Ruffle Strap Tank Top - free crochet pattern + video tutorial

Hi everyone, here is my newest free crochet pattern with you – the Ava Tank Top!

This free crochet tank top pattern is accompanied by a video tutorial.

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

The Ava Tank Top is a cotton crochet top with ruffled straps, square neckline and relaxed fit! The tank falls just above the hips but since it’s created from the neck down you can make the top as long or as short as you want. The bottom of this top uses front post, back post crochet ribbing to give the top a clean, finished look. This top uses double crochet and cotton aran yarn so you can whip up this tank top is a few hours. I love how you can tuck this top into a high waisted skirt or leave it loose for a casual look.

Design Inspiration

Ruffles are always one of my favourite features for summer designs and I realised I hadn’t made a cotton ruffle top! I love how ruffle straps add a feminine touch to the straight neck without being too frilly. Even though crop tops are my favourite summer garment (check out the Leila Tie Strap Tank) I thought this design would look more balanced if the body wasn’t as fitted and instead fell straight down. Since the silhouette is more relaxed I think it looks super cute and smart casual tucked into a pair of high waisted pants or leave it untucked to a relaxed vibe. You could even easily alter this pattern to fit a child (just foundation half double crochet body circumference) and having matching tops with your mini!

Yarn

I used Rico Creative Cotton Aran for this project in the colour Light blue. This yarn has a great shade range and I love how quickly aran cotton works up 🙂 However, I find that this yarn splits quite a lot so I’d recommend Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran as an alternative at a similar price point. The quality is great as it’s more tightly wound up so the yarn doesn’t split nor does it shed. Paintbox Cotton Aran is soft, smooth and comes in 54 shades so there’s definitely a colour for everyone!

Add to your Ravelry queue here!

Ad-free, printable version here!

Pin me for later!

Video Tutorial

*The sizing guide follows size XS(S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). E.g. “HDC 92(106, 120, 134, 148, 162, 176) means HDC 92 for XS, Ch 106 for Small, Ch 120 for Medium, Ch 134 for Large, Ch 148 for XL, Ch 162 for 2XL and Ch 176 for 3XL.

*"DC 10" means DC into the next 10 stitches.

*"2DC" means place 2 DC into the same stitch.

*Ch 1 and Ch 2 do NOT count as a stitch.

*Ch 3 always counts as a stitch unless otherwise noted.

*Ch 3 can be replaced with a ‘no turning chain stitch’ to reduce the visible seam.

*Total stitches are indicated between < >.

*This pattern uses US crochet terms.

LEVEL: EASY

MATERIALS:

Yarn – Rico Creative Cotton Aran – Aran/Worsted/10 ply, 85m/50g, 100% Cotton, Light Blue (32)

4(5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) skeins

5mm (US H) Crochet Hook

Darning Needle

Scissors

STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS:

Ch = Chain
Sl st = Slip Stitch
HDC = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
FpDC = Front Post Double Crochet
BpDC = Back Post Double Crochet

GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 14 stitches wide x 9 rows tall in double crochet

Measurements cm
Width: 36(46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96)
To fit Bust: 76(86, 96, 106, 116, 126, 136)
Body length: 30(30, 32, 32, 34, 34, 36)
Strap length: 28(28, 30, 30, 32, 32, 34)

Measurements inches
Width: 14(16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26)
To fit Bust: 30(34, 38, 42, 45.5, 49.5, 53.5)
Body length: 12(12, 12.5, 12.5, 13.5, 13.5, 14)
Strap length: 11(11, 12, 12, 12.5, 12.5, 13.5)

BODY

FOUNDATION CHAIN: FHDC 92(106, 120, 134, 148, 162, 176), sl st into the 1st FHDC.
<92(106, 120, 134, 148, 162, 176)>

ROUNDS 2-3: Ch 1, turn, HDC 92(106, 120, 134, 148, 162, 176), sl st to join.

ROUND 4: Ch 3, turn, DC 92(106, 120, 134, 148, 162, 176), sl st to join.

ROUND 5: Ch 3, turn, *DC 8(9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16), 2DC; rep from * around, DC in each remaining st, sl st to join.
<102(116, 130, 144, 158, 172, 186)>

*Note: If you want to extend this top past your hips, repeat ROUNDS 4-5 two more times and then follow ROUND 6.

ROUND 6: Ch 3, turn, DC in each st in the round, sl st to join.

Repeat ROUND 6 until ROUND 28(28, 30, 30, 32, 32, 34).
*You can add or remove rounds to reach your desired length.

FINAL ROUND: Ch 3, turn, FpDC, *BpDC, FpDC; rep from * until end, sl st to join. Fasten off.
<102(116, 130, 144, 158, 172, 186)>

STRAPS

FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 40(40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 46).
*The length of the foundation chain = length of your strap. You can add or remove chains to lengthen or shorten straps.

ROW 1: DC into the 3rd chain from the hook, DC, 2DC in each st until last 2 sts, DC 2. <72(72, 74, 74, 76, 76, 78)>

ROWS 2-3: Ch 2, turn, DC in each st.

Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

Fold the top in half with the front facing you. Measure in 6cm from the sides of top and pin the straps into place.
Turn the top over, (the back and seam should be facing you). Measure 6cm from the sides of the top and pin the straps into place.

*Note – I recommend trying on the top after you have pinned the straps. You can adjust the placement of the straps so they can fall where you want them too.

Sew the straps to the top.

Weave in all of your ends.

*Note – Along the body seam, sew the corners of the first and last Foundation Half Double Crochets together.

Check out more free crochet patterns here!

Sharing is caring!