Racerback Crop Top

Your search for the perfect crochet crop top is over! Why? Because this one has a racerback! When designing this, I really wanted to create a more modern fit. Most of the patterns for summer tops currently floating around feature chunky shoulder straps, or an unusual drape. This pattern is unique because you begin by creating a very small yoke and then work the torso, in rounds, to your desired length.

This is the perfect summer crop top! Modern style mixed with ancient history. The symbol featured on mine is the Eye of Horus. However, if you’re nifty with charts you can use your own image! 

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Terms:

U.S. terms

SUPPLIES:

• Bernat Softee Baby Cotton, (252 yds/232 m ; 120 g/ 4.2 oz) 
  • Soft Plum, 1 skein (Color A)
  • Cotton, 2 skeins (Color B)
• Hook —G-6 (4 mm)
• Yarn needle 
• Scissors 

ABBREVIATIONS:

• ch - chain
• sl st - slip stitch 
• sc - single crochet
• inc - 2 sc in one stitch space
• dc- double crochet
• BLO - back loop only

GAUGE:

4”x4”: 16 sc x 20 rows

FINISHED BUST MEASUREMENTS:

• 32"
• 34"
• 36"

NOTES:

• First, we’ll work up the racerback portion. Next, we’ll work on the right and left front triangles. Finally, we’ll work up the torso portion, in rounds. 
  • This means we’ll start with making a yoke and then work on the length of the piece. This gives you the control in how long you want this tank top to be. This pattern makes a crop top. If you were to continue working rows before the triangle motif, then you’d add more length. 
• When I say “right” and “left” it is relative to how it falls on your body while wearing it.
• For the cleanest looking straps: when slip stitching into the chain, work into the back bump.

PATTERN:

YOKE

Racerback Piece

Color A

Ch 16

Row 1: Sl st in 2^nd st from hook, sl st next 14 sts, ch 1 (15 sts)

Row 2: inc in same st space, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 3: 1 sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 4: inc in ea st, ch 1, turn (4 sts)

Row 5: 1 sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (4 sts)

Row 6: inc in first st, sc, sc, inc in next st, ch 1, turn (6 sts)

Row 7: 1 sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (6 sts)

Row 8: inc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, ch 1, turn (8 sts)

Row 9: 1 sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (8 sts)

Row 10: inc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, ch 1, turn (10 sts)

Row 11: 1 sc in next 10 sts, ch 50, turn, sl st in 2^nd from hook, sl st across ch, sl st 9 sts across left side of triangle, sl st at bottom point, sl st 10 sts up the right side, ch 50, turn, sl st across chain, sl st across top of triangle (10 sts), sl st directly below the left side’s chain. 

Front Triangles

Color B

Begin with the right side (right = relative to you while wearing it)

Attach yarn to the center of the right front strap, using your preferred method.

Row 1: Ch 1, inc, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 2-9: 1 sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 10: inc, sc, ch 1, turn (3 sts)

Row 11: 1 sc in ea across, ch 1, turn (3 sts)

Row 12: inc, 1 sc in next 2 sts, ch 1, turn ( 4 sts)

Row 13: 1 sc in next 3 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (5 sts)

Row 14: inc, 1 sc I next 4 sts, ch 1, turn (6 sts)

Row 15: 1 sc in next 5 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (7 sts)

Row 16: inc, 1 sc in next 5 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (9 sts)

Row 17: 1 sc in next 8 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (10 sts)

Row 18: inc, 1 sc in next 8 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (12 sts)

Row 19: 1 sc in next 11 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (13 sts)

Row 20: inc, 1 sc in next 11 sts, inc, ch1, turn (15 sts)

Row 21: 1 sc in next 14 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (16 sts)

Row 22: Change to “Color A” in last st inc, 1 sc in next 14 sts, inc (18 sts)

Row 23: 1 sc in each across, inc in the last st, ch 10, dc in 5^th st from hook *ch 1, sk st, dc in next st, repeat * to end, fasten off

Now, work the left side. 

Attach the yarn to the center of the left front strap.

Row 1: Ch 1, inc, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 2-9: 1 sc in ea st, ch 1, turn (2 sts)

Row 10: sc, inc, ch 1, turn (3 sts)

Row 11: 1 sc in ea across, ch 1, turn (3 sts)

Row 12: 1 sc in next 2 sts, inc, ch 1, turn ( 4 sts)

Row 13: inc, 1 sc in next 3 sts, ch 1, turn (5 sts)

Row 14: 1 sc in next 4 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (6 sts)

Row 15: inc, 1 sc in next 5 sts, ch 1, turn (7 sts)

Row 16: inc, 1 sc in next 5 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (9 sts)

Row 17: inc, 1 sc in next 8 sts, ch 1, turn (10 sts)

Row 18: inc, 1 sc in next 8 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (12 sts)

Row 19: inc, 1 sc in next 11 sts, ch 1, turn (13 sts)

Row 20: inc, 1 sc in next 11 sts, inc, ch 1, turn (15 sts)

Row 21: inc, 1 sc in next 14 sts, ch 1, turn (16 sts)

Row 22: inc, 1 sc in next 14 sts, inc, fasten off (18 sts)

Row 23: Attach yarn “Color A” to the first worked st of the 22nd row, ch 1, sc in ea across, inc in last st, ch 9, sl st to join to the dc of the right triangle, sl st two times down the length of the dc, ch 1, turn, *sk 1 st, dc in next st, repeat * to end, ch 39 (45, 51), sl st in middle of strap hanging from back, ch 39 (45, 51), sl st to dc to join, turn (79, 91, 103 sts)

Row 24: Sl st across back ch, sl st in 1^st dc to join, fasten off

Weave in ends

TORSO

• We’re now working in rounds
• If you’re using your own chart, the dimensions are 50 sts by 17 rows

Attach yarn Color B to st as shown in picture:

Round 1: Sc in BLO of next 82 (94, 106), sc in first dc from the previous row, *2 sc in ch 1 sp, sk st, repeat * to end, sl st with 1^st st to join (132, 144, 156 sts)

Rounds 2-8: 1 sc in ea around, sl st with first to join, ch 1, (132, 144, 156 sts)

Rounds 9 - 25: 1 sc in next 82 (94, 106), work chart for next 50 sts, (132, 144, 156 sts)

Rounds 26-32: 1 sc in ea around, sl st with first to join, ch 1 (132, 144, 156 sts)

Round 33: ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, [*ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next , repeat * 4 times, hdc in next 2 sts], repeat [] 9 (10, 11) times, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next st, repeat * 4 times, sl st to join, ch 2

Round 34: hdc in next 4 sts, [*ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next , repeat * 3 times, hdc in next 4 sts], repeat [] 9 (10, 11) times, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next st, repeat * 3 times, sl st to join, ch 2

Round 35: hdc in next 6 sts, [*ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next , repeat * 2 times, hdc in next 6 sts], repeat [] 9 (10, 11) times, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next st, repeat * 2 times, sl st to join, ch 2

Round 36: hdc in next 8 sts, [*ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next , repeat *, hdc in next 8 sts], repeat [] 9 (10, 11) times, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next st, repeat * sl st to join, ch 2

Round 37: hdc in next 10 sts, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc in next 10 sts, repeat * 9 (10, 11) times, ch 1, sk 1, sl st to join, fasten off