Nestora

Crochet Halter Top Free Pattern: Easy Triangle Cups

You will crochet a halter top built from two triangle cups joined by a band, with neck and back ties. It needs single and double crochet plus simple increases, and most crocheters finish in an afternoon or two (estimated 4 to 5 hours).

Tied Halter Top with Triangle Cups

Free crochet pattern · US terms

Yarn: 3 - Light (DK) — suggested
Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) — verify with a swatch
Gauge: 14 sts x 8 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in double crochet, unblocked (calculated, not measured)
Size: approx. Cup about 6 in (15 cm) wide at the top edge and 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall; band about 28 in (71 cm) before ties. Fits an approximate A to B cup; see variations for larger cups.
Level: Confident beginner
Time: about 4 h 30 min (estimate)

Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.

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The top is made of two identical triangle cups worked flat from the bottom point upward, then joined across the underbust with a short band. Long chains form the neck ties and the back ties, so the fit adjusts by tying rather than by fastening.

It suits a confident beginner who can keep track of stitch counts and work into chain spaces. The open, lacy fabric makes it a warm-weather piece, and the same instructions scale easily to a larger cup size.

Before You Start

Time Estimate: About 4 to 5 hours for the sample size, including ties and finishing. Larger cups add roughly 30 minutes each.

Yarn Amount: About 300 yd (275 m) of light worsted cotton, estimated from the stitch count and gauge; buy one extra skein to be safe.

Swatch First: Work a 4 in (10 cm) square in double crochet. Cup width depends directly on this measurement.

Fit Note: This is a tie-on top with no shaping for the bust. Try it on before weaving in the ends so you can adjust the band length.

Materials

Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.

2 x 50 g skeins of DK cotton, about 150 yd (137 m) each

Cotton holds the cup shape and stays cool in warm weather. A cotton-blend DK works too, but pure acrylic can stretch with wear.

4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook

Matches DK weight for a firm, opaque fabric. Go up to 4.5 mm (7) if your swatch comes out tight.

Stitch marker

Marks the first stitch of each cup row so you never lose the edge. A scrap of contrasting yarn works.

Tapestry needle

Needed for weaving in the tie ends securely. Blunt tip so it does not split the yarn.

Tape measure

Used for the gauge swatch and for checking cup width. Any soft tape is fine.

Yarn needed (estimate): about 300 yd (275 m) / 2 skeins of 50 g cotton

Gauge and Size

Gauge: 14 sts x 8 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in double crochet, unblocked. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.

Finished size (approximate): Cup about 6 in (15 cm) wide at the top edge and 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall; band about 28 in (71 cm) before ties. Fits an approximate A to B cup; see variations for larger cups.. Your size depends on your gauge.

Abbreviations (US terms)

Abbr.	Meaning
ch	chain
sl st	slip stitch
sc	single crochet
dc	double crochet
st	stitch
sts	stitches
sp	space
inc	increase (2 dc in the same stitch)
rep	repeat
FO	fasten off

Special Stitches

Double crochet increase (inc)

Work 2 dc into the same stitch. This adds one stitch and widens the cup edge.

Chain-2 corner space (ch-2 sp)

A space formed by 2 chains between stitches. On the next row you work into the space itself, not into the chains.

How This Pattern Is Written

All instructions use US crochet terms.
Each cup is worked flat in rows, turning at the end of every row. The right side is the side facing you on odd-numbered rows.
The turning chain of 2 at the start of a dc row does not count as a stitch. Work the first dc of the row into the first stitch.
Both cups are identical. The second cup is joined to the first with a short band across the underbust, then the ties are added.
Ties are long chains worked directly onto the cup edges, so no sewing of straps is needed.
The underbust band uses 'sc evenly' along the cup edge, so its total stitch count cannot be calculated from the written operations; the tester must count Row 1 and carry that number into Row 2.
Nothing in this pattern has been tested or measured; all stitch counts above are derived from the written operations only.

Checkpoint after Row 4 of Cup 1: A small triangle about 3 in (7.5 cm) wide at the top edge with 11 dc. The two side edges should look straight, not stepped.

