• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • ABOUT/CONTACT
  • Crochet Patterns
  • SHOP PATTERNS

For The Frills logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About/Contact
  • Crochet Patterns
  • SHOP PATTERNS
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    July 4, 2020

    Crochet Easy Beach Cover Up – free pattern + video tutorial

    Learn how to crochet a mesh swimsuit cover up for summer! Easy, simple crochet stitches and chains combine to make a comfy, lacy beach sweater.

    oversized mesh crochet cover up on the beach

    This free crochet sweater pattern is accompanied by a step-by-step video tutorial.

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

    Thank you to WeCrochet for sponsoring this free crochet cover up pattern!
    As always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own 🙂

    The Tide Knot Cover Up is the perfect beach sweater! This relaxed crochet cover up is oversized with cuffed sleeves, so it’s comfy and practical at the same time! 

    The loose and airy stitches work together to give the sweater a knotted stitch texture that form pentagon eyelets. Wear it to beach, throw it on over a swim suit or pair the cover up with jeans and a singlet underneath – this relaxed and slouchy sweater exudes all the summer vibes!

    back view of navy mesh crochet cover up sweater

    Design Inspiration

    I’ve been dreaming of a lacy, mesh cover up for months but I couldn’t quite settle on a stitch texture that I loved. If you’ve crocheted for a while, you’ll know that it’s super easy to create a grid-like mesh texture but it’s a lot more difficult to round eyelets.

    After creating dozens of swatches, I discovered this stitch combination that creates pentagon, round-ish eyelets and it has the most incredible drape! I love how it doesn’t look typically ‘crochet’ at all but more like a hand-knotted fabric 🙂

    close up of mesh crochet stitches on a navy beach sweater

    The body of the Tide Knot Sweater is slouchy, relaxed and VERY oversized so it’s super comfy and airy. The body panels are worked lengthways which means that the foundation chain runs the length of the sweater, not the width!

    You can easily make a cropped beach cover up by reducing your chains and then follow the general pattern for the increases and decreases to create the boat neckline.

    simple crochet cover up tucked into grey shorts with sun hat and rattan bag

    The sleeves are also worked lengthways and finished off with simple back loop half double crochet ribbing, so the sleeves are out of the way when you move your arms.

    The sleeves and body panels are seamed together and once you’ve worn your cover up a few times you’ll notice that the sweater will stretch out and become even more relaxed and drapey! Also, I didn’t block this sweater because the yarn is already very soft and stitches were already open and flat. I find that sometimes cotton yarns can stretch too much after blocking! But if you’re using a different yarn feel free to block your sweater if you want 🙂

    close up of we crochet shine worsted weight pima cotton yarn in colour sailor

    Yarn

    For the Tide Knot Cover Up, I used We Crochet’s Shine Worsted in the shade Sailor (a true navy blue). Shine Worsted is a pima cotton mixed with modal which is a natural beech wood fibre. I think the modal really helps the yarn to have all the softness of a pima cotton without all the fluff and pilling! And even though the yarn is on the thicker side of an aran/worsted yarn it’s still so light with a soft, silky feel.

    Pima cotton is quickly becoming one of my favourite fibres to crochet with and it really is the perfect yarn for wearable summer crochet projects! If you’ve never tried Shine Worsted comes in 30 shades and there’s also a thinner sport version of this yarn for more lightweight projects!

    More free summer crochet patterns!

    free summer crochet pattern light blue tank top pink tie strap tank top and green v neck tee

    1. Sea Breeze Tank Top / 2. Tie Strap Crop Top / 3. V-neck Tee

    Pin me for later!

    pin of free crochet cover up pattern with model walking along the beach with a straw hat and white sneakers

    Video Tutorial

    Add to your Ravelry queue here!

    Ad-free, printable version here!

    *Sample is a size small shown on a 5’3” model with a 32” bust.

    *The sizing guide follows size XS(S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). E.g. “Ch 71(79, 87, 95, 103, 111, 119) means Ch 71 for XS, Ch 79 for Small, Ch 87 for Medium, Ch 95 for Large, Ch 103 for XL, Ch 111 for 2XL and Ch 119 for 3XL.” If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.

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

    *The turning chain ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch, otherwise ch 1 counts as a stitch.

    *Total stitches are indicated between < >.This pattern uses US crochet terms.

    *The body of the pullover is very oversized, wide and loose and will also stretch out approx. 5-8cm / 2-3” in width and 2-5cm / 1-2” in length.

    *The sweater is made up of 4 pieces – front, back and 2 sleeves.The body panels and sleeves are worked lengthways – the foundation chain runs the length of the sweater and the sleeves, not the width.

    *All pieces – front, back, 2 sleeves - are seamed together and then the neckline is finished off with a SC border.

    *The sample uses WeCrochet’s Shine is on the thicker side of a cotton aran yarn. (In between an aran/worsted and bulky yarn).

