Crochet Bikini Top: A Classic Triangle Top With Ties
Two triangle cups in single crochet, a tie band underneath and halter ties at the neck. Adjustable, quick and sized from S to XL by cup width.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- DK (#3) cotton or cotton-acrylic, about 150–220 yd
- Hook
- 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Time
- About 4 hours
- Finished size
- S–XL by cup base: 5, 6, 7, 8 in (13–20 cm)
You'll need
- DK weight (#3) cotton or cotton-acrylic blend — about 150 (175, 200, 220) yd
- 3.5 mm (E-4) hook
- Tapestry needle, measuring tape
- Optional: removable bra cups, beads for the tie ends
In this post
The triangle bikini top is the classic crochet swimwear piece — and one of the quickest garments you can make. Each cup is a triangle of single crochet worked from the bottom up, decreasing at both edges. A long tie runs along the bottom of both cups and the cup tips continue into halter ties, so everything adjusts.
Single crochet with a small hook makes the densest, most opaque fabric — important for swimwear.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Sizing
Gauge: 18 sc = 4 in (10 cm). Measure the width you want across the bottom of each cup — from the centre of your chest to the side — and pick the size.
| Size | Cup base | Chain | Starting sts |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 5 in | 23 | 22 |
| M | 6 in | 27 | 26 |
| L | 7 in | 31 | 30 |
| XL | 8 in | 35 | 34 |
The pattern
Cups (make 2)
- Row 1: Ch the number for your size. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (22, 26, 30, 34)
- Row 2: Sc across. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 3: Dec, sc to the last 2 sts, dec. Ch 1, turn. (20, 24, 28, 32)
- Rows 4 onward: Repeat Rows 2–3 until 2 sts remain.
- Halter tie: Don't fasten off. Ch 75 (about 18 in), sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook and back down the chain. Fasten off.
- Edging: Sc evenly along both slanted sides of each cup for a neat edge.
Bottom band and ties
- Step 1: Ch 100 for the first tie (about 24 in).
- Step 2: Continue by working sc along the bottom edge of the first cup, ch 4 for the centre gap, then sc along the bottom of the second cup.
- Step 3: Ch 100 more for the second tie. Turn and sl st back along the chain, across the cups and along the first tie for a firm finish.
The cups can slide along the band for a perfect fit.
Make it your own
- Padding: hand-sew a simple fabric lining with a pocket for removable cups.
- Shell edging: add a scalloped border — see the shell stitch.
- Beads: slide a wooden bead onto each tie end and knot.
- Beach set: throw our mesh beach dress over the top.
Common questions
Can you swim in a crochet bikini?
You can, but crochet absorbs water and stretches when wet. Cotton-acrylic blends and nylon-blend yarns hold their shape best. Many people wear crochet bikinis for sunbathing rather than serious swimming.
How do I make the cups fuller?
Work 2 extra plain rows between each decrease row in the lower half — that adds depth without making the base wider.
Will it be see-through?
Single crochet with a 3.5 mm hook in DK is quite dense. Hold it to the light before finishing; line it if needed.
Beach day plans? Show us your set. 👙
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