How to Make the Bayside Crochet Tank for Kids Free Pattern
Is there anything cuter than a child rocking a handmade summer tank top? I don’t think so! The Bayside Crochet Tank is the perfect warm-weather project for little ones—and it’s just the right mix of stylish, comfy, and playful. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight layer for beach trips, park days, or backyard playtime, this crochet tank is a must-make for your summer lineup.
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What is the Bayside Crochet Tank?
The Bayside Tank is an airy crochet tank top that’s quick to work up and yields a beautiful finish. Plus, it’s easily customized to fit individual body types—whether you’re adjusting length, modifying the straps, or adding embellishments.
This top is made using simple steps and a fun, easy-to-create stitch pattern that gives it a touch of texture without making the project too complex. You can easily complete this in an afternoon, especially if you’re an experienced crocheter.
And here’s a bonus: it doesn’t require a lot of supplies! All you need is some yarn, a hook, and the usual basics like scissors and a yarn needle to finish it off. That’s it!
Because it’s such a lightweight and portable project, the Bayside Tank also makes for a fantastic car ride companion. If you’re traveling for a few hours, you could potentially have it finished by the time you reach your destination. It’s a perfect “on-the-go” make!
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
Here’s why the Bayside Crochet Tank is quickly becoming a summer staple for crochet-loving parents and gift-givers:
- Size Range: This pattern includes multiple child sizes, so you can make tanks for toddlers all the way up to older kids.
- Beginner-Friendly Construction: The pattern uses basic stitches and simple shaping, making it approachable even if you’ve never crocheted a garment before.
- Customizable: Want to add stripes, ruffles, or turn it into a dress? This pattern makes it easy to personalize.
- Breathable & Lightweight: Perfect for hot weather, thanks to the open stitchwork and cotton yarn.
- Great for Gifting or Craft Fairs: Handmade kids’ clothes are always a hit at baby showers, birthdays, or summer markets.
Yarn Talk: Picking the Perfect Fiber
Because the Bayside crochet tank top is meant for warm, sunny days, cotton is your best friend. Cotton yarn is soft, strong, breathable, and holds its shape well—perfect for active kiddos.
Some favorite options include:
- Lion Brand Cotton Hemp – Cotton blended with hemp makes it lightweight and breathable.
- WeCrochet Shine Worsted – Affordable and comes in a rainbow of bold, modern colors.
- WeCrochet Comfy Worsted – Great for sensitive skin with a smooth, elastic finish.
Want something playful? Try self-striping or speckled yarn for extra flair without any added effort!
Bayside Crochet
Tank Pattern
Option 1: Continue scrolling for free pattern instructions on this site
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free PDF that includes tutorial photos from one of my shops
A Travel-Ready Crochet Project
As mentioned earlier, the Bayside Tank is a great choice for car rides, road trips, or summer vacations. It’s small enough to stash in a project bag, and since it doesn’t require a lot of color changes or complicated shaping, you can work on it almost anywhere.
It’s also a low-pressure project. Even if you pause it for a few days, it’s easy to pick back up without needing to re-read pages of instructions.
A Must-Make Summer Staple
Whether you’re making your first crochet garment or looking for a quick summer project, the Bayside Tank is a go-to pattern that checks all the boxes. It’s cute, quick, lightweight, and totally gift-worthy.
Make one for your own child, or whip up a few for craft fairs, birthday gifts, or just because! With its simple construction and lovely finish, this tank is one you’ll come back to again and again.
Materials
Thin Worsted Weight Yarn (#4) [I used Hobby Lobby I Love this Cotton]
- Main (3,3.5,4,4.5,5,5.5)oz
Gauge
Before Blocking: 13 sts x 9.5R = 4”
Gauge Swatch: *2 hdc, skip 1*
Sizes
Child’s (Chest)
2T (21”/53cm)
4T (23”/58.5cm)
6Y (25”/63.5cm)
8Y (26.5”/67cm)
10Y (28”/71cm)
12Y (30”/76cm)
Stitch Guide
arnd = around
BLO = back loop only
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
sp(s) = space(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
YO = Yarn Over
Skill Level
Easy
Written in U.S. Terms
Notes
- The tank shown is a 4Y chest with and 6Y length. Follow the ribbed band instructions to get the chest circumference and then the body instructions to get the needed length. OR you can simply follow one size throughout.
- The pattern instructions are color coded for convenience. Find your size above and work the instructions that correspond with that color.
- Pattern is written for smallest size, with changes for larger sizes in parenthesis.
- Final row count shows smallest size in parenthesis and larger sizes in brackets.
- Where asterisks appear, repeat the instruction between them as indicated.
- This pattern is worked from the bottom up.
- For striping I changed my colors every 2 rows.
