Simple Crochet Tank Top

I was recently interested in crocheting Harry Styles' cardigan, but became discouraged when I realized it would take me around a month to crochet (I'm slow). So! The next best thing- it is almost summertime, so tank tops!

I made this with yarn leftover from other projects and was able to make an ombre with my favorite colors :) One issue with this design is that I have a small chest and torso, so you might have to modify it if you're curvier. For reference, my tank top is a size small from walmart.

You do need to know a few basics- single crochet, double crochet, half-double crochet and chain. Other than that, you're good!

• tank top to use for measurements
• crochet hook (I used my default H size)
• scissors
• (optional) plastic needle
• yarn of similar weight (thickness)
  • decide on your color scheme! I used 6 different colors, but you can use just one if you have enough yarn.

I'm starting from the top and crocheting down, then adding the straps last. Might be a better way to do this, but it worked for me! As mentioned in the intro, I'm a bit thinner, so the main part of the top is a literal tube. I would add stitches to the top if you're curvier. My color scheme is a red-orange-marigold-yellow-white-sky blue.

1. Take your second color (the one right under your straps- orange for me). Chain until you can loosely wrap it around the thickest part of your torso. I used my cotton tank top to measure this. Mine was 94 loops.
2. Make the line thicker. Single crochet a strong base on top of the chain.
3. Attach the two ends together to form a ring. Make sure all the stitches are facing the same way! You can do this by pushing the hook through the top loop of the other side, then pulling the working string through.

Next, the repetitive, tedious part... completing the rest of the main piece. I usually end up doing this while watching tv or occasionally during lectures. I used double crochet because it's faster and I will always be wearing something underneath this, so I'm not super worried about making the stitches tight.

1. Make sure you mark or remember where the beginning of each row is.
2. Know your design. Here's mine, from top to bottom.
   1. 5 rows burnt orange
   2. 3 rows marigold
   3. 4 rows pale yellow
   4. 4 rows white
   5. 3 rows light blue
   6. 5 rows darker blue
   7. Add more or less depending on modesty
3. Crochet! When color changing, make sure to leave a large tail when you tie the strings together. You can trim these later, or weave them into the piece.
4. Note: for the very last layer, you may want to slowly decrease the height before tying off. I did a double crochet, half double, single, then tied it down.

If you'd like to keep it as a tube top, stop here! Otherwise, decide what type of straps you want. Not super sure on terminology here, but I'm not a fan of spaghetti straps. Mine will be a bit thicker on the attachment points and thinner near the top.

1. Lay your crochet on your example tank top. Make sure to line up the back to each other (imagine where your underarms will go).
2. Chain the length of the strap. Make sure to count it, because we'll need two identical straps. Mine was 52 chain links.
3. in order to create a large taper on each end, I did double crochet 4, half double crochet 5, single crochet in the middle, then 5 half double, 4 double crochet. I made 3 layers and they lined up nicely (see the last picture).
4. Tie off and weave the tail into the rest of the strap.

Make sure the side you want on the outside is there! If you have a plastic needle with an eye big enough to fit your yarn, now is the time to use it! I lost mine in the mess that is my room, so I'm just going to use my crochet hook.

1. Place the main piece on top of your tank top. Line up the middle of the straps to the straps of the tank top. sew tightly with doubled yarn, using a needle or your hook. Tie off tightly and weave back.
2. For the front, do the same. Might want to make the straps a little farther apart.

I'm going to layer mine with a jean jacket, but I like how it looks (I know the adidas pants look weird with it...). In hindsight, I'd make it either a bit longer or shorter (kinda a awkward length right now- too short to tuck into jeans but too long to be a crop top)

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to crocheting, so I'd love to get feedback on how I can make this better or streamline the process a bit :) Hope you enjoyed making this project!