This is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, first published in 2025 by Page Street Publishing.

MY BOOK: SUMMER CROCHET

Enter your beachy crochet era with lightweight, breathable patterns perfect for poolside lounging, festival weekends and sun-soaked vacations. 

This book includes 19 #SizeInclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful.

Shop my new book, Summer Crochet, here or wherever you buy your books!

ABOUT

The Boardwalk Bralette has everything you could want in a bralette pattern: comfortable straps that won’t dig into your neck, customizable cups for any breast size, a lace-up back tie that provides extra support, and a wavy lace stitch pattern that hugs the rib cage. Intended to be worn as a bikini top or a crop top, this made-to-measure pattern is written in a tutorial style for any shape and any size; all you need are three measurements.

This bralette is crocheted with a small hook, creating a solid fabric that need not be worn with a bra. You may choose to wear your bralette with removable cups like the ones found in bathing suits for a more comfortable wearing experience. You can also sew in a fabric lining using a sewing machine or a needle and thread if this is within your skill set.

This pattern is fully written and charted. Two charts are included: one for the cup and one for the lace body panel.

MATERIALS

Yarn: DK—WeCrochet CotLin® DK in colorway “Swan”

• 70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen
• 123 yds (112 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
• Find this yarn on crochet.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required:

• 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4) skeins, or approximately
• 180 (195, 210, 235, 265) (310, 375, 425, 475) yds
• 165 (178, 192, 215, 242) (283, 343, 389, 434) m

Note that the listed yardage is a rough estimate based on total bust circumference as well as feedback from pattern testers during the writing of this book. These numbers are intended to be used as a guide. Because this pattern is made-to-measure, the exact yardage required for your unique measurements may vary slightly from these numbers. Reference the sizing chart on page 5 of the PDF pattern (see Ravelry photos) to find your estimated yardage required.

Yarn Substitution: Visit knitsnknots.ca/boardwalk-bralette for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing. Substitute WeCrochet CotLin DK with any similar light DK-weight (category #3) yarn that matches gauge. Cotton or cotton blends will work best in this project. Avoid 100% bamboo yarns, as these are too slippery and will stretch out too much with wear; a little grip is needed. Note that DK weight is sometimes referred to as “8-ply” in Australia.

Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, tape measure, 6 locking stitch markers, plus several more stitch markers (optional) to help with seaming

GAUGE

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 20 sc and 22 rows, lightly blocked

Note: This is the gauge for the cups of your bralette. It is more important that you are satisfied with the fabric density created with your yarn and hook combination than it is to match this gauge exactly. Use this gauge as a guide and, ultimately, choose a yarn and hook combination that creates dense stitches for maximum coverage.

SIZING + FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

See Ravelry photos for full page of sizing/measurement information.

TERMS + ABBREVIATIONS

Written in U.S. Crochet Terms
ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
dc2tog: double crochet 2 stitches together (tr2tog in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip (or skipped)
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
WS: wrong side

PATTERN NOTES

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This bralette is made-to-measure. Three specific measurements will be referenced throughout the pattern to give a custom fit. This way, you can easily make this pattern for yourself or for someone else, as long as you have the three specified measurements of the wearer.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this stitch pattern; however, the pattern will instruct you to assign a “right side” to each of your pieces before seaming them together.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless otherwise indicated.

Using Other Yarn Weights: Because this top is made-to-measure, you could try making this pattern with a different yarn weight than the one recommended. The pattern can be followed exactly as written since each piece is crocheted until reaching a specified size.

Construction: First, you will crochet two identical triangular cups, then you will crochet several rows across both cups to join them together into one panel while simultaneously integrating the neck ties. Next, you will crochet the body panel that hugs your rib cage, leaving plenty of space in the back for room to tighten the lace-up ties. The cups are sewn to the body panel, then the back tie is crocheted separately and woven through the eyelets along the front panel and tied in the back for a secure fit.

My signature bralette hack for a great fit without “falling out” of it is to weave the ties through the front eyelet row for extra support. This way, you will not fall out through the bottom if you lift your arms up, and it helps to give some shape to your bralette, similar to the effect of a push-up bra.

More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/boardwalk-bralette.

Shop my first book, Modern Crochet Sweaters, here or wherever you buy your books!

Shop my second book, Summer Crochet, here or wherever you buy your books!