Sporty meets chic in the Aruba Tunic, an easy, everyday poncho you won’t want to take off. Access the full free pattern and helpful tutorial video for this crochet swim cover up in this blog post.
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Get the Aruba Tunic from TLYarnCrafts.com or Ravelry. The printable PDF version is an ad-free pattern for easy crocheting! Or, find the all-in-one kit available HERE.
Keep scrolling for the free version of the Aruba Tunic, which is available to view at the bottom of this blog post.
How to Make a Crochet Swim Cover Up
Stay ready for any summer getaway when you pack light, which means having versatile pieces in your warm-weather wardrobe. The lightweight fabric of the Aruba Tunic makes a great crochet swim cover up when lounging poolside, or slip on linen pants to wear this look while window shopping down the boardwalk. The subtle stripes add dimension to the piece without distracting from the overall relaxing vibe.
A crochet swim cover up like this one is perfect for practicing new crochet skills. If you’ve never tried Tunisian crochet, give it a go with the Aruba Tunic. It only uses two basic stitches, and I walk you through all the necessary techniques in the tutorial video. You’ll be strutting and shimmying in your new tunic in no time!
I took a gamble on using Lion Brand’s Coboo in this design, and it paid off beautifully. Coboo is a blended yarn, combining cotton’s wicking abilities and bamboo’s luster. These features will come in handy when you’re trying to look fabulous on an especially warm day. Choose a low-contrast color scheme for your Aruba Tunic like I did, or go bold when pairing colors from Coboo’s 18-color palette.
Get the Aruba Tunic in an all-in-one kit from Lion Brand, which includes the PDF pattern and all the yarn you need. Add in your extra notions to get stitching the easy way. GET YOUR KIT HERE!
Pattern Testers
I had the pleasure of working with an amazing group to test the Aruba Tunic. Each one is slightly different and shows off the versatility of this fun crochet swim cover up pattern. Draw inspiration from their amazing makes, and consider following them on Instagram.
COLUMN 1
- Tori of @tori.in.stitches in Lion Brand Truboo
- Ila of @ilaquinndesigns used Lion Brand Truboo
- Sarah of @sarahbstitches used Lion Brand Truboo
COLUMN 2
- Danita of @stitches.and.rows used Lion Brand Coboo
- Alea of @thescarvingartist used Cascade Hampton
COLUMN 3
- Korey of @cuddlesforcarole used Truboo
- Ana of @anaecotton used Lion Brand Coboo
- Christine of @CabernetSavvyYarn used Lion Brand Coboo
Get the Aruba Tunic:
- Get the ad-free printable pattern HERE
- Find an all-in-one kit HERE
- Shop the yarn for this pattern HERE
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue HERE
- Pin this pattern to your Pinterest board HERE
Aruba Tunic Details
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Coboo (category 4) worsted weight yarn. Color A (Lichen): 2 (3, 3, 4) skeins; Color B (Tan) 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins.
- 5.5mm Tunisian crochet hook with 40″ cord (try this set!)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Locking stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Blocking supplies
FINISHED SIZES
XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL). All sizes are intended to have 6-12” positive ease. Measurements were taken after steam blocking.
- Finished Bust: 40 (48, 56, 64)”
- Finished Length: 32 (32, 34, 34)”
GAUGE
19 sts x 11 rows = 5” in pattern stitch. Yarn over spaces counted in sts for gauge. This stitch is very flexible – measure gauge lying flat without stretching.
ABBREVIATIONS
CC = change color
Ch = chain
Lts = Last Tunisian Stitch (see Special Stitches)
Rep = repeat
RetP = Return Pass (see Special Stitches)
Sk = skip
St = stitch
Tks = Tunisian knit stitch
Tss = Tunisian simple stitch
Yo = yarn over
SPECIAL STITCHES
- Last Tunisian Stitch (Lts): Insert hook under BOTH vertical bars of the last stitch and pull up a loop.
- Return Pass (RetP): Ch 1, (yarn over, pull through next 2 loops on hook) until 1 loop remains on the hook.
PATTERN NOTES
- Each size has its own section of written instructions. Complete the instructions for your size ONLY, then proceed to Assembly.
- Carry yarn up the side of the work during stripe color changes. Only fasten off where instructed.
- For this tunic, you need to know the basics of Tunisian crochet (TC), how to crochet the Tunisian simple stitch and knit stitch, and stripe color changes. Use these video links to master the skills: Tunisian crochet for beginners + simple stitch; TC color changes; Tunisian Knit Stitch
- This pattern uses the Mattress Seam (video tutorial) to join panels and finish side seams. Construct your seam loosely, or it may cause your work to pucker. If you still have problems with your seam, try one of these methods.
