Easy Swimsuit Cover Up Free Crochet Pattern

There is something wonderfully satisfying about walking to the beach or pool wearing something you made with your own two hands. A crochet swimsuit cover up is one of those projects that looks far more complicated than it actually is, and once you discover how simple it can be, you will want to make one in every color of your yarn stash. This free crochet pattern is designed for beginners and intermediate crocheters alike, and it creates a breezy, lightweight cover up that flows beautifully over any swimsuit. Whether you are headed to a tropical vacation, a backyard pool party, or just lounging at the lake, this piece will quickly become a warm-weather wardrobe staple.

This pattern from Jenny and Teddy is completely free, and it is written with clear, step-by-step instructions so that even if you have never made a garment before, you will feel confident working through every row. We will cover everything from materials and gauge to finishing touches, and we will include tips along the way to help you customize the fit and length to suit your body and your style.

Why Crochet Your Own Swimsuit Cover Up?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, let us talk about why making your own cover up is such a great idea. Store-bought cover ups are often made from thin, flimsy fabric that loses its shape after a few washes, and they rarely fit the way you want them to. A handmade crochet cover up, on the other hand, is made to your exact measurements. You choose the length, the yarn color, and the stitch pattern. You can make it as airy and open as you like, or tighten up the stitch work for a bit more coverage.

Crochet also has a natural stretch and drape that makes it ideal for beachwear. The open mesh stitches allow air to circulate, which means you stay cool even when the sun is beating down. Cotton and cotton blend yarns dry quickly after a splash in the water, and they feel soft and comfortable against sun-kissed skin. This project is also a fantastic way to use up skeins of cotton yarn that have been sitting in your stash waiting for the perfect summer project.

Making your own cover up is also a wonderful confidence booster. There is a real sense of pride that comes from wearing something handmade, and crochet garments never fail to attract compliments. When someone asks where you got your gorgeous cover up and you get to say you made it yourself, that feeling is priceless.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials together before you start is always a good idea. Here is what you will need for this project.

Yarn: Approximately 400 to 600 yards of worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn, depending on your size. A smooth, mercerized cotton works beautifully because it shows stitch definition clearly and has a lovely sheen. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (held double), or Cascade Ultra Pima are all excellent choices. You can absolutely use a cotton acrylic blend if you prefer, as many of those yarns are more budget-friendly and still behave wonderfully for this type of project.

Hook: A 5.0 mm (size H/8) crochet hook is the recommended starting point for this pattern. However, because hook sizes and yarn tensions vary from person to person, always work a swatch before you begin the main piece.

Additional notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers, and a flexible measuring tape. You may also want a few yards of coordinating ribbon or crochet cord to use as a tie at the neckline or waist, though this is entirely optional.

Understanding Gauge

Gauge matters more in garment making than in any other type of crochet project. Even a small difference in tension can result in a cover up that is too tight to wear or so loose that it falls off your shoulders. For this pattern, the target gauge is approximately 14 stitches and 10 rows equal four inches in half double crochet using a 5.0 mm hook.

To check your gauge, make a swatch that is at least six inches wide and six inches tall. After you finish, lay the swatch flat without stretching it and measure the center of the piece. If your swatch has more stitches per inch than the pattern calls for, try going up a hook size. If it has fewer, go down a hook size. Once your gauge matches, you are ready to start the pattern.

Sizing Information

This pattern is written to fit a range of sizes. The measurements below refer to the chest circumference of the finished cover up.

Small fits a 32 to 34 inch bust. Medium fits a 35 to 37 inch bust. Large fits a 38 to 40 inch bust. Extra Large fits a 41 to 44 inch bust. Two X Large fits a 45 to 48 inch bust.

The cover up as written has approximately four inches of positive ease built in, which gives it that lovely, relaxed drape. If you prefer a closer fit, size down one size. If you prefer an even more oversized look, size up one size.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

Before you begin, familiarize yourself with the stitches used in this pattern.

ch — chain

sl st — slip stitch

sc — single crochet

hdc — half double crochet

dc — double crochet

ch-sp — chain space

sk — skip

rep — repeat

st(s) — stitch(es)

RS — right side

WS — wrong side

The main stitch pattern used throughout the body of this cover up is a simple mesh that alternates double crochets with chain spaces. This creates an open, lacy texture that is light, breathable, and very easy to memorize after the first few rows.

The Free Pattern: Easy Swimsuit Cover Up

Getting Started — The Foundation Chain

This cover up is worked in two identical panels, front and back, which are then joined at the shoulders and side seams. This construction method makes it very easy to adjust the length and width at any point during the project.

For size Small, chain 57.
For size Medium, chain 63.
For size Large, chain 69.
For size Extra Large, chain 75.
For size Two X Large, chain 81.

All chain counts are multiples of six, plus three for turning.

Row 1 (RS): Dc in the fourth chain from the hook (the skipped chains count as the first dc). Chain 1, skip one chain, dc in next chain. Continue in this pattern across the row, ending with a dc in the last chain. Turn.

Row 2 (WS): Chain 3 (counts as first dc throughout). Skip the first stitch. Dc in the next dc. Chain 1, skip the ch-1 space. Dc in the next dc. Repeat across the row, ending with a dc in the top of the turning chain. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 for the pattern until the panel measures the desired length. For a standard knee-length cover up, work until the piece measures approximately 28 to 30 inches from the foundation chain. For a midi length, work until the piece measures 32 to 34 inches. For a mini cover up that just hits the thigh, 18 to 20 inches is a good stopping point.

Do not fasten off after completing the first panel. We will come back to finish the neckline edge.

Working the Neckline

One of the things that makes this design so wearable is its simple, elegant neckline. Because the cover up is worked as two flat panels, the neckline is simply the top edge of each panel, and you finish it with a single crochet border that gives it a clean, polished look.

