to 15 for cup size 41 and from row nine to row 16 for cup size 45.

References

• "Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet, The Happy Hooker;" Debbie Stoller, 2006