Pattern Overview
Inspired by the bright yellow flowers in my parents backyard and the gorgeous yellow of the Truboo yarn I found, I wanted to create a breezy and comfortable spring/summer top that would be perfect for a casual day out embracing the brightness of the season, and also wearable in the intense heat of a Florida summer. Made with simple stitches, easy repeats, simple seam construction, and customizable panels, this tank top is beginner-friendly and perfect for summer.
Construction/customization notes
This pattern is written to make you the custom designer of your own perfect fit tank top. The panels are all completely customizable to your ideal dimensions based on how you want the piece to fit. There is complete freedom to change the length and the width of the body panels, and you can choose to simply finish off the bottom with a few basic rows, or do a full peplum of any length. The only thing you have to do is make sure that you always have an ODD number of stitches so that the repeat will line up correctly at the end of each row.
If you are going to change the dimensions of the piece, just remember that all changes should be mirrored in all panels. For example, if you make the first front panel wider, make sure you make the second front panel the same width. Same goes for changing the size of the armhole or making the panel extensions longer or shorter- make sure things match!
I would love to see the finished product (with or without adjustments and customizations) so post using #hibiscuscrop and tag me (@skeinsandstitchesco) when you finish! Obviously the yarn quantity suggested below is just an estimate based on how much yarn I used for a couple of dimensions I used, so make sure you plan for any anticipated modifications before purchasing the yarn.
Supplies Needed
- 4.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to create a loose and stretchy fabric)
- Approximately 500 yards of DK (weight 3) yarn to make a sweater that fits within the dimensions of a “medium” from the CYC size chart (I have a 38” bust)
- Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
Stitches (*US Terms*)
- Chain stitch (Ch)
- Single crochet (SC)
- Foundation single crochet (FSC) (optional)
- Single crochet together (scXtog)
- Double crochet (DC)
- Lemon peel stitch – technically, this isn’t a stitch itself, but rather a stitch pattern/texture created by alternating single and double crochet stitches. You work alternating single and double crochet stitches for a full row, and then when you turn, you work a double crochet into the single crochets, and a single crochet into all of the double crochet stitches. There are a ton of great tutorials to visualize this stitching pattern.
Gauge
Gauge is a bit challenging to describe for this project, because it is worked in panels that are assembled vertically, rather than horizontally, but generally, in the lemon peel stitch, gauge should be:
19 stitches by 15 rows is 4 inches
Pattern Instructions:
NOTE: TURNING CHAIN DOES NOT COUNT AS A STITCH
Both of the front panels are made in almost exactly the same way, but the right front panel has a yarn break and join to make the foundation row look more similar to the left front panel. The “v” shape on the edges of the foundation single crochet row should be showing when the panels are finished.
Left Front Panel (make 1):
Foundation: FSC 67, turn. Or loosely chain 68, turn, and single crochet in each chain stitch.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the first, dc in the next, repeat to end of row, alternating single and double crochet stitches for the first row in the lemon peel repeat.
Row 2: Ch 1, dc in the first, sc in the next, repeat to end of row. Be sure that your first stitch in this row is not the same as the stitch you are placing it into (i.e. if your last stitch is row 1 is a single crochet, begin row 2 with a double crochet).
Row 3: Repeat row 1
Row 4: Repeat row 2
Row 5 – 15: repeats rows 1 and 2.
This first set of rows creates the middle and shoulder portion of your top. If you would like the panel to be wider here for additional shoulder coverage, continue to repeat rows 1 and 2 to your desired width. You can also add additional width to this panel in the next portion (which is the portion that will wrap under the arm to create the side body of the top).
Row 16: Ch 1, beginning with whichever stitch is appropriate for your repeats in the lemon peel pattern, complete 43 stitches (alternating single and double crochets in the lemon peel texture). Turn.
Row 17-35: Ch 1, stitch to end of row, alternating single and double crochets in the lemon peel texture.
If you ended your row at the bottom edge of the panel, break yarn and tie off. If you ended at the end of the “armpit edge” there is no need to break the yarn, simply keep working from the corner. If needed, rejoin yarn at armpit/side seam.
Edging row: Turn the panel so that you are not working down the existing rows, but across the section of shorter rows, towards the longer portion of the panel. Ch 1, work 1 sc in the side of each row to the last row before the corner, sc3tog to create a single stitch that combines the last stitch of the first short row, the first stitch showing in the long panel row, and the next stitch showing in last long panel row, then sc in the remaining stitches to the top corner of the panel.
This edging creates a smooth curve to the armpit area and provides a bit of additional coverage at this corner.
Right Front Panel (make 1):
If you customized the Left Front Panel, be sure to do the same changes to this panel to make the top symmetrical
Foundation: FSC 67, turn. Or loosely chain 68, turn, and single crochet in each chain stitch.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the first, dc in the next, repeat to end of row, alternating single and double crochet stitches for the first row in the lemon peel repeat.
Row 2: Ch 1, dc in the first, sc in the next, repeat to end of row. Be sure that your first stitch in this row is not the same as the stitch you are placing it into (i.e. if your last stitch is row 1 is a single crochet, begin row 2 with a double crochet).
Row 3: Repeat row 1
Row 4: Repeat row 2
Row 5 – 15: repeats rows 1 and 2.
At the end of the final row of long rows (in my case after completing row 15), break yarn and rejoin at the bottom corner of the row you just finished.
Row 16: Ch 1, beginning with whichever stitch is appropriate for your repeats in the lemon peel pattern, complete 43 stitches (alternating single and double crochets in the lemon peel texture). Turn.
