Sunshine and Lace Tank Top Crochet Pattern for Kids

About the Sizes

This version of the Sunshine and Lace Tank is written specifically for children and comes in sizes 2T through 12Y, so you can make a perfectly fitting top for your little one. It’s great for summer adventures, family vacations, or just playing outside in style. Plus, it’s a project that works up quickly, which is a big bonus when crafting for fast-growing kids! Also available in adult sizes!

What Crochet Stitches do I need to know?

The Sunshine and Lace Tank features Open Shells, Picots, and Foundation Double Crochet, which are made up of basic stitches like single crochet and chains.

What is an Open Shell stitch?

A shell stitch is when multiple double crochets are worked all in the same space, which creates a solid stitch. An open shell is when chain spaces are added to make it a lacy stitch. With the open shell stitch you work a double crochet, then a chain 1, another double crochet, another chain 1, and then finish with a double crochet in the space indicated in the pattern.

What is a Picot stitch?

Picot is defined as “a small loop or series of small loops of twisted thread in lace or embroidery, typically decorating the border of a fabric”. Crochet Picots can be worked in a few ways, all which create a small loop or point to use as either it’s own stitch or a decorative accent. In this case, the Picot will be worked by placing a single crochet, then a chain 3, then single crochet again all in the same space as indicated in the pattern.

About the Yarn

This crochet tank top is worked using a lighter worsted weight cotton yarn, specifically Red Heart Creme de la Creme. Unfortunately this yarn is now discontinued, but you can find other options, such as Lion Brand Pima Cotton, on Yarn Sub.

The Sunshine and Lace Tank Pattern

Keep reading for a list of what you need to make this stitch, including the stitch pattern instructions!

Materials

Light Worsted Weight (#4)

• Grey (A) (1,1,1.5,2,2.5,3)oz
• White (B) (1,1,1.5,2,2.5,3)oz
• Blue (C)(2,2.5,2.5,3,4,4)oz

K/10.5/6.50mm Crochet Hook

Measuring Tape

Yarn Needle

Stitch Marker

Gauge

14 Fdc = 4”

4 main stitch rows = 2”

Sizes

Child’s (Chest):

2T (21”)[53cm]

4T (23”)[58.5cm]

6Y (25”)[63.5cm]

8Y (26 ½”)[67cm]

10Y (28”)[71cm]

12Y (30”)[76cm]

Stitch Guide

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

Fdc = Foundation double crochet

Open Shell = See Special Stitches

Picot = See Special Stitches

sc = single crochet

sk = skip

sl st = slip stitch

trc = treble crochet

YO = yarn over

Skill Level

Easy – Intermediate

Written in U.S. Terms

Notes

• This top is worked from the bottom – up.
•  The instructions are for size 2T with changes for larger sizes in parenthesis.
• Row number does not mark how many total rows the tank has, except for sizes 10 & 12. 
• Beginning chains do not count as stitches unless otherwise indicated.
• Where asterisks appear, repeat the instructions between them.
• Instructions are color coded by size.
• There are three finishing options with tutorial photos at the end of the pattern.
• Top shown was made using Red Heart Crème de la Crème in #0001 White, #0400 Grey, and #0887 Royal Blue.

Special Stitches

Open Shell = (dc, *ch 1, dc* 2X) in space indicated

Picot = (sc, ch 3, sc) in space indicated

Instructions

With A,

Row 1:  Fdc 63(70,77,84,91,98)

With B,

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in 1^st st, sk 2, open shell, sk 2, *sc, ch 3, sc, sk 2, open shell, sk 2* across, sc in last st, turn

Row 3:  Ch 5, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3* across, trc in last st, turn

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in trc, open shell in ch sp of picot, *picot in top of dc, open shell in ch sp of picot* across, sc in 3^rd st of ch-5, turn

Row 5: Ch 5, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3, *dc in ch sp of picot, ch 3, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3* across, trc in last st, turn

With A,

Rows 6-9: Repeat rows 4 & 5

With B,

Rows 10-13: Repeat rows 4 & 5; at the end of row 13, sl st to the other side to join panels, turn

SIZES 2, 4, & 6: MOVE TO ROW 22; SIZES 8-12: CONTINUE

With A,

Rows 14-17: Repeat rows 4 & 5; at the end of row 17, sl st to the other side to join panels, turn

SIZE 8 & 10: MOVE TO ROW 22; SIZE 12: CONTINUE

With B,

Rows 18-21: Repeat rows 4 & 5; at the end of row 21, sl st to the other side to join panels, turn

With C,

Row 22: Ch 1, sc in trc, open shell in ch sp of picot, *picot in top of dc, open shell in ch sp of picot* across, sc in 3^rd st of ch-5, sl st to join, turn

Row 23: Ch 5, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3, *dc in ch sp of picot, ch 3, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3* across, trc in last st, sl st to join, turn

FOR SIZES 6Y & 10Y ONLY:

ROWS 24 -25: Repeat 22 & 23

**This top is measured for average height; to meet at the waist. To make the shirt slightly longer, repeat rows 22-23 as needed/desired.

