Summer Lovin’ Crochet Cover Up Pattern

Beach cover ups are fashionable, functionable, fun to crochet, and come in a variety of styles. From crochet wraps to crochet tunics, crochet skirts to crochet sarongs, there’s a free crochet beach cover up pattern out there to match your style!

Both adult and kids sizes are included so you can make a matching mommy & Me set!

Garment Construction

This easy crochet cover up is constructed using two identical, rectangular panels.

These two panels are then seamed together, leaving a neck opening.

You’ll then crochet a simple edging around the perimeter, crochet simple ties, and use the ties to partially lace the sides of the beach cover up.

Choosing Which Size to Crochet

As a general rule, crochet beach cover up patterns have much more positive ease built-in than most other crochet garments because they are designed to be worn very oversized.

Because of the amount of positive ease built into this design, I’ve grouped sizes together as shown in the size charts below.

To choose your size, look over the size charts below.

• Start by choosing the size from the chart that fits your chest size.
• Then to confirm this is the right size for you, measure the finished width dimension across the front of your chest and down your arms.
• If the finished width measurement is wider than you prefer, simple choose a smaller size from the chart.

Kid’s Size Chart

Note: Finished Width & Finished Length are of a completed crochet swim cover up laid flat.

Adult’s Size Chart

Note: Finished Width & Finished Length are of a completed crochet swim cover up laid flat.

Yarn

Made using Lion Brand Collection Cotton Bamboo Linen, you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in a little piece of heaven when wearing the Summer Lovin’ Crochet Swim Cover-Up. 

Lion Brand Collection Cotton Bamboo Linen is a craft yarn council #2, sport weight yarn comprised of cotton, bamboo, and linen (as you may have guessed by the name). The combination of these three natural fibers give this yarn a unique softness, beautiful drape, and durability.

I chose this yarn because it’s a sport weight and the fibers are perfect for a crochet cover up, but another great feature is that it’s machine washable! That’s a win-win!

Yarn Substitutions

Another sport weight yarn can be substituted as long as you meet gauge.

I personally recommend a sport weight yarn that is a cotton blend. I feel they are less dense than 100% cotton yarns. The more dense the yarn, the heavier the crochet beach cover up will be when it gets wet.

Summer Lovin’ Swim Cover Up – Free Crochet Cover Up Pattern

The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials, on Love Crafts, Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).

Purchase the crochet swim cover up kit HERE! (aff) Lion Brand has a full kit of the Summer Lovin’ Swim Cover Up, available on their website. The kit includes your choice of colors and a digital copy of the pattern.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites.

Pin it & Save it for later.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• yo: yarn over
• sp: space
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• 2 dc-cl: 2 double crochet cluster
• Trtr: triple treble crochet
• Alt-dc: alternate double crochet
• Alt-Trtr: alternate triple treble
• Join with a standing single crochet
• SM: stitch marker
• Rep: repeat
• RS: Right Side

Experience Level

• Easy to Intermediate

Gauge

• With 3.25mm in sc: 33 sts = 6″
• See swatch instructions below.

Sizes

• Kids: Toddler, Child Small, Child Large
• Adult: (XS / S / M); (L / XL / 2XL); (3XL / 4XL / 5XL)
• See Charts Above

Special Stitches

• 2 Double Crochet Cluster (2dc-cl): Yo, insert hook where indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru remaining loops.
• Alternate Double Crochet (alt-dc): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through one loop, yo, pull thru remaining loops.
• Alternate Triple Treble Crochet (alt-Trtr): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, (insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops) 4 times, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through one loop, yo, pull thru remaining loops.
• Triple Treble Crochet (Trtr): yo 4 times, insert hook into designated stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull thru 2 loops) 5 times.
• Join with a standing single crochet: begin with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook.

NOTES

• Turning chains are not included in stitch count, unless noted otherwise.
• The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the beginning chain, unless noted otherwise.
• Yarn Notes: Lion Brand Collection Cotton Bamboo Linen in Shale was used for the samples shown in the photos. Another comparable worsted sport yarn may be used as long as gauge is met.
• Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo Linen (50 g / 1.75oz / 164 yards / 150 m / 40% cotton / 35% bamboo / 25% linen).
• Yardage: See the size charts above.
• Changes for Sizes are Written as Follows:
  • Kid Sizes: Toddler (Child Small, Child Large)
  • Adult Sizes: XS/S/M (L/XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL/5XL)
• Construction: First, you’ll create two, identical, rectangular panels. These two panels are then seamed together, leaving a neck opening. You’ll then add a simple edging around the perimeter, crochet simple ties, and use the ties to partially lace the sides.
• Alternate Option: There is an alternate option to the side ties shown in a photo at the end of the post.

Swatch Instructions

Crochet a small swatch to check gauge so your crochet beach cover up comes out the correct size.

Row 1 (RS): With a 3.50mm crochet hook and yarn, ch 34, switch to a 3.25mm crochet hook, working in the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each ch across. Turn. (33 sts)

Gauge Check: The width of your completed Row 1 should be approximately 6″.

Kid Size Instructions

Cover-Up Panel (Make 2)

Row 1 (RS): With a 3.50mm crochet hook and yarn, ch 242 (306, 354), switch to a 3.25mm crochet hook, working in the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each ch across. Turn. (241, 305, 353 sts)

Gauge Check: The width of your completed Row 1 should be approximately 44″ (56″, 64″).

