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With a delicate drape and glorious texture, this simple crochet top pattern is just the thing for warmer months. With a classic and relaxed fit, you can adjust the length and sleeves to suit you making it the most comfy tee shirt you’ll own!

This is a basic crochet t-shirt made from two rectangles but it’s worked from the top down so the only seams you’ll have are at the sides. The mindful pattern uses simple stitches that alternate between front, back and 3rd loops to create a stunning texture in this summer crochet top.

I made it in a nice neutral shade of yarn but you’re welcome to experiment and see what color you like it in best. The construction is super easy and I’ve got a video tutorial to help along the way too!

Simple crochet top pattern in cream with short sleeves on a woman.

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Scroll down and sign in to find this trendy crochet top pattern, or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version here:

More about this simple crochet top pattern

I wanted to design a beginner-friendly basic crochet t-shirt pattern but that was full of texture and interest. So I decided to use the same stitch that’s in my Mystical fingerless mitts as it felt perfect for the relaxed style I wanted! I made with two matching panels, one for the front and one for the back.

Both panels are worked top down and you’ll finish crocheting the back before joining to its first row and starting the front panel, simultaneously creating the neckline as well.

Once both panels are ready, you’ll just seam them at the sides while leaving stitches unworked for the armholes.

I’m already wearing mine here with layers so it’s turning out to be both a spring and summer wardrobe staple for me!

How do you crochet an easy summer crochet top like this?

There’s a simple pattern repeat that you’ll work to make up the panels of the top. You can adjust the length according to how you’d like.

While I’ve made my sleeves by working only a few rows, you can see how long you want yours to be. For summer months, you can choose a sleeveless option and if you’re making this in the winter, you can work as may rounds as you like to make them longer!

The top is constructed with basic crochet stitches and a few special ones which are definitely achievable even if you’re a beginner.

If you want to make other crochet tops for a summer wardrobe staple, here are a few others you might enjoy (and you can search my blog for more patterns too):

Yarn

To crochet this beginner-friendly basic crochet tee, I used Twill Fingering by WeCrochet (100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 183yds/ 50g).

Mostly, it seems that people lean towards cotton blend yarn when making things for the summer season but I love using other fibres that, with the right stitch and drape can be just as cool!

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Approximate m/yds: 1015/1110 (1050/1150, 1180/1290, 1310/1430, 1435/1570) (1565/1710, 1695/1850, 1820/1990, 1945/2125)

No. of balls: 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12, 12)

If you want, you can use any fingering weight yarn for your project. Some great options for alternative yarns are:

Also, if you decide to make with longer sleeves or adjust the length, you’ll keep adding colors/yardage accordingly.

Fingering weight yarn sitting on crochet.

Materials

Along with your yarn, you will need the following:

Tension and Sizing

The pattern contains a full schematic and sizing details but this might help you decide which size to make too.

The easy summer crochet top pattern is designed for sizes XS to 5XL with the following finished garment measurements:

XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Width: 15 (17, 19, 21, 23) (25.25, 27.25, 29.25, 31.25) inches

Length: 20 inches all sizes

Armhole Depth: 8 (8, 9, 9, 10) (10, 11, 11, 12) inches

Garment circumference: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50.5, 54.5, 58.5, 62.5) inches

Neckline: 9.75 inches all sizes

So, if for example you want yours to fit how my version does on me then you need to measure your chest circumference and make the size that is about 3-4 inches smaller than your measurement.

If you want a loose fitting crochet top then choose the size that is 3-4 inches bigger than your measurement.

Don’t worry about what the size label tells you. Make the one that will give you the fit you want.

Gauge: 23sts and 19 rows = 10cm by 10cm/ 4” by 4” over main set hdc pattern.

Video Tutorial

You can watch a full video tutorial for the Mystical Tee here:

Pattern Options

Get this crochet 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 in US terms with added extras in my pattern stores: 

Purchase and Print

Get the ad-free, printable PDF with added extras in my pattern stores:

Twill Tee Pattern

Don’t forget to join HanJan Crochet to receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns!) and Pin this free trendy crochet top pattern to your crochet Pinterest board!

Images of woman wearing summer crochet t shirt.

Glossary and Abbreviations

ss – slip stitch

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

ch – chain

sts(s) – stitch(es)

rep – repeat

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

blo – back loop only

flo – front loop only

Yoh – yarn over hook

Stitches

The pattern uses the following crochet stitches:

sc – single crochet (UK dc – double crochet)

hdc – half double crochet (UK htr – half treble)

Special Stitches

The special stitches used in this beginner friendly crochet tee are given below:

3rd loop

Extra loop created on hdc or Exhdc from the yarn over. When working in rows this will be the first loop you come to when looking at the stitch.

flo – Front Loop Only

To work the front loop only, Turn your work so that the top is facing you to see the front and back loops. Work into the front loop by inserting the hook into the loop of the ‘V’ nearest you.

blo – Back Loop Only

To work the back loop only, Turn your work so that the top is facing you to see the front and back loops. Work into the back loop by inserting the hook into the loop furthest from you.

