SAIL AWAY TANK TOP PATTERN

Cool breezes and that feeling of the sun on your shoulders; we all dream about summer – especially as we live through this unprecedented time of staying indoors. Busy your hands and still your heart with this quick and gratifying make. I have this design in mind since last summer and have loved seeing it in real life.

This tank top is seriously comfy. I wore it all weekend with shorts and then layered over a dress and I loved it. You’ll have a blast working this baby up and I can’t wait to see how everyone styles theirs; tag me on IG @hookyarncarabiner and use the hashtag #sailawaytanktop so I can see everyone’s makes!

Furls Crochet Whims Merino Yarn gives this top it’s stretch and wonderful drape. Check their page now to snag your own skeins; this pattern doesn’t even use too many! Plus they are featuring this design in their 2020 Blog Hop! Check out all the other amazing designs that have been featured this year.

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Ready for more summery crochet patterns? Check out my favorites below!

Frances Skirt Pattern 2. Mellow Yellow Crop Top Pattern 3. Watermelon Beach Bag Pattern 4. Escalante Lace Wrap Pattern

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DESCRIPTION

This tank top is made with a front and back panel; each panel begins with granny squares as the base (the number depends on the size you’re making) and the panels are crocheted above this row of squares. A lovely shallow v-neck and a lower gather complete this simple, but beautiful boho top. Layer under a cardigan or wear over a swimsuit and cut-offs!

*Matching* streamline swirl hook *from Furls Crochet*.

MATERIALS

Whims Merino Crochet Yarn (Weight: 4/medium – 103 yds, oz) – Extra Small: 4 Small: 4 skeins, Medium: 5 skeins, Large: 7 skeins, Extra Large: 8
Size H (5 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

ABBREVIATIONS

ch: chain
st: stitch
sp: space
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc2tog: double crochet two stitches together
dc: double crochet

Thanks to Jason Curtis Photography for capturing some fabulous shots of this top.

SIZING

This pattern is available in sizes xs, s, m, l, and xl, according to Craft Yarn Council standards. Stitch () and row counts [] for each size are given in order from smallest to largest (xs, s, m, l, xl). See table below.

This cropped top is a loose fit with great drape that gathers right at your bellybutton. If you are in between sizes or need to size up or down this top is very easy to customize. It all depends on how large you make your granny squares since they determine how wide your tank top will be. I will provide instructions on how to customize the top throughout the pattern below.

GAUGE

4 inch by 4 inch square = 14 st by 8 rows of dc with size H (5 mm) crochet hook.

DIRECTIONS

You will be making a different number of granny squares of varying sizes depending on the size of tank top you are making. Refer to the table below before starting your granny squares. Reminder: this table gives both the number of squares for one side and the total you will need for both sides, plus the number of rows for the front and back panels.

SIZE	TANK TOP WIDTH	# SQUARES FOR BASE	# ROWS IN SQUARES	# ROWS IN BOTH PANELS
XS	~15″	5 (10 total)	3	27
S	~16″	4 (8 total)	4	31
M	~18″	6 (12 total)	3	35
L	~21″	7 (14 total)	3	39
XL	~24″	6 (12 total)	4	45

Figure out your size using the Craft Yarn Council standards and then use the table above to create your granny squares. The “tank top width” is to make sure that your size will fit you, you can compare it to a tank top in your closet that fits you loosely.

I had the chance to try a new hook for this pattern! A streamline swirl hook from Furls Crochet.

GRANNY SQUARES

Use the video above or the photo tutorial below if this is your first time crocheting a granny square – or maybe if you just need a little refresher!

The chain at the beginning of a row counts as a double crochet stitch, you are working in the round and you will turn after each row.

ch 3

(Wondering what the checkboxes are for? Check out this tutorial and make online patterns easier to follow!)

Round 1: 2dc in first ch. *ch 2, 3dc all in same ch. Repeat from * three times. sl st to first dc. Turn.
Round 2: sl st into next ch-2 sp. ch 2 (counts as dc), 2dc into ch-2 (corner) sp, ch 2, 3dc into same ch-2 (corner) sp. *3dc in next ch-2 (corner) sp, ch 2, 3dc into same ch-2 (corner) sp. Repeat from * two more times. sl st to first dc. Turn.
Round 3: sl st into next opening. ch 2 (counts as dc), 2dc into same opening. 3dc, ch 2, 3dc all into next ch-2 (corner) sp. *3dc into next opening. 3dc, ch 2, 3dc all into next ch-2 (corner) sp. Repeat from * two more times. sl st into first dc. Turn. Sizing note: your granny square should be ~3″ wide, if not please adjust the number of rows or number of squares so that you achieve the correct tank top width from the table above.
Round 4: sl st into next opening. ch 2 (counts as dc), 2dc into same opening. 3dc, ch 2, 3dc all into next ch-2 (corner) sp. *3dc into next two openings. 3dc, ch 2, 3dc all into next ch-2 (corner) sp. Repeat from * two more times. 3dc into remaining opening. sl st into first dc. Turn. Sizing note: your granny square should be ~4″ wide, if not please adjust the number of rows or number of squares so that you achieve the correct tank top width from the table above.

