Easy Crochet Bra Top Pattern | 3 Sizes Included

Whether you’re new to crochet or you’ve been hooking for years, a crochet bra top is one of those projects that feels equal parts wearable and rewarding. It’s small enough to finish in a weekend, stylish enough to wear all summer long, and endlessly customizable when it comes to color, yarn weight, and embellishments. This free pattern includes three sizes — small, medium, and large — so you can make one that fits your body beautifully right from the start.

Let’s get into everything you need to know: materials, sizing, stitch guide, pattern instructions, fit tips, and styling ideas.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

Crochet bra tops have had a serious moment in fashion over the last few years, and they’re not going anywhere. From music festivals to beach days to casual summer outfits layered over a tank top, this style works across so many occasions. The beauty of making your own is that you can choose exactly how much coverage you want, adjust the strap length to fit your torso, and pick a yarn color that actually matches your wardrobe — something you can never quite do with store-bought.

This pattern is designed to be beginner-friendly. If you know how to chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and slip stitch, you have everything you need to make this top. There are no complicated stitch combinations, no confusing pattern repeats, and no math-heavy instructions. The construction is straightforward: two cups worked separately, joined at the center, and finished with straps and a band.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you cast on (or, in crochet terms, before you make your foundation chain), gather the following supplies.

Yarn: This pattern works best with a DK weight or sport weight cotton yarn. Cotton is breathable, washable, and holds its shape well — all important qualities for a garment that will be worn against your skin in warm weather. You’ll need approximately 200–250 yards for a small, 250–300 yards for a medium, and 300–350 yards for a large. Some popular choices include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK, or Drops Safran.

Hook: A size 3.5mm (E/4) crochet hook is recommended. If your tension runs loose, go down to a 3.25mm. If your tension runs tight, go up to a 3.75mm. Always swatch before you start the full project.

Notions: You’ll need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers, and a measuring tape. If you plan to add a clasp closure at the back, pick up a small bra hook-and-eye closure from any fabric or craft store — these are inexpensive and make the finished top look very polished.

Optional: Removable foam bra cups or sticky bra cups can be inserted into the finished top for added support. Many crocheters sew a thin lining of stretch fabric inside the cups as well, which helps with both comfort and coverage.

Sizing Information

This pattern is written in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

Small is designed to fit a 32–34 inch bust with an A or B cup.
Medium is designed to fit a 34–36 inch bust with a B or C cup.
Large is designed to fit a 36–38 inch bust with a C or D cup.

Throughout the pattern, instructions are written as Small (Medium, Large). When only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

It is strongly recommended that you measure yourself before beginning and compare your measurements to the finished dimensions rather than simply choosing your ready-to-wear clothing size. Crochet garments behave differently from knit or woven fabrics, and a little extra time spent swatching and measuring will save a lot of frustration later.

Gauge

Gauge: 18 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet using a 3.5mm hook and DK weight cotton yarn.

Gauge matters a great deal in garment making. Even a small difference in tension can change the finished dimensions by an inch or more across the width of the top. Work a swatch of at least 5 x 5 inches, wash it gently, let it dry flat, and then measure. Adjust your hook size if needed.

Abbreviations

Here are the abbreviations used throughout this pattern.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st — stitch
sp — space
rep — repeat
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
yo — yarn over
BLO — back loop only

Stitch Guide

Foundation Chain: A standard chain worked to begin the piece.

Single Crochet (sc): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.

Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops.

Shell Stitch: Work 5 dc into the same stitch or space.

Pattern Instructions

The top is constructed in four main sections: the right cup, the left cup, the underbust band, and the straps.

Right Cup

Foundation: Ch 14 (16, 18).

Row 1 (WS): Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. — 13 (15, 17) sc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st (shell made), dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in each remaining st across. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across to the shell, sc in each dc of shell, sc in each remaining st. Turn. — 17 (19, 21) sts.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, hdc in next st, dc in next st, shell in center st of previous shell, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in each remaining st. Turn.

