Get ready for summer with this adorable crocheted bikini pattern, perfect for sun-worshippers and beach lovers! This design uses lightweight, 4-ply acrylic worsted weight yarn, which means it dries quickly and holds its shape beautifully, even when wet. The pattern features a classic bikini silhouette, with separate instructions for creating the top and bottom pieces. The main stitch used is a simple half double crochet, making this a fantastic project for crocheters comfortable with increases and decreases. Color changes are part of the pattern for added visual detail.
The bikini top is constructed with two separate cups that are then joined together, featuring cute colorwork motifs for a touch of flair. Elastic is cleverly incorporated into the edging, adding a functional to the edge and allows it to be pulled taught. The bottom is worked in two pieces (front and back) and seamed, with similar edging and elastic detailing around the leg openings for a snug, secure fit. With its comfortable fit and stylish design, this crocheted bikini is sure to become a summer staple!
Materials:
- 4-ply acrylic knitting worsted:
- One 4-ounce skein Color A (Rose)
- One 2-ounce skein Color B (Wine)
- One 2-ounce skein Color C (Blue)
- Size H (5.0 mm) aluminum crochet hook (or size needed to achieve gauge)
- Yarn needle
- Narrow swimwear elastic
Gauge:
- 4 stitches = 1 inch in half double crochet (hdc)
- 3 rows = 1 inch in half double crochet (hdc)
- Checking your gauge is important for proper fit.
Main Stitch: Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Size: 5-9 (This is likely a junior size range. The pattern includes a note for making it larger.)
Abbreviations:
St = Stitch
Ch= Chain
Sl st= Slip Stitch
Sc= Single Crochet
Hdc= Half Double Crochet
Dc= Double Crochet
Tr= Treble Crochet
Rep= Repeat
Sk= Skip
Sp= Space
Lp(s) = Loop(s)
Yo = Yarn Over
Instructions:
Top (Make Two Cups):
- Foundation: With Color A and beginning at the top of the cup, loosely chain 6.
- Row 1: Hdc in the 4th chain from the hook, chain 1, 2 hdc in the last chain. Turn.
- Row 2: Chain 3 (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in the 1st hdc, hdc in the next hdc, (hdc, chain 1, hdc) in the chain-1 space, hdc in the next hdc, hdc in the top of the chain-3 (from previous row). (7 hdc total). Turn.
- Row 3: Chain 3 (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in the 1st hdc, hdc in each hdc across the row, working (hdc, chain 1, hdc) in the center chain-1 space. (10 hdc total). Turn.
- Rows 4-8: Repeat Row 3. (25 hdc at the end of Row 8).
- Row 9: Chain 3 (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in each hdc across the row, making 1 hdc in the chain-1 space. (26 hdc total). Turn.
- Row 10: Chain 3 (counts as 1st hdc), hdc in each stitch across the row. At the end of the row, work 2 hdc in the top of the chain-3 (from previous row). (27 hdc total). Turn.
- Row 11: Repeat Row 10. (28 hdc total). End off.
- Second Cup: Repeat Rows 1-11 for the second cup.
- Joining Cups: Note: For a larger size, repeat Row 10 as necessary for fit before joining. Join the cups at the center bottom edge with a slip stitch (sl st).
Top Trim:
- Center Motif (Bottom Edge):
- With Color B, on the right side at the bottom edge, join the yarn in the 4th stitch from the center (where the cups are joined).
- Working towards the center: chain 2, hdc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch, tr in the next stitch, skipping the stitch where the color was joined, tr in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch, hdc in the next stitch, sc and end off in the next stitch.
- Top Motif (On Cups):
- On the right side with Color B, join the yarn in the top of the turning chain of the first row (the top point of the cup).
- Working towards the center: chain 2,
- * yo, insert hook into the next stitch, yo, draw through, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook),
- yo twice, insert hook into the center stitch (of the foundation chain), yo, draw through a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice (3 loops on hook),
- yo, insert hook into the next stitch, yo, draw through 1 loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook (4 loops on hook),
- insert hook into the next stitch, yo, draw through, yo, draw through 1 loop on hook, yo, draw through all 5 loops on hook. End off. *
- Repeat on the other cup.
Edging and Ties:
- Elastic Prep:
- Measure the length along the bottom edge of the cups.
- Cut a piece of narrow swimwear elastic about 1 to 1 1/2 inches shorter than the measured length.
- Attach the elastic with needle and thread at both outer corner stitches at the bottom edge of the cups. This will be encased in the edging.
- Edging (Color C):
- With the right side facing you and the bottom edge up, join Color C at the right corner of the bottom edge.
