How long does it take to crochet a bikini?

A crochet expert may take a couple of hours to finish a bikini, while a newbie can complete it in a day or more. A bikini is only made of small pieces of fabric. And how long to do it depends on the skill level of the one making it and how intricate the bikini is.

To estimate the length of time to crochet a bikini, check the total number of rows you have to make for the top and the bottom bikini pieces. Crochet a part that you can do in an hour. Divide the total number of rows by the number of rows you finished in an hour. You will get a rough idea of how long you are going to crochet a bikini.

Crocheting a bikini is different from crocheting simple pieces like dishcloths and blankets. These crochet projects have definite rows. The length of time you spend on crocheting a bikini depends on whether the design is simple or has many details.

How do you crochet a bikini?

Crocheting a bikini can be both challenging and exciting. Crocheting projects like dishcloths, shawls, or blankets is straightforward. Crocheting a bikini depends on the designs and the wearer’s measurements. The size of the bikini is significant as well. Some people hesitate to crochet a bikini because the stitches may make it look revealing. Others are reluctant to crochet a bikini because of wardrobe failures at the beach while wearing a crocheted bikini.

Crocheters recommend using a more pricey but reliable yarn than the ordinary wool since you will be making swimwear. You will also need only very little yarn to make a bikini, so it is better to invest in yarn more appropriately to get wet.

There are also many benefits to crocheting a bikini. You get to wear your creation. You are sure not to bump into anyone near the poolside or the beachfront wearing the same swimwear as you have.

You can also make a bikini that fits you perfectly. Each one of us has a different body shape size from one another. There is no one size fits all when it comes to crocheting bikinis.

A crochet bikini top looks complicated, but it is not. A bikini is an excellent project for either a newbie or a crochet expert. It is a great way to practice stitches that you have learned. It is also a perfect venue to show your expertise in making unique designs and applying new stitches.

Before starting your crochet bikini top, you must know that are a few things you must consider.

1. Type of Stitch

Many different types of stitches would look great to use on your crochet bikini. But you must also consider the amount of coverage it can provide. It will help to use tight stitches like the single crochet stitch. Using it will avoid too many gaps or holes between stitches. Single crochet stitches are simple and tight. They can provide enough coverage and make you feel confident in wearing a crochet bikini.

Using a hook smaller than what is recommended for the yarn can also create tighter stitches.

2. Yarn Type

The type of yarn to crochet a bikini must be something that you can wet and swim with. It must not bleed color, not something that can slide off the body easily, and must feel comfortable on the skin.

Wool and cotton tend to hold water when wet, so they are not top-notch to crochet a bikini. Synthetic yarns such as acrylic would work best to crochet a bikini. They do not hold water when wet, hold up well, and dries quickly. You do not have to worry about walking around in a damp swimsuit or have a wardrobe malfunction as you emerge from the water.

Silk blends and bamboo yarn are also excellent materials to crochet a bikini. The color and quality of the yarn are lovely. It also does not hold water, just like proper swimming apparel.

3. Cup Size and Shape

The success in creating a crochet bikini top comes when the right cup size and shape is achieved. Since we have different bust sizes, individual measurements are important before you crochet.

How do you crochet a bikini top?

Crocheting a bikini top is relatively easy, especially if you already have the necessary skills in crochet. And as mentioned before, a bikini is such a small piece of fabric, so it may not be too frustrating if you have to do a bit of frogging. Anyway, practice makes perfect.

Crocheting a bikini top can take up a little of your time or can be time-consuming, depending on your expertise and how intricate your design is.

Here are a few easy steps and tips to guide you in crocheting the bikini top:

1. Choose the yarn and hook.

You will be making swimwear, so you have to choose the best type of yarn which will be comfortable to wear, does not bleed and stretch. 100% acrylic yarn is one of the best types recommended for crocheted swimwear.

For the crochet hook, it is best to use a hook size smaller or half-size smaller than the recommended size on the yarn label. This technique will make sure that your stitches are tight and dense enough for your bra cups.

2. Create the foundation row.

Before you create the foundation row, you must know the size of the bra cup you will make. You can check the table below as a guide for the number of chains you will make for the specific cup size. But if you want the measurement to be exact, measure from the breast’s base to its center. Crochet the number of chains which is equal to the length that you measured. Make the foundation row.

