Easy Crochet Top Pattern For Summer - Free!

If you can crochet a rectangle, you can make this easy crochet top pattern! With very simple stitches and minimal counting, this lightweight top is a perfect mindless make to work on poolside. Get the free pattern in nine sizes below or purchase the ad-free, printable pdf here.

If like me, you shy away from most summer garments made of yarn (hot!), this easy crochet top pattern will make you think again! Made with flatteringly drapey yarn that's also refreshingly light, this top is wearable all summer and layer-able all fall.

This Easy Crochet Top Pattern Won't Make Your Brain Hurt

I'm all for learning new crochet skills, but holy cow, summertime with three kids including one newborn doesn't seem to be the time to do it. Schedule's are different, vacations are happening and every kid we know seems to be having a birthday party.

I've found myself gravitating to simple projects lately that I can pick up and set down multiple times a day without getting confused about what I'm doing each time. This summer crochet pattern is easy enough to stitch along with as you travel from BBQ to beach.

My mom designed this easy crochet top pattern while we were on a family trip in Moab, Utah. While her three kids are grown, she said she loved how meditative this project was while riding in the car, sitting in the desert and chatting with grandkids at the pool.

If you're a fairly beginner crocheter or just someone looking for a crochet vacation, this crochet rectangle top is for you! (I think you'd love this bucket hat pattern as well because it's easy and perfect for summer adventuring.)

And for the visual learners or inexperienced pattern readers, the ad-free, printable PDF has a handy little stitch chart and distills the entire pattern down to one simple page. I love stitch charts for their ease so I try to add them to as many patterns as possible. You can pick up the inexpensive PDF here.

See The Alfresco Top in Action

I think it's often easier to get the feel of a piece through moving pictures, so I put together a quick video preview of this crochet top in action. If you find these videos previews helpful, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. I've been enjoying making them!

Thin Yarn That's Totally Worth the Effort!

I'm a real sucker for quick gratification. But for this easy crochet top pattern, we used Lion Brand's Beautiful You, which is thinner than I tend to gravitate toward. Believe me though, the drape that comes from using a little thinner yarn is completely worth the little bit of extra time it takes to make something with it. And, really, who wants to wear a chunky sweater-like top in the middle of summer anyhow?

The Beautiful You line of yarn has one of the nicest selections of colors I've seen in a long time. Each color is current enough to feel stylish, but not so trendy that you'll be over it before you finish your top. I particularly love Arrowwood and Aquatic and Rooibos Tea, which I'm using in another pattern right now. (Update: See the Idlewild Dress here!)

UPDATE: Lion Brand created a kit from this pattern that includes all the yarn you’ll need to make your Alfresco Top, plus a printed copy of the pattern. You can grab your kit here!

Related: 30+ Free Crochet Dress Patterns: Beginner to Advanced

A Crochet Top Pattern with Sizing for Almost Any Body

This pattern is written in nine sizes--nine!--in hopes that you can get the fit that's just right for your particular body. One of the things that makes this crochet top pattern so beginner-friendly is that it's super easy to customize. I suggest choosing your size based on your bust measurement and how much positive ease (excess fabric) you want in your top.

To adjust the length of your crochet top, simply work additional rows in the repeat. (Explained in more detail below within the pattern.) I'd love to see a tunic-length version of this top!

Related: 30+ Modern Crochet Tops + Tanks

More Free Crochet Shirts + Tops Patterns

From peplum-style pullovers to easy, breezy lace blouses, crop tops and everything in between, you'll find your next wearable crochet project here.

See more free crochet shirts + tops patterns →

Alfresco Easy Crochet Top
Free Pattern

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chart here.

Pin it for later here.

Explanation:
If you can crochet a rectangle, you can make this easy lightweight top! With very simple stitches and minimal counting, this pattern is a perfect mindless make to work on poolside. A delicate border elevates this top into something you can dress up for work or dinner out.

Skills required include half double crochet, double crochet and basic seaming.

Supplies:
Purchase a kit with all the yarn you’ll need, plus a printed copy of the pattern here.
• Lion Brand Beautiful You (Weight: 2/fine - 326 yds, 3.5 oz)
Spanish Villa (#165-184) – 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins [(approx. 242 (275, 308, 381, 418, 455, 542, 583, 623) g)]
• Tapestry needle
• Size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Sample is a size L, pictured on a 5’9” model with a 41” bust. It is suggested this top be worn with at least 1” of positive ease, which is reflected in the sizing table. If between sizes, size up for a fit similar to the sample.

Gauge:
19 hdc x 13.5 rows in pattern = 4”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
fhdc – foundation half double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sp(s) – spaces
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
WS – wrong side

Overall Pattern + Sizing Notes:
• Pattern is written in smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. Circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning pattern.

• Ch 2 counts as first hdc throughout. This means the last hdc of each row is worked in the top of the tch of the previous row.

• To make a longer, tunic-style top, simply work additional repeats of Rows 3-10. You may prefer to make a size that will easily fit over your hips if you are planning on a tunic-length top, or alternatively, leave the bottom seams open as side slits.

• Reference stitch chart at end of pattern in printable PDF for visual guidance on main rectangle and edging.