- Working around the elastic, sc into each stitch along the bottom edge.
- Work 1 sc into the same space where the center motif joins, and 1 sc into the top of each stitch across the motif.
- Work 1 sc in the same space where the motif ends and 1 sc in each stitch across to the corner.
- Work 3 sc in the corner.
- Working along the outer side of the left cup, sc in the end of each row and into each chain-2 of the motif.
- Work 3 sc in the top of the motif to turn.
- Working along the inner edge of the left cup, sc into the side of the motif and the end of each row to the center.
- In the last stitch at the center, insert the hook, draw yarn through (2 loops on hook).
- Working along the inner edge of the right cup, in the end of the 1st row at the bottom, insert the hook, draw yarn through, yo, draw yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
- Continue around the edge in the same manner, joining with a slip stitch.
- Chain 2, and continue working around on the right side, making a sc between each sc of the previous row. Work around the elastic to the last space on the bottom edge.
- Ties:
* Ch 63, turn being careful not to twist the chain.
* Sc in the 3rd ch from the hook, and into each ch back to the corner.
* In last ch, insert hook, yo, draw up a loop. (2 loops on hook.)
* Working along the outside of the left cup, insert hook in between 1st sp between sts at corner, yo, draw through a lp (3 Ips on hook), insert hook into next sp, yo, draw through a lp, yo, draw through 4 Ips on hook.- Continue around the outer edge as before.
- When a corner is reached, make a tie as before (chain 63, sc back down).
- Join with a sl st. End off.
Bottom (Front):
- Foundation: With Color A, chain 9.
- Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Chain 2, turn (the turning chain counts as the 1st hdc of the next row throughout the pattern).
- Rows 2-3: Hdc across the row. Chain 2, turn.
- Row 4: 2 hdc in the 1st stitch (increase made), hdc across the row to the last stitch, 2 hdc in the last stitch (increase made). Chain 2, turn. (10 hdc total)
- Row 5: Hdc across the row. Chain 2, turn.
- Rows 6-14: Repeat Row 4, increasing at each end. (28 hdc at the end of Row 14).
- Row 15: 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc across the row to the last stitch, 2 hdc in the last stitch, chain 5, turn. (30 hdc total)
- Row 16: Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in the next 2 chains, hdc in the top of each stitch across the row, 2 hdc in the last stitch, chain 5, turn. (34 hdc total)
- Rows 17-19: Rep row 16 (46 hdc).
- Row 20: Hdc in each st, ch 2, turn.
- Row 21: 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc across row to last st, 2 hdc in last st, ch 2, turn.
- Row 22: Hdc across row, ch 2, turn.
- Row 23: Rep row 21 (50 hdc).
- Rows 24-25: Hdc across rows, End off.
Bottom (Back):
- Foundation: Chain 9.
- Row 1: Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (8 hdc total). Chain 2, turn.
- Rows 2-18: 2 hdc in the 1st stitch (increase made), hdc across the row to the last stitch, 2 hdc in the last stitch (increase made). Chain 2, turn. (42 hdc at the end of Row 18).
- Row 19: 2 hdc in the 1st stitch, hdc across the row to the last stitch, 2 hdc in the last stitch, chain 5, turn. (44 hdc total)
- Row 20: Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in the next 2 chains, hdc in the top of each stitch across the row, 2 hdc in the last stitch, chain 5, turn. (48 hdc total)
- Row 21: Repeat Row 20. (52 hdc total)
- Rows 22-25: Hdc across the rows. End off.
- Seaming: Sew the sides and crotch together, or join with slip stitches.
Bottom Trim:
- Legs:
- Row 1: Join Color C to the leg opening at the side seam. Chain 2, sc in the ends of the rows around the leg (1 sc in each row), holding the elastic to the back side of the bikini and encasing it in each sc stitch (as for the top).
- Row 2: Sc in each sc of the previous row. End off.
- Front Motif:
- Row 1: Holding the front with the right side facing you, at the top edge, join Color B in the top of the 22nd hdc. Chain 2. Holding elastic to the back, hdc around the elastic in the next stitch, continuing to keep the elastic to the back side and encased in the stitches, dc in the next stitch, tr in the next 2 stitches, dc in the next stitch, sc in the next stitch. End off.
- Join Color C in the next stitch, chain 2, sc in each stitch around the top (keep the elastic encased), sc across the top of the motif.
- Row 2: Sc in between the sc of the 1st row and around the elastic, sc across the top of the motif. End off.
- Final Elastic Adjustment: Try on the suit. Pull the elastic on the legs and around the top to fit snugly. Then, tie the elastic to itself and thread the ends into the stitches to conceal them.