Free Crochet Swim Cover Up Pattern
Lace crochet swim cover up
A crochet swim cover up pattern is an excellent summer project that you will love having to wear when you visit the pool or beach! This is Stroud Swim Cover. I used the beautiful Arcade Stitch to make front and back panels and then stitched the seams with my crochet hook. I would have liked to crochet it in the round to minimize seaming, but this pretty stitch pattern doesn’t work well in the round. So, seaming it is.
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Table of Contents
Where can I get this crochet pattern?
This crochet swim cover up pattern is free in this post! Just scroll down for the free version.
However, it can be nice to have a copy that you can easily download and print without ads. So, I’ve made an inexpensive PDF available on both Ravelry and Etsy.
What yarn should I use for this swim cover?
I used Cascade Yarns Hampton, a DK/light weight 70% cotton, 30% linen blend. Each skein is 273 yds and 100 g. Most local yarn stores carry Cascade Yarns, and if they don’t have Hampton, they can probably order it for you. You can see all the colors available on the Cascade Yarns website.
What are some other good summer crochet projects?
Lace, plant fibers, and light to fine weight yarns are good choices for summer projects. Also, anything small is also good because it is portable and won’t heat up your lap while you work on it. Here are a couple of ideas from my own designs!
Stroud Swim Cover, A Crochet Swim Cover Up Pattern
By April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio
Tech Edited by Kristine Mullen
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Available Sizes: XS/S [M/L, XL, 2X, 3X/4X, 5X]
Finished Measurements: Hip Circumference 36 ½ [42, 47 ½, 53 ¼, 58 ¾, 64 ½] inches; Length 31 ¾ [32 ½, 32 ½, 33 ¼, 33 ¼, 33 ¼] inches. Choose a size equal to or larger than your hip circumference.
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Hampton (70% Pima Cotton, 30% Linen; 273 yds; 100 g; yarn weight category: 3/Light): 4 [5, 6, 7, 7, 8] skeins #21 Elm.
Crochet Hook: H/8 (5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, sewing needle and thread to match or fabric glue.
Gauge: 3 pattern repeats x 11 rows = About 4 inches in Arcade Stitch.
Notes:
This pattern is written in standard US terms.
This video tutorial demonstrates the stitch pattern and the neckline shaping.
For help with abbreviations, get my free printable crochet abbreviations list!
Special Stitches:
Shell: ([dc, ch 1] 3 times, dc) in designated ch sp
Single crochet two stitches together (sc2tog): *insert hook in designated st, yo, pull up a loop, repeat from *, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Swim Cover
Back Panel Left Shoulder
Ch 26 [32, 38, 44, 50, 56]
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, skip next ch, *sc in next ch, ch 3, skip next ch, sc in next ch**, ch 3, skip 3 chs, repeat from * across, to last 2 chs, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next ch, sc in last ch, turn – 10 [12, 14, 16, 18, 20] sts.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell (see Special Stitches) in next ch sp, skip next st**, sc over ch-3 sp into center skipped ch of foundation ch, repeat from * to last st, ending last repeat at **, sc in last st, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] sc. Fasten off.
Back Panel Right Shoulder
Ch 26 [32, 38, 44, 50, 56]
Rows 1-2: Work as for first shoulder, but do not fasten off.
Back Panel Main Body
Continuing from the Back Panel Right Shoulder
Row 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), skip first 2 sts, *(sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts) 3 [4, 5, 6, 7, 8] times, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st**, ch 29, working across first shoulder with WS facing, dc in first st, ch 1, skip first 2 sts, repeat from * to ** – 18 [22, 26, 30, 34, 38] sts.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *(skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in next ch sp) 3 [4, 5, 6, 7, 8] times, skip next st, sc over ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in last st**, (skip 2 chs, sc in next ch, skip 2 chs, shell in next ch) 3 times, skip 2 chs, sc in next ch, skip 2 chs, shell in first dc of other shoulder, repeat from * to **, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in last st, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 28 [32, 36, 40, 44, 48] sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st**, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, sc in last st, turn – 13 [15, 17, 19, 21, 23] shells.
Row 5: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 28 [32, 36, 40, 44, 48] sts.
Row 6: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st**, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Repeat Rows 3-6 for pattern.
Work in pattern for a total of 86 [88, 88, 90, 90, 90] rows from start of shoulder. Fasten off.
Front Panel Left Shoulder
Note: You will work five increases in this section to form the v-neck. Each increase takes place over two rows. You will increase in Rows 3-4, 9-10, 15-16, 19-20, and then the final increase will start in Row 23 and be completed in Row 1 of the Main Body.
