Beginner-Friendly Kailani Top Crochet Tutorial 🌺🌊 *ೃ༄

If you’ve been scrolling through crochet inspiration lately, there’s a good chance you’ve come across the Kailani Top — that breezy, beachy crochet crop top that seems to be everywhere this season. With its open-stitch design, adjustable fit, and that effortless coastal aesthetic, it’s no wonder crocheters of all skill levels are falling in love with it. The good news? Despite how gorgeous it looks, the Kailani Top is genuinely beginner-friendly, and today we’re going to walk through everything you need to know to make your own.

Whether you’re someone who just learned how to hold a crochet hook last month or you’ve completed a few dishcloths and scarves and you’re ready to level up, this tutorial is written with you in mind. We’ll cover materials, stitch breakdowns, sizing tips, and a full step-by-step pattern. Grab your hook and your favorite summer yarn — let’s make something beautiful together.

What Is the Kailani Top?

The name Kailani comes from the Hawaiian words for “sea” and “sky,” and honestly, this top lives up to that name completely. It’s a lightweight crochet crop top typically worked in a simple combination of stitches that create an open, lacy texture perfect for warm weather. The silhouette is relaxed and flattering — it can be worn as a beach cover-up, layered over a bralette or bandeau, or styled with high-waisted jeans for a boho summer look.

What makes it so beginner-friendly is that the main body is worked in rows using just a few basic stitches, primarily chains, single crochets, and double crochets. There’s no complicated shaping or tricky colorwork. Once you understand the stitch pattern repeat, the whole thing practically works itself up.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you start, let’s gather everything. Having your materials ready before you begin makes the whole process so much smoother.

Yarn: You’ll want a lightweight yarn for this project. A size 3 (light/DK weight) or even a size 2 (fine/sport weight) cotton yarn works beautifully. Cotton is the go-to choice for summer tops because it’s breathable, holds its shape well, and has a lovely drape. Some popular choices are Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK Cotton, or Drops Paris. For one top in a size small to medium, plan on roughly 400 to 600 yards depending on your sizing and how long you make it. For a larger size, you may need up to 800 yards.

Hook: A 4.0 mm (G/6) or 4.5 mm (G/7) hook pairs nicely with most DK cotton yarns. The slightly larger hook opens up the stitch pattern and gives the top that airy, open look. Always check your gauge before diving in — more on that below.

Other supplies: You’ll need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, a pair of scissors, stitch markers (at least 2 to 4), and a measuring tape. A small piece of contrast yarn or a spare stitch marker is helpful for marking your beginning of rounds or rows.

Understanding Gauge

Gauge is one of those things beginners often want to skip, but for a wearable garment, it really does matter. If your gauge is off, your top will end up too big or too small, and since you’re putting real time into this, it’s worth getting right.

For this pattern, the target gauge is approximately 16 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in double crochet using a 4.0 mm hook with DK cotton. Crochet a small swatch — at least 5 inches by 5 inches — and measure the center of it (not the edges, which can stretch). If your swatch is too small, go up a hook size. If it’s too large, go down a hook size.

Sizing Guide

This pattern is written in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. The finished bust measurement for each size is as follows:

XS fits a 28–30 inch bust, S fits a 32–34 inch bust, M fits a 34–36 inch bust, L fits a 38–40 inch bust, XL fits a 42–44 inch bust, and 2XL fits a 46–48 inch bust.

Crochet garments typically have zero to 2 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment is slightly larger than your actual measurements to allow for comfortable wear. For this top specifically, you may want to size up if you prefer a more relaxed or oversized fit.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

Here are all the abbreviations used in this pattern. Keep this list handy as you work.

ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, hdc = half double crochet, ch-sp = chain space, sk = skip, rep = repeat, RS = right side, WS = wrong side, yo = yarn over, sp = space, st(s) = stitch(es).

The main stitch pattern used in the body of the Kailani Top is a simple shell-and-mesh combination. Here’s how each stitch works in case you need a refresher.

A double crochet is worked by inserting your hook into the stitch, yarning over, pulling up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarning over and pulling through 2 loops, then yarning over and pulling through the remaining 2 loops. A single crochet is simpler — insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. Chains are just the foundation of everything and require no stitch entry — simply yarn over and pull through the loop already on the hook.

