Easy Crochet Summer Top for Beginners

Just because Summer is around the corner, doesn’t mean you have to put your crochet hook down! This free easy crochet summer top pattern creates a lightweight tee that will add a handmade element to your summer style! This beginner crochet top pattern that uses just the basic crochet stitches to create a lightweight and airy top!

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All Meshed Up Summer Top | Free Crochet Patterns

This free beginner friendly, crochet summer top pattern is available in 9 different Adult sizes – XS through to 5XL. The size chart below details the sizing and the yarn required for each size too.

The use of the off-set mesh on the top section, will help keep you cool, even on those warmer summer days – it’s lightweight, made using size 3/DK weight cotton and has a casual fit.  

The top is worked bottom up by making 2 panels using US double crochet stitches before adding the mesh section and joining the 2 panels to complete this easy summer crochet top project.

The pattern works up quickly with an easy stitch pattern repeat and has added rows to create the neck line and shape in the shoulders to prevent the top sitting too high across the neck, keeping it super comfy to wear!

Purchase the Printable PDF Pattern

You can download your own printable PDF copy of the All Meshed Up Summer Top from either my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Shop.Click the button below to purchase from your favourite retailer.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Materials:

• 100% Cotton DK (size 3) yarn
• I used PaintBox Yarns Simply Cotton 100% in the following 2 shades:
  • A – Stormy Grey (405)
  • B – Candy Floss Pink (450)
• 4mm Crochet Hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch Markers (optional)

With over 50 shades to chose from, LoveCrafts really do have all the colours you’ll love to choose from.

Click here to purchase your yarn from LoveCrafts

I can’t recommend LoveCrafts Simply Cotton enough! It’s a DK weight yarn that creates a wonderful, soft drape to the finish of this easy crochet summer top, and their choice of colours always blows me away! 

 You’ll see below the colours used by my testers along with the different yarns they used for alternatives to give you even more inspiration on what colours to make your All Meshed Up Summer Top in.

Inspirational Images!

As always, this pattern would not be complete without the help of my fabulous pattern testers. They have helped me ensure that the pattern is correctly sized for all along with ensuring that the pattern can be easily followed regardless of your crochet skill level.

Below, you will find the photos of just 3 of my beautiful testers who have kindly shared pictures of their finished projects to inspire us with their colours choices they made.

Pamela

Pamela used Jarbo which is a 100 % cotton mercerized and gassed with a 3mm hook.

Stephanie

Steph from  Classy Lady Yarn Works, used a handdyed cotton blend and a 3.5mm hook

Kami

Kami chose a beautiful blue paired with cream in Lion Brand Coboo and a 4mm hook

Easy Crochet Summer Top Size Chart

The chart below shows you and estimation on how much yarn you’ll need per size. The top is designed with a 4 inch positive ease which gives you a little breathing room – ideal for those All Inclusive holidays, where the buffet is too much of a temptation! 

The top has a square shape with no fitting around the waist. The bust and hip size is the same with a hip opening at the base of the top for added space for those blessed in the lower area.

The finished panel length is 23 inches. If you would like to increase the panel length, simply repeat Row 5 until your desired length is reached and repeat the same increased number of rows on the 2nd panel.

How to Make this Easy Crochet Summer Top Pattern

Pattern Notes:

• Get in touch if you need any help completing the pattern – [email protected]
• This pattern is worked in rows, from the bottom up, to create 2 panels that are then sewn together
• Beginning ch 1 DOES NOT count as a stitch
• Beginning ch 3 DOES count as dc
• Beginning ch 4 DOES count as dc, ch 1
• Take a moment to go through the pattern and highlight the stitch counts for your size which will be written in size order. e.g XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Gauge

• 18 stiches and 10 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in dc with a 4mm hook. Use a larger or smaller crochet hook to obtain the correct tension.

Abbreviations – US terms

• st(s) – stitch(es)
• ch – chain
• ch sp – chain space
• sl st – slip stitch
• fhdc – foundation half double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• FP hdc – hdc around the front of post
• BP hdc – hdc around the back of post
• dc – double crochet
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side

Special Stitches

FP hdc = Front Post half double crochet

BP hdc = Back Post half double crochet

Click here to read how to make post stitches

Easy Crochet Summer Top – Free Pattern

Make 2

Row 1: With A, fhdc 76 (86, 94, 100, 108, 118, 130, 140, 150)

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hdc in same as ch 1, *FP hdc, BP hdc; repeat from * to last st, hdc in last, turn – 76 (86, 94, 100, 108, 118, 130, 140, 150) hdc

Rows 3: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hdc in same as ch 1, *BP hdc, FP hdc; repeat from * to last st, hdc in last, turn – 76 (86, 94, 100, 108, 118, 130, 140, 150) hdc

Row 4: Repeat Row 2

Row 5: Ch 3 (count as dc), dc in each across, turn – 76 (86, 94, 100, 108, 118, 130, 140, 150) dc

Rows 6-52: Repeat Row 5. (76, 86, 94, 100, 108, 118, 130, 140, 150) dc

Row 53: With B, ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), *skip next st, (dc, ch 1); repeat from * to last 2 sts, dc in last 2, turn – 39, (44, 48, 51, 55, 60, 66, 71, 76) dc, 37 (42, 46, 49, 53, 58, 64, 69, 74) ch-1 sp

Row 54: Ch 4, skip next st, *(dc, ch 1) in each ch-1 sp across to last ch-1 sp, dc in last ch-1 sp, dc in last, turn – 39, (44, 48, 51, 55, 60, 66, 71, 76) dc, 37 (42, 46, 49, 53, 58, 64, 69) ch-1 sps

Row 55 – 60: Repeat Row 54

Fasten off 1st panel – Do not fasten off 2nd panel

2nd Panel Only:

ow 61 (RS): Ch 4, (dc, ch 1) 8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20) times, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in top of next st, turn – 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23) dc, 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21) ch-1 sp

Rows 62 – 64: Repeat Row 61

Continue to 2nd Shoulder

2nd Shoulder

With RS Facing (as if continuing to work Row 61), skip 18 (21, 23, 24, 26, 29, 29, 30, 31) ch-1 sps, join yarn in top of st, ch 3, (dc, ch 1) 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17 19, 21) times, dc in last, turn – 11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23) dc, 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 21) ch-1 sp

Repeat Rows 61-64

Fasten off, weave ends. Continue to Sewing Up

Sewing Up

• Place the 2 panels together with RS together, aligning top of A rows
• Mark Armholes
• Counting down from top row of A, pin both panels together make the arm holes, pin the panels together
  • XS, S, M, L – 13 Rows down
  • XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL – 15 Rows down
• Pin the bottom of the panels together above the ribbing.
• Optional Side Opening- I marked 8 rows up from the bottom to create some extra room at the hips
• Sew up the panels between the bottom of the arm hole to the bottom of the panel (or optional Side Opening)
• Turn joined panels right-side out, pin the shoulders against the corresponding stitches, sew together, working through the front loops only

I hope you’ve enjoyed making your All Meshed Up Summer Top – don’t forget to share a picture of your finished project with me @cosyrosieuk.

The easy crochet summer top is the 4th pattern in the All Meshed Up Collection that I’ve designed with summer in mind! 

 Also available in the collection is:

• All Meshed Up Cardigan
• All Meshed Up Headband
• All Meshed Up Wrap

I love the offset meshed stitch as it creates such a lovely stitch pattern and is so simple to make!