Boardwalk Bralette – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Boardwalk Bralette, a fully customizable summer staple featuring comfortable straps that won’t dig into your neck, customizable cups for any breast size, a lace-up back tie that provides extra support, and a wavy lace stitch pattern that hugs the rib cage!

This pattern is available as an independent PDF (Ravelry, Etsy, and other links included below) and is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, released in spring 2025. This book includes 19 size-inclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful.

You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

Some Quick Links Before You Begin:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here!
Use the pattern hashtag #BoardwalkBralette on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop WeCrochet CotLin yarn here!
- Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes and yarns used during testing!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Where Can I Find the Physical Book?

(Both physical and e-book versions are available!)

Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (US) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Barnes And Noble here.
Shop Summer Crochet at Chapters (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (UK) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Indie Bound here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Blackwell’s here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books-A-Million here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books Inc. here.
Shop even more platforms here.

Order my first book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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This post contains affiliate links. This means, should you make a purchase, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. View my Privacy + Disclosures Policy here.

About

The Boardwalk Bralette has everything you could want in a bralette pattern: comfortable straps that won’t dig into your neck, customizable cups for any breast size, a lace-up back tie that provides extra support, and a wavy lace stitch pattern that hugs the rib cage. Intended to be worn as a bikini top or a crop top, this made-to-measure pattern is written in a tutorial style for any shape and any size; all you need are three measurements.

This bralette is crocheted with a small hook, creating a solid fabric that need not be worn with a bra. You may choose to wear your bralette with removable cups like the ones found in bathing suits for a more comfortable wearing experience. You can also sew in a fabric lining using a sewing machine or a needle and thread if this is within your skill set.

Materials

Yarn: DK—WeCrochet CotLin® DK in colorway “Swan”

70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen
123 yds (112 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
Find this yarn on crochet.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required: 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4) skeins or approximately 180 (195, 210, 235, 265) (310, 375, 425, 475) yds (165 [178, 192, 215, 242] [283, 343, 389, 434] m)

Note that the listed yardage is a rough estimate based on total bust circumference as well as feedback from pattern testers during the writing of this book. These numbers are intended to be used as a guide. Because this pattern is made-to-measure, the exact yardage required for your unique measurements may vary slightly from these numbers. Reference the sizing chart below (the one on page 56 of the book, or page 5 of the PDF pattern) to find your estimated yardage required.

Yarn Substitution: Scroll down for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing.

Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, tape measure, 6 locking stitch markers, plus several more stitch markers (optional) to help with seaming

Yarn Substitution

WeCrochet CotLin DK has the following properties:

70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen
123 yds (112 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein

Substitute WeCrochet CotLin DK with any similar light DK-weight (category #3) yarn that matches gauge. Cotton or cotton blends will work best in this project. Avoid 100% bamboo yarns, as these are too slippery and will stretch out too much with wear; a little grip is needed. Note that DK weight is sometimes referred to as “8-ply” in Australia.

Appropriate Yarn Substitutes:

This list below includes some yarns I added myself in addition to the yarns used and recommended by testers. Because this pattern is written in a made-to-measure style, any yarn weight will work. Testers used fingering weight cotton yarns held double to match gauge. This is another great option! Testers also used worsted weight yarn (particularly Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton) for their bralettes and turned out lovely!

* Reminder that you will need a total of 180 (195, 210, 235, 265) (310, 375, 425, 475) yds (165 [178, 192, 215, 242] [283, 343, 389, 434] m) of your chosen DK weight yarn.

The following DK weight yarns should work well in your project!

Cascade Yarns Hampton (70% Cotton, 30% Linen)
Cloudborn Pima Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
DMC Happy Cotton (100% Cotton)
GRÜNDL Cotton Fun (100% Cotton)
Hjertegarn Cotton Linen (70% Cotton, 30% Linen)
Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8 (DK)
K+C Essential Cotton (DK)
Katia Linen (53% Cotton, 47% Linen)
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (DK)
Lion Brand Cotton Jeans (100% Cotton)
Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (100% Cotton) – very close match!
Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Rowan Mode Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Sirdar Happy Cotton DK (100% Cotton)
Feel free to use a fingering weight yarn held double, one strand of fingering weight, one strand of sport weight, or one strand of worsted instead! That’s the beauty of a made-to-measure pattern.

Sizing Chart to Estimate Yardage

This sizing chart is solely intended for yardage purposes, as it is the only time you will need to reference a specific size. There are nine size ranges with yardage estimates. Reference the row labeled “Your Bust Circumference” and choose a size in this row that measures closest to your bust when measured at the widest circumference. For example, if your bust measures approximately 49 inches (124 cm), you will reference the yardage information for size 6. If between sizes, round up to the next size. Remember, this chart is just intended to give you a rough yardage estimate, as exact yardage will vary from person to person.

Finished Measurements

This bralette is made-to-measure in order to give you a custom fit. Write down the following three measurements somewhere so you can reference them easily. If making this bralette for somebody else, you will need these three measurements from them:

[A] Distance from nipple to bottom of breast.

[B*] Width of your breast minus 1½ inches (4 cm). When taking this measurement, measure along the curvature of your breast along the widest point with the measuring tape snug to your body.

[C*] Total rib cage circumference, measured beneath your bust, minus 10 inches (25 cm).

*In other words, B should measure 1½ inches (4 cm) less than the total breast width, and C should measure 10 inches (25 cm) less than the total rib cage circumference.

Fit: This bralette is intended to fit with negative ease (with approximately 10 inches [25 cm] of space in the back) since it will be pulled tight for a snug fit. It is meant to be fitted as close to your natural body measurements as possible to hug your curves.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This bralette is made-to-measure. Three specific measurements will be referenced throughout the pattern to give a custom fit. This way, you can easily make this pattern for yourself or for someone else, as long as you have the three specified measurements of the wearer.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this stitch pattern; however, the pattern will instruct you to assign a “right side” to each of your pieces before seaming them together.

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless otherwise indicated.

Using Other Yarn Weights: Because this top is made-to-measure, you could try making this pattern with a different yarn weight than the one recommended. The pattern can be followed exactly as written since each piece is crocheted until reaching a specified size.

Construction: First, you will crochet two identical triangular cups, then you will crochet several rows across both cups to join them together into one panel while simultaneously integrating the neck ties. Next, you will crochet the body panel that hugs your rib cage, leaving plenty of space in the back for room to tighten the lace-up ties. The cups are sewn to the body panel, then the back tie is crocheted separately and woven through the eyelets along the front panel and tied in the back for a secure fit.

My signature bralette hack for a great fit without “falling out” of it is to weave the ties through the front eyelet row for extra support. This way, you will not fall out through the bottom if you lift your arms up, and it helps to give some shape to your bralette, similar to the effect of a push-up bra.

Tester Photos: Scroll down to see tester photos.

Terms + Abbreviations Used

ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
dc2tog: double crochet 2 stitches together (tr2tog in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip (or skipped)
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
WS: wrong side

Pattern Testers

Below is a collection of photos that my pattern testers graciously allowed me to share with you! Below each photo I have linked each person’s social media account as well as listed their particular yarn choice and any notes they left regarding how well they thought it worked in the pattern. Thank you so much to all these lovely testers who helped make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible!