FREE Easy Summer Crochet Top Pattern

Make the Perfect Crochet Top Pattern using Lion Brand Mandala String to create a beautiful wearable for the Summer Months! This free pattern is suitable for a beginner crocheter with knowledge of basic crochet stitches that is looking for a bit of a challenge. Intermediate crocheters will find this to be an easy pattern once a few row repeats are completed and the pattern becomes very intuitive. Happy Crocheting!

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Pattern Description

This warm weather top is made using Lion Brand Mandala String, a lightweight yarn classified as a CYC 1. The self striping yarn used in this free pattern combined with many simple stitches makes this lightweight top look more complex than it is.

When designing this pattern I want to create a look that would be flattering on any body type while using minimal shaping. Due to the yarn weight and open unique stitch pattern the drape created is fantastic and no shaping was necessary!

For visual learners there is a stitch chart included along with step-by-step instructions to assemble your crocheted summer top.

This warmer weather top will help you beat the summer heat with the lacy fabric that is created using a series of basic stitches to create eyelets.

Using this small yarn can make finding the first or last stitch difficult, so a stitch marker may be a good idea to help maintain the correct stitch count.

Pattern Construction 

This crocheted top is made by creating two simple rectangles that you will seam together to create a v-neck opening.

To achieve the vertical stripes the rows are worked so that the panels are placed parallel with your body not perpendicular making this a very unique design.

Although this top looks like it has form flattering shaping it is actually made with simple drop sleeve construction. The lightweight yarn creates a drapey material that allows this top to fall nicely on your body.

Creating this free crochet pattern is easy using chain stitches, single crochet, half double crochets, double crochet stitch and treble crochet. You will also use the back loop only technique in one row in the repeat to add texture.

Pattern Fit

I am wearing the Medium/Large size in photos and have a 36-38″ bust.

Below is a size chart explaining the size ranges by giving you the bust size the top was designed for versus the actual garment measurements. 

To customize your fit take your body measurements and compare that to the actual measurements and ease. You may also adjust the depth of the front and back neck plunge by adding or reducing seam stitches. 

Decided what type of fit you would like to choose the best size for your bust measurement and desired ease. If you would like less ease choose a smaller size that will still fit your bust.

If your bust is on the larger end of the size range you may choose one of the larger sizes to have extra ease.

This pattern is worked over simple stitch pattern with a multiple of 16 + 2, if you want to add more length, add multiples of 16 to the starting chain for the size that properly fits your bust.

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Materials

• 3.25 mm Crochet Hook
• 3 (4, 5, 6) Skeins of Lion Brand Mandala® String Yarn Country [557-212AN]
• #1 Superfine Weight Yarn
  1050 (1400, 1750, 2100) yards

Gauge

• 24 sts by 19 rows in pattern repeat is 4 by 4 inches.
• Gauge Swatch: Make a starting chain of 34 and complete 19 rows.
• Blocking will open this stitch pattern mostly row-wise and minimally stitch-wise. 

Sizing 

• XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL, 3/4XL) – 6-10” positive ease.
• See Size Chart for Actual Bust Measurements to choose your best fit.

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch 
• Stitch(es) – st(s)
• Skip – sk
• Single Crochet – sc
• Half Double Crochet – hdc
• Double Crochet – dc
• Treble Crochet – tr
• Back Loop Only – blo

Pattern Notes

• * Designates a repeat.
• “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
• “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
• “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next stitch to create an increase.

Easy Ladies Crochet Top – Free Pattern

Chain 242 (258, 258, 274)
Row 1 – Sc in second chain from hook, *sc in next, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next, (ch 1, sk 1)*, repeat from * to * until 1 sc remains, omit last ch 1 from repeat and sc in last ch.
Row 2 – Turn, ch 1, sc in each ch-1 sp and each st across.
Row 3 – Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sc blo until 1 st remains, sc in last st.
Row 4 – Turn , ch 4, sk first sc, tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1) hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), *sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1)*, repeat from * to * until 8 sts remain, sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in each of last 2 sc sts.
Row 5 – Turn , ch 4, sk first tr, tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1) hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), *sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1)*, repeat from * to * until 8 sts remain, sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in each of last 2 tr sts.
Row 6 – Turn, ch 1, sc in each ch-1 sp and each st across.
Row 7 – Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sc blo until 1 st remains, sc in last st.
Row 8 – Turn , ch 1, sc 2, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), *sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1)*, repeat from * to * until 2 sts remain, sc in each of last 2 sts.
Row 9 – Turn, ch 1, sc 2, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), *sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), sc in next sc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), tr in next tr, (ch 1, sk 1), dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1), hdc in next hdc, (ch 1, sk 1)*, repeat from * to * until 2 sts remain, sc in each of last 2 sts.
Rows 10 to 40 (52, 64, 76) – Repeat Rows 2 to 9, finish off.

Assembly 

1. Pre-block your panels before seaming, this stitch will open up quite a bit and if you do not steam you may have some pinching in your seams.This 
2. Lay your panels flat with right sides facing so that your final rows are touching in the center to complete the open wave stitch pattern. If you are using self-striping yarn this will make the color pattern mirrored. 
3. Using the seam of your choice (I used a decorative flap zipper) seam from the end in 90 sts, leave a long tail so you can adjust the neck opening.
4. Repeat Step 3 on the other side, this will leave an opening to create the neck.
5. Fold the panels in half and seam Row 1 together from the first and last stitch 90 sts to create an arm opening. Leave a long tail so you can adjust the arm opening.
6. Repeat Step 5 on the other side to create the second arm opening. 
7. Weave in all ends and enjoy!

Check out more of my crochet summer tops that are perfect for warm days!