Rounds 1-4 of the granny square pattern.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Repeat for all granny squares.

*Before moving on to constructing the panels of your top, safety pin your granny squares together in a loop and try it on to make sure the width will fit you correctly.*

FRONT PANEL

Both panels are constructed bottom-to-top. The bottom of the front panel is made from a row of granny squares that are sewn together. The rest of the panel is then crocheted along the top edge and continues upward, allowing you to adjust the length as needed.

Join half of your granny squares together into one long rectangle by creating vertical seams however you would like – I used the mattress stitch (tutorial).

Stitch counts at the end of each row will depend on how many granny squares you crocheted and how large they are, the counts listed in the parenthesis are based on the table above.

Fasten on to the upper right corner of your granny square rectangle – this is the base of your tank top’s front panel. This piece is now worked flat with turning, chains at the beginning of the row do not count as a stitch.

Fasten back on to the opposite corner of the top that was left unworked at row 7. Repeat row 7 and all following rows to end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

BACK PANEL

Repeat the directions for starting your front panel:

Both panels are constructed bottom-to-top. The bottom of the back panel is also made from a row of granny squares that are sewn together. The rest of the panel is then crocheted along the top edge and continues upward, allowing you to adjust the length as needed.

Again, join your remaining granny squares together into one long rectangle by creating vertical seams however you would like – I used the mattress stitch (tutorial).

Stitch counts at the end of each row will depend on how many granny squares you crocheted and how large they are; the counts listed in the parentheses are based on the table above.

Fasten on to the upper right corner of your granny square rectangle – this is the base of your tank top’s back panel. This piece is now worked flat with turning, chains at the beginning of the row do not count as a stitch.

Row 1: ch 2. dc in each st across – squares with four rows have 14 st along each side (counting the two corner ch-2 sp) and squares with three rows have 11 st along each side (counting the two corner ch-2 sp). turn (55, 56, 66, 77, 84)
Row 2: ch 2. dc in each st across. turn (55, 56, 66, 77, 84)
Repeat row 2 for [10, 12, 14, 18, 20] more rows. The armpit shaping will begin now -If you adjusted the length of the tank on the front panel make sure this back panel is the same length so that they match up.
Row 3: sl st in first (18, 18, 20, 23, 24) st. ch 2. dc in next (19, 20, 26, 31, 36) and leave the rest unworked. turn (19, 20, 26, 31, 36) This will create the racerback shaping as in the photo above.
Row 4: ch 2. dc in each st across. turn (19, 20, 26, 31, 36)
Repeat row 4 for [7, 7, 9, 13, 13] more rows.
Row 5: ch 2. 2dc in first st. dc until last st. 2dc in last st. (21, 22, 28, 33, 38)
Row 6: ch 2. dc in each st across. turn (21, 22, 32, 38, 48)
Repeat rows 5 and 6 [2, 3, 3, 3, 3] more times; [4, 6, 6, 6, 6] more rows in total. (21, 22, 28, 33, 38)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

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ASSEMBLY

Before beginning to assemble your top, safety pin the straps to the back and pin the sides together to make sure the top fits you correctly. If the straps need adjustment, add or remove rows until it fits correctly. If the top is too tight you can always crochet a few rows of single crochet along each side before sewing it together to give you some more room.

SEWING

With wrong sides together, single crochet the straps to the top of the back panel using the leftover yarn tails.

Turn the top right side out and sew the front and back panels together along the sides using the mattress stitch (tutorial).

Finally, evenly single crochet around the entire neckline, both armholes, and the bottom hem.

FINISHING

Finish this top off with a drawstring! Crochet a chain long enough to wrap around your waist with a few inches of excess. Thread the chain in and out of the openings in the granny squares along the bottom edge using your yarn needle. Position the ends to be in the front and tie a little bow.