A crocheted bikini top is a very versatile summer garment. Wear it with shorts or with a summer skirt, ‘dress it up’ with lots of beads and a bright sarong, or under a lacy summer wrap. A crochet bikini top is quick and easy to crochet – and very adaptable, different yarns, a few flowers or beads and a completely different effect can be achieved.

There are many different patterns available for crocheted beachwear. Some other ideas about crocheting for the summer have been explored in more detail in this BellaOnline Crochet article.

BellaOnline Crochet Bikini Top Project
Instructions for making a bikini top can be found at this BellaOnline project. This crochet design allows you to customize completely the bikini top to fit YOU, so no worrying about getting the wrong fit. The suggested yarn is a 4-ply cotton – but any similar yarn will be fine. The top is worked in Double Crochet (Treble Crochet UK) around a central chain and the shaping is at the top of each piece. This bikini top is very easy to finish, use ribbon instead of crocheted cord to fasten, make a thicker crocheted band to make the top more substantial etc. As it won’t take long to make, you can experiment with many variations!

Important note: Crochet bikini tops are often not designed for swimming – depending on the yarn used the top may become waterlogged with embarrassing results, so if you are going to wear it on the beach and nip in the water for a quick swim – do test it first!


Some Ideas for Variations:

Don’t sew the two cups together and make a tie for front of the bikini, instead of round the back.

Make crocheted flower to decorate the center of the top.

Join the cups at the front in a couple of places to give more support.

Make a thicker band from rows of crochet to make the bikini more substantial. Use pieces of elastic at the back of the neck or a button and loop to make a more robust fastening.

Work a thick band for the bottom of the bikini top, this could be very thick to turn it into a crop top.

Add beads to the ties, to complement the color of the bikini or to add contrast.

And importantly - add elastic along the bottom of the cups or where necessary to give a more secure fit!