	XS	S	M	L	XL
US	30 – 32	32A – 34A	34B – 36A	36B – 38	+38D
Europe	65 – 70	75	80	85	90
No. of Chains	14	16	18	20	22
Measurement of Chains (cm)	6	6.5	7	7.5	8
Rows	7	8	9	10	11
Base of cup (cm)	11.5	13	14.5	16	16
Height of cup (cm)	12	14	15.5	17.5	17.5

You can create rows using single crochet, half double crochet, or double crochet. Note that double crochet works up faster than single crochet. But single crochet provides tighter stitches and full coverage. It is your preference which is the best one to use.

3. Crochet the cups.

Start with crocheting stitches on the foundation chain until you reach the end. Make an increase by crocheting two stitches, one chain, then two stitches again. Do this step all in the same stitch where you made the last stitch in the foundation chain.

You have to turn and crochet from the other side of the foundation chain. Crochet the next stitch on the same stitch where you stitched the increases. Then, chain stitches across the row. There should always be the same number of stitches on one side and the other side of the foundation chain. Crochet the number of rows for the size of cup you are making. Make the second bikini cup the same way as the first. Refer to the table above for the approximate number of rows for each cup size. Note: The increase in every row has the same pattern.

4. Finish the bikini top.

Most crocheted bikinis are unique because of the intricate patterns that you can do. You can apply some of the stitches you already know. Or try out some new ones to make your bikini top look more attractive.

Whipstitch your decorative band to the cups. Then make four chains long enough to secure the bikini. Make sure that the length of your chain is long enough to go all the way around the back of your bikini. The chains may be around 40- 45 chains long. Tie them off at the ends.

Attach one chain to each end of the bikini band and each of the bikini cups’ tops.

Related: 

• Crocheting a queen-sized blanket
• Creating a dress
• Creating queen size quilt with jelly rolls

How to crochet a bikini bottom?

Crocheting a bikini bottom is also an easy crochet project. But you have to note that it has many increases and decreases throughout the process to get the shape right.

We will divide the procedure into two parts:

I. Work the front to the back of the bikini bottom.

If you have already made a bikini top, you can use the same materials such as the yarn, hook, and a pair of scissors. The norm in making the bikini bottom is to use the same yarn color as the bikini top. But you can also choose any color you think matches the bikini top.

It would be best if you take the measurements of the wearer first before you start crocheting the bikini. Keep in mind that our body sizes and shapes are all different.

Measure around your hips or the person who will wear the bikini bottom. Divide the measurement in half and subtract 3 inches. Make a chain equal to this length to crochet a snug-fitting bikini bottom. This type of bikini bottom is secured with straps on each side. So, do not stress yourself on the waist measurements because you can adjust them to your or the wearer’s size.

You can do single crochet, half double crochet, or double crochet. It would be best to use the same stitch used to crochet the bikini top.

To crochet, the bikini bottom, follow these easy steps: (using dc stitch)

1. Make a slip knot and chain 48.
2. In the 4th and 5th chain from the hook, make 2dctog, then make dc on the next 40 stitches. Make 2dctog in the next two stitches, then a dc in the last stitch. Turn. Repeat this step.
3. For the next 16 rows, decrease one dc on each side.
4. Make 12 dc on the next five rows.
5. Ch 3 for the next row, then, 2dctog in the next stitch. Then, make eight dc and 2dctog in the last stitch. Turn. Repeat this step.
6. For the next 22 rows, increase one dc on each side.

II. Adding straps and edging to the bikini bottom.

Adding straps and edging to your bikini bottom is also very easy. You can choose to make more intricate fringes or make it simple. For a simple and practical edging and straps, follow these steps:

1. After completing the last row of the back of the bikini bottom, make 100 chains. Make 1sc on the second chain from the hook, then stitch 1sc on every chain across.
2. To make the edging, make 1sc, ch2, and 1sc in every dc stitch along the bikini bottom’s edges.
3. When you have reached the last row at the other end, repeat step 1 to make another strap.
4. To make the edging on the bikini’s front and back edges, skip one stitch, then make 1sc, ch2, 1sc in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern across the front and back rows.
5. After completing the edging, repeat step 1 to make the remaining straps for the other corners.
6. Weave in yarn ends. Insert the straps in the top dc spaces on the edging and tie them according to your waist size.