The Kailani Stitch Pattern Explained

The magic of this top lies in a two-row stitch pattern that repeats all the way up the body. Once you’ve done it a few times, your hands will just know what to do. Here’s the pattern explained in plain language before we get into the full instructions.

Row A is your “shell row.” You work groups of 3 double crochets into chain spaces, with chain-2 spaces between each shell. This creates those little fan shapes you see in the finished fabric.

Row B is your “mesh row.” You work single crochets into the top of each shell, with chain-3 spaces bridging between them. This creates the open, airy mesh that makes the fabric so lightweight and pretty.

Alternating these two rows gives you the classic Kailani texture. It sounds simple because it is — and once you see it forming on your hook, you’ll be completely hooked (pun absolutely intended).

Step-by-Step Kailani Top Pattern

Step 1: Foundation Chain

The body of the Kailani Top is worked flat, in two separate panels (a front and a back), which are then seamed at the shoulders and sides. This approach is very forgiving for beginners because you’re always working back and forth in rows rather than trying to join things in the round.

For a size Small, chain 72. For size Medium, chain 80. For size Large, chain 88. For size XL, chain 96. For size 2XL, chain 104. For size XS, chain 64. Make sure your foundation chain is a multiple of 8, plus 4. This is important because the stitch pattern requires groups of 8.

Step 2: Foundation Row (Row 1)

Working into the back bump of each chain for a neater edge: dc in the 4th chain from the hook (the skipped chains count as your first dc), dc in each chain across. Turn your work.

Count your stitches. For size Small, you should have 70 dc. For size Medium, 78 dc. Adjust if needed — the stitch count needs to remain a multiple of 8 plus 6 for the pattern to work correctly.

Step 3: Begin Stitch Pattern (Row 2 — Shell Row)

Chain 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch 1). Skip the first 2 stitches. Work 3 dc into the next stitch (this is your first shell). Chain 2. Skip 2 stitches. Work 3 dc into the next stitch (second shell). Continue repeating: chain 2, skip 2, work 3 dc into next stitch, all the way across until 3 stitches remain. Chain 1, skip 1, dc into the last stitch. Turn.

Don’t panic if this feels awkward at first. The shells are meant to sit with spacing between them. You’ll see the pattern emerge in just a row or two.

Step 4: Row 3 — Mesh Row

Chain 1. Sc into the first dc (the turning chain counts as a stitch, so work into it). Chain 3. Sc into the top of the next shell (into the center dc of the 3-dc group). Chain 3. Continue repeating: chain 3, sc into the center of the next shell, across the row. End with chain 3, sc into the top of the turning chain. Turn.

Step 5: Row 4 — Shell Row (Repeat)

Chain 4. Work 3 dc into the first chain-3 space. Chain 2. Work 3 dc into the next chain-3 space. Continue repeating across. End with dc into the last sc. Turn.

Step 6: Repeat Rows 3 and 4

You’ll alternate these two rows for the entire body of the top. Continue until your panel measures the desired length for the body — typically between 10 and 14 inches depending on how cropped you want the finished top. For a classic crop just above the navel, aim for about 11 to 12 inches. For a longer style that hits the hip, go to about 14 to 15 inches.

Make two identical panels.

Adding the Straps

The Kailani Top is finished with simple straps that tie at the shoulders or can be sewn in place. There are a few ways to do this, and we’ll cover the simplest method here.

Once your body panels are the length you want, do not fasten off. Instead, fold the top edge of your panel and mark the center. For the straps, you’ll work from two points on either side of center, each about 2 to 3 inches from the middle (this creates the V-neck opening).

Attach yarn to your first strap attachment point. Chain 80 (or more for longer straps — try the chain around your shoulder for fit). Sl st to fasten off and leave a long tail for weaving in. Repeat for the second strap on the same panel. Make the matching straps on the second panel.

When you put the top on, the straps from the front panel cross over the shoulders and tie to the back panel, and vice versa. This creates the beautiful crisscross back detail that gives the Kailani Top part of its signature look. You can adjust the strap length easily by making your chains longer or shorter.

