Beginner Tunisian Crochet Top – Free Pattern

This beginner Tunisian crochet top is the perfect pattern to dip your hook into the Tunisian crochet craze. It may look complicated, but this off-the-shoulder summer crochet shirt is made from two identical panels and basic stitches. Get the full free pattern below for sizes XS-3X or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here!

Thanks to Lion Brand Yarns for providing the yarn for this free Tunisan crochet top pattern. This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back to the Make & Do Crew guest designer series. While I’m getting to know the newest baby in our family, Deena from dmk Crochet is going to share her beginner Tunisian crochet top pattern with us today! You can see lots of of Deena’s work in her Etsy shop here. And be sure to check her out on social media too: Instagram + Facebook. Deena, take it away!

The Inspiration for My Beginner Tunisian Crochet Top

Dee’s Tunisian Tee stayed in the thought process stage for way longer than I wanted it to. It got pushed aside by custom orders and Christmas gifts. While I attended to those other orders, I always had this tee in the back of my mind. It was not until I had the opportunity to be a guest blogger for the Make and Do Crew that I really set forth to make this happen. And boy am I grateful for the push!

This design is influenced by where I live. While I am in New York and the cold winters can be brutal, a beach community comes to life here every summer. It is a tiny city off the south shore of Long Island, NY. Its size measures just shy of four square miles. With over three miles of beach access to the Atlantic Ocean, practically everyone here can consider the sea and sand to be their back yard.

The off-the-shoulder design and flowy body is perfect for warm summer days. This top can easily be thrown over a bathing suit on your way to soaking up some rays. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Not a beach person? This little city surrounded by beach is also lined with restaurants that accommodate patrons for both indoor and outdoor dining. That being said, I also kept the brunch-goer in mind while designing this top! Rock it with a pair of high waisted jeans or shorts and some flops, and what seems like a simple tee becomes a summer wardrobe staple.

Related: 30+ Stunning Dresses to Crochet

A Soft, Lightweight Yarn Comfortable for Warm Weather

This top was made with Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Weight 4/medium -186 yds, 3.5 oz). I chose this yarn for multiple reasons. The 100% mercerized cotton creates a clean stitch definition without any fuzzing. On top of the beautiful structure of the yarn, it comes in a whole array of colors. Two dozen to be exact on LionBrand.com. That’s sooooo many to choose from! And lastly, the care instructions for this yarn are so easy. You can machine wash and dry your Tunisian Tee made with this yarn!

So, if you’re looking for a cute and trendy top to make for yourself or gift to a friend, I can assure you Dee’s Tunisian Tee will not disappoint. With so many colors to choose from, it is easy to customize this top for all different tastes!

Related: 30+ Best Crochet Crop + Tank Top Patterns

A Beginner Tunisian Crochet Pattern

Let’s chat about why y’all would want to make this tee! I am sure we all have noticed the Tunisian Crochet craze on social media. I first got in to it when I discovered the Tunisian Knit Stitch. As an avid crocheter for over two decades, I’ve never put aside time to learn to knit and have always envied those that could. Tunisian Crochet gave me the best of both worlds! It may look complicated, but rest assured, this tee is the perfect place to dive right in.

Dee’s Tunisian Tee also rang a bell in my mind on the gifting front. While I formed dmk_crochet in hopes to create a successful business, it still brings me joy to gift items to friends and family. Are you thinking of an occasion where someone may want this as a gift? I’m at the point in my life where all my friends are getting married. Whether it be your bestie, your girlfriend, your daughter or granddaughter, I couldn’t think of a better top to bring along for a honeymoon.

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Dee’s Tunisian Tee
Free Beginner Tunisian Crochet Top Pattern

Pin this pattern for later here.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here. 

Explanation:
New to Tunisian Crochet but want to make something beyond a simple square? This top may look tricky, but its made of simple components that come together for a versatile top! The beautiful Tunisian Knit Stitch and minimal color changes allows for crocheters of all skill levels to enjoy making this top. The pattern is written up for sizes XS-3XL to accommodate multiple body types.

Supplies:
• Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn (weight: 4/medium – 186 yards, 3.5 oz)
– Sky (#761-107) – 4 balls
– White (#761-100) – 2 balls
• Size G (4.5 mm) crochet hook
• Size K (6.5 mm) Tunisian crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Measuring tape

Sizes/Measurements:
• XS: The width of one panel should measure approximately 15” wide before seaming.

• S: The width of one panel should measure approximately 17” wide before seaming.

• M: The width of one panel should measure approximately 19” wide before seaming.

• L: The width of one panel should measure approximately 21” wide before seaming.

• XL: The width of one panel should measure approximately 23” wide before seaming.

• 2XL: The width of one panel should measure approximately 25” wide before seaming.

• 3XL: The width of one panel should measure approximately 27” wide before seaming.

Gauge:
• 4 x 4 in square = 16 TKS/20 Rows

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
rep – repeat
tks – Tunisian knit stitch
sk – skip
sc – single crochet
blo – back loop only
sl st – slip stitch
vst – v stitch

Overall Pattern Notes:
• This garment is worked with two identical panels and two sleeves, then seamed together.

• The pattern is written for XS with proceeding sizes in parenthesis.

Front & Back Panel – Make 2

With Color A, CH 60 (68/76/84/92/100/108).

Foundation Row: Pull up a loop in the back bump of each CH. CH 1, complete standard return pass.

Row 1: TKS across row. CH 1, complete standard return pass. (60/68/76/84/92/ 100/108 TKS made).

Row 2-34(39/44/49/54/59/64): Repeat Row 1. 60(68/76/84/92/100/108) TKS made.

