Mossy Squares Crochet Bralette Free Pattern

Mossy Squares Crochet Bralette Free Pattern

Introduction

This little bralette is made for teens and anyone who loves a retro 90s look with a soft, earthy twist. It is worked as one simple flat rectangle in alpine stitch, then seamed into a tube, so there is no shaping, no darts, and no tricky fitting to worry about. The raised vertical texture of alpine stitch makes the moss green and lichen stripes look almost like bark and stone, and the dark brown squiggle appliqués add a playful, hand-drawn feel. It is light, stretchy, and quick to make, which makes it a lovely first garment project for an adventurous beginner.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight tweed wool (approx. 200 yds / 100g per skein)
  • MC moss green: 150 yds
  • CC1 lichen: 50 yds
  • CC2 dark brown: 20 yds
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, tape measure
• Finished size: To fit teen bust 30–34 inches. The rectangle measures 14 inches wide x 7 inches high before seaming; the finished tube is approx. 14 inches circumference x 7 inches high.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• fpdc – front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post (the vertical body) of the stitch below, from the front, instead of into the top of the stitch.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side (the outside of the finished piece)
• MC – main color (moss green)
• CC1 / CC2 – contrasting color 1 (lichen) / contrasting color 2 (dark brown)
• rep – repeat

Gauge

14 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in alpine stitch. To check, crochet a small swatch in pattern, lay it flat, and measure a 4-inch section in both directions; adjust your hook size if needed.

Tips Before You Start

• Alpine stitch pulls in slightly, so measure your rectangle after a few rows rather than only at the very end.
• Keep your fpdc posts loose enough to sit beside the plain dc stitches; tight posts flatten the ribbed texture.
• Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of a row so the new color starts cleanly at the edge.
• Because the tube has no shaping, try the rectangle around yourself before seaming to confirm the fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Rectangle (MC)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 50, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (48 dc).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, [fpdc around next dc, dc in next dc] across, ending with fpdc around last dc (48 sts).

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, dc in each st across (48 sts).

Rows 4–5: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts).

Change to CC1.

Rows 6–7: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts).

Change to MC.

Rows 8–9: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts).

Change to CC1.

Rows 10–11: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts).

Change to MC.

Rows 12–13: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts).

Change to CC1.

Rows 14–15: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts).

Change to MC.

Rows 16–17: Rep Rows 2–3 (48 sts). Fasten off. Rectangle measures approx. 14" x 7".

Side Seams

With RS together, whipstitch or sc seam the short sides (17 rows) together to form a tube. Turn RS out.

Top Edging (MC)

Rnd 1: Join yarn at top edge, sc evenly around top edge (approx. 48 sc). Fasten off.

Bottom Edging (MC)

Rnd 1: Join yarn at bottom edge, sc evenly around bottom edge (approx. 48 sc). Fasten off.

Straps (make 2, MC)

Row 1: Ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (29 sc). Fasten off.

Sew straps to top edge at front and back, approx. 3" from side seams, forming loops over shoulders.

Squiggle Appliqués (make 3, CC2)

Row 1: Ch 15, sc in 2nd ch from hook, [2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch] rep across (21 sc). Fasten off.

Sew appliqués randomly onto front of bralette using photo as guide.

Assembly and Finishing

Seam the short sides as described, then attach the straps and appliqués with small, secure stitches. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working them through a few stitches so they stay put. Block lightly to measurements: mist with water, pin to 14 inches wide x 7 inches high, and let dry flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap CC1 for a soft cream or dusty pink for a different seasonal palette.
• Make the straps adjustable by adding a small button at the front edge and a few ch loops on the strap end.
• For a longer crop, add extra 2-row bands of MC and CC1 before the top edging, keeping the same stitch counts.