Rows 5–10 (5–12, 5–14): Repeat Rows 3 and 4 alternately, working a shell in the center dc of the previous shell on every RS row. After the last RS row, do not turn.

Shaping Row: Ch 1, work sc evenly around the outer curved edge of the cup, placing 2 sc in corner stitches to keep the edge from pulling. Sl st to join at the end of the row. Fasten off and weave in ends. Leave a long tail for seaming if preferred.

Shape the top edge: Reattach yarn at the top left corner of the cup (the straight edge). Working in BLO, sl st across the top edge. This creates a subtle ridge that will serve as the fold line when straps are attached later. Fasten off.

Left Cup

Work exactly as the right cup, but reverse the placement of the shell. Specifically, on Row 2, begin with sc across most stitches and place the shell near the outer edge rather than the inner edge. This mirrors the shaping so the two cups form a symmetrical pair.

If you are unsure whether your cups are mirrored correctly, hold them together with right sides facing each other. The shell shaping should angle outward on both cups.

Joining the Cups

Lay both cups RS up on a flat surface with the inner edges (the straight edges) touching. Using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, whipstitch or mattress stitch the two cups together along the inner edges. Work from the bottom of the cups upward, taking care not to pull the seam too tight. The join should be flexible enough to sit comfortably at the center of your chest.

Alternatively, you can join the cups with a crochet seam. Hold both pieces together with WS facing, insert your hook through the edge stitches of both cups, and work sc through both layers. This creates a visible ridge on the right side, which some people find adds a nice design detail.

Underbust Band

The band runs underneath both cups and wraps around to the back, providing structure and support.

Foundation: With RS facing, attach yarn at the bottom right corner of the right cup. Ch 1, work sc evenly across the bottom edge of the right cup, across the bottom edge of the left cup, and continue.

For the back band extension: Ch 40 (44, 48) to extend toward the back. This chain will form one side of the back band. Work sc in second chain from hook and in each ch across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Reattach yarn at the bottom left corner of the left cup and repeat to create the band on the other side.

Band Rows: For a sturdier band with more structure, work 3–4 rows of sc across the full band piece before fastening off. The finished band should measure approximately 1.5–2 inches in height when laid flat.

Tip: If you prefer a drawstring or tie closure at the back instead of a hook-and-eye, simply work the back band extensions into long chains and allow them to tie at center back. Add a few extra chains to each side to ensure you have enough length to tie a bow comfortably.

Straps

Straps can be customized to your preferred style. The two most common options are halter neck straps (which tie or loop behind the neck) and over-the-shoulder straps (which connect at the front of the cup, go over each shoulder, and attach to the back band).

Halter Neck Strap (both sizes): Attach yarn at the top inner corner of one cup. Ch 80 (90, 90). Work sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Sl st to attach at the top outer corner of the same cup to form a loop, or leave the strap as a free-hanging tie that connects at the back of the neck.

Repeat on the second cup.

Over-the-Shoulder Straps: Attach yarn at the top outer corner of one cup. Ch 60 (65, 70). Work sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across for a simple strap, or use a chain of 3 and work hdc back for a slightly wider strap. Attach the free end to the back band at the appropriate position for your fit. Repeat on the second cup.

Try the top on before you permanently attach the ends of the straps. Adjust the length so the top sits at the level you prefer on your chest, and the straps feel comfortable without digging into your shoulders.

Finishing

Weave in all remaining ends using your yarn needle. Block the finished top by soaking it in cool water, gently pressing out the excess moisture (never wring cotton yarn), and laying it flat on a blocking mat to dry. Use rust-proof pins to shape the cups if needed. Blocking will even out your tension, soften the fabric, and give the finished piece a much more professional appearance.

If you are adding a hook-and-eye closure, sew it to the ends of the back band using a needle and thread that matches your yarn color. Position the hooks on the wrong side of one band end and the eyes on the wrong side of the other.

