Crochet Solid Shell Stitch Tank Top

The Crochet Solid Shell Stitch Tank Top is a delightful summer staple that combines style and comfort effortlessly. With its intricate shell stitch pattern, this tank top adds a touch of elegance to your outfit while keeping you cool and breezy on warm days. Whether you wear it to the beach or a casual outing with friends, this top is sure to turn heads and make you feel fabulous. So, grab your crochet hook and some yarn, and let's create a piece that will become a favorite in your wardrobe!

Materials

• 0 lace/2ply weight yarn
• I used Holst Garn Coast in color Asparagus #0 lace weight yarn
• 3mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker

Stitches Used & Code (US Term)

• ch = chain
• st = stitch(es)
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• Shell st = 5 dc all into the same st
• sk = skip
• REP = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• ” = inches

Skill Level

Easy

Notes

• This pattern is written in English US terminology.
• This pattern is made in US women’s sizes XS( S, M, L, XL, XXL ).
• In this picture, I have demonstrated with size small.
• This top is worked flat in 2 pieces from the top down and then sewn together. The front and back panel are made the same.
• This pattern is in multiples of 6+2 ch.
• This pattern is a 2 rows repeat (row 3 and 4).

Yarn Needed

630(690, 760, 830, 900, 960) yards

Gauge Blocked

4.5 shell st X 15 rows = 4″

Measurements (After Blocked)

• XS = 16.88″ Body width across X 16″ Length
• S = 17.77″ Body width across X 16.53″ Length
• M = 19.55″ Body width across X 17.60″ Length
• L = 21.33″ Body width across X 18.13″ Length
• XL = 23.11″ Body width across X 19.20″ Length
• XXL = 24″ Body width across X 19.73″ Length

Front Panel

Straps (Make 2)

1. Row 1 (WS): Leave 12-14″ long tail, ch 20(20, 20, 20, 20, 20), 1 sc into second ch from hook and each ch across. Total of 19(19, 19, 19, 19, 19) sc.
2. Row 2 (RS): Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into first st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 3(3, 3, 3, 3, 3) shell st.
3. Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into first st/same ch 3 st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st.
4. Row 4: Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into first st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 3(3, 3, 3, 3, 3) shell st.
5. REP Row 3 and Row 4: 10(10, 11, 11, 12, 12) more times. You’ll have a total of 24(24, 26, 26, 28, 28) rows.
6. The end of row 24(24, 26, 26, 28, 28) cut the yarn.

Body

*Note: We’re going to make some new chains and continue crocheting into the straps for the body part. To do that, make sure to place the straps wrong side facing up and follow the instructions below.

1. Row 1 (WS): ch 18(18, 24, 24, 30, 30) for the under-arm, 3 dc into first st on the last row of the strap, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st, ch 41(47, 47, 59, 59, 65) for the neckline, 3 dc into first st on the last row of the strap, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st, ch 19(19, 25, 25, 31, 31) for the under-arm and a turning ch. Total of 116(122, 134, 146, 158, 164) st including the ch. Check the picture below.
2. Crochet the body part of the shell stitch top.
3. Row 2 (RS): *Note, treat the ch as a normal st. Turn, 1 sc into second ch from hook,*sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 19(20, 22, 24, 26, 27) shell st. Check the picture below.
4. Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into first st/same ch 3 st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, sk 2 st, 3 dc into last st.
5. Row 4: Turn, ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into first st, *sk 2 st, 1 shell into next st, sk 2 st, 1 sc into next st* REP from *TO* across. Total of 19(20, 22, 24, 26, 27) shell st.

REP Row 3 and Row 4: 16(17, 18, 19, 20, 21) more times. You’ll have a total of 36(38, 40, 42, 44, 46) rows. Note: If you want a shorter top, make fewer repeats, if you want a longer top (even a dress) just keep repeating row 3 and row 4 to desired length.

The end of row 36(38, 40, 42, 44, 46) cut the yarn and leave 30-40″ long tail.

The front panel is completed. For the back panel, you’re going to make it the same as the front panel, but DO NOT leave a long tail at the beginning of the straps.

Joining the Panels Together

Sewing the Straps at the Shoulder Seams

Take the back and front panel, place them with the correct side facing each other, then we’ll sew on the wrong side. Using the tails that we left earlier on the straps to sew with your method of choice. Check the picture below.

Sewing the Side Seams

With your panels right side facing each other, we’ll sew on the wrong side along the side seams. Using the tails that we left earlier to sew with your method of choice. Check the picture below.

To finish the tank top crochet pattern, we'll just sew our two identical panels together.

Crochet Around the Armhole Edges

Turn your top right side out, we’ll crochet on the right side in the round. We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in each round.

Round 1

Add new yarn into the side seam, then ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into the same st, 1 sc into each ch until you reach the strap/under-arm corner, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part. Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the shoulder seam, 1 sc into the shoulder seam, then crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part. Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the strap/under-arm corner, 1 sc into each ch across. Total of 112(112, 130, 130, 148, 148) sc; if you have a few less or more st, it’s ok. Check the picture below.

We'll add some decorative fringe to the finished tank top crochet pattern.

Round 2

1 sc into each st around. Cut the yarn and weave all the ends. Both sides are made the same. Total of 112(112, 130, 130, 148, 148) sc; if you have a few less or more st, it’s ok. Check the picture below.

Crochet Around the Neckline Edge

With your top right side facing out, we’ll crochet on the right side in the round. We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in each round.

Round 1

Add new yarn into the shoulder seam, then ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into the same st, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part. Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the strap/neckline corner, 1 sc into each neckline ch until you reach the strap/neckline corner, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part. Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the shoulder seam, 1 sc into the shoulder seam, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part. Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* until you reach the strap/neckline corner, 1 sc into each neckline ch until you reach the strap/neckline corner, then we’re going to crochet into the end of each row on the strap part, *Make 2 sc into the dc row of the strap part. Make 1 sc into the sc row of the strap part* REP from *TO* across. Total of 232(244, 256, 280, 292, 304) sc; if you have a few less or more st, it’s ok. Check the picture below.

Finishing touches on our crochet tank top.

Round 2

1 sc into each st around. Cut the yarn and weave all the ends. Total of 232(244, 256, 280, 292, 304) sc; if you have a few less or more st, it’s ok. Check the picture below.