Bralettes are fantastic to wear during summer. Bralettes are easy to wear and much easier to crochet. If you haven’t crocheted any bralettes yet, this post is for you. Here’s how to make a crochet bralette.
How to Crochet a Beginner-Friendly Bralette
There are a few basic steps that go into crocheting a bralette, though exactly how it’s put together may vary from pattern to pattern.
Generally you will begin by stitching the base, or the band that goes under the breasts, which is typically worked flat. Then you would stitch the cups, usually one at a time. They can be stitched onto the band you’ve already crocheted so you don’t have to sew them on later.
Finally you would work the straps. Some patterns have you work the cups first and then add the band, but generally these are the three parts of any bralette crochet pattern you will need to work.
If you wanted to know more specifically how to make a crochet bralette without following one of the patterns below, you’d need to measure around your chest under your bust where the band will hit. The band is often worked sideways so you can wrap it around your body as you go until you have a snug fit.
Consult a pattern below for how to shape the cups, which you can also hold up to your body as you go to ensure good coverage.
Straps can be anything from crochet straps with the same stitch pattern as the band to long chains that tie around the neck or braid into the back of the bralette. Check out all the free patterns below to get inspired to design your own, or learn how to crochet a bralette by working on of these projects.
Can a Beginner Crochet a Bralette?
Of course! Anyone can crochet a bralette, even if they’re new to crocheting. Choose a pattern using basic crochet stitches (like sc, hdc, or dc) and you’ll be fine. You do need to pay attention to your gauge and proper measuring to ensure your bralette will fit, but the skills needed are not difficult.
We’ve collected crochet bralette patterns for all skill levels below. And if you have any problems understanding the patterns or having them turn out just the way you expect, check out our Crochet Fundamentals workshop for a quick grounding in the basics and beyond.
Supplies Needed to Crochet a Bralette
When you are getting ready to crochet a bralette, you first need to consider the yarn you want to use. Cotton yarn is a popular choice for bras because it is breathable and good for warm weather, but it can stretch and may not hold its shape through wear. Cotton yarn is not always soft, so it might not be comfortable against the skin.
Wool and acrylic yarns, as well as blends with either, are generally warmer but also will hold up to stretching better. There are both wool and acrylic options that are comfortable to wear against the skin, but check the care instructions if you need your tops to be machine washable.
The patterns below will give you guidance as to the best yarn to use to complete them.
You’ll also need a crochet hook in the size called for in the pattern or whatever you need to get the correct gauge. Because a bralette really needs to fit well, taking the time to check your gauge and to measure as you go is very important.
Speaking of measuring, a flexible tape measure will be needed both to measure your body and you bralette as you work. You’ll also need a yarn needle (aka tapestry needle) for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends, and scissors for trimming your excess yarn. If your bra cups are worked in the round, a stitch marker will be helpful for marking the end of the round.
Now that you have all the materials you need, it’s time to dive into these fun crochet bralette patterns! The patterns below are arranged by the weight of yarn used. If you’re looking for something light for summer, bulky for lounging at home in winter, or anything in between to add to your wardrobe, we’ve got you covered!
Crochet Bralette Patterns Using Sport Weight Yarn
Sport weight yarn is the perfect choice for bralettes you want to wear in the summer. These options are easy to stitch and perfectly customizable for your size.
Heatherette Bralette Pattern
Designer: Yarn Thrift
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport
This pretty bralette uses single crochet for the cups and a pretty shell stitch for the band. The pattern includes detailed instructions as well as a video on how to make the cups any size you need to fit.
Sun-Soaked Bandeau Style Top Pattern
Designer: Knits ‘n Knots
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Sport
The puff stitch straps are the star of this pretty bandeau, which can be worn with the bow at the front or the back. It comes in nine sizes, but since it’s worked side to side it’s easy to adjust the fit as needed.
DK Weight Bralette Patterns
Another great yarn option when the weather is warm is DK weight. These projects will work up a little faster thanks to the thicker yarn, but they’re still perfect to make and to wear on hot days.
Aphra Bralette Pattern
Designer: Luisa B, via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK
This simple double crochet bralette has a dramatic sort of shell motif with chains connecting the cups for extra support. This is a great first bralette crochet project, but it looks really dramatic and fun.
The Weekend Getaway Top Pattern
Designer: Jenny and Teddy
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Coboo
This beginner-friendly bralette is perfect to wear with a skirt. It mostly uses single crochet and double crochet stitches, and there’s a video tutorial if you need more help with this one.
Goldstone Bralette Pattern
Designer: Knits ‘n Knots
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks CotLin
This pretty boho bralette would be perfect to wear to a festival or any outdoor occasion in the summer. The cups are worked in single crochet, while the band uses V stitches and shell stitches for a perfect summery look.
Beginner Bralette Pattern
Designer: Jenny and Teddy
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Hayfield Bonus
If you’ve never crocheted a bralette before, this is a great first pattern to try. It’s super detailed and explains exactly what to measure and how to work it to fit you perfectly. There’s also a video tutorial.
Mykonos Bralette Pattern
Designer: The Knotty Lace
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Cascade Fixation Splash
You can wear this bralette as a top on its own, or pair it with a bikini.This stripey top uses half double, double, and front and back post double crochet stitches for the cups, and alpine stitch for the band.
Sahara Bralette Crochet Bikini Top Pattern
Designer: The Knotty Lace
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Cascade Fixation Splash
This bra top is made with swimwear friendly yarn so you can wear it as a bikini if you want. It uses half double crochet and shell stitch, and has a fun mesh pattern on the band and around the cups.
The Sasha Bralette Pattern
Designer: Taylor Lynn
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Bernat Softee Cotton
This bralette is so comfortable to wear and easy to make. It’s worked from side to side mostly using single crochet in the back loop. It ties in the back to help make the fit more custom.
Sarah Crop Top Pattern
Designer: Evelyn and Peter
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash
This bralette pattern includes the small size but describes how it is made so you can alter it to fit your body. It’s worked in single crochet and sc in the back loop for the band.
Natalie’s Bralette Crochet Pattern
Designer: The Lavender Chair
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Patons Grace
The cups for this bralette are worked from the center out for ease in customization. Finish off with a band of single crochet or add a piece of purchase lace trim for a little more feminine fun.
Candy Twist Crochet Bralette Pattern
Designer: The Knotty Lace
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Cascade Fixation Splash
The twist in this top is made in the same way you might twist a crocheted headband, so it’s a very easy technique. The top uses hdc and shell stitches, and the straps are optional. There’s also a matching bottom if you want to make a set.
Belle Bralette Easy Crochet Pattern
Designer: Cosy Rosie
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK
This design was made using standard bra sizes so you can choose your own size and bra cup size to get the perfect fit. A bit of lace at the bottom gives it a flirty look and feel.
Sierra Crop Bralette Pattern
Designer: Tiny Couch Crochet
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks CotLin
This simple striped crop top is perfect for summer, and it’s easy to make in half double crochet and hdc worked in the back loop. Stitched from side to side, it’s also easy to alter to fit your needs.
Crochet Bralette Patterns Using Worsted Weight Yarn
Worsted weight yarn is probably the most popular weight of yarn to crochet with, and with good reason. It’s easy to work with, projects work up quickly, and projects made with it are comfortable to wear throughout the year. These crochet bralette patterns use lots of fun techniques to make cute and comfy tops.
Basic Bralette Tutorial Pattern
Designer: Morale Fiber Blog
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Mako Cotton
This pattern is a great one for beginners and it’s easy to adjust to your size because the cups are worked from the center out – just keep increasing until they cover what you need covered! The tutorial has a lot of information about measuring your gauge and adjusting the pattern to fit.
Meadow Tie Top Crochet Bralette Pattern
Designer: Taylor Lynn
Yarn weight: Cotton
Suggested yarn: Comfy Cotton
This sweet top is worked from the bottom up in half double crochet (as well as hdc in the front and back loop only). The little tie at the bottom and the button closures add to the cuteness.