Ch 26 [32, 38, 44, 50, 56]
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, skip next ch, *sc in next ch, ch 3, skip next ch, sc in next ch**, ch 3, skip 3 chs, repeat from * across, to last 2 chs, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next ch, sc in last ch, turn – 10 [12, 14, 16, 18, 20] sts.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell (see Special Stitches) in next ch sp, skip next st**, sc over ch-3 sp into center skipped ch of foundation ch, repeat from * to last st, ending last repeat at **, sc in last st, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 3, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 10 [12, 14, 16, 18, 20] sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, *shell in next ch sp, skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, repeat from * across to last st, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 11 [13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts.
Row 6: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 7: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 11 [13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 9: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 11 [13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts.
Row 10: Ch 1, sc in first st, shell in ch-3 sp, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells.
Row 11: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] sts.
Row 12: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st**, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Row 13: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] sts.
Row 14: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st**, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, sc in last st, turn – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells.
Rows 15-18: Repeat Rows 3-6 – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 19: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 3, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 13 [15, 17, 19, 21, 23] sts.
Row 20: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, sc over next ch sp into skipped dc below, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Rows 21-22: Repeat Rows 13-14 – 6 [7, 8, 9, 10, 11] shells.
Row 23: Repeat Row 3 – 14 [16, 18, 20, 22, 24] sts. Fasten off.
Front Panel Right Shoulder
Note: You will work five increases in this section to form the v-neck. Each increase takes place over two rows. You will increase in Rows 3-4, 9-10, 15-16, 19-20, and then the final increase will start in Row 23 and be completed in Row 1 of the Main Body.
Ch 26 [32, 38, 44, 50, 56]
Rows 1-2: As for Left Front Shoulder.
Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3), skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 10 [12, 14, 16, 18, 20] sts.
Row 4: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st**, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, shell in last ch sp, sc in 4th ch of tch, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 5: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 11 [13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 11 [13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts.
Row 8: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 9: Ch 6, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 1, sc in last st, turn – 11 [13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts.
Row 10: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, shell in last ch sp, sc in 4th ch of tch, turn – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells.
Row 11: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] sts.
Row 12: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st**, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 4 [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Row 13: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] sts.
Row 14: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st**, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, sc in last st, turn – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells.
Rows 15-18: Repeat Rows 3-6 – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells; 1 half-shell.
Row 19: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 3, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last ch sp, sc in last ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 13 [15, 17, 19, 21, 23] sts.
Row 20: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, skip next st, sc over next ch sp into skipped dc below, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in last st, turn – 5 [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Rows 21-22: Repeat Rows 13-14 – 6 [7, 8, 9, 10, 11] shells.
Row 23: Repeat Row 3 – 14 [16, 18, 20, 22, 24] sts. Do not fasten off.
Front Panel Main Body
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *[skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in next ch sp] 5 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10) times, skip next st**, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st, shell in last ch sp of Right Front Shoulder, sc2tog over 4th ch of tch, and first st of Left Front Shoulder piece, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * to **, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, sc in last st, turn – 28 [32, 36, 40, 44, 48] sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next st, shell in next ch sp, skip next st**, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, sc in last st, turn – 13 [15, 17, 19, 21, 23] shells.
Row 4: Ch 4, skip first 2 sts, *sc in next ch sp, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next ch sp**, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ending last repeat at **, ch 1, skip next st, dc in last st, turn – 28 [32, 36, 40, 44, 48] sts.
Row 5: Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in first st, *skip next st, sc over next ch sp into center ch sp of shell below, skip next st**, shell in next ch sp, repeat from * across to last st, ending last repeat at **, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in 2nd ch of tch, turn – 12 [14, 16, 18, 20, 22] shells; 1 half-shell on each end.
Repeat Rows 2-5 for pattern.
Work in pattern for a total of 86 [88, 88, 90, 90, 90] rows from start of shoulder. Fasten off.
Seaming
Holding front and back panels with RS facing each other, working through both layers, join yarn with sc at neckline edge and sc evenly across shoulders to sleeve edge. Fasten off.
Repeat for other shoulder.
With RS still facing, use clips or pins to line up sides and hold them together. Beginning at the edge of row 27 [29, 31, 33, 35, 37], working through both layers, join yarn with sc and sc evenly along row edges toward bottom edge to seam side. Fasten off.
Repeat for other side.
Schematic
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Cotton and other plant fiber yarns typically have ends that don’t stay woven in well. I suggest weaving in ends as usual and then using either sewing thread and a needle or a small amount of fabric glue (non-washable) to tack down the very end.
Enjoy your new crochet swim cover! I hope you will share pictures of it on Ravelry or in my Facebook group. I’d love to see it!
Happy crocheting!
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