Assembling the Top

Lay both panels right sides together. Using your yarn needle and a length of matching yarn, seam the side edges together using a whip stitch or mattress stitch, leaving armhole openings at the top of each side (about 6 to 8 inches down from the top edge, depending on your size). Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Turn the top right side out. Try it on and adjust the straps to your liking. You can tie the straps in a bow at the shoulder, knot them, or use small rings or clips for a more polished finish.

Finishing Touches and Edge Work

To give your Kailani Top a really clean, professional finish, work a simple border around the entire top edge and armholes. Attach your yarn to any point along the edge and work a single round of sc evenly around, spacing your stitches so the edge lies flat without puckering or stretching. Sl st to join, fasten off, and weave in the end.

You can also add a simple border along the bottom hem if you like a more finished look, or leave the bottom edge as-is for a relaxed, raw style.

If you want to add a pop of color, consider working the border in a contrasting shade. A cream top with a terracotta border, a sage green top with a sandy tan trim — there are so many combinations that capture that beautiful coastal palette.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Working with cotton yarn can feel stiffer than working with wool or acrylic, especially when you’re just starting out. Your hands may tire a little more quickly. Take breaks as needed, and don’t be discouraged if your tension is a little uneven at first — it evens out as you get into the rhythm of the stitch pattern.

If you find your edges are uneven or wavy, it’s usually a tension issue. Try consciously keeping your tension consistent on the turning chains and the first and last stitches of each row, which are typically where beginners lose control of their tension.

Blocking this top after finishing will make a world of difference. Wet blocking cotton is easy — soak the finished top in cool water, gently squeeze out excess water (don’t wring), lay it flat on a towel, shape it to the measurements you want, and let it dry. The fabric will even out, the stitch definition will sharpen up, and the whole top will look more polished and intentional.

Styling Your Kailani Top

One of the best things about this top is how versatile it is. Here are a few ways to wear it once it’s finished.

Pair it with a simple triangle bikini top underneath and a pair of high-waisted linen shorts for the perfect beach day look. Layer it over a fitted tank or bralette with wide-leg trousers for a bohemian evening outfit. Throw it on over a swimsuit as a chic cover-up — the open stitch pattern makes it breathable enough to wear while your suit is still damp. Style it with a flowy maxi skirt and sandals for a festival-ready ensemble. The Kailani Top also photographs beautifully, so it’s a favorite for sharing on social media and crochet communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different yarn weight? Yes, you can. If you use a thicker yarn like worsted weight, your top will have a denser, more structured fabric and you’ll need fewer yards. Just make sure to swatch and adjust your hook size accordingly. For a very open, lacy result, go thinner — a size 1 or fingering weight yarn creates an incredibly delicate fabric.

How do I make it longer or shorter? Simply work more or fewer rows of the stitch pattern before fastening off. Each two-row repeat adds roughly 1 inch of length in DK cotton with a 4.0 mm hook.

What if my stitch count is off partway through? Stop, count your stitches, and identify where the extra or missing stitch occurred. If it’s only off by one, you can often compensate in the next row by working an extra stitch into a chain space or skipping one. If it’s off by more, it may be worth frogging (ripping out) back to the error — your finished top will look cleaner for it.

Can I make this in the round? Absolutely. If you’d prefer to skip the seaming, you can work the body as a tube by joining your foundation chain into a ring and working the stitch pattern in continuous rounds. Just note that turning rounds work slightly differently and you’ll need to adjust the shell placements accordingly.

Final Thoughts

The Kailani Top is one of those crochet projects that gives you so much in return for relatively little in complexity. You’ll learn to work a beautiful stitch pattern, you’ll gain confidence in working with lightweight yarns, and at the end you’ll have a wearable, stunning garment that you made entirely with your own hands. That never gets old.

If you make your Kailani Top, I’d absolutely love to see it. Share your finished photo in the comments or tag your project on social media — there’s something so joyful about seeing the same pattern interpreted in a hundred different colors and yarns and worn by people all over the world.

Now go pick out your favorite cotton yarn, grab your hook, and get started. The sea and sky are waiting for you. 🌺🌊