Fit Tips and Modifications

One of the best things about making your own crochet bra top is how easy it is to modify the pattern to suit your body. Here are a few adjustments that many crocheters find helpful.

More coverage: Work additional rows on each cup before beginning the shaping row. Adding two to four extra rows will create a taller cup with more coverage at the top and sides.

Less coverage: Reduce the number of rows in the cup by two to four to create a smaller, more crop-style look.

Wider cups: Add two extra stitches to your foundation chain for each cup. This will also widen the overall piece, so you may want to shorten the back band extension slightly to compensate.

Adjustable straps: Instead of working the straps to a fixed length, crochet them long enough to wrap around and use a small D-ring or adjustable slider (available at fabric stores) to make them fully adjustable. This is especially helpful if you plan to gift the top or if you’re between sizes.

Lining the cups: Cut a piece of stretch fabric slightly smaller than each cup, fold the raw edges under, and sew it to the wrong side of the cup using a needle and matching thread. This adds comfort, opacity, and a finished look to the inside of the top.

Yarn Substitutions

If you don’t have DK weight cotton on hand, here are some alternatives that work well with this pattern.

Bamboo cotton blends are silky, slightly heavier, and have a beautiful drape that makes the top feel very luxurious. Sport weight yarn will produce a slightly smaller, denser fabric — perfect if you want more structure and support. Linen yarn is another excellent choice; it starts out a little stiff but softens beautifully with wear and washing and has a gorgeous texture.

Avoid yarns with a lot of stretch for this project. Acrylic or wool blends can work in a pinch, but they tend to stretch out of shape over time, especially in a garment that needs to maintain its structure to fit well.

Styling Ideas

A crochet bra top is one of the most versatile pieces in a summer wardrobe. Here are a few ways to wear it.

Pair it with high-waisted linen trousers and sandals for an effortless boho look. Layer it over a fitted scoop neck tank for a festival-inspired outfit. Wear it under a sheer button-down shirt, leaving the shirt open, for a beach-to-lunch look. Style it with a flowy midi skirt and wedges for an evening out. For a sportier feel, combine it with high-waisted biker shorts and sneakers.

The top also photographs beautifully in solid, saturated colors like terracotta, sage green, dusty rose, and cobalt blue. If you want to show off the stitch texture, choose a color without too much variegation so the pattern reads clearly in photos.

Care Instructions

Always hand wash crochet garments in cool water with a gentle detergent. Lay flat to dry. Do not put cotton crochet in a hot dryer, as this can shrink the fabric and distort the shape. Store the top folded rather than hung to prevent the straps from stretching out over time.

A Note on Sizing and Body Positivity

This pattern includes three sizes, but bodies are wonderfully varied, and not every body will fit neatly into one of these categories. If your measurements fall between sizes, or if you need significant adjustments to the cup shape or band length, don’t be afraid to experiment. Crochet is incredibly forgiving — stitches can be undone and reworked, lengths can be extended, and an almost-finished piece can almost always be saved with a bit of problem-solving.

The goal is a top that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and like yourself. That might mean adding more coverage, adjusting the straps to sit differently on your body, or choosing a yarn color that makes you feel incredible. Trust your instincts, try the top on as you go, and remember that every adjustment you make is part of becoming a more intuitive crafter.

Final Thoughts

This easy crochet bra top is a wonderful project whether you’re making it for yourself or as a gift. It’s the kind of pattern that gets faster and more intuitive the second and third time you make it, and it’s small enough that you can easily try it in a new color every season. Once you have the basic construction down, you can start experimenting: add fringe along the bottom of the cups, work the band in a contrasting color, incorporate a lace stitch pattern across the cups, or embellish the straps with small crochet flowers.

If you make this top, share your photos and tag your work so others in the crochet community can find inspiration. Happy hooking!