Row 17-35: Ch 1, stitch to end of row, alternating single and double crochets in the lemon peel texture.
If you ended your row at the bottom edge of the panel, break yarn and tie off. If you ended at the end of the “armpit edge” there is no need to break the yarn, simply keep working from the corner. If needed, rejoin yarn at armpit/side seam.
Edging row: Turn the panel so that you are not working down the existing rows, but across the section of shorter rows, towards the longer portion of the panel. Ch 1, work 1 sc in the side of each row to the last row before the corner, sc3tog to create a single stitch that combines the last stitch of the first short row, the first stitch showing in the long panel row, and the next stitch showing in last long panel row, then sc in the remaining stitches to the top corner of the panel.
This edging creates a smooth curve to the armpit area and provides a bit of additional coverage at this corner.
Back Panel (make 1):
Foundation: FSC 43 (or loosely chain 44 and then single crochet in each stitch), turn
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in the first stitch, dc in the next, repeat to end of row. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, dc in the first stitch, sc in the next, repeat to end of row. Be sure that your first stitch in this row is not the same as the stitch you are placing it into (i.e. if your last stitch is row 1 is a single crochet, begin row 2 with a double crochet).
Row 3 and 4: Repeat rows 1 & 2, making sure that you are working in alternating sc and dc stitches as needed in the lemon peel texture.
Row 5 – 11: Repeat rows 1 & 2.
At the end of the row (in my case 11) where the panel is the correct width to reach from the “Side seam” area around to the back edge of the armpit, ch 32, to get to a total of 75 stitches (or however many is your desired length. Based on whatever stitch your pattern will be, count to determine which stitch should start this chained row to line up with your lemon peel pattern. Then work the alternating sc and dc stitches as needed down the newly chained stitches and continue down the rest of the row. Turn.
Row 13: Ch 1, work alternating sc and dc stitches down the row as applicable.
Row 14 – 25: repeat the lemon peel stitch for the full row of 75 (or your count) of stitches.
Row 26: Making sure this row will align with the existing short portion of your panel, repeat your lemon peel texture for 45 stitches. Turn. (this should create a section of short rows, then a section of long rows, and now a section of short rows again, with the long panel sticking up between the two short sections.)
Row 27: Ch 1, lemon peel down the short row you just created. Turn
The next row will start the second long section/shoulder portion of the back panel. If you’d like the top to be wider across the middle, you can add additional short rows here.
Row 28: Ch 1, lemon peel the first 45 stitches, then chain 31. Work 1 of whichever stitch will be required by your repeat in the second chain from the hook, then repeat the lemon peel pattern down the chains and the main row for a total of 75 stitches.
Row 29: Ch 1, work the lemon peel pattern to the end of the row. Turn.
Row 30 – Row 40: Repeat row 29 and work the lemon peel pattern in each stitch.
Row 41: Making sure this will align with your existing short sections, work only 43 stitches in the lemon peel pattern.
Row 42 – 52: Repeat row 41, working the lemon peel pattern for 43 stitches (or desired armpit height).
As you did for the front panels, you will now complete a row of edging to create a smoother edge at the armpits.
If you ended your row at the bottom edge of the panel, break yarn and tie off. If you ended at the end of the “armpit edge” there is no need to break the yarn, simply keep working from the corner. If needed, rejoin yarn at armpit/side seam.
Edging row: Turn the panel so that you are not working down the existing rows, but across the section of shorter rows, towards the longer portion of the panel. Ch 1, work 1 sc in the side of each row to the last row before the corner, sc3tog to create a single stitch that combines the last stitch of the first short row, the first stitch showing in the long panel row, and the next stitch showing in last long panel row, then sc in the remaining stitches to the top corner of the panel.
This edging creates a smooth curve to the armpit area and provides a bit of additional coverage at this corner.
Main construction:
Now that you have both front panels and the back panel completed, join the front panels at the long edges, up to whatever height feels comfortable for your neckline depth.
Then join the newly completed single front panel to the back panel at the shoulders and side seams using whatever joining method you prefer.
Sleeve edging:
After seaming is completed, join yarn with sl st at the side seam, and then work in lemon peel to the first “corner” (previous sc3tog from the armpit trim) then sc2tog (or dc2tog depending on how many stitches on armpit edge) and the next stitch, then work around the top of the shoulder, do the same dc2tog (or sc2tog depending on number of stitches) at the other armpit corner, work in pattern to side seam, then join with sl st. CH 1, turn, and repeat this around.
Repeat this edging on the other armhole.
Optional Peplum
Row 1: Join yarn at one of the side seams, right side facing, and chain 1. Working in the row ends, sc 1 in the first row end, 2 sc in the next row end, 1 sc in the next, 2 sc in the next after that. Repeat this pattern all the way around the bottom edge of the top, then join with a slip stitch when you get back to the initial join.
Row 2 (and beyond): Work 1 dc in the first sc of the previous row, then sc in the next. Continue to work in the lemon peel pattern for the rest of the row. Join with sl st. Turn, Ch 1 and repeat to your desired peplum length.
If you’d like to skip the peplum, I’d just loosely sc in each row end around the bottom of the tank top.
Then tie off, break yarn and weave in your ends.
If you enjoy this pattern or have any comments or questions, please feel free to reach out via email, facebook, or instagram, and I will happily help you however I can! Take me in your finished makes @skeinsandstitchesco and #cozybearcardi.
Feel free to sell finished products from this pattern (giving me credit as the designer), but please link to the blog post version of this pattern rather than copy and pasting if you want to share it on your platforms. Thanks!