Gauge Check: The height of your completed Rows 1 – 16 should be approximately 4.75″.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to the instructions for the size you’re making.

Toddler

Rows 17 – 28: Rep Rows 5 – 16.
Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Ending Rows.

Child Small

Rows 17 – 28: Rep Rows 5 – 16.
Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Ending Rows.

Child Large

Rows 17 – 28: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 29 – 40: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Ending Rows.

Ending Rows – All Kids Sizes

Row 1: Alt-dc in the first st, ch 1, skip the next st, (2dc-cl in the next st, ch 1, skip the next st) rep from ( to ) across to the last st, dc in the last st. Turn. (241, 305, 353 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st across. Turn. (241, 305, 353 sts)

Size Toddler: Rows 3 – 4: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Size Child Small: Rows 3 – 6: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Size Child Large: Rows 3 – 4: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Complete the second panel. Block panels to dimensions below. Then continue on to Seam Panels below (past the Adult Panel instructions).

Kid’s Finished Panel Sizes

• Toddler: 44″ W x 10″ H
• Child Small: 56″ W x 11″ H
• Child Large: 64″ W x 14″ H

Adult Size Instructions

Cover-Up Panel (Make 2)

Row 1 (RS): With a 3.50mm crochet hook and yarn, ch 378 (386, 394), switch to a 3.25mm crochet hook, working in the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each ch across. Turn. (377, 385, 393 sts)

Gauge Check: The width of your completed Row 1 should be approximately 68.5″ (70″, 71.5″).

Size XS / S / M

Rows 17 – 28: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 29 – 40: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Ending Rows.

Size L / XL / 2XL

Rows 17 – 28: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 29 – 40: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 41 – 52: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Ending Rows.

Size 3XL / 4XL / 5XL

Rows 17 – 28: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 29 – 40: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 41 – 52: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Rows 53 – 64: Rep Rows 5 – 16.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to the Ending Rows.

Ending Rows – All Adult Sizes

Row 1: Alt-dc in the first st, ch 1, skip the next st, (2dc-cl in the next st, ch 1, skip the next st) rep from ( to ) across to the last st, dc in the last st. Turn. (377, 385, 393 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st across. Turn. (377, 385, 393 sts)

Size XS / S / M: Rows 3 – 6: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Size L /XL / 2XL: Rows 3 – 4: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Size 3XL / 4XL / 5XL: Rows 3 – 4: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Complete the second panel. Block panels to dimensions below. Then continue on to Seam Panels.

Adult Finished Panel Sizes

• XS / S / M: 68.5″ W x 15″ H
• L / XL / 2XL: 70″ W x 18″ H
• 3XL / 4XL / 5XL: 71.5″ W x 22″ H

Step 2: Using a yarn needle and length of yarn at least twice the seam length, whipstitch the panels together using the seam lengths from the chart above, for the size you’re making.

After creating both seams, weave in all ends. Continue on to Edging.

Edging (All Sizes)

Round 1 (RS): With yarn & 3.25mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in any corner so that you can begin working along the short edge of the cover-up, sc evenly across the short edge of the cover-up (st count is not crucial), rotate and sl st in each st along the long edge of the cover-up until you reach the next corner, rotate and sc evenly across the next short edge, rotate and sl st in each st along the last long edge of the cover-up. Stitch count is not crucial.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Ties.

Ties (Make 2)

Row 1: With yarn & a 3.50mm crochet hook, ch until you have a 60″ long ch. Fasten off. Repeat for the second tie.

Create Side Seams with Ties

Refer to the photo above and the graphic below, while creating the side seams.

Step 1: Fold your swim cover-up in half.

Step 2: Measure down from the shoulder, the Armhole Depth listed in the graphic to the below, for the size you’re making.

Step 3: Use a yarn needle and a tie and beginning at the bottom of the armhole opening, lace the side of the cover-up like a shoe, working through the stitches from Row 3. Continue to lace the sides together and create a side seam that is approximately 8″ long.

Alternate Tie Option

Michelle made a tie for the waist (instead of the sides). She wove it through the center of the cover-up (not around the entire thing).

*There are no side seams with this option.

What is a crochet cover up?

A crochet cover up is a lightweight, fashionable summer wardrobe essential that has several purposes.

Many wear them over a swimsuit for extra coverage while hanging out in the sun or for walking from one point to the next. Others wear them to enhance their summer look. Some wear them for both reasons.

Most simply wear them as a lightweight layer to keep the sun off, without overheating.

What is the best yarn for a crochet beach cover up?

The best yarn to use for a crochet beach cover up is a cotton or a cotton blend that includes either bamboo, linen, or both. These are yarns that will breathe in the hot summer sun and not make you overheat.

Two yarns to avoid using for a crochet swim cover up are acrylic and wool.

Acrylic yarns will really soak up the water, get very heavy, and take a really long time to dry out.

How do you crochet a cover up?

If you’ve been wanting to crochet a garment, but have been hesitant, a crochet swimsuit cover up is the perfect place to start.

There are many different crochet swimsuit cover up patterns out there, all made using different shapes, but the most common is made using only two rectangles that you seam together.

Some styles require you to make a tie for around the waist and others have ties to lace up the sides. Some are simply crochet pullovers that are oversized and airy.

Are you intimidated by knit-look crochet? Would you love to learn my tips & tricks? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears and help you increase your skills! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 4 video classes I have available! (affiliate link)

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