Need a little help making your crochet swim cover up? Use this video as a guide while you’re stitching!
Aruba Tunic Pattern
PANELS, SIZE XS/S (MAKE 2)
ROW 1 (RS): With A, ch 243, starting with the 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop in the back bump of each ch across row, RetP.
ROW 2: (Yo, sk next st, tss following st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
ROWS 3-6: Rep Row 2. Cc to B at end of Row 6.
ROW 7: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 8: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 9-10: Rep Rows 7-8.
ROW 11: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row. Fasten off B.
ROWS 12-16: With A, Rep Row 2. Cc to B at end of Row 16.
ROW 17: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 18: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 19-20: Rep Rows 7-8. Fasten off A after Row 20; there are no further color changes.
ROW 21: With B, rep Row 2.
ROW 22: (Tks the yo, tss the next st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
BIND OFF: Continuing with B, sl st bind off loosely. Fasten off.
Proceed to Assembly.
PANELS, SIZE M/L (MAKE 2)
ROW 1 (RS): With A, ch 243, starting with the 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop in the back bump of each ch across row, RetP.
ROW 2: (Yo, sk next st, tss following st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
ROWS 3-6: Rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of Row 6.
ROW 7: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 8: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 9-12: Rep Rows 7-8.
ROW 13: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row. Fasten off B.
ROWS 14-18: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at end of Row 18.
ROW 19: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 20: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 21-24: Rep Rows 7-8. Fasten off A after Row 24; there are no further color changes.
ROW 25: With B, rep Row 2.
ROW 26: (Tks the yo, tss the next st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
BIND OFF: Continuing with B, sl st bind off loosely. Fasten off.
Proceed to Assembly.
PANELS, SIZE XL/2XL (MAKE 2)
ROW 1 (RS): With A, ch 259, starting with the 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop in the back bump of each ch across row, RetP.
ROW 2: (Yo, sk next st, tss following st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
ROWS 3-8: Rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of Row 8.
ROW 9: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 10: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 11-16: Rep Rows 9-10.
ROW 17: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row. Fasten off B.
ROWS 18-24: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at end of Row 24.
ROW 25: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 26: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 27-30: Rep Rows 9-10. Fasten off A after Row 30; there are no further color changes.
ROW 31: With B, Rep Row 2.
ROW 32: (Tks the yo, tss the next st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
BIND OFF: Continuing with B, sl st bind off loosely. Fasten off.
Proceed to Assembly.
PANELS, SIZE 3XL/4XL (MAKE 2)
ROW 1 (RS): With A, ch 259, starting with the 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop in the back bump of each ch across row, RetP.
ROW 2: (Yo, sk next st, tss following st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
ROWS 3-9: Rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of Row 9.
ROW 10: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 11: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 12-17: Rep Rows 10-11.
ROW 18: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row. Fasten off B.
ROWS 19-26: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at end of Row 26.
ROW 27: With B, rep Row 2. Cc to A at the end of row.
ROW 28: With A, rep Row 2. Cc to B at the end of row.
ROWS 29-34: Rep Rows 10-11. Fasten off A after Row 34; there are no further color changes..
ROW 35: With B, rep Row 2.
ROW 36: (Tks the yo, tss the next st) across row, working last st as Lts, RetP.
BIND OFF: Continuing with B, sl st bind off loosely. Fasten off.
Proceed to Assembly.
ASSEMBLY
STEP 1: Steam block panels to 9.5” tall x 64” long (11.5” tall x 64” long, 13.5” tall x 68” long, 15.5” tall x 68” long).
STEP 2: Lay panels flat with RS facing up and bind off edges touching. Using B, mattress seam panels together using the dimensions shown.
STEP 3: Fold tunic in half so the bottom edges line up. With RS facing up, use A to mattress seam the sides closed using the dimensions shown.
FINISHING
Weave in all remaining ends.
Block piece to final dimensions. You will have to steam (or wet) block this piece aggressively to get the seams to match the drape of the fabric. Place piece on mannequin or hanger and pull the seam while steaming to get it to match the final dimensions.
Prefer an ad-free, printable pattern? Get the Aruba Tunic pattern HERE.
Share your crochet swim cover up with me on Instagram using #ArubaTunic. Then pop over to the TLYC Makers Facebook group and share there, too – we can’t wait to see it!
MORE CROCHET PATTERNS TO TRY
The Arbu Tunic is lovely, the stitch work, color and drape are wonderful together.