Tropical Beach Dress and Tank – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Tropical Beach Dress (and Tank), a granny stitch maxi dress with a tank top option and plenty of customizations for the perfect fit!

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 #TropicalBeachDress on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop WeCrochet Comfy Fingering 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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About

Whether you’re looking for a full-length maxi dress, a cropped tank top or anything in between, this customizable pattern allows you to create your ideal summer staple. Crocheted in the beloved granny stitch with a playful picot edging, the Tropical Beach Dress mixes a classic fabric with a contemporary fit for a truly resort-worthy piece.

Although originally designed to wear over a bathing suit, the Tropical Beach Dress can also be worn on its own as an everyday piece: Just pop it over a slip dress or your favorite fitted tank and biker shorts. Instructions are included to make either a dress or a tank top, with unique shaping instructions for each design.

Materials

Yarn: Fingering—WeCrochet Comfy™ Fingering in colorway “Ivory”

75% Pima cotton, 25% acrylic
218 yds (199 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein
Find this yarn on croche t .com or yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required* (Dress): 9 (9, 10, 11, 12) (13, 14, 16, 17) skeins or approximately 1750 (1850, 2050, 2250, 2450) (2700, 2975, 3275, 3575) yds (1600 [1692, 1875, 2057, 2240] [2469, 2720, 2995, 3269] m)

*Note that this yardage is based on the dress length provided in the sizing chart; exact yardage will vary based on your desired dress length and amount of increasing in the skirt.

Yardage Required (Tank Top): 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins or 750 (825, 925, 1000, 1100) (1200, 1325, 1450, 1600) yds (686 [754, 846, 914, 1006] [1097, 1212, 1326, 1463] m)

Note that if you use a contrasting color for the picot edging, you will need approximately 35 to 40 yds (32–37 m) of your chosen contrasting color.

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

Yarn Tip: If you love the bright, classic look of a granny square, try using a multicolored, self-striping yarn. Be mindful that the yoke of the dress (the section between the shoulders and the underarms) is worked flat, while the remainder of the dress/tank is worked in a continuous spiral. Use a contrasting color for the picot edging for a bold two-tone look!

Hook: Size U.S. D/3 (3.25 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, 2 locking stitch markers for hip increases

Yarn Substitution

WeCrochet Comfy™ Fingering has the following properties:

75% Pima cotton, 25% acrylic
218 yds (199 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) skein

Substitute WeCrochet Comfy Fingering with any similar fingering-weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge. Note that fingering weight is often referred to as “4-ply” in the U.K. and Australia.

Appropriate Yarn Substitutes:

This list below includes some yarns I added myself in addition to the yarns used and recommended by testers.

As a reminder, you will need approximately 750 (825, 925, 1000, 1100) (1200, 1325, 1450, 1600) yds / 686 (754, 846, 914, 1006) (1097, 1212, 1326, 1463) m of your chosen fingering-weight yarn.

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

- Drops Safran (100% Cotton)
- Hobbii Friends Wheel (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
- Hobbii Rainbow Deluxe 8/4 (100% Turkish Cotton)
- Hobbii Twister Solid (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
- Mary Maxim Circulo Anne (100% Mercerized Cotton)
- Rico Design Creative Cotton Dégradé Super 6 (50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic)
- Sewrella Bamboo Sock (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Wool)
- Schachenmayr Tahiti (99% Cotton 1% Polyester)
- Scheepjes Whirlette (60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic)
- Yarn and Colors Favourite (100% Cotton)
- Yarn Bee Authentic Hand-Dyed Yarn (100% Super Wash Merino Wool)

Sizing + Finished Measurements

The following image is a screenshot from the PDF pattern.

Gauge

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 6 cluster repeats and 10 rows in the granny stitch, where one cluster plus one chain together count as one repeat, blocked

For Swatch

Ch 26.

Row 1: Work 3 dc in 7th ch from hook (skipped chs count as 2 base chs + 1 dc + 1 ch-sp), *ch 1, sk 3 chs, 3 dc in next ch; rep from * to last 3 sts, ch 1, sk 2 chs, dc in last st, turn. [5 clusters + 1 dc on each end of row]

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in first sp, *ch 1, sk next cluster, 3 dc in next sp; rep from * to end of row, turn. [6 clusters]

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + 1 ch), sk first cluster, *3 dc in next sp, ch 1, sk next cluster; rep from * to end of row, dc in top of ch-3 from previous row, turn. [5 clusters + 1 dc on each end of row]

Rep Rows 2 and 3 until you have at least 12 rows worked.

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished piece. Measure the inner 4 inches (10 cm) of your blocked swatch to get the most accurate measurement. Do not use your first or last row in your measurement. Within 4 inches (10 cm), you should have 6 cluster repeats and 10 rows in order to achieve the finished measurements listed in the sizing chart.

Terms + Abbreviations Used

Written in U.S. Crochet Terms

ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
cluster: this refers to a group of 3 double crochets worked into the same space
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
hdc: half double crochet (htc in U.K. terms)
rep: repeat
RS: right side
rnd(s): round(s)
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
sp(s): space(s)
st(s): stitch(es)

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This pattern is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only. An “x” indicates the instruction is not applicable to your size.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/round. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this fabric; both sides are identical. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”

Turning Chain: The turning chain counts as the first stitch throughout the pattern. A ch-3 counts as 1 dc; a ch-4 counts as 1 dc + 1 ch.

Dress Increases: There are instructions to add optional increases once your length reaches the small of your waist, to give your dress an A-line shape and create enough space around your legs to allow you to walk comfortably. This is particularly important if you are making a dress (as opposed to a tank top), especially for the smaller sizes. If you find that the circumference at your waist will give you enough walking space (this may be the case for some of the larger sizes), you may choose to work fewer increases or omit the increases altogether, depending on the length of your dress and your desired fit.

Stretching Over Time: If you plan on making a maxi dress, be aware that your fabric is likely to stretch in length over time with wear. It is recommended to make your dress several inches (several cm) shorter than your desired finished length to anticipate this stretching so that it doesn’t extend past your feet!

Construction: This dress is worked seamlessly from the top down, beginning with the front panel at the tops of the shoulders. First, two identical straps are worked separately, each with increases to shape the neckline and armhole openings, then connected to become one front panel. The back panel is worked from the top down directly onto the front panel straps. Next, your two panels are joined at the underarms, and the remainder of this dress (or tank) is crocheted in the round (in a spiral) while increasing the skirt until reaching your desired length.

More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/tropical-beach-dress.

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!