Free Crochet Halter Top Pattern – The Pucker Up Halter

I’m so excited to have designed my first crochet halter top!! The Pucker Up Halter is so beginner friendly and easy to work up! This crochet halter top is size inclusive (XS-5X) and includes instructions for a more relaxed fit as well to accommodate even more body styles! And it’s FREE!! The free version of the pattern is posted below or you can find an ad-free paid version of the pattern here:

Why grab the paid version? You can print it which makes working on the go even easier! The printable version is formatted with the photos and patterns on separate pages so that you can print what you need and leave the rest!! It has the sizes color coded throughout the pattern for easier readability and it also includes some handy laundry care tags and hang tags that are perfect when you’re selling or gifting your crochet halter tops!

Save the pattern to your Ravelry library, too!

Fit

The Pucker Up Halter is designed with 3-4 inches of negative ease. This is going to create a tight fit through the bust (or at the largest part of your midsection). The “Relaxed Fit” is designed with an additional 4 inches through the mid-section to give you a little more wiggle room. This top is designed to sit right above the hips. You can easily adjust the length (longer or shorter) by adding or subtracting repeat rows until you reach your desired length. **Wouldn’t this crochet halter top be so cute as a crop top?!

Fit by bust measurements

XS: 28″-30″

S: 32″- 34″

M: 36″ – 38″

L: 40″ – 42″

XL: 44″ – 46″

2X: 48″ – 50″

3X: 52″ – 54″

4X: 56″ – 58″

5X: 60″- 62″

The Yarn

For the Pucker Up Halter I am using Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton which is a worsted/medium/category 4 cotton yarn. I find this yarn to be a little thinner and much softer than Peaches & Cream or Sugar ‘n Cream or what I refer to as “kitchen cottons”. Using those types of cotton will create a much stiffer top. Some good alternatives would be Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Loops and Threads Creme Cotton, Caron Cotton Cakes or even the new Mainstays Cotton found at Walmart.

I recommend cotton yarn as it holds it’s shape better than acrylic and has more breathability for those hot summer days but acrylic CAN be used for this crochet halter top. Stephanie from Lockys Crochet used Mandala Ombre and it’s so fun! Check out her photos in the test gallery below!!

Supplies

• Yarn:  medium/4/worsted weight  cotton:  I am using “I Love This Cotton” by Hobby Lobby.

                                           (Relaxed Fit)

XS- 190g//345 yds (230g//420yds)

   S- 230g //420 yds (270g//490yds)

  M- 270g //490 yds (315g//570yds)

   L- 315g //570 yds (365g//660yds)

 XL-365g //660 yds (415g/750yds)

 2X-415g//750 yds (470g//850yds)

3X- 470g //850 yds (525g//950yds)

  4X- 525g //950 yds (585g//1060yds)

5X- 585g//1060 yds (650g//1160yds)

• 6 mm (J) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• (Optional) Stitch Markers

Gauge

Following row 2  from the pattern: 

4”x4” – 12stitches x 8 rows

**Be sure to check gauge.   If you have more than 12 stitches, choose a larger hook.  If you have less than 12 stitches, choose a smaller hook.   The height of the rows is not as important as the width

Notes

• This pattern is written using standard US terms.
• The Pucker Up Halter is worked in rows back and forth  from top to bottom.  It is then seamed down the short side and straps are added in the round.
• ch1 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch
• This crochet halter top is designed with 3-4 inches of negative ease for a tight fit and should rest just above the hips.  If you fall between sizes, size up.   For a looser fit through the midsection, follow the instructions for the “Relaxed Fit”.
• The Relaxed Fit is written out separately following the original fit.
• Sizes will be written as follows

XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

• To adjust the length of the top, add/subtract repeats of row 2 in multiples of 2.
• Stitch counts are noted  at the bottom right of each row.