After completing the desired length of your first panel, work one row of single crochet evenly along the top edge. To create the shoulder tie openings, you will leave a gap of approximately five stitches unworked on each side of the neckline.

Specifically: Work single crochet across the first eight stitches, chain five, skip five stitches, work single crochet across the center portion of stitches, chain five, skip five stitches, work single crochet across the final eight stitches. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Repeat the entire process to make the second panel.

Joining the Panels

Lay both panels flat with wrong sides facing up. Align the shoulder areas at the top of each panel. Using your yarn needle and a length of matching yarn, whipstitch the shoulder seams together, leaving the neckline area open. The chain-five spaces you created in the previous step will become the openings through which you thread your tie or where you connect the panels with a simple slip stitch join.

Next, fold both panels together with wrong sides facing each other. Align the side edges and whipstitch or use a slip stitch join to seam the sides. Leave the bottom completely open for a flowing hem and leave an opening of approximately eight to ten inches at the top of each side seam for armholes. Try the cover up on to make sure the armhole openings are comfortable and sized appropriately for you. If you need more room, simply leave a bit more of the side seam open.

Finishing the Armhole Edges

Once you have sewn the side seams, it is a good idea to work a single crochet border around each armhole. This gives a neat, finished appearance and prevents the edges from stretching or curling over time.

Attach your yarn at the base of one armhole opening and work single crochet evenly around the entire opening. Slip stitch to join and fasten off. Repeat for the second armhole.

Hem Border

The bottom hem of this cover up gets a beautiful shell stitch border that adds a decorative, feminine touch without being fussy.

To work the shell stitch border: Attach yarn at any point along the bottom edge.

Round 1: Work a row of single crochet evenly around the entire bottom hem. Slip stitch to join. Do not fasten off.

Round 2: Chain 3, work four more double crochets into the same stitch (this creates the first shell). Skip two stitches, single crochet in the next stitch. Skip two stitches, work five double crochets into the next stitch (shell made). Continue in this pattern all the way around the hem, adjusting the skip counts slightly at the end if needed to make the pattern work out evenly. Slip stitch to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Making the Ties

The ties are what give this cover up its versatile, adjustable feel. You can thread them through the neckline chain spaces and tie them at the back of the neck, or you can use them to cinch the waist for a more fitted silhouette.

To make a simple crochet cord tie, attach your yarn and chain until the cord measures approximately 24 inches, or whatever length feels right for your preferred styling. Slip stitch back along the chain to create a doubled cord, then fasten off. Make two cords for the neckline.

Alternatively, you can use a length of ribbon, leather cord, or even a strand of jute for a more bohemian look. Thread the ties through the chain-five spaces at the shoulders and knot them at the ends to prevent slipping.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about this pattern is how easy it is to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing.

You can add color by striping the panels in two or three complementary shades. Simply change colors at the end of a row and carry the unused yarn loosely up the side of the work to avoid having too many ends to weave in.

For a more dramatic look, try working the mesh pattern on a larger hook with a lighter weight yarn. This opens up the stitch pattern significantly and creates a more ethereal, gauzy texture that is absolutely stunning in the sunlight.

You can also add fringe along the bottom hem instead of the shell border. Cut strands of yarn approximately eight inches long and fold each one in half. Use your hook to pull the folded loop through the bottom edge, then pull the tails through the loop and tug gently to secure. Fringe gives the cover up a fun, bohemian festival vibe.

If you want to make a matching bag or tote for the beach, the same yarn and mesh stitch pattern works beautifully for a small drawstring bag. Simply work a rectangle, seam the sides, and add a crocheted cord for the drawstring closure.

Care Instructions

Because this cover up is made from cotton or a cotton blend yarn, it is generally quite easy to care for. Most cotton yarns are machine washable on a gentle cycle with cold water. Lay the cover up flat to dry rather than putting it in the dryer, as heat can cause cotton to shrink slightly. If your yarn is a blend that contains acrylic or nylon, check the label for specific care recommendations, but most blends are just as easy to care for.

If your cover up gets a little stretched out of shape after a day at the beach, a quick hand wash and laying it flat to dry will usually restore its original shape. Cotton has a tendency to relax after washing, so blocking is rarely necessary for this type of casual garment.

Tips for Success

Working a gauge swatch really does make a difference, especially for a garment. It only takes about fifteen minutes and can save you from making an entire cover up that does not fit.

If you are new to garment making, start with size Medium even if you think you might need a different size. This gives you a baseline to work from, and you can always adjust the next time you make the pattern.

Stitch markers are incredibly useful for marking the beginning of rows and for keeping track of the armhole placement. Do not skip them just because the pattern seems simple.

When joining the panels, take your time with the seaming. A neat, even seam makes an enormous difference in the overall look of the finished garment.

Finally, try on the cover up frequently as you work. Because you are working flat panels, it is easy to stop at any point and check the length or fit before continuing.

Final Thoughts

This easy swimsuit cover up free crochet pattern is a true warmer-weather essential, and once you have made one, it will be very hard to stop. The simple mesh stitch works up quickly, the construction is straightforward enough for any crocheter who knows the basic stitches, and the finished result looks polished and professional. Whether you choose a classic white cotton for a timeless beach look, a vibrant turquoise for a fun poolside vibe, or a soft sage green for something a bit more understated, this cover up will be a piece you reach for again and again all summer long.

We hope you enjoy making this pattern as much as we have enjoyed creating it for you here at Jenny and Teddy. If you make this cover up, we would absolutely love to see your finished project. Share your photos on social media and tag us so we can see all the gorgeous versions you create. Happy crocheting, and we will see you at the beach.