Front + Back

Make 2.

Preferred Foundation Row (WS): Fhdc 73 (83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153).

Alternative Foundation: Ch 74 (84, 94, 104, 114, 124, 134, 144, 154).
Alternative Foundation Row 1 (WS): Hdc in third ch from hook, hdc in each ch to end of row; turn. [73 (83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153) hdc]

Row 2: Ch 2, sk first hdc, hdc in each hdc to end of row; turn. [73 (83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153) hdc]

Rows 3-6: Ch 2, sk first hdc, hdc in each hdc to end of row; turn. [73 (83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153) hdc]

Row 7 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 hdc and 1 ch-1sp), sk first 2 hdc, hdc in next hdc, *ch 1, sk 1 hdc, hdc in next hdc; repeat from * to end of row; turn. [36 (41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76) ch-1sps]

Row 8 (WS): Ch 2, sk first hdc, hdc in first ch-1sp, *ch 1, hdc in next ch-1sp, repeat from * to tch, hdc in tch; turn. [35 (40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75) ch-1sps]

Row 9 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 hdc and 1 ch-1sp), hdc in first ch-1sp, *ch 1, hdc in next ch-1sp, repeat from * to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, hdc in tch; turn. [36 (41, 46, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76) ch-1sps]

Row 10 (WS): Ch 2, sk first hdc, hdc in each hdc and ch-1sp to end of row; turn. [73 (83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 133, 143, 153) hdc]

Rep Rows 3-10,  7 (7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9) more times. Rep Rows 3-6 once more. Fasten off.

HDC Border

Note:
• The following Row is worked from the top edge, down the first side, across the bottom edge, back up the second side and finishes back at the opposite side of the top edge. The center sts of the top edge are left unworked for the neckline.

To form first shoulder:
With RS facing, attach yarn in 12th (16th, 21st, 25th, 29th, 33rd, 37th, 42nd, 45th) st from left side (left-handed: right side).

Row 1 (RS): Ch 2, hdc in next hdc, hdc in each hdc until tch remains, [hdc, ch1, hdc] in tch corner...

Row 1 Cont (working down side): Hdc 75 (75, 75, 84, 84, 84, 93, 93, 93) evenly along raw edge, [hdc, ch 1, hdc] in corner (underside of foundation ch)...

Row 1 Cont (working across bottom edge): Hdc 71, 81, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141, 151 [hdc, ch 1, hdc] in corner.

Row 1 (working up second side): Hdc 75 (75, 75, 84, 84, 84, 93, 93, 93) evenly along raw edge, [hdc, ch 1, hdc] in corner...

Row 1 (to form second shoulder): Hdc in next 12 (16, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 42, 45) hdc. Fasten off.

Blocking

Steam block each piece to measure approximately 14.25 (16.25, 18.25, 20.25, 22.25, 24.25, 26.25, 28.25, 30.25)” wide and 19.5 (19.5, 19.5, 21.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23.75, 23.75, 23.75)” tall. If using an iron to steam block, do not touch iron to yarn, but instead hover steam carefully above it.

Seaming

Seaming Shoulders:
Look at hdc border around each rectangle to determine RS versus WS. With wrong sides together, pin front and back rectangles together at shoulders marking 12 (16, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 42, 45) sts at each shoulder to seam. With a tapestry needle and remaining yarn, seam from shoulder toward neck using a basting stitch through both loops of each stitch. Rep on second shoulder.

Seaming Sides:
With wrong sides together, pin front and back rectangles together at sides marking 26 (28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 40) sts at each armhole to leave unseamed. With a tapestry needle and remaining yarn, seam from bottom toward armhole using a basting stitch through both loops of each stitch. Rep on second side.

Edging

Note:
• Worry less about exact stitch count and placement along seams and focus on creating a clean border that lays flat. This edging is quite forgiving.

Turn top inside out so WS is facing out. Attach yarn at either side seam.

Bottom Edging Round (WS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), sl st in next st; *dc in next hdc, sl st in next hdc, repeat from * along entire bottom edge ending back where yarn was attached. Fasten off.

Attach yarn at bottom of armhole.

Armhole Edging Round (WS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), sl st in next st; *dc in next hdc, sl st in next hdc, repeat from * around armhole ending back where yarn was attached. Fasten off. Repeat on second armhole.

Attach yarn at shoulder seam on either side of neck.

Neck Edging Round (WS): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), sl st in next hdc; *dc in next hdc, sl st in next hdc, repeat from * around neck edge ending back where yarn was attached. Fasten off.

Turn top right side out.

Pair your new top with a skirt, cutoffs or overalls and head out to enjoy some apps alfresco.

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More Free Summer Crochet Patterns

Here a few more free crochet patterns you might enjoy for your warm weather hookin. You can always find all our free crochet patterns here.

1. Saratoga Poncho Top - made from two simple rectangles.

2. Lightweight Slippers with Flip Flop Soles - great for indoor or outdoor use. Includes video tutorial.

3. Urban Nomad Boho Bag - super fun construction and two strap options.

4. Canyonlands Top - Beautiful lace meets simple construction.

5. Halcyon Granny Square Bucket Hat (not pictured)- a modern take on a nostalgic look.