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Beach Breeze Kimono Top (Free Crochet Pattern)




Hello my dear crocheters,

I am super duper excited to share with you my newest free pattern, the Beach Breeze Kimono Top!

It is a short-sleeved cardigan that is perfect for the warmer Spring and Summer seasons. It works beautifully as a lacy swimsuit cover-up. You can also wear it as a light shrug over a casual tank and shorts, or pair it with a summer dress!


If you prefer more of a pullover top or tunic-style cover-up, the finishing directions allow for an alternative "poncho" style with open sides and seamed front and back pieces.


Just look at that gorgeous ombre of mint, turquoise, and deep jade green!  I used about one-and-a-half skeins of Shawl in a Ball® Yarn from Lion Brand Yarn.  The color I used is called 'Jade Pool' (quite a good name, wouldn't you say?) and I'm kind of really obsessed with how pretty it is, AND how soft it is!  The lightness of this yarn really makes the kimono top airy and thin, which is perfect for a warm day out!


This kimono top adds not only a beautiful pop of color but also lace texture to any outfit. The shell stitch that is used in this pattern is repetitive and simple to get the hang of, making this cover-up a quick and easy project. Length on this stretch fabric can easily be increased by blocking, or by crocheting additional rows.


It's just such a versatile piece and so easy to make, too.  For crochet wearables, I've made accessories in the past, such as shawls, scarves, hats, hooded cowls, and the like.  This happens to be my very first "clothing" design, and I had so much fun designing it that I definitely want to make more now!  

Scroll down for the free, written crochet pattern.  If you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can download it from my shop or Ravelry! Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Ad-free printable PDF with photo references





Copyright Notice -- © 2019 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SweetSofties). No wholesale. You may not copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

Introduction:
The Beach Breeze Kimono Top is a short-sleeved cardigan that is perfect for the warmer Spring and Summer seasons! It works beautifully as a lacy swimsuit cover-up. You can also wear it as a light shrug over a casual tank and shorts, or pair it with a summer dress! The finishing directions also allows for an alternative “poncho” (pullover top or tunic) style with open sides with seamed front and back pieces.  This kimono top adds a beautiful pop of color and lace texture to any outfit. The shell stitch that is used in this pattern is repetitive and simple to get the hang of, making this cover-up a quick and easy project. Length on this stretch fabric can easily be increased by blocking, or by crocheting additional rows. Crochet this beautiful and versatile beach cover up as a lovely gift, or for yourself!

Finished Measurement: 
Directions are for size XS/S. Changes for M/L and XL/XXL are written in parentheses.  Piece measures approximately 40 (46, 52)” around bust, and a length of 25”.  There are directions on how to make it longer, too!

Gauge:
12 sts = 4”; 4 rows = 4” in dc before blocking. 
(Check your gauge and use any size hook to obtain the gauge given.)

Level: 
  • ★★☆☆☆ Easy / Familiar Beginner
  • Requires familiarity with the stitches used (below), and sewing pieces together.

Stitches/Terms Used (US Terminology):
  • Ch: chain
  • Dc: double crochet
  • Sk: skip
  • Sp: space
Materials:


~ CROCHET INSTRUCTIONS ~


Important Notes (MUST READ before beginning!)
  1. Shell stitch: (Dc 4, ch 3, dc) all in one stitch.
  2. The beginning “ch 3” of each row counts as the first dc.

Body Panel (x2)
  • Ch 30 (35, 40) to start.
  • R1: Ch 3, turn. Dc in 4th ch from hook. Dc across. (31, 36, 41 sts)
  • R2-R3: Ch 3, turn. Dc across. (31, 36, 41 sts)
  • R4: Ch 3, turn. Dc. Skip 2 sts. (Work a shell in the next st, sk 4 sts) x 4 (5, 6). Work a shell, sk 2 sts. Insert a dc in each of the last 4 sts.
  • R5: Ch 3, turn. Dc 3. (Work a shell in the ch-3 sp, sk 4 sts) x 5 (6, 7). Insert a dc in each of the last 2 sts.
  • R6: Ch 3, turn. Dc. (Work a shell in the ch-3 sp, sk 4 sts) x 5 (6, 7). Insert a dc in each of the last 4 sts.
  • R7-R64: Repeat R5 for all odd rows, and repeat R6 for all even rows.
    (The panel length would be around 48”, and 24” if folded in half for wearing. For a longer piece, continue adding more rows until satisfied with the length. Remember that this piece is stretchy; blocking before stitching together will add length and width.)
  • R65: Ch 3, turn. Dc 2. (Dc 5 in next ch-3 sp) x 5 (6, 7). Insert a dc in each of the last 3 sts.
  • R66-R67: Ch 3, turn. Dc across. (31, 36, 41 sts)

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Prefer photo references? Get the printable PDF!

~ FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS ~


  1. With your two panel pieces, align them so that the thin, 2-dc edge is on the inside, and the wider, 4-dc edge is on the outside.
  2. Fold the panels in half. The top edge will be the shoulder part, and bottom edge will be where the kimono ends.
  3. Using a yarn needle, sew together the back side of the kimono about 2/3 of the way up.  Now that the back side is sewn, pick one of the two styles below:
CARDIGAN STYLE (modeled in the photos)
Sew together the sides of the panels about 2/3 of the way up (or less, depending on how large you’d like the armholes to be).

PONCHO/TUNIC STYLE (with open sides)
Sew together the front about 2/3 of the way up to match the back. You can also sew together about 3-4” of the sides to form armholes.



That's it, you're done! 

Congratulations on finishing your Beach Breeze Kimono Top!  💝





If you enjoyed this free project and would like to make a donation to support my work, please click here!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go directly towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

Also, If you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can download it from my shop or Ravelry! Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Ad-free printable PDF with photo references




Love the Beach Breeze Kimono Top pattern?  

You might enjoy these other FREE clothing and accessory patterns.  Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

   

And here's a special treat! 30+ Summer Clothing Crochet Patterns! My Beach Breeze Kimono Top is included in this roundup of FREE patterns, and you'll love seeing the different types of tops, dresses, skirts, swimsuits, cover-ups, hats, and more! 



If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day! 


Best wishes,