Instructions
RIBBED BAND
With Main Color,
R1. Ch 7, sc in the back bump of 2nd ch and across, turn (6)
R2. Ch 1, BLO sc across, turn (6)
R3-66(72,78,84,90,96). Repeat R2 (band length should match the chest measurements listed above); hold short ends together and slip stitch through each stitch across, working through both layers to join them, flip band right side out (seam on the inside), keep a working loop, and continue:
BODY
Continuing with Main Color,
R1. Ch 1, sc in the end of each row arnd, sl st to join (66)[72,78,84,90,96]
With Any Colors (here and throughout),
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc, skip 1* arnd, sl st to join (66)[72,78,84,90,96]
R3. Ch 1, *skip 1st hdc, 2 hdc in next* arnd, sl st to join (66)[72,78,84,90,96]
For Size 2T only: Repeat R3 until the shirt (+ Ribbed Band) measures 7”, ending with an even number of hdc rows.
For Size 4T only: Repeat R3 until the shirt (+ Ribbed Band) measures 8”, ending with an even number of hdc rows.
For Size 6Y only: Repeat R3 until the shirt (+ Ribbed Band) measures 9”, ending with an even number of hdc rows.
For Size 8Y only: Repeat R3 until the shirt (+ Ribbed Band) measures 10”, ending with an even number of hdc rows.
For Size 10Y only: Repeat R3 until the shirt (+ Ribbed Band) measures 12.5”, ending with an even number of hdc rows.
For Size 12Y only: Repeat R3 until the shirt (+ Ribbed Band) measures 13.5”, ending with an even number of hdc rows.
Lay the shirt flat; front side should be facing up. Personally, I like the seam hidden, so I laid the shirt flat with the join seam on the side.
For Size 2T only:
R1. Using whichever color comes next in your color scheme: attach yarn to front side, 6 sts in from the right, making sure to join in the 2nd hdc of the set, *2 hdc, skip 1* 11X, turn (22 hdc)
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc in 1st hdc, skip next* across; Fasten. (22 hdc)
For Size 4T only:
R1. Using whichever color comes next in your color scheme: attach yarn to front side, 6 sts in from the right, making sure to join in the 2nd hdc of the set, *2 hdc, skip 1* 12X, turn (24 hdc)
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc in 1st hdc, skip next* across; Fasten. (24 hdc)
For Size 6Y only:
R1. Using whichever color comes next in your color scheme: attach yarn to front side, 7 sts in from the right, making sure to join in the 2nd hdc of the set, *2 hdc, skip 1* 12X, turn (24 hdc)
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc in 1st hdc, skip next* across; Fasten. (24 hdc)
For Size 8Y only:
R1. Using whichever color comes next in your color scheme: attach yarn to front side, 8 sts in from the right, making sure to join in the 2nd hdc of the set, *2 hdc, skip 1* 13X, turn (26 hdc)
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc in 1st hdc, skip next* across, turn (26 hdc)
R3-4. Repeat R2; Fasten at end of R4.
For Size 10Y only:
R1. Using whichever color comes next in your color scheme: attach yarn to front side, 8 sts in from the right, making sure to join in the 2nd hdc of the set, *2 hdc, skip 1* 14X, turn (28 hdc)
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc in 1st hdc, skip next* across, turn (28 hdc)
R3-4. Repeat R2; Fasten at end of R4.
For Size 12Y only:
R1. Using whichever color comes next in your color scheme: attach yarn to front side, 9 sts in from the right, making sure to join in the 2nd hdc of the set, *2 hdc, skip 1* 15X, turn (30 hdc)
R2. Ch 1, *2 hdc in 1st hdc, skip next* across, turn (30 hdc)
R3-4. Repeat R2; Fasten at end of R4.
All Sizes
With Main Color,
R1. Attach yarn to any stitch on the front side; Ch 1, sc in each st and in the end of each row arnd, sl st to join (70)[76,82,92,98,104]
R2. Ch 1, sc in each st arnd, sl st to join; Fasten. (70)[76,82,92,98,104]
STRAPS (Make 2)
With Main Color,
R1. Ch 5, sc in the back bump of 2nd ch and across, turn (4)
R2. Ch 1, BLO sc across, turn (4)
R3-18(20,22,24,26,28). Repeat R2
R19(21,23,25,27,29). Ch 1, sl st in the end of each row and in each st arnd; Fasten.
Finishing
- Attach one end of the straps to the outer ‘corner edges’ of the front panel.
- Lay shirt flat, face down with front panel centered, and count 9(10,11,12,13,14) stitches in from the sides (skipping these stitches) and attach opposite ends of straps to the next 4 stitches, this should leave 7(8,9,10,11,12) stitches between the straps on the back.
- Hide all strings
And that’s how you make the Bayside Crochet Tank!
Looking for more patterns for kids?
You might like these:
Flamingo Friend
Pocket Full of Sunshine
Watermelon Chunky Slippers for Kids
Happy Crocheting!
Written pattern and photographs © 2022 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Please do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. All rights reserved.
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