Close up of woman wearing crochet top in fingering weight yarn with textured stitch.

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!

Pattern Notes

A ch1 at the beginning of a row does not count as st.

Turn at the end of every row.

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).

Customisation

The pattern is really simple to adjust to suit you and your style. It’s perfect for summer weather but you could make it with long sleeves for other seasons!

If you would like your top looser or tighter then follow the instructions for a bigger or smaller size.

Length – you can easily adjust the length of your top by working as many repeats of the Main Set Pattern as you would like on both the Front and Back. The tee is worked from the top down and so is easy to try on as you go and make as long or short as you like (note that you may need more yarn than stated if you lengthen you top).

Armhole depth – the pattern instructs for average armhole depths but you can seam as many or as few rows as you like to create your armholes. A good idea is to use stitch markers to see where you would like to seam and try it on before doing it.

Easy crochet top laid on a table showing stitch detail.

Free Simple Crochet Top Pattern

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US Terminology

BACK

Row 1: RS: Fhdc 87 (99, 111, 123, 135) (147, 159, 171, 183). [87 (99, 111, 123, 135) (147, 159, 171, 183)]

Row 2: ch1, *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * to end.

Row 3: ch1, hdc in blo of each st to end.

Row 4: ch1, *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * to end.

Row 5: Rep Row 3.

Row 6: ch1, *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo only of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * to end.

Row 7: Rep Row 3.

Rows 2-7 create the Main Set Pattern.

Rows 8-97: Repeat the Main Set Pattern.

If you would like your top to be shorter or longer then you can adjust it by working as many or few repeats of the Main Set Pattern here.

A good tip is to leave your working loop on a st marker, then make the Front so that you can try the top on before deciding on the exact length.

FRONT

With RS facing, join yarn to the first stitch of Row 1 of the Back.

You can adjust your neckline to be as wide as you like. The neckline here is 9.75”.

You need to make sure that the stitches you work for the neckline are a multiple of 3. Then work an even number of stitches either side of it as follows:

Row 1: ch1, hdc in blo of next 15 (21, 27, 33, 39) (45, 51, 57, 63) sts, Fhdc 57, skip next 57 sts of Row 1 of the Back, hdc in blo of next 15 (21, 27, 33, 39) (45, 51, 57, 63) sts. [87 (99, 111, 123, 135) (147, 159, 171, 183)]

Row 2: ch1, *hdc in blo of next st, hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st; rep from * to end.

Row 3: ch1, hdc in blo of each st to end.

Row 4: ch1, *hdc in flo of next st, hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo of next st; rep from * to end.

Row 5: Rep Row 3.

Row 6: ch1, *hdc in 3rd loop only of next st, hdc in blo only of next st, hdc in flo of next st; rep from * to end.

Row 7: Rep Row 3.

Rows 2-7 create the Main Set Pattern.

Rows 8-97: Repeat the Main Set Pattern.

Make sure if you have adjusted the length of your top to work a matching amount of rows for the Front and Back.

Fasten off when length is correct.

Before seaming the sides, block to measurements.

SIDE SEAMS FOR ARMHOLES

Work for both sides of the tee.

To create the armholes, with WS facing you counting down from the top place a stitch marker on Row 38 (38, 43, 43, 48) (48, 52, 52, 57) of both the Front and Back.

This is a good point to try the top on and see if the armholes sit where you would like them.

You can adjust by moving the stitch markers up or down to your liking.

With WS facing, seam with a whipstitch (or your preferred seaming method) from the bottom of the tee to the stitch marker.

You can leave the edge of the sleeve unworked or continue to add the small cap sleeve edging as follows.

Add the Cap Sleeve

Continuing with yarn, work into the sides of the rows around the armhole now.

The armhole is designed to be slightly cinched in but if you’d prefer yours to be more loose fitting then work extra stitches evenly around the armhole as instructed on Round 1.

Working in continuous rounds:

Round 1: ch1, sc in the side of each row around armhole [76 (76, 86, 86, 96) (96, 104, 104, 114)] note – this will create a slightly cinched in armhole. If you would prefer it to not be cinched then work 3sc for every 2 rows around the armhole.

Rounds 2-4: sc in blo of each st around.

Slip stitch into first st on last round. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends to finish.

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Purchase and Print

Get the ad-free, printable PDF with added extras in my pattern stores:

Twill Tee Pattern

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