Wildflower Boho Tank Top

A loose-fit, top-down summer tank with a gathered drawstring square neckline, airy V-stitch lace body, gentle A-line flare, and a decorative looped picot fringe hem.

Skill Level: Easy / Advanced Beginner → Intermediate

Description

This breezy tank is crocheted from the top down in one piece with minimal seaming. Wide shoulder straps frame a modern square neckline that is softly gathered with a woven drawstring and finished with a feminine front bow. The body flows in an all-over openwork V-stitch lace for beautiful drape, gently flares into a relaxed A-line, and ends in a delicate looped picot fringe border. Perfect layered over a bralette or a slip dress.

(Photo reference A: full front view showing square neck + bow. Photo B: hem picot fringe close-up. Photo C: side-seam drape.)

Materials

Yarn: DK / Light Worsted weight 100% cotton (worsted-category, ~200 yd / 100 g per skein)

• Recommended: a smooth mercerized cotton for stitch definition.
• Sample color: Natural Cream

Yardage by size (see chart below).

Hook: US H/8 (5 mm) main hook; US G/6 (4 mm) for edging/tighter tension if needed.

Notions:

• Tapestry/yarn needle
• 8–10 stitch markers
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Optional: blocking mat + rustproof pins

Gauge

In V-stitch lace pattern, blocked: 16 sts × 8 rows = 4 in (10 cm) worked in dc-based lace.

Simplified swatch check: 1 V-stitch (4-st repeat) ≈ 1 in wide; 40 V-sts ≈ 40 in.

⚠️ Gauge is essential for fit. Make a 6 in swatch in pattern, block it, and measure. If too tight, size up hook; too loose, size down.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

Designed for 6–8 in of positive ease (loose boho fit). Choose by finished bust.

Instructions are written for Size M, with all other sizes in (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) format where they differ. When only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

Special Stitches

• V-stitch (V-st): (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) all worked in the same stitch or ch-1 space. Each V-st = 4 dc + 1 ch and consumes/produces 4 sts worth of pattern width.
• Picot: ch 3, sl st into first ch (or into indicated st) to form a loop.
• Looped Picot Fringe: ch 8, sl st back into base st to form a hanging loop (see Edging).

Pattern Notes

• Worked top-down: two flat yoke panels (front & back) with straps → joined in the round at underarms → body worked in the round → edging.
• Turning ch 3 counts as first dc throughout the flat yoke.
• In the round, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 at each round unless noted.
• The lace body is a multiple of 4 sts. All flare increases add full 4-st repeats to keep the pattern aligned.
• Stitch counts are given at the end of rows/rounds in ( ).
• RS = right side facing.

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

1. Front yoke panel (straps + square neck + upper bust) — worked flat.
2. Back yoke panel — same.
3. Join front + back at underarms into a round.
4. Body in V-st lace with flare increases.
5. Neckline + armhole edging.
6. Drawstring channel + drawstring + bow.
7. Picot loop fringe hem.

STITCH CHART (V-Stitch Body Repeat)

Legend:  ▲ = dc      ○ = ch      ⋔ = V-st (2dc,ch1,2dc)

Row/Rnd repeat (4-st multiple):

  ⋔        ⋔        ⋔
 /|\      /|\      /|\
▲▲○▲▲   ▲▲○▲▲   ▲▲○▲▲   ...
  |        |        |
(V-st in    (V-st in
 ch-1 sp    ch-1 sp
 below)     below)

Each round: work 1 V-st into the ch-1 sp of each V-st in the round below.

Each V-st stacks on the ch-1 space of the V-st beneath it, forming clean vertical lace columns with airy diamonds between.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

(Written for Size M. Other sizes in parentheses.)

PART 1 — FRONT YOKE PANEL (worked flat)

The front upper edge spans the square neckline width plus two straps.

Strap width: 12 sts (3") each side. Front neck width (M): center 32 sts. Front upper panel total (M): 12 + 32 + 12 = 56 sts.

Upper-panel starting chains by size: (48, 52, 56, 60, 68, 72, 80, 84, 92)

Straps First (make gathered neckline possible)

We work the two straps separately down from the shoulders, then join across with a foundation to create the square neck.

LEFT STRAP Row 1 (RS): Ch 13. Dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (11 sts + turning ch = 12 sts) Rows 2–8: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across. Turn. (12 sts) Fasten off after Row 8. (Strap ≈ 4" long; lengthen here for taller torsos — see Adjustments.)

RIGHT STRAP: Work same as Left Strap. Do not fasten off; continue to Joining Row.

