Harvest Moon Crochet Tank Free Pattern
Harvest Moon Crochet Tank Free Pattern
Introduction
The Harvest Moon Tank is a wearable little piece of folk art, inspired by the deep navy skies and golden harvest moons of old storybook illustrations. It's written for intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with double crochet in the round and simple appliqué, and it comes together as a straight, easy tube from the bottom up. The body is plain navy double crochet, so it feels smooth, soft, and lightweight against the skin, while a golden moon and three little stars sit near the hem for a touch of handmade magic. Wear it over a tank or bralette in summer, or layered under a cardigan when the evenings turn cool.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: DK weight (category 3), cotton or cotton blend. Color A (navy): 200–250 yards. Color B (golden yellow): 50 yards.
- Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4), or the size needed to match gauge.
- Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.
- Finished size: To fit bust 34–36 inches; length 20 inches.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- MR – magic ring
- beg – beginning
- sts – stitches
Gauge
20 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches in double crochet. Work a small swatch in the round and measure the middle of the fabric; if you have more stitches than 20, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- When you join the starting chain into a ring, check carefully that it isn't twisted before working Round 1 — a twist here can't be fixed later.
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so your joins stay straight and your stitch count stays at 80.
- The armhole openings are created by the ch-2 spaces in the odd rounds near the top; keep those spaces loose enough to fit comfortably over your shoulders.
- Block your appliqué discs flat before sewing so the moon and stars lie smooth against the tank.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tank Body (Color A)
Set-up: Ch 81. Join with sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.
Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each ch around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 (80 dc).
Rnds 2–40: Ch 2, dc in each st around, join with sl st (80 dc). Do not fasten off.
Armhole and Neck Shaping
Rnd 41: Ch 2, dc in next 18 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts (armhole), dc in next 38 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts (armhole), dc in last 18 sts, join (76 dc, 2 ch-2 sps).
Rnd 42: Ch 2, dc in each st and in each ch-2 sp around, join (80 dc).
Rnd 43: Ch 2, dc in next 18 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next 38 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in last 18 sts, join (76 dc, 2 ch-2 sps).
Rnd 44: Ch 2, dc in each st and in each ch-2 sp around, join (80 dc).
Rnd 45: Ch 2, dc in next 18 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next 38 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in last 18 sts, join (76 dc, 2 ch-2 sps).
Rnd 46: Ch 2, dc in each st and in each ch-2 sp around, join (80 dc).
Rnd 47: Ch 2, dc in next 18 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next 38 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in last 18 sts, join (76 dc, 2 ch-2 sps).
Rnd 48: Ch 2, dc in each st and in each ch-2 sp around, join (80 dc).
Rnd 49: Ch 2, dc in next 18 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next 38 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in last 18 sts, join (76 dc, 2 ch-2 sps).
Rnd 50: Ch 2, dc in each st and in each ch-2 sp around, join (80 dc). Fasten off.
Edging (Color A)
Bottom edge: Join A to any st at the bottom edge. Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st (80 sc). Fasten off.
Top edge: Join A to any st at the top edge. Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st (80 sc). Fasten off.
Armholes (make 2): Join A to any st at the edge of one armhole opening. Ch 1, sc evenly around the opening, join with sl st. Fasten off. Repeat for the second armhole.
Moon Appliqué (Color B)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).
Do not join. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Star Appliqué (Color B) — make 3
Rnd 1: MR, 5 sc (5 sts).
Rnd 2: inc x5 (10 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x5 (15 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x5 (20 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x5 (25 sts).
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x5 (30 sts).
Do not join. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Pin the moon appliqué to the center front of the tank, about 2 inches above the bottom edge. Using the long tail and a tapestry needle, sew it in place with small, even stitches, working around the outer edge. Arrange the three stars around the moon, spacing them evenly, and sew each one down the same way. Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the fabric. Block the finished tank lightly: mist with water, smooth flat to the finished measurements (20 inches long, to fit a 34–36 inch bust), and let it dry completely before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Color swap: Work the body in charcoal or deep plum and the appliqués in cream for a different night-sky mood.
- More stars: Add a few extra small stars scattered up one side of the tank for a fuller folk-art sky.
- Length adjustment: Add or remove rounds in the body (Rnds 2–40) before the armhole shaping to make the tank longer or cropped — each round adds roughly 0.4 inches.
