A fitted crochet tank top is one of those makes that never sits in your drawer you reach for it all summer long. This rust-toned version features spaghetti straps, a solid single crochet body, and a stretchy ribbed waistband that holds everything in place. If you’ve been building your basics, you might also love this beginner crochet summer top.
Crochet Tank Top Shirt
The ribbed band at the hem gives this top a polished, structured finish that sets it apart from a basic crop. Sizing runs through multiple options so you can dial in the fit before you cast on. For a different take on the spaghetti-strap silhouette, the crochet spaghetti strap top is another easy option worth bookmarking.
Materials
- Yarn in any weight you prefer
- 4.5 mm crochet hook, or a size suited to your yarn
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
Crochet Stitches Used in This Pattern
The Pattern
Ribbing Bottom Band
- Make a slip knot and chain the number of stitches needed for the width of your ribbing.
- Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across.
- Chain 1 and turn.
- Single crochet in the back loop only of every stitch across.
- Chain 1 and turn.
- Repeat back-loop single crochet rows until the ribbing fits comfortably around your waist when slightly stretched.
- Slip stitch the first row and last row together to form a tube.
- Chain 1.
- Reading crochet patterns can be tricky when you’re just starting out, feel free to follow the video tutorial below instead!
Body Tube
- Work one single crochet into the end of each ribbing row all the way around.
- Slip stitch to join the round.
- Chain 1 and turn.
- Continue working rounds of single crochet, slip stitching to join, chaining 1, and turning at the end of each round.
- Continue until the tube reaches just under your arms.
Front and Back Shaping
- Divide the total number of stitches in half.
- Single crochet across half of the stitches, then chain 1 and turn.
- Decrease over the first two stitches.
- Single crochet in each stitch across until the last two stitches remain.
- Decrease over the last two stitches, then chain 1 and turn.
- Repeat the decrease rows until the section reaches your desired height, then fasten off.
- Attach yarn to the remaining half of the stitches and repeat the same shaping for the second side.
Straps
- Attach yarn to one top corner of the tank.
- Chain until the strap reaches the desired length to the back corner.
- Attach the chain to the back corner with a single crochet.
- Chain 1 and single crochet back along the chain.
- Continue single crochet around the armhole opening, then slip stitch to join the round.
- Chain 1 and turn.
- Repeat single crochet rounds until the strap reaches the desired thickness, then fasten off.
- Repeat for the second strap.
Finishing
Fasten off all yarn and weave in every loose end with a tapestry needle.
Tips
- Work the ribbing slightly snug — back-loop single crochet stretches, and you want it to hug the waist when relaxed and give when worn.
- Count your stitches after joining the tube and before splitting for the front and back, so both halves come out even.
- Try the body on before shaping the straps; “just under your arms” and strap length both land best when measured against you directly.
FAQ
Does the yarn weight really not matter? The pattern works at any weight because everything is sized to your own body as you go rather than to a fixed stitch count. Just match your hook to the yarn and check the fit as you build.
How do I keep the ribbing stretchy? Working in the back loop only is what creates the stretch and the ribbed look. Keep that consistent on every ribbing row and avoid pulling the stitches tight.
Can I make the straps wider? Yes — keep repeating the single crochet rounds on each strap until it reaches the thickness you like before fastening off.