    LEVEL: Easy

    Materials

    Yarn – WeCrochet Shine – Aran/Worsted/Medium (4), 68m/50g, 75yds/1.75oz, 60% Pima Cotton + 40% Modal, Sailor
    10(11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) skeins               approx. 490(540, 575, 620, 695, 725, 750)g

    6mm (US J) Crochet Hook

    Darning Needle

    Scissors

    Stitches & Abbreviations

    Ch = Chain

    Ch-sp = Chain Space

    SC = Single Crochet

    SC2tog = Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together

    HDC = Half Double Crochet

    FLO = Front Loop

    BLO = Back Loop

    St(s) = Stitch(es)

    Rep = Repeat

    Sk = Skip

    Measurements cm:
    To fit Bust: 71(81, 91, 101, 112, 122, 132)
    Width: 53(58, 61, 66, 71, 74, 76)
    Length: 55(58, 58, 58, 61, 61, 61)
    Armhole: 15(15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22)
    Sleeve length: 34(34, 36, 36, 37, 37, 37)

    Measurements inches:
    To fit Bust: 30(34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54)
    Width: 21(23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30)
    Length: 22(23, 23, 23, 24.5, 24.5, 24.5)
    Armhole: 6(6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5)
    Sleeve length: 13.5(13.5, 14, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5)

    GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 15 stitches wide x 8 rows tall in Front Loop Half Double Crochet

    Tide Knot Cover Up Crochet Pattern

    Back Panel

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 84(88, 88, 88, 92, 92, 92).

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, HDC; rep from * until end, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, HDC in last st, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1 st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    ROW 4: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, HDC in last st, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    Repeat ROWS 3-4 until ROW 44(48, 50, 54, 58, 60, 62).

    Fasten off.

    back panel of crochet cover up


    Front Panel

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 84(88, 88, 88, 92, 92, 92).

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, HDC; rep from * until end, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, HDC in last st, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1 st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    Repeat ROWS 2-3 until ROW 13(15, 15, 17, 19, 19, 19).
    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘NECKLINE DECREASE’ instructions.

    NECKLINE DECREASE

    NECKLINE DECREASE ROW 1: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last ch, HDC in last ch-sp, turn.
    <82(86, 86, 86, 90, 90, 90)>

    NECKLINE DECREASE ROW 2: Ch 1, sk 1st st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <81(85, 85, 85, 89, 89, 89)>

    NECKLINE DECREASE ROW 3: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last ch-sp, HDC in last ch, turn.
    <80(84, 84, 84, 88, 88, 88)>

    NECKLINE DECREASE ROW 4: Ch 1, sk 1st st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <79(83, 83, 83, 87, 87, 87)>
    Total rows: <17(19, 19, 21, 23, 23, 23)>

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘NECKLINE’ instructions.

    NECKLINE

    Repeat FRONT PANEL ROWS 2-3, 5(5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8) more times.
    <79(83, 83, 83, 87, 87, 87)>
    Total Rows: <27(29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39)>

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘NECKLINE INCREASE’ instructions.

    NECKLINE INCREASE

    NECKLINE INCREASE ROW 1: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, ch 1, HDC in last st, turn.
    <80(84, 84, 84, 88, 88, 88)>

    NECKLINE INCREASE ROW 2: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, ch 1, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <81(85, 85, 85, 89, 89, 89)>

    NECKLINE INCREASE ROW 3: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, ch 1, HDC in last st, turn.
    <82(86, 86, 86, 90, 90, 90)>

    NECKLINE INCREASE ROW 4: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, ch 1, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>
    Total rows: <31(33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 33)>

    Do not fasten off!

    Alternate between FRONT PANEL ROWS 2-3 until TOTAL ROW 44(48, 50, 54, 58, 60, 62).
    <83(87, 87, 87, 91, 91, 91)>

    Fasten off.

    front panel of mesh crochet cover up

    SLEEVES

    (Make 2)

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 46(46, 48, 48, 50, 50, 50).

    ROW 1: HDC into 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, HDC; rep from * until end, turn.
    <45(45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 49)>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, HDC in last st, turn.
    <45(45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 49)>

    ROW 3: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1 st, *FLO HDC in ch, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * until last st, HDC in last st, turn.
    <45(45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 49)>

    ROW 4: Ch 1, FLO HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC in ch, *ch 1, sk 1 st, FLO HDC in ch; rep from * until last ch, HDC in last st, turn.
    <45(45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 49)>

    Repeat ROWS 3-4 until ROW 24(24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34).
    <45(45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 49)>

    mesh crochet cover up sleeve length

    Rotate sleeve 45 degrees and we’ll now crochet along the edge of the sleeve to form the ‘bell shape’ cuff.
    Note: Each row = 1 stitch.

    single crochet two stitches together along edge of crochet cover up sleeve

    DECREASE ROW 1: Ch 1, SC2tog across, turn.
    <12(12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)>
    *Wrap the cuff around your wrist to double check that it fits. If the cuff is too tight, SC2tog with looser tension.