The Pattern

Cup 1 (make 2)

Row 1: Ch 3. Work 3 dc into the first ch made (the chain farthest from the hook). Turn.(3 dc)
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Dc in the first st, dc in the next st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(4 dc)
Row 3: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(5 dc)
Row 4: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(6 dc)
Rows 5-9: Rep Row 4 five more times. Each row adds 1 st. Turn at the end of each row.(11 dc)
Row 10: Ch 2. 2 dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(13 dc)
Row 11: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(14 dc)
Row 12: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(15 dc)
Row 13: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(16 dc)
Row 14: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(17 dc)
Row 15: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn.(18 dc)
Row 16: Ch 2. Dc in the first st, dc in each st across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Do not turn. FO, leaving a 10 in (25 cm) tail.(19 dc)

Cup 2

Rows 1-16: Work exactly as Cup 1. Do not fasten off after Row 16.(19 dc)

Underbust Band and Ties

Row 1: With Cup 2 still on the hook, ch 6. Join with a sl st to the bottom point of Cup 1 (the Row 1 edge). Ch 1, sc in each of the 6 ch just made, working back toward Cup 2, then sc evenly along the bottom edge of Cup 1 to the center, sc in the center, sc evenly to the far bottom corner, sc in the corner. Turn. Count your sts; the total is your band count.(24 sc, to be confirmed by counting; 'sc evenly' cannot be arithmetically fixed)
Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in each st across. Do not turn. FO.(same number of sc as Row 24; 24 sc if Row 1 counted 24)
Neck tie, left: Join yarn at the top outer corner of Cup 1. Ch 70. Sl st in the second ch from the hook and in each ch back to the cup, ending with a sl st in the cup corner. FO.(70 ch; 69 sl st)
Neck tie, right: Join yarn at the top inner corner of Cup 2. Ch 70. Sl st in the second ch from the hook and in each ch back to the cup, ending with a sl st in the cup corner. FO.(70 ch; 69 sl st)
Back ties: Join yarn at the outer end of the Row 2 band. Ch 45. Sl st in the second ch from the hook and in each ch back, ending with a sl st in the band end. Rep on the other end of the band. FO.(45 ch; 44 sl st)

Finishing and Assembly

1. Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle, working each tail back and forth through 3 to 4 stitches so the ties cannot pull loose.
2. Try the top on. Cross the neck ties behind the neck and tie them. Bring the back ties around the ribs and tie them.
3. If the cup edge gaps, shorten the neck ties by tying them tighter, or add a few sc along the top edge of each cup.
4. Block lightly by misting with water and patting flat. Let it dry fully before wearing.

Sizes and Variations

Larger cup

Continue the increase pattern in Rows 17-20, adding 1 dc per row to reach 23 dc. The band and ties stay the same length.

Longer band

Work extra rows of sc on the band before adding the back ties, adding 24 sc per row.

Solid fabric

Work the cups in sc instead of dc. Gauge changes to about 16 sc x 18 rows per 4 in (10 cm), so add roughly 6 more rows to reach the same height.

Two-color top

Change color after Row 8 of each cup. Carry the old color up the side edge loosely so it does not pull.

Troubleshooting

What you see	Likely cause	Fix
The cup edges look stepped or wavy	The turning chain is being counted as a stitch, or the first dc is worked into the chain instead of the first stitch.	Ch 2, then work the first dc into the very first stitch below. Do not work into the turning chain at the end of the row.
The two cups are different sizes	Stitch count drifted on one cup, often at the increase edge.	Recount each row against the count in brackets. Rip back to the last correct row and rework.
The top gaps at the side of the cup	The fabric is too loose, or the neck ties are too long for the wearer.	Swatch again with a smaller hook, or tie the neck ties tighter and add a short sc edging along the cup top edge.
The band pulls the cups out of shape	The band was worked too tightly along the bottom edge.	Work the band sc evenly with a relaxed tension, or add 2 extra sc at each cup corner on Row 1 of the band.
The ties stretch out of shape	Chain ties worked too loosely, or a slippery yarn.	Work the slip stitch return row firmly, and use a cotton or cotton blend rather than a smooth acrylic.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry, reshaping the cups while damp. Do not tumble dry. Store folded rather than hanging so the ties keep their length.

Questions Makers Ask

Can I make this halter top in a larger size?

Yes. Add increase rows to each cup following the same pattern, then lengthen the band with extra sc rows. Recount the band stitches so both cups stay even.

How much yarn does a crochet halter top need?

This size uses about 300 yd (275 m) of DK cotton, estimated from the stitch count. Larger cups can need 100 yd (90 m) or more extra, so buy an additional skein.

Do I need to line the top?

Not necessarily. The dc fabric is fairly dense at this gauge. If you want more coverage, work the cups in sc or wear the top over a bandeau.

Can I wear this in water?

Cotton halter tops can be worn over swimwear, but this pattern is not designed as swimwear and the ties may stretch when wet. Rinse in cool water and dry flat after use.

Designer's note: Work both cups before joining anything. Comparing two finished cups side by side catches a missed increase far faster than counting rows.

Next: Try a crochet crop top with shaped armholes next, which builds on the same increase and band skills.

Printed from Nestora — https://nestora.medsaca.com/2026/10/26/crochet-halter-top-pattern/