Summer Vibes Bikini Top Pattern
Designer: Jenny and Teddy
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
This fun pattern is suitable for beginners and you can make it in an afternoon. It uses simple stitches with shells around the edges and a mesh band. There’s a video tutorial included if you need more help than the pattern provides.
Crochet Bando Top Pattern
Designer: Taylor Lynn
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
This quick and easy bralette crochet pattern using single crochet with a picot edging around the cups and bottom, with chain stitch ties. You can stitch this up in an afternoon to wear to your next concert or to the beach.
Lilac Beach Bralette Crochet Pattern
Designer: Crochet with Kim
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
While many bralettes can be customized to suit any size, there aren’t a lot of crochet bralette patterns out there that were designed with plus-size stitches in mind. This pattern is worked in single, half double, and double crochet and gives lots of tips for custom sizing.
Curvy Bralette Pattern
Designer: Morale Fiber
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Mako Cotton
This is a variation on the Basic Bralette pattern linked above, with sizing for curvier women in mind. It has a wide band at the bottom and chain stitching connecting the cups at the top foe extra support.
Easy Summer Bralette Crochet Pattern
Designer: Yarn Thrift
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Creme Cotton
This design is made to size as you stitch it, so you can use any yarn you have handy and whatever gauge you like to make it. The pattern uses basic stitches and a tighter gauge than usually called for to give extra support to the piece.
Fly Away Bralette Pattern
Designer: OTH Crochet Nook
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Color Mist
This free bralette pattern adds a fun twist with the addition of off-the-shoulder straps. You can also add straps to go over the shoulders or around the neck if you need more support. The pattern includes a video tutorial on how to make the cups.
Pretty Picot Bralette Pattern
Designer: Carroway Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
This bralette is easy to make in single and double crochet. You can make the bodice band edging as long as you like to turn this into a full-length top, or leave it off for a simple bra shape.
Ivory Lace Bralette Pattern
Designer: Carroway Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft
This bralette pattern is excellent if you want something to wear to a music festival or the beach. The cups are worked in double crochet and the bodice band is made with shell stitches and can be as long as you like. The pattern includes video tutorials for right- and left-handed stitchers.
Earth Mother Bralette Crop Top Pattern
Designer: Carroway Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Stripes
Get a boho look that’s perfect for festivals, concerts, and days at the lake with this pretty bralette top pattern. The mesh stitches give it a fun look and keep it cool for hot summer days.
Mermaid Tail Bralette Pattern
Designer: The Knotted Nail
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
This pretty pattern uses half double crochet and a fun variation to make the colorful band. This bralette ties in the back with laces worked into the band for extra security.
The Rainbow Bralette Pattern
Designer: Carroway Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Grab your stash of rainbow-colored yarn to make this bralette that’s perfect for festivals or Pride events. It’s simple to stitch and you can add fringe at the bottom for even more boho charm.
Sunday Morning Bralette Pattern
Designer: Noele Belle Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
This pattern is sized from XS to 5XL and includes information on further customizing it if you need it. The photo tutorial will help you with the assembly of this pattern, which is mostly worked in single crochet.
Free Crochet Bralette Patterns Using Bulky Yarn
Did you know you can make bralettes with bulky yarn, too? These cozy tops are perfect for lounging at home when it’s cool outside.
The Velvet Bra Crochet Pattern
Designer: Beanies & Weenies
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Velvet
This cozy velvet bra is great for lounging or wearing to festivals. For most sizes it will not use the whole ball so you can make a matching headband or scrunchie to complete the look.
Sarah Bralette Pattern
Designer: OTH Crochet Nook
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Home Dec
The yarn used for this bralette is a T-shirt yarn, so it’s comfortable but also stretchy. The designer suggests adding two straps on each side for larger sizes to combat the stretch. This pattern is quick and easy to make and still pretty cool despite the weight of the yarn.
Looking for More Patterns to Finish in a Flash?
One of the great things about crocheting bralettes is that they are generally pretty quick projects you can finish in a day or two.
If you’re looking for more speedy projects, check out our Done in a Day Pattern Bundle. This collection includes 90 projects you can make in just a few hours, including blankets, hats, bags, and more!