The Thursday Night Cover Up is a lightweight Tunisian crochet cover up that doubles as an easy summer cardigan, designed around two long rectangular panels and simple seaming. The fabric has an airy, open look created with a repeat that uses Tunisian simple stitch two together paired with chain spaces, giving you drape without bulk.
Crochet Tunisian Cover Up
What makes this top especially useful is how adjustable it is: you choose the panel width based on your shoulder-to-shoulder measurement, the panel length based on your hip-to-shoulder measurement, and the armhole depth based on your preferred fit. That means you can make it cropped or longline, fitted or oversized, and you can tweak the sleeves to feel loose and beachy or more cardigan-like. If you want a modern layering piece that looks intentional while staying beginner-friendly in construction, this Tunisian crochet cover up is a perfect build.
Materials
- Size 3 lightweight yarn, about four skeins for an adult cover up depending on length and width
- 8 mm Tunisian crochet hook with a cord
- Measuring tape
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations and Notes
- Ch = chain
- Yo = yarn over
- TSS = Tunisian simple stitch
- TSS2tog = Tunisian simple stitch two together
- RP = return pass
- LP = forward pass also called the left to right pass
- This pattern is written for a Tunisian hook with cord because the panels can be long and need space for loops
- The stitch pattern is a one row repeat and should keep the same number of loops on your hook each row
- You will make two identical panels and seam them to form the back, sides, and sleeves
- Because this is customizable, exact stitch counts are based on your measurements rather than fixed sizes
- Keep your tension relaxed so the fabric drapes and the cover up feels light
Fit and Sizing Guide
- Panel width controls the overall shoulder width and how open the front hangs
- Panel length controls how long the cover up is from hem to neckline and back down to hem
- Armhole depth controls how roomy the sleeves feel
- For a looser beach cover up, add extra width and leave deeper armholes
- For a cardigan look, keep width closer to your shoulder measurement and leave slightly smaller armholes
Step 1 Taking Measurements
- Measure shoulder to shoulder across your upper back
- Write this down as Panel Width
- Measure from your hip to your shoulder along the side of your body
- Multiply that number by two to get the full panel length for one long rectangle
- Write this down as Panel Length
- Decide how deep you want your armhole opening
- Use about 7 inches for small to medium fits
- Use about 8 to 9 inches for large to extra large fits
- Write this down as Armhole Depth
Step 2 Make the Panels Make 2
- Create a slip knot and chain an even number of stitches
- Keep chaining until the chain length matches your Panel Width measurement
- Do not join, you are working in rows
Foundation Row Tunisian Foundation
- Insert hook into the second chain from the hook
- Yo and pull up a loop
- Continue inserting hook into each chain, yo, and pull up a loop across the row
- You should now have multiple loops on your hook
- Work the RP
- Yo and pull through one loop
- Yo and pull through two loops repeatedly until one loop remains on hook
Main Stitch Pattern One Row Repeat
- Work this same row for every row of the panel until you reach Panel Length
Forward Pass
- Skip the first vertical stitch
- Insert hook behind the front legs of the next two vertical stitches
- Yo and pull up one loop to complete TSS2tog
- Ch 1
- Yo once to maintain stitch count and create the open space
- Repeat across the row
- Insert hook behind the front legs of the next two vertical stitches
- Yo and pull up one loop
- Ch 1
- Yo
- Continue repeating until you are near the end of the row
- Before the last stitch, make sure you do a final Yo so the edge does not narrow
- Insert hook into the last stitch of the row
- Yo and pull up a loop
Return Pass
- Yo and pull through one loop
- Yo and pull through two loops repeatedly until one loop remains
Panel Length Check
- Keep repeating the one row pattern until the rectangle reaches your Panel Length measurement
- If you want a shorter cover up, stop earlier
- If you want a longline cover up, keep going longer
Bind Off
- Work a slip stitch bind off to keep the edge neat and stable
- Follow the rhythm of the fabric so it matches the pattern
- Insert hook into the same places you worked the forward pass
- When you reach a pair of vertical stitches, insert hook behind the front legs of the next two vertical stitches and slip stitch to bind off in that section
- When you reach a chain space, slip stitch in a way that keeps the edge aligned and not tight
- Continue across until all stitches are bound off
- Cut yarn and pull through to secure
Repeat to Make Second Panel
- Make the second panel exactly the same width and length as the first
- Bind off the same way
Blocking Optional but Helpful
- Lightly wet block or steam block the panels to open the stitches and smooth the fabric
- Let panels dry fully before seaming
Assembly Layout
- Place both panels flat side by side with the long edges vertical
- Make sure the panels are aligned evenly at top and bottom
- Fold each panel in half lengthwise so the top edges meet
- After folding, each panel becomes a long folded piece
- Keep the folds at the top, these folds help form the shoulder area
Back Seam
- With panels folded, place them next to each other
- The bottom corners should be closest to you
- Sew the two panels together starting from the bottom corners moving upward
- Use a tapestry needle and matching yarn for an invisible look
- Use whip stitch or mattress stitch, whichever you prefer
- Stop sewing about 3 inches before the top fold
- This unsewn space becomes the neck opening
- Secure yarn and weave in the end
Side Seams and Armholes
- Keeping the panels folded, decide your armhole depth
- Measure down from the shoulder fold along the side edges
- Mark the armhole point on both sides
- Leave about 7 inches for small or medium
- Leave about 8 to 9 inches for large or extra large
- Start seaming from the bottom edge upward
- Sew each side seam until you reach the armhole marker
- Stop seaming at the marker to leave the armhole opening
- Repeat on the other side
- Secure yarn and weave in the ends
Try On and Fine Tune
- Turn the cover up right side out
- Try it on and check the fit
- If you want wider sleeves, undo a little of the side seam near the armhole and stop lower
- If you want a closer sleeve fit, seam a little higher but keep enough room to move comfortably
- If the neckline feels too tight, open the back seam slightly more near the top
- If you want more coverage at the neck, seam closer to the fold leaving a smaller neck gap
Finishing
- Weave in all remaining ends securely
- Check seams for any loose sections and reinforce if needed
- Lightly block the whole garment again if you want extra drape
Beginner Notes for This Stitch Pattern
- If your panel starts narrowing, you likely skipped the extra Yo near the end of the row
- If your panel starts widening, you may be adding an extra Yo in the middle of the row
- Keep your ch 1 relaxed so the fabric stays open and even
- Use stitch markers at the first and last stitch positions if you tend to lose edges in Tunisian crochet
Customization Ideas
- Make it cropped by shortening the Panel Length
- Make it longline by adding more rows to the Panel Length
- Make it oversized by adding a few inches to Panel Width before you begin chaining
- Make sleeves roomier by leaving a deeper Armhole Depth
- Make sleeves narrower by leaving a shallower Armhole Depth
- Add a simple tie by making a long chain cord and attaching it at the front edges
- Add a border with single crochet along the front opening and hem if you want extra structure
- Add fringe at the hem for a beachy look
Care Tips
- Use a yarn that can handle water and sun if you plan to wear it at the beach or pool
- Rinse after wearing over swimwear to keep the yarn fresh
- Lay flat to dry to maintain shape and drape
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