Simple Crochet Top Pattern – Adjustable Length and Sleeves

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!

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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):

• Chloe Tabard Top (if you want to work a bit of a higher collar)
• Verona Tee (with a delicate filet section and a subtle V neck)
• Eyelet Lace Tee (super simple construction and a nice airy design)

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:

• Stroll Fingering (75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 211m/50g)
• Comfy Fingering (75% Pima Cotton, 25% acrylic, 218yds/50g)
• Stylecraft Special 4ply (100% acrylic, 422m/100g)

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

Materials

Along with your yarn, you will need the following:

• 3.5mm (E/4) crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

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: 

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!

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.

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.

Free Simple Crochet Top Pattern

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