Joining Row (creates square neck base)

With RS facing and Right Strap live: Row 9 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc across Right Strap (12 sts), ch 32 (M) (XS 24, S 28, M 32, L 36, XL 44, 2XL 48, 3XL 56, 4XL 60, 5XL 68) to span the neck gap, then dc across Left Strap 12 sts. Turn. Total front upper sts = 12 + 32 + 12 = 56 (M) ✓ matches upper-panel count.

Front Body of Yoke

Row 10 (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st and each ch across. Turn. (56 sts) Rows 11–14: Ch 3, dc in each st across. Turn. (56 sts)

This 5-row dc block (Rows 10–14) is the solid upper bust that anchors the drawstring channel later.

Fasten off Front Yoke. Math check: 56 sts ÷ 4 = 14 full V-st reps for front. ✓

PART 2 — BACK YOKE PANEL (worked flat)

Work exactly as Front Yoke, Parts 1, including straps, joining row, and Rows 10–14. End with (56 sts) (M).

The back is identical to the front for this square-neck style, which keeps the top reversible-friendly and beginner-simple.

Fasten off.

PART 3 — JOIN INTO THE ROUND (underarm join)

Lay Front and Back panels RS together at side edges. You will join at the underarms leaving armholes open (the straps already form the shoulders).

With RS facing, working along the bottom edge of both panels:

Rnd 1 (RS): Join yarn to bottom corner of Front. Dc in each of the 56 front sts, PM at side, dc in each of the 56 back sts, PM at other side. Join with sl st to first dc. Total = 56 + 56 = 112 sts (M) By size: (96, 104, 112, 120, 136, 144, 160, 168, 184)

⚠️ Note: this joined count is the underarm circumference, smaller than final bust. We will increase to the flared body count over the next rounds.

Setup Increase Round (to reach body stitch count)

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc evenly around, adding increases spaced evenly to reach body target:

• Increase from 112 → 160 sts (M): add 48 sts → work "2 dc in every st, then 1 dc in next st" pattern is too many; instead inc 3 sts, dc 4 sts repeat.
  • Simple rule: (dc in next 2, 2 dc in next) around = ×1.5. 112 ×1.5 = 168 (close). To hit exactly 160, use the map below.

Exact increase map — end of Rnd 2 (Body Sts):

To add evenly, space increases as: divide "From" by "sts added" to find interval, then work 2 dc in every nth stitch.

• M example: 112 ÷ 48 ≈ 2.3 → work 2 dc in next st, dc in next 1–2 sts alternating until 48 increases made. End: 160 sts ✓ (divisible by 4 → 40 V-st reps). Join.

Verify all "To" columns ÷ 4 = whole number: 136/4=34, 148/4=37, 160/4=40, 176/4=44, 192/4=48, 208/4=52, 224/4=56, 240/4=60, 256/4=64. ✓ All valid V-st repeats.

PART 4 — LACE BODY (worked in the round)

You now have a multiple of 4 sts. Begin the V-st lace.

Set-Up Rnd (V-st foundation): Rnd 3: Sl st to next st. Ch 3, dc in same st (½ V-st start), skip 1 st, V-st (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in next st, skip 1 st — actually to keep it beginner-clean, use this exact rule:

• V-st placement: Skip 1 st, work V-st in next st, skip 1 st, work V-st in next st… around. Each V-st + 2 skipped sts consumes 4 sts and yields one V-st column.
• Number of V-sts = Body Sts ÷ 4 = 40 (M) (34, 37, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64). Join with sl st to top of first V-st's first dc. (40 V-sts / M)

Pattern Rnd (repeat for body): Rnd: Sl st into first ch-1 sp. Ch 3, (dc, ch1, 2 dc) in same ch-1 sp (first V-st made), V-st in next ch-1 sp around. Join to top of beg ch-3. (same V-st count)

Work Pattern Rnd until body measures desired length before flare — approx 6 in from underarm join.

Flared A-Line Shaping

To flare gently, add V-st repeats at evenly spaced points:

Increase Rnd (flare): Work in pattern, but twice around, work 2 V-sts into the same ch-1 sp (an "open fan" increase). This adds 2 V-sts per increase rnd.

• Work 1 Increase Rnd, then 3 plain Pattern Rnds. Repeat this 4-rnd sequence 3 times total (adds 6 V-sts = 24 sts of flare).
• Final body V-st count (M): 40 + 6 = 46 V-sts at hem.