    DECREASE ROW 2: Ch 1, SC across.
    *Keep your SCs loose – don’t tighten the cuff.
    <12(12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)>

    Fasten off.

    Flat lay of bell shaped crochet sleeve laying flat

    SLEEVE RIBBING

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 6.

    ROW 1: HDC in 2nd ch from hook, HDC in each ch, turn.
    <5>

    ROW 2: Ch 1, BLO HDC 4, HDC in last st, turn.
    <5>

    Repeat ROW 2 until long edge of ribbing equals the width of DECREASE ROW 2.

    crochet cuff ribbing next to sleeve cuff

    SLEEVE ASSEMBLY

    Whip stitch ribbing to DECREASE ROW 2.

    sew crochet ribbing to edge of crochet sleeve
    flat lay of crochet ribbing sewn to bell sleeve

    Fold sleeve in half lengthways and whip stitch edges together.

    Crochet sleeve folded in half and long edges sewn together

    ASSEMBLY

    Lay the body panels on top of each other. Whip stitch the tops of the shoulders together.

    Back and front crochet sweater panels laid on top of each other. Sew shoulder and body seams.
    10.

    Whip stitch up the sides of the sweater, leaving a 15(17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23)cm / 6(6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” gap for the sleeves.

    Whip stitch tops of sleeves to the arm holes.

    Weave in all of your ends.

    Voilà! You’ve finished your Beach Cover Up 🙂

    Sharing is caring!

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Pin
    11616shares
    « Textured Pocket Cardigan - free crochet pattern + video tutorial
    Scallop V-neck Tank Top - free crochet pattern »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. KD says

      July 06, 2020 at 1:55 pm

      When whip stitching the panels together are you doing this on the right side or the wrong side? or Do you need to turn the garment inside out when finishes?

      Reply
      • Grace says

        July 08, 2020 at 4:17 am

        Hi,
        I always whip stitch with the wrong side facing outwards and then turn the garment inside out when I'm done so that the right side is facing. However, since this pattern has the knotted stitch texture you can't really tell either way 🙂
        Grace

        Reply
    2. Debra says

      July 10, 2020 at 11:41 pm

      Is there a video? I see no link.

      Reply
      • Grace says

        July 13, 2020 at 4:05 am

        Hi Debra,
        The video is embedded on the page just before the pattern starts 🙂
        Grace

        Reply
        • Darlene says

          July 27, 2020 at 4:24 pm

          still can't find link to video. could you be more specific. thanks

          Reply
          • Grace says

            July 30, 2020 at 12:20 am

            Hi Darlene,
            You can also view the video tutorial on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zb1bgtRbadc
            Grace 🙂

            Reply
    3. Jea says

      August 15, 2020 at 6:47 am

      Hi thank you for the pretty patterns you share with us! I just want to ask if which is better, the 8 ply or 12 ply for this pattern? I can't get a hold of 10 ply yarn in my place. I hope you can help me. Thank you very much!

      Reply
      • Grace says

        August 24, 2020 at 8:49 am

        Hi Jea, WeCrochet Shine is quite a thick 10 ply yarn - so if you can get hold of a thinner 12 ply yarn (suitable for a 6-6.5mm hook) you should probably be able to meet gauge 🙂
        Grace

        Reply
    4. Emily says

      February 06, 2021 at 5:41 am

      Hi, would you have a yarn estimate for a cropped version in size XS? Thank you 🙂

      Reply
    5. Sandi says

      June 29, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      Confused as to how many skeins are needed for medium and large sizes

      Reply
    6. Tammy Beatse says

      March 27, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      The sweater is not as long as I thought it would be. Is there a suggestion on how to extend the length without frogging, I’ve completed the back.

      Reply
    7. Beth says

      April 28, 2022 at 11:56 pm

      Is there a sizing trick for bringing this down to a child's size?

      Reply
    8. Holly says

      May 08, 2022 at 12:59 am

      Could I substitute Lions Brand 24/7 cotton yarn for this project? Thank you!

      Reply
    9. Amie Trice says

      May 09, 2022 at 10:56 pm

      I love this pattern! It was so easy to follow! My only problem was after I finished the entire sweater and tried it on it was a crop top on me and I followed the pattern to a T for 3X. I’m in the process of taking it completely apart and starting again adding ALOT more chains to the very beginning!

      Reply
    10. maria jose says

      August 20, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      I can't download the free pattern.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    About

    Hi, I'm Grace!
    An avid crocheter creating modern and wearable crochet patterns. I share my love for crochet designing here on this blog and on YouTube. Learn more →

    Follow Me

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    LOOKING FOR MORE CROCHET INSPIRATION?

    Sign up for the weekly newsletter and never miss a pattern!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • About/Contact
    • Policy
    • Disclosure

    Connect

    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    COPYRIGHT © 2021 FOR THE FRILLS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.