Earth Gradient Mesh Tank Top

Fitted Openwork Crochet Top – Size S (Small)

Difficulty: Intermediate
Finished Circumference: Bust 32" (81 cm), Waist 26" (66 cm), Hem 36" (91 cm)
Finished Length: 18" (46 cm) from shoulder to hem
Fit: Fitted with 1–2" (2.5–5 cm) positive ease at bust

A lightweight yet structured tank worked in chunky yarn. The body uses an open mesh net for breathability; the upper chest switches to dense single crochet for coverage and support. A soft color gradient runs from light beige at the hem through warm brown into burgundy at the neckline. Dark brown borders frame the hem and neckline; an elegant crocheted cord ties at the right neckline.

Yarn

Chunky weight (category 5) yarn, approx. 450 yd (410 m) total:

• Color A (Light Beige): 150 yd (137 m)
• Color B (Warm Brown): 120 yd (110 m)
• Color C (Burgundy): 100 yd (91 m)
• Color D (Dark Brown): 80 yd (73 m) for borders and cord

Suggested fiber: cotton or cotton-blend for drape and summer wear.

Hook & Notions

• US L/11 (8 mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle
• 4 stitch markers
• Scissors
• Optional: blocking mats and pins

Gauge

10 sts and 7 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Mesh Pattern with US L/8 mm hook, blocked.
12 sts and 12 rows = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet.
Make a gauge swatch. Change hook size if necessary.

Abbreviations (US)

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
sk – skip
rep – repeat
pm – place marker
rm – remove marker
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
BLO – back loop only

Stitch Patterns

Mesh Pattern (multiple of 2 sts)
Rnd/Row: *Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * around/across.
(Each dc + ch-1 counts as 2 sts.)

Dense Fabric
Sc in each st across/around.

Notes

• Top is worked bottom-up in joined rounds through the body, then split and worked flat for upper front and back.
• Join rounds with sl st to first dc (or sc); ch 3 counts as first dc unless otherwise stated.
• Color gradient: work 3½" (9 cm) Color A, 3½" (9 cm) Color B, remainder Color C. Change color in the last yarn-over of the final st of the round.
• Maintain even tension in mesh so fabric remains open but stable.
• Measurements use the Size S guide: bust 30–30.5" (76–77 cm), waist 23.5–24" (60–61 cm), underbust 25.5" (65 cm), breast depth 7.5" (19 cm).

Finished Measurements (blocked)

• Hem circumference: 36" (91 cm)
• Waist circumference: 26" (66 cm)
• Bust circumference: 32" (81 cm)
• Armhole depth: 7.5" (19 cm)
• Neckline width: 6" (15 cm)
• Shoulder width each: 3.5" (9 cm)
• Total length: 18" (46 cm)

Pattern Instructions

Body (worked in the round)

With Color A and US L/8 mm hook, ch 90. Being careful not to twist, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring. (90 sts)

Set-up Rnd: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each ch around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (90 dc)

Rnd 1 (Mesh): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st, *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; rep from * around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (45 dc + 45 ch-1 sps = 90 sts)

Rnds 2–6: Rep Rnd 1. (Work measures approx. 3½" / 9 cm from foundation.)
Change to Color B on last yo of final st of Rnd 6.

Rnds 7–12: With Color B, continue Mesh Pattern. (Work measures approx. 7" / 18 cm from foundation.)
Change to Color C on last yo of final st of Rnd 12.

Begin waist shaping (still Color C):
Rnd 13 (dec): Ch 4, sk next st, *(dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st) 3 times, dc2tog over next dc and following dc (skipping the ch-1 between), ch 1, sk next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, (dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st) twice, join. (80 sts — 10 sts decreased, 36" → 32" circumference path begins)

Rnds 14–16: Work even in Mesh Pattern on 80 sts.
Place marker at underbust level (approx. 10" / 25 cm from hem).

Rnd 17 (bust inc): Ch 4, sk next st, *(dc, ch 1, sk 1) 7 times, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, ch 1, sk 1; rep from * around, adjusting final repeats to land evenly, join. (80 sts restored after temporary shaping; fabric now sits at 32" bust.)

Rnds 18–20: Work even in Mesh Pattern on 80 sts.
Work should measure approx. 11.5" (29 cm) from hem to underarm.

Divide for Armholes

Next Rnd (split): Work Mesh Pattern across first 40 sts (Front), turn. Leave remaining 40 sts unworked for Back.
Continue each panel separately in rows.

Front

Row 1 (WS): Ch 3, work Mesh Pattern across 40 sts, turn.
Rows 2–4: Continue Mesh Pattern even. (Armhole depth begins.)

Shape armholes & begin dense upper chest:
Row 5 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each st and ch-1 sp across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (38 sts)
Switch fully to Dense Fabric (sc).

Rows 6–8: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Row 9: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (36 sts)
Rows 10–12: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Row 13: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (34 sts)
Continue even in sc until armhole measures 5" (12.5 cm) from split, ending after a WS row. (Approx. 15 total rows from split.)

Neckline shaping (scoop):
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first 12 sts, turn leaving center 10 sts unworked. (Left front shoulder)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across, turn. (11 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (10 sts)
Rows 4–6: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Fasten off.

With RS facing, sk center 10 sts, join yarn in next st.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in remaining 12 sts, turn. (Right front shoulder)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (11 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across, turn. (10 sts)
Rows 4–6: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Fasten off.
Each shoulder = 3.5" (9 cm); neck opening = 6" (15 cm). Armhole depth total 7.5" (19 cm) ✓.

Back

Return to held 40 back sts, join Color C at armhole edge with RS facing.
Work identical to Front through armhole decreases and dense sc section until armhole measures 6.5" (16.5 cm) from split (slightly higher back neck).

Back neck shaping:
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first 11 sts, turn leaving center 12 sts unworked.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across, turn. (10 sts)
Rows 3–4: Ch 1, sc across. Fasten off.
Mirror for second shoulder. Fasten off.

Shoulder Seams

With RS together (or WS for decorative ridge), whip-stitch or sl-st seam each front shoulder to corresponding back shoulder (10 sts each). Weave ends.

Finishing Borders (Color D – Dark Brown)

Hem border:
Join Color D at side of hem.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire hem (approx. 90 sc), join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join. Fasten off.

Armhole borders (make 2):
Join Color D at underarm.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around armhole (approx. 38–40 sc), working 2 sc at shoulder seam, join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join. Fasten off.

Neckline border:
Join Color D at right shoulder seam.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire neckline (approx. 48–50 sc), working sc2tog at each front neck corner for clean curve, join.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join. Fasten off.

Decorative Cord / Tie

With Color D, ch 80 (or 32" / 81 cm).
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Fasten off, leave 4" tails.
Optional: add small tassels or beads to ends.
Thread cord through the neckline border stitches on the right side (from wearer’s perspective) at the base of the right shoulder / neck edge and knot elegantly as a side tie. Adjust length to taste.

Final Finishing

Weave in all ends securely on WS.
Block: wet-block or steam-block to finished measurements, pinning mesh open and shaping armholes and neckline. Allow to dry completely.

Inline validation summary:
Bottom 90 sts ÷ 10 sts/4" = 36" hem ✓
After dec 80 sts = 32" bust ✓
Mesh 7 rows/4" × body rounds ≈ 11.5" to underarm ✓
Dense sc rows + shaping = 7.5" armhole matching breast depth ✓
Shoulders 10 sts × 4"/12 sc-sts ≈ 3.3–3.5" each ✓

Enjoy your Earth Gradient Mesh Tank Top!
Pattern for crochet.site publication – Size S only.