This easy tank top is made from two simple rectangular panels joined at the shoulders and sides. It’s a great beginner clothing project using just basic straight rows and simple shaping for the neckline and armholes.
What You Need
- Worsted or DK weight yarn (in your chosen color)
- Crochet hook (Suggested: 4–5 mm, matched to your yarn)
- Yarn needle (for joining seams and weaving in ends)
- Measuring tape
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
How to Make It
Step 1: Make the Front Panel
Chain a length of stitches to match half your chest measurement plus a bit of ease (Suggested: measure around your chest, divide by two, and add an inch or two for comfort). Work rows of double crochet back and forth, turning at the end of each row, until the panel reaches up to where you want the armholes to begin (Suggested: measure from your waist or hip up to your underarm).
Step 2: Shape the Armholes
At the start of the next row, skip a few stitches before beginning to work your double crochet (Suggested: 3–5 stitches), and stop a few stitches short of the end of the row as well. This removes stitches from both edges to create the armhole openings. Continue working rows at this narrower width until the panel reaches up to your shoulder height.
Step 3: Shape the Neckline
Once you reach shoulder height, divide your remaining stitches into two sections by working across only half of them for a few rows, then skipping the center stitches and working the other half separately. This creates two shoulder straps with a gap between them for the neckline, continuing each strap upward until it reaches your desired shoulder width (Suggested: a few rows, checked against how wide you want the straps to look).
Step 4: Make the Back Panel
Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to create a matching back panel, using the same stitch counts and measurements so both panels are the same size and shape.
Finishing
- Lay the front and back panels together with right sides facing, and sew or single crochet the shoulder seams together where the straps meet.
- Sew or single crochet the side seams together from the bottom hem up to where the armholes begin, leaving the armhole and neckline openings unstitched.
- Work one or two rounds of single crochet around the armholes and neckline to create a clean, finished edge that won’t curl or stretch out of shape.
- Weave in all remaining loose ends with the yarn needle.
Helpful Tips
- Try the panel against your body as you work, especially before starting the armhole shaping, so you can adjust the width if needed before it’s harder to fix.
- Keep your row count identical between the front and back panels by counting and writing down your rows as you go, so both sides match evenly.
- Use a stitch with a little stretch, like double crochet worked a bit looser than usual, so the top feels comfortable rather than stiff against your body.
Final Result
A simple, comfortable tank top made from two matching panels with clean armholes and a neckline — an easy handmade clothing piece perfect for beginners.
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