Lay shirt flat, so the slit is on one side; mark the middle st (ch-3 of picot OR dc) on opposite side (as show in photos below) & continue to front panel instructions:

FRONT PANEL

Row 1 (SIZES 2, 6, & 10 ONLY):  Ch 1, sc in trc, *picot in top of dc, open shell in ch sp of picot, * across to marked picot; sc in 1^st sc of picot (do not work in chain sp), turn

Row 1 (SIZES 4, 8, & 12 ONLY): Ch 1, sc in trc, *open shell in ch sp of picot, picot in top of dc* across to marked dc in ch sp; sc in ch-3 space before dc (do not work in dc), turn

Row 2 (SIZES 2, 6, & 10 ONLY): Ch 5, dc in ch sp of picot, ch 3, *picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3, dc in ch sp of picot, ch 3* across, trc in last st, turn

Row 2 (SIZES 4, 8, & 12 ONLY): Ch 5, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3, *dc in ch space of picot, ch 3, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3* across, trc in last st, turn

Row 3 (SIZES 2, 6, & 10 ONLY): Ch 1, sc in trc, picot in top of dc, *open shell in ch sp of picot, picot in top of dc * across, sc in the 3^rd ch of ch-5, turn

Row 3 (SIZES 4, 8, & 10 ONLY): Ch 1, sc in trc, *picot in top of dc, open shell in ch sp of picot* across, sc in the 3^rd ch of ch-5, turn

Rows 4-7(9,9,9,11,11): Repeat rows 2 & 3; Last row will be a row 3 repeat

Row 8(10,10,10,12,12): Ch 6, *dc in ch sp of picot, ch 4, sc in middle dc of open shell, ch 4* across, trc in last st. Fasten.

BACK PANEL

With C,

Row 1 (SIZES 2, 6, & 10 ONLY):  Attach yarn to unworked sc of marked picot (do not work in ch sp), sc in same sp, *picot in top of dc, open shell in ch sp of picot* across, sc in 3^rd st of ch-5, turn

Row 1 (SIZES 4, 8, & 12 ONLY):  Attach yarn to unworked ch sp on the side of the dc (do not work in the dc), sc in same sp, *open shell in ch sp of picot, picot in top of dc* across, sc in 3rd st of ch-5, turn

Row 2 (SIZES 2, 6, & 10 ONLY): Ch 5, *picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3, dc in ch sp of picot, ch 3* across, trc in last st, turn

Row 2 (SIZES 4, 8, & 12 ONLY): Ch 5, *dc in ch sp of picot, ch 3, picot in middle dc of open shell, ch 3* across, trc in last st, turn

Row 3 (SIZES 2, 6, & 10 ONLY): Ch 1, sc in trc, *picot in top of dc, open shell in ch sp of picot* across, sc in 3^rd st of ch-5, turn

Row 3 (SIZES 4, 8, & 12 ONLY): Ch 1, sc in trc, *open shell in ch sp of picot, picot in top of dc* across, sc in 3rd st of ch-5, turn

Rows 4-7(9,9,9,11,11): Repeat rows 2 & 3; Last row will be a row 3 repeat

Row 8(10,10,10,12,12): Ch 6, *dc in ch sp of picot, ch 4, sc in middle dc of open shell, ch 4* across, trc in last st. Fasten.

TIE

Ch 125(125,130,135,140,145). Fasten. 

Finishing

• Sew shoulder together, starting from the arm side and working 2”(2”,2”,2.5”,2.5”,3”) over. Repeat on other side.
• Hide all strings.
• Weave tie through ch 5 sps ONLY of side slit, like lacing a shoe. See photos below for options.

Option 1 (Down Arrow):

Starting at the top of the slit, thread the tie through two adjacent ch-5 sps; make sure tails are even  length.

*Bring one tail diagonally down to opposite side and thread through from the back side.

*Continue weaving the tail through to the bottom and then repeat with other tail.

*Tie into a bow at the bottom.

Option 2 (Up Arrow):

Starting at the top of the slit, thread the tie through two adjacent ch-5 sps; make sure tails are even length.
*Bring one tail diagonally down to opposite side and thread through from the front side.
*Continue weaving the tail through to the bottom and weave the tail from the back side through the last ch space and then repeat with other tail. Repeat with other tail.

*Tie into a bow at the bottom

Option 3 (Wave):

Starting at top of slit, thread the tie through two adjacent ch-5 sps; make sure tails are even length. Bring one tail straight down and thread through from the ch-5 sp below it.

* Cross over diagonally and thread through the top ch-5 sp, through the back side of next stripe. Bring tail straight down and thread through the ch-5 sp below it.
* Continuing weaving tail through to the bottom and then repeat with other tail.

* Tie in a bow at the bottom.