Bathing Suit Coverup Pattern:Bustling Beach Cover Up

Bustling Beach Cover-Up Crochet Pattern

What is Being Made

The Bustling Beach Cover-Up is a lightweight crochet bathing suit coverup designed by Sonja Hood. This intermediate-level garment features an open, airy construction perfect for beach wear, with a relaxed fit created through strategic seaming that leaves openings for shoulders, arms, and bottom slits. The design combines a fitted neckline with a flowing silhouette, making it an ideal layering piece over swimwear.

Construction and Design Overview

This cover-up is constructed from two crocheted pieces that are partially seamed together to create the finished garment. The seaming technique is deliberately incomplete, leaving specific openings to define the garment's shape and wearability. The two pieces are seamed along their tops (with space reserved for the shoulders) and along their sides (with openings left for the arms and bottom slits). This construction method allows for a customizable fit while maintaining structural integrity.

Each piece of the cover-up consists of two main components: a body section and two top panels. The body comprises 49 rows of 65 stitches each, creating a substantial rectangular base. The top panels, which form the neckline and shoulder tops, are each made of 14 rows of 31 stitches, providing shaping at the upper portion of the garment.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques

The Bustling Beach Cover-Up employs a repeating stitch pattern throughout the body and panels, though the specific stitch sequence is detailed within the full pattern instructions. The intermediate skill level indicates that crafters should be comfortable with fundamental crochet techniques including chain stitches, basic stitch variations, and seaming methods. The pattern uses standard US English crochet terminology.

Optional embellishment using tassels is included in the pattern, allowing makers to customize their cover-up with decorative elements. Tassel construction utilizes basic wrapping techniques with cardboard as a forming tool.

Materials and Yarn

The Bustling Beach Cover-Up is designed to be made with BERNAT Handicrafter Cotton, a 100% cotton yarn that provides breathability and durability ideal for beach garments. The pattern calls for 11 skeins of BERNAT Handicrafter Cotton in the color JUTE, with each skein weighing 1.75 oz (50 g) and containing 80 yards (73 meters). The worsted weight yarn creates a fabric with good drape and structure.

Tools and Notions Required

• Size M/13 crochet hook (9.00 mm) - used for the main crochet work
• Size N/10 mm crochet hook - used specifically for creating base chains
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together
• Scissors for cutting yarn
• 6" x 4" piece of cardboard for creating optional tassels

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, making it suitable for crocheters with some experience beyond basic techniques. Crafters should be comfortable with reading stitch patterns, maintaining consistent tension, and executing seaming techniques to successfully complete this cover-up.