Row 35(40/45/50/55/60/65): Repeat Row 1. CH 1, complete standard return pass up until two loops remain on the hook. Yarn over with Color B and pull through both loops. 60(68/76/84/92/100/108 TKS made). Leave tails long enough for seaming later.

Row 36-46(41-56/46-66/51-76/56-86/61-96/66-106): Repeat Row 1 with Color B. 60(68/76/84/92/100/108) TKS made.

The next section will use decreasing to form the neckline.

Row 47(57/67/77/87/97/107): 15 TKS, 30 SL ST, 15 TSK. (17 TKS, 34 SL ST, 17 TSK/19 TKS, 38 SL ST, 19 TSK/21 TKS, 42 SL ST, 21 TKS/23 TKS, 46 SL ST, 23 TKS/25 TKS, 50 SL ST, 25 TKS/27 TKS, 54 SL ST, 27 TKS). CH 1, complete standard return pass for 15(17/19/21/23/25/27) TKS made.

We will continue to work on this one side, leaving the other set of TKS at the other end of the hook.  See Photo on PG 6 for how this should look.

Row 48(58/68/78/88/98/108): TKS2TOG, 13(15/17/19/21/23/25) TKS. CH 1, complete standard return pass. 14(16/18/20/22/24/26) TKS made.

Row 49(59/69/79/89/99/109): TKS2TOG, 12(14/16/18/20/22/24) TKS. CH 1, complete standard return pass. 13(15/17/19/21/23/25) TKS made.

Row 50(60/70/80/90/100/110): TKS2TOG, 11(13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS. CH 1, complete standard return pass. 12(14/16/18/20/22/24) TKS made.

Row 51(61,71,81,91,101,111): TKS2TOG, 10(12/14/16/18/20/22) TKS. CH 1, complete standard return pass. 11(13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS made.

Row 52-54(62-64/72-74/82-84/92-95/102-106/112-117): 11(13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS, CH 1, complete standard return pass. (11/13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS made.

Bind off the top row by inserting the hook behind the vertical bar, drawing up a loop and completing a slip stitch.

The next section works the other side of the neckline.

Row 47(57/67/77/87/97/107): Adding a new strand of yarn, CH 1, complete standard return pass 15(17/19/21/23/25/27) TKS made.

Row 48(58/68/78/88/98/108): 13 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS(15 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/17 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/19 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/21 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/23 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/25 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS). CH 1, complete standard return pass 14(16/18/20/22/24/26) TKS made.

Row 49(59/69/79/89/99/109): 12 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS(14 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/16 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/18 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/20 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/22 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/24 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS). CH 1, complete standard return pass 13(15/17/19/21/23/25) TKS made.

Row 50(60/70/80/90/100/110): 11 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS(13 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/15 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/17 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/19 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/21 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/23 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS). CH 1, complete standard return pass 12(14/16/18/20/22/24) TKS made.

Row 51(61/71/81/91/101/111): 10 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS(12 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/14 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/16 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/18 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/20 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS/22 TKS, SK 1 TKS, 1 TKS). CH 1, complete standard return pass 11(13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS made.

Row 52-54(62-64/72-74/82-84/92-95/102-106/112-117): 11(13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS, CH 1, complete standard return pass. (11/13/15/17/19/21/23) TKS made.

Bind off the top row by inserting the hook behind the vertical bar, drawing up a loop and completing a slip stitch.

Refer to this photo for the first row (47/57/67/77/87/97/107) of building the neckline. Keep the first set of TKS on the hook as you work the left side.

Sleeves – Make 2

Because everyone’s shoulders and arms are different sizes, I wanted to give the option to make the sleeves more customizable. This section will also provide particular size options.

For customizable sleeves: Measure the circumference of your bicep with a measuring tape. Multiply this number 4. This will be your CH. Sleeve length can also be customized. I recommend completing at least 10 rows of TKS.

With Color B, CH 30(40/50/60/70/80/90).

Foundation Row: Pull up a loop in the back bump of each CH. CH 1, complete standard return pass.

Row 1: TKS across row. CH 1, complete standard return pass 20(30/40/50/60/70/80) TKS made.

Row 2-10: Repeat Row 1 30(40/50/60/70/80/90) TKS made.

Add additional rows for desired sleeve length.

Bind off the top row by inserting the hook behind the vertical bar, drawing up a loop and completing a slip stitch.

It’s now time to seam the garment panels together. Refer to photo on right for structure. With wrong sides facing outward, whip stitch the top of both shoulders. Line up the sleeves with the shoulders, being careful to keep them even, whip stitch them to the garment. Finish seaming the sides of the garment and along the armpits of the sleeve on both sides. See photo for layout of garment before seaming.

Turn garment right side out. Using a 4.5mm crochet hook, pull up a loop at either shoulder along the neckline. SC along the neckline to create a cleaner edge.

Complete this same step for both sleeves.

This will help the dreaded Tunisian curl!

Now we will create the bottom edging. Continuing with a 4.5mm crochet hook, pull up a loop at either seam. SC along bottom edge for 2 rows. SL ST at the end of each row.

Row 3 & 4 will be worked with the VST. CH 3, DC in first ST. SK 1 ST and VST around.

Row 5 & 6: CH 1, SC around. Be sure not to place too many stitches in row 5. Two SC per VST should be made. To keep it consistent, I SC in the DC to the right of the V, and in the center of the V. See photos on PG 10 for reference.

Sew in all loose ends, block if necessary and rock your new Tunisian top!! : )

Thanks again to Deena of dmk_crochet for sharing this free beginner Tunisian crochet pattern! Be sure to check out more of Deena’s work in her Etsy shop here!

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