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Crochet crop top patterns are everywhere at the moment and this one is here to show you it can be anything you want it to be. Not only can you adjust the length and width of it, I have clever styling ideas for people that would love to wear a trendy summer top like this but don’t want to bare all!
Made from a series of simple granny square style motifs, all you need to do is seam them together to form a rectangle, join that to make a band and then pop some straps on. Great for the beach, holidays, date nights or even the office over a crisp white shirt.
This simple summer crochet top pattern comes in sizes XS to 5XL so if you want to change the ease and size up or down you can! It’s super simple to add length to, adjust the straps and create the perfect top for you!
More about this free crochet crop top pattern
Now I have to admit, I wouldn’t normally be the one you’d see rocking a cropped crochet top with straps in Summer (or anytime of year in fact) but there was something about this one that was calling to me.
I’ve seen so many cropped vests and tops on the high street this year that are both crocheted and knitted and suddenly had the urge to create one myself.
I really wanted to use a granny square motif idea similar to one I’d designed before so that it could be really adaptable for any size and really simple to make too! You simply make a big stack of these crochet squares and then join them together to form a tube and create your very own crop granny square top!
Pop some simple straps on and you’re done! The great part is that if you’d prefer your top to be longer and not cropped then you can just add more squares around the bottom.
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How do you crochet a summer top like this?
This is a great beginner crochet top to make, mostly because you don’t have to think about increasing or decreasing. We basically make a rectangle out of squares and then make it into a tube. It creates a simple crochet top made from squares that you can easily adjust to any size!
Each of the squares is 4 inches across so we make as many as you need for your size. It’s designed to be a close fitting top so has 4 – 6 inches of negative ease but you can adjust that to however you’d like.
The count number referring to each size is laid out as follows: Adult: XS (S, M, L, XL), (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). I’ve given all of the details of measurements and yarn yardage down below.
Crop Crochet Garment Patterns
Over the last few years we’ve seen a real surge in shorter length garments on the high street and of course now in fibre arts. I am loving experimenting with crop length crochet tops and so far have designed the Deidra Crop Sweater and Wetherby Crop Cardigan but have plenty more ideas to come!
I often get the impression that the high street tells us that crop tops are only for youngsters but I think absolutely anyone can wear them! With the right styling and the right length for your body shape they look stunning 🙂
Yarn
To crochet this summer top, I used the lovely Cotlin (3/double knit weight; 70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen, 123yds/50g) in the colours A: Bare and B: Linen.
I really love working with Cotlin and used it for my cute cat eye mask and Hayden mosaic bag pattern. It’s a really soft yet robust yarn to work with.
According to the size you are making, you’ll increase/decrease the number of balls you use.
Size Label: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Approx Yarn required Colour A (m/yds): 287/314 (309/338, 340/372, 421/460) (443/484, 501/548, 523/572, 554/606)
Approx Yarn required Colour B (m/yds): 55/60 (64/70, 73/80, 83/90, 92/100) (100/110, 110/120, 119/130, 128/140)
If you choose to add any length to your top remember to get some extra yarn for that.
Yarn Substitutes
Any #3/DK/Lightweight yarn will work great for this project. I would recommend using a cotton or linen for a summer crochet top like this. Here are some other options:
- Rico Essentials Cotton DK, 100% cotton; 120m/50g
- DROPS Cotton Merino, 50% fine merino, 50% Egyptian cotton; 110m/50g
- Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo, 52% cotton, 48% Rayon from bamboo, 224m/100g
Sizing
This crop top comes in nine different sizes including: XS (S, M, L, XL)(2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). The sizes in this pattern are based on the body measurements as laid out by the Craft Yarn Council.
A full schematic is available in the paid PDF option with instructions for lengthening the top.
Size Label: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
To fit Bust: 30″ (34″, 38″, 42″, 46″) (50″, 54″, 58″, 62″)
Garment circumference: 24″ (28″, 32″, 36″, 40″) (44″, 48″, 52″, 56″)
Crop Length: 16″ (16″, 16″, 17.5″, 17.5″) (17.5″, 19″, 19″, 19″)
The PDF pattern includes a full schematic with inches and centimetres along with instructions to lengthen to up to waist length.
Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
Gauge
Each square motif (4 rounds) = 10cm by 10cm/ 4” by 4” (blocked). To determine your gauge, I would recommend a gauge swatch before you begin.
Gauge Swatch
The gauge swatch needs to be worked as the Square Motif in the pattern.
Materials
Along with your yarn, you will need the following:
- 4mm (G) crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
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Glossary and Abbreviations
ss/sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
st(s) – stitch(es)
sp – space
rep – repeat
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
blo – back loop only
Yoh – yarn over hook
Stitches
The short top uses the following crochet stitches:
sc – single crochet (UK dc – double crochet)
dc – double crochet (UK tr – treble crochet)
Special Stitches
The special stitches used in this crochet top are given below:
3 double crochet-cluster stitch (3dc-Cl)
Yoh, insert hook in space/st, yoh, pull through a loop, yoh, pull through 2 loops. Yoh, insert hook back into same space/st, yoh, pull through a loop, yoh, pull through 2 loops. Yoh, insert hook back into same space/st, yoh, pull through a loop, yoh, pull through 2 loops. Yoh and pull through all 4 loops.
Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss)
- FIRST FORWARD PASS: Insert hook in stitch. Yoh and pull up a loop (leave loop on hook). *Insert hook in next st, yoh and pull up a loop. Rep from * to end of row.
- RETURN PASS: Yoh and pull through first loop. *yoh and pull through two loops. Rep from * until only one loop remains on hook.
- SUBSEQUENT FORWARD PASSES: Insert hook through 2nd bar from hook. Yoh and pull up a loop (leave loop on hook). *Insert hook through next bar, yoh and pull up a loop. Rep from * to end of row.
- RETURN PASS: Yoh and pull through first loop. *yoh and pull through two loops. Rep from * until only one loop remains on hook.
Repeat a forward and return pass for the desired numbers of rows.
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)
Insert hook in space/st, yoh, pull through loop, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull through loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Learning to Crochet Garments
If you’re new to crochet garments and worried about all the sizing, seaming, gauge and other things that might seem really daunting, please don’t worry. I used to feel exactly the same! If you can make a blanket, then you can make this garment. I promise!
I’ve written all about my experience with learning to both make and design garments and you can learn about crochet garment making and make sure you explore all of these fabulous easy crochet cardigan patterns too. There are so many options out there for every skill level and style!
We also have an article all about how to make perfect crochet garments which is a great read packed full of experience and tips!
If you’re ready to dive and get all of the garment making info in one place then you will LOVE our Crochet Garments with Confidence Course! You get lifetime access to world class crochet garment designers teaching you everything they know!
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Watch the video tutorial
In the video I will guide you through the whole process of making this crochet crop top. We begin by making the motifs and then join them together to create the main body of the top. Then we simply add the straps to finish.
I’m excited to also share my helpful tips and tricks for customisation to make it perfect for you or whoever you are making it for!
A ch1 at the beginning of a round does not count as st.
Read through the entire pattern before beginning.
Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
Make sure that you are familiar with all of the stitches in the abbreviations list before you begin.
Stitch counts are given in [ ] at the end of each row. If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous row.
The count number referring to each size is laid out as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL), (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).
Free Crochet Crop Sweater Pattern
Get this crochet crop top pattern free in this blog post in US terms – just scroll down to find it in the exclusive members area! You can also purchase an ad-free, printable PDF with added extras in my pattern stores:
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All sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
US Terminology
SQUARE MOTIF PATTERN
Foundation chain: Using B, ch2 (or make a magic ring if you prefer).
Round 1: (dc, ch1) 8 times into 2nd ch from hook, ss in 1st st to join. [8 x dc, 8 x ch1-sp]
Round 2: ch1, *dc in same st (next st for reps), 3dc-Cl in next ch1-sp, 3dc-Cl in next st, (dc, ch4) in next ch1-sp; rep from * 3 more times, ss in 1st st to join. [8 x 3dc-Cl, 8 x dc, 4 x ch4-sp]
Break yarn. Join A to any dc after a ch4 from Round 2.
Round 3: ch1, *dc in next st, 2dc in next 2 sts, dc in next st, (3dc-Cl, ch4, 3dc-Cl) in ch4-sp; rep from * 3 more times, ss in 1st st to join. [8 x 3dc-Cl, 24 x dc, 4 x ch4-sp]
Round 4: ch1, *dc in next st, ch1, skip next st, dc in next 2 sts, ch1, skip next st, dc in next st, 3dc-Cl in next st, (3dc-Cl, ch4, 3dc-Cl) in ch4-sp, 3dc-Cl in next st; rep from * 3 more times, ss in 1st st to join. [16 x 3dc-Cl, 16 x dc, 8 x ch1-sp, 4 x ch4-sp]
Break yarn. Weave in ends and block to measurements (4″ square) before joining together.
Make 12 (14, 16, 18, 20) (22, 24, 26, 28) squares for your chosen size.
JOINING THE SQUARES
Join the squares into a rectangle that is 2 squares high using a flat slip stitch seam (or your preferred seaming method).
Once you have created the rectangle, join the first and last set of squares to create the tube of the top.
TOP BAND
With the tube now created, we can add the Top and Bottom Bands working in rounds.
Join A to first st of any square (this is where your underarm seam will be)
Round 1: ch1, sc in each st and ch around, ss in 1st st to join.
When you encounter a join of squares, work a sc2tog in the ss join and first st of next square to avoid any little gaps.
Rounds 2 – 3: ch1, sc in blo of each st around, ss in 1st st to join. Break yarn.
Rotate your work to make Bottom Band in the same way as Top Band along the bottom of the top.
Work both the Top and Bottom Bands for as many rounds as you like to adjust the length.
STRAPS
Positioning of straps is such a personal preference so I’d encourage you to use some stitch markers to experiment with where you’d like yours!
As a general idea I would suggest having 24 sts in the centre between your straps and having them 6 stitches wide. You can of course change either or both of these!
Once you have decided on the position, join A to the first stitch to work in.
Row 1: First Forward and Backward Pass Tss in 6 sts (see page 7).
Row 2: Tss in each st across.
Repeat Row 2 until strap measures 14 (14, 14, 17, 17) (17, 20, 20, 20) inches (or desired length). Break yarn and secure to corresponding sts on other side of top.
Block lightly and weave in all ends to finish.
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More Summer Crochet Top Patterns You Might Enjoy
If you enjoy crocheting tops for summer, here are a few more you might want to make!
