How to Crochet a Bikini Bottom

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 17, 2019 References Tested

A crocheted bikini bottom is a simple project, but it requires following an intricate pattern of decreases and increases to get the shape right. Use cotton yarn and a size D (3.0 mm) hook to crochet the bikini bottom in your size. Then, try crocheting a matching bikini top for a cute, custom-made swimsuit!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Working the Front and Crotch

1
Select a cotton yarn and a size D (3.0 mm) crochet hook. Unlike wool and acrylic yarns, cotton yarn holds up well against multiple washes. Choose cotton yarn in a color you like and get a size D (3.0 mm) crochet hook to work the pattern.^{[1]
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Tip: If you’re making a bikini top to go with your bikini bottom, make sure to get 2 extra balls of the same yarn to ensure that you’ll have enough to make the top and bottom in the same color.
2
Make a slipknot. Wrap the yarn around your index and middle finger 2 times and then pull the first loop through the second loop. Tighten the knot around 1 finger and then transfer it to your crochet hook. Tug the tail of the yarn to secure it around the hook.^{[2]
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3
Chain 48 stitches or the length needed to go across your hips. Measure around your hips or the hips of the person who will be wearing the bikini with a soft measuring tape. Divide the hip measurement in half and subtract 3 in (7.6 cm). Make a chain this length for a snug fitting bikini bottom. Loop the yarn around the hook 1 time and then pull this loop through your slipknot to make the first chain.^{[3]
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Research source} Repeat this 47 more times to create the foundation for your bikini.^{[4]
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- Hold the chain against your hips just below your belly button to determine if this is your desired size. If it’s too small, add a few more chains. If it’s too large, remove a few chains.
- Keep in mind that this pattern makes a bikini bottom that you secure on the sides with ties, so there's some flexibility in terms of fit. The bikini bottom will sit low on your hips, just below your belly button, and you'll secure it with ties on each side.
4
Double crochet together the 4th and 5th chains from the hook. Loop the yarn over the hook 1 time and then insert it into the 4th chain from the hook. Yarn over again and pull through the chain. Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops. Then, loop the yarn over the hook again and insert the hook into the next chain. Yarn over the hook and pull through the chain. Then, yarn over 1 more time and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.^{[5]
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- This will count as 1 decrease for the row meaning that the row will have 1 less chain in it.
5
Double crochet the next 40 stitches. Loop the yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops. Then, yarn over 1 more time and pull through the last 2 stitches on the hook to complete the stitch.^{[6]
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- Do this for all stitches in the row.^{[7]
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6
Decrease the next 2 and double crochet 1 time into the last chain. Repeat the double crochet decrease for the next 2 stitches after you finish double crocheting 40. Then, double crochet 1 time into the last stitch in the row.^{[8]
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7
Repeat the stitch sequence for the next 16 rows. Follow the exact same stitch sequence for the next 16 rows decreasing at the beginning and end of the row and double crocheting the stiches in between. The number of stitches in between your decreases will go down by 2 each row since you’ll be making 2 decreases per row.^{[9]
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- For example, the next row you work will be 1 dc, dc2together, 38 dc, dc2 together, 1 dc. Then, the next row will be 1 dc, dc2together, 36 dc, dc2 together, 1 dc, and so on.
8
Double crochet across all stitches in the next 5 rows. Once you have completed 16 rows of the decrease sequence, work only in double crochet across the next 5 rows. Do not do any more decreases for this area. This will form the crotch of the bikini bottom.^{[10]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Increasing to Create the Back of the Bikini

1
Chain 3 and turn your work to begin a new row. Loop the yarn over the hook and pull through 1. Repeat 2 more times and then turn your work around so the opposite side is now facing you.^{[11]
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- The chain of 3 counts as a double crochet stitch and will provide slack to turn your work.
2
Work 2 double crochet stitches into the next stitch. Loop the yarn over the hook and insert it into the next double crochet stitch. Complete the stitch and then work another double crochet stitch into the same space.^{[12]
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- This will count as a 1 stitch increase for the row.
3
Double crochet to the second to last stitch. Continue to work 1 double crochet stitch into every stitch in the row until you reach the second to last stitch in the row.^{[13]
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4
Work 2 double crochets into the second to last stitch. Yarn over and work a double crochet into the last stitch in the row. Then, yarn over again and work another double crochet into the same stitch space. This will count as a second stitch increase for the row.^{[14]
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5
Double crochet 1 time into the last stitch. Finish the row by working a single double crochet stitch into the last stitch in the row. This will mirror the beginning of the row where you made a chain of 3, which counted as a double crochet stitch.^{[15]
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6
Repeat the sequence for the next 22 rows. Continue to work the same stitch sequence for the next 22 rows. This will increase the total number of stitches in each row by 2 until the back of the swimsuit is the same width as the front.^{[16]
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Tip: Keep track of your rows with a row counter or a row counting app. Get a row counter at a craft supply store and place it on the end of your hook, or download a row counting app and tap it each time you complete a row.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Adding Strings and Edging to the Bottoms

1
Chain 100 from the end of the last row you worked. Once you finish the last row in the bikini bottom, yarn over the hook and pull through 1. Repeat this 99 more times to create a chain of 100.^{[17]
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- The chain may seem long, but it will look much shorter after you tie it in a bow with another chain to secure the side of the bikini bottom.
2
Single crochet across the chain to work back towards the bikini. Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook and yarn over the hook 1 time. Then, pull through 1 and yarn over again. Pull the hook through both remaining stitches on the hook to complete 1 single crochet stitch.^{[18]
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- Continue to work a single crochet stitch into each chain until you get back to the beginning of the chain.
3
Work 1 single crochet, a chain of 2, and a single crochet for the edging. Work this sequence into each double crochet space along the edge of the bikini until you get to the next corner. This will create a simple, but decorative edging to embellish the bikini bottom.^{[19]
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Tip: If desired, you can use a different stitch to edge the bottom of your bikini, such as the V-stitch or shell stitch.
4
Repeat the sequence for the other corners and edges of the bikini. After you complete 1 string and edge of the bikini bottom, repeat the same sequence to do the next string and edge. Then, keep going until you have completed a total of 4 strings and 4 edges of the bikini.^{[20]
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5
Cut and tie off the last stitch to finish the bottoms. Pull out the last loop by about 3 in (7.6 cm) to widen it. Then, cut the yarn about 3 in (7.6 cm) away from the last stitch in the row. Insert the end of the yarn through the loop and tug the tail to make a knot. Cut the excess yarn about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the knot to finish.
- After you have done this, the bikini bottom is complete!