Fewer/more flare: For a straighter fit skip increases; for dramatic boho swing, add a 4th increase sequence.

Continue in pattern until tank measures 20 in from top of strap (M) (see size chart), ending on a completed Pattern Rnd.

Do not fasten off — proceed to Hem Edging (Part 7) or fasten off and rejoin.

PART 5 — NECKLINE & ARMHOLE EDGING

Neckline (square) edge: With RS facing, join yarn at a top-strap corner. Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around the entire neckline opening (down strap side, across neck ch edge, up other strap, across back), working ~1 sc per st and 1 sc per row-end, keeping corners square with (sc, ch1, sc) in each of the 4 inner corners. Join, fasten off.

Armhole edging (×2): With RS facing, join at underarm. Sc evenly around each armhole opening (approx 48–60 sc depending on size), join with sl st, fasten off. Weave in ends.

PART 6 — DRAWSTRING CHANNEL, DRAWSTRING & BOW

The channel sits in the solid dc block (Front Yoke Rows 10–14) just below the neckline.

Create eyelet channel (front only): With RS facing and working across the front upper dc block, ~1 row below the neckline edging: Row: Join yarn at right neck corner. Ch 2, skip 1 st, sc in next st across the front width, fasten off. This forms evenly spaced ch-2 eyelets to thread the drawstring. (Optional: repeat across back for a fully adjustable gather.)

Make the Drawstring:

• Ch a chain 60 in long (or 2× front width + 24 in for bow tails).
• Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Fasten off. (Makes a flat, sturdy tie.)
• Alternative: braid 3 strands of yarn for a boho braided tie.

Thread & Bow:

• Weave drawstring in and out through the front eyelet channel, entering and exiting at the center front so both tails emerge at the middle.
• Gather the neckline gently to desired fullness.
• Tie a bow at center front. Knot ends and add optional tassels/beads.

(Photo reference A: bow placement & gather depth.)

PART 7 — LOOPED PICOT FRINGE HEM

Rejoin (or continue) at hem with RS facing.

Fringe Rnd: Working into the hem edge: In next ch-1 sp: (sc, ch 8, sl st in last sc made to form a hanging loop, sc); sc in next available st/sp; repeat from * around.

• Each V-st ch-1 sp gets one ch-8 looped picot; the sc between anchors it. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

For fuller fringe, alternate ch-8 loop and ch-3 picot around the hem. For longer drape, use ch-10 or ch-12 loops.

Weave in all ends.

BLOCKING

1. Soak finished tank in cool water with a drop of wool/cotton wash; gently squeeze (do not wring).
2. Roll in a towel to remove excess water.
3. Lay flat to measurements from the size chart; pin square neckline corners square and open each hem loop so picots hang cleanly.
4. Gently open lace diamonds with fingers/pins to showcase the openwork.
5. Let dry completely before wearing. Re-block after washing to maintain drape.

OPTIONAL SIZE / FIT ADJUSTMENTS

• Torso length: Add or remove plain Pattern Rnds in Part 4 (each rnd ≈ ½"). Adjust before starting flare for best proportion.
• Strap length/height: Add/remove strap rows (Rows 2–8); each dc row ≈ ½". For a higher neckline, add rows to the yoke dc block (Rows 10–14).
• Neckline width: Adjust the "ch across neck gap" number in the Joining Row in multiples of 4 to keep the body a valid V-st multiple. (Neck ch + 24 strap sts must remain divisible by 4.)
• Less/more flare: Add or omit Increase Rnd sequences in Part 4.
• Bust ease: Choose a size with more/less positive ease; each size step ≈ 3–4" bust.

YARN REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Buy 1 extra skein for fringe + drawstring + swatch.

TESTER NOTES / CHECKLIST

• [ ] Swatched & blocked to gauge (16 sts × 8 rows = 4")?
• [ ] Straps measure 3" wide × desired length?
• [ ] Body stitch count divisible by 4 after Rnd 2?
• [ ] Square neck corners crisp after edging?
• [ ] Drawstring gathers evenly and bow sits centered?
• [ ] Hem loops uniform after blocking?
• Feedback fields: hook used, yarn used, finished bust, total length, time to complete, photos (front/back/hem detail).

Designer Tips

• Keep tension relaxed in the lace body for maximum airy drape.
• Count V-sts every few rounds — it's easier to fix one round back than ten.
• A mercerized cotton gives the crispest lace diamonds; a cotton-linen blend gives softer boho slouch.

Happy hooking — wear your Wildflower Tank in the sunshine! 🌼