Stitch Abbreviations & Symbols

ch– chain

st– stitch

sl st– slip stitch

sk– skip

sc– single crochet

sc2tog- single crochet two together

dc– double crochet

✱- repeat instructions starting at this point

**– marks extra notes/tips

Pattern (Original Fit)

ch 76(88,100,112,124,136,148,160,172)

Row 1: working in the back bump, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across.

75(87,99,111,123,135,147,159,171)

**Stitch count will remain the same until the addition of straps.

**Find a tutorial for working in the back bump here.

Row 2: ch 1, turn

• sc and dc in same st
• sk next st
• *sc and dc in next st

• sk next st                                
• repeat from * until 2 st remain
• sk next st
• sc in last st                     

Row 3 – 45(47,49,51,53,55,57,59,61):

• repeat row 2                      

Seaming:

Fold the rectangle in half so that the short sides meet.  ch1 and join the two sides by sl st all the way down. 

Straps: **Turn the top right-side out, so that the seam is on the inside.            

Round 1: ch 1, work along starting ch

• sc in the same st and each st around
• Join to the first sc with a sl st

75(87,99,111,123,135,147,159,171)

Round 2: ch 1

• sc in same st and next 8(10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24)
• ch 65(65,70,70,75,75,80,80,80)
• sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each across until you reach the body                                       

• sc in next st on body and next 19(21,23,25,27,29,31,33,35)

• ch 65(65,70,70,75,75,80,80,80)

• sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each across until you reach the body
• sc in next st on body and each st around.                                   

• Join to first sc with a sl st

203(215, 237, 249, 271, 283, 305, 317, 329)

Fasten off. 

Ruching:

With the side seam facing out, find the center front of the top.  Cut an extra length of yarn in the same color.  Using a yarn needle, weave the yarn about ⅓ of the way down and then back up to the top creating a skinny “U” shape.  Cinch the two ends to create the ruching effect at the bust.  Tie tight.  

Weave in all ends.  Turn right side out.

Pattern (Relaxed Fit)

ch 88(100,112,124,136,148,160,172,184)

Row 1: working in the back bump, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across.

87(99,111,123,135,147,159,171,183)

**Stitch count will remain the same until the addition of straps.

**Find a tutorial for working in the back bump here.

Row 2: ch 1, turn

• sc and dc in same st
• sk next st
• *sc and dc in next st

• sk next st                                

• repeat from * until 2 st remain
• sk next st
• sc in last st                          

 Row 3 – 45(47,49,51,53,55,57,59,61):

• repeat row 2                        

Seaming:

Fold the rectangle in half so that the short sides meet.  ch1 and join the two sides by sl st all the way down. 

Straps: **Turn the top right-side out, so that the seam is on the inside.

Round 1: ch 1, work along starting ch

• sc2tog in same and next st

• sc in each of next 5(6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13) sts.
• *sc2tog over next 2 sts

• sc in each of next 5(6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13) sts.
• Repeat from *10 more times
• sc in each of the remaining 4 stitches
• join to the first sc with a sl st

**Note: decreasing a total of 12 times on this round

Round 2: ch 1

• sc in same st and next 8(10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24)
• ch 65(65,70,70,75,75,80,80,80)
• sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each across until you reach the body                                         

• sc in next st on body and next 19(21,23,25,27,29,31,33,35)

• ch 65(65,70,70,75,75,80,80,80)

• sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each across until you reach the body
• sc in next st on body and each st around.                                 

• Join to first sc with a sl st

203(215, 237, 249, 271, 283, 305, 317, 329)

Fasten off. 

Ruching:

With the side seam facing out, find the center front of the top.  Cut an extra length of yarn in the same color.  Using a yarn needle, weave the yarn about ⅓ of the way down and then back up to the top creating a skinny “U” shape.  Cinch the two ends to create the ruching effect at the bust.  Tie tight.  

Weave in all ends.  Turn right side out. 

Now try on your super cute crochet halter top and snap some pics!! Be sure to tag me @carlieflo or use the hashtags #puckeruphalter #carlieflo when you’re sharing. I love to see everyone’s amazing work and you’ll have a chance to be featured on my socials!!