Poncho-Style Summer Crochet Top - Free Pattern

Made from two simple rectangles, this summer crochet top will take you effortlessly from music festival to BBQ to beach vaca this season. Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chart here. 

This free summer crochet top pattern is part of a collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

Spring is officially upon us, which means summer is right around the corner! You may feel tempted to let your crochet hook hibernate from now until October, but then you'd be missing out on some of my favorite types of crochet patterns--the lacy, boho-inspired projects that are just PERFECT for crocheting! (You can find all my boho-style crochet patterns here.)

Spring and Summer Crochet Inspiration

Below are a few of my favorite free spring and summer crochet patterns from last year. Do they convince you that there's some pretty good stitches to be had from now till Halloween? Great! You can find all my warm-weather patterns here.

1. Boho Bag / 2. Slippers with Flip Flop Soles / 3. Easy Lightweight Shrug / 4. Coachella Boots with Flip Flop Soles

The Yarn

Today, I'm excited to show you a summer crochet top my mom and I designed together using one of my favorite lightweight summery yarns, LB Collection Cotton Bamboo from Lion Brand. As it sounds, this yarn is a super supple mix of cotton and bamboo, which lends a beautiful floppy drape to this boho poncho shirt pattern. It's actually the exact same yarn I used in the Canyonlands Boho Top last summer. The first time I wore the Canyonlands Top, my husband remarked that it made me look "rich." Ha. I think that was totally a commentary on this luxurious yarn!

How to Crochet a Summer Top For Beginners

The Saratoga Poncho Top is constructed from two rectangles, making this about the easiest summer crochet top you could put together. And while the lace stitches might look a little fancy, I promise you that they're just interesting enough to keep you engaged, but definitely not too complex to do while you're watching TV.

Don't let the delicate look of this crochet top deter you--my mom made it in less than a week and she works full time. (But also, please don't feel bad if it takes you a few weeks. Crochet is about the destination AND the journey along the way. 🙂 )

How to Make This Poncho Top Extra Beginner-Friendly

If you're a visual learner like me, you might really benefit from the stitch chart I've included in the ad-free, printable PDF. Sometimes pattern language can sound complex, but a stitch chart can reveal how easy a concept really is. You can pick up the printable PDF here. (It's great for mobile viewing too.) Scroll down for the full free pattern below!

I've also been thinking about putting together a video tutorial for this simple summer crochet top. If that's something you'd be interested in, please leave a comment and let me know!

Saratoga Poncho Top
Summer Crochet Top Free Pattern

Purchase the ad-free printable PDF with stitch charts here.

Pin this pattern for later here.

Add it to your Ravelry favorites and queue here.

Explanation:
Whether your summer plans include a music festival, a cruise or a backyard BBQ, the Saratoga Poncho Top will give you an effortless chic piece to toss on for the next adventure. The construction of this easy poncho-style top couldn’t be simpler, but the changing stitch patterns will keep you engaged the whole way through. The LB Collection Cotton Bamboo yarn gives this lacy top a perfect warm-weather texture and flattering drape.

Supplies:
This pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo (Weight: 3/light -  245 yds, 3.5 oz)
- Magnolia (#487-098) – 5 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7)) skeins [(approx. 400  (440, 480, 520, 560, 600)) g]
• Tapestry needle
• Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Sizes:
S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X
Bust: 32-36 (36-40, 40-44, 44-48, 48-52, 52-56)
See “Notes” below on choosing a size.

Individual Rectangle Measurements When Laying Flat:
S: 43 x 14”
M: 44 x 14.75”
L: 45 x 15.5”
XL: 46 x 16.5”
2X: 47 x 17.5”
3X: 48 x 18.25”

Finished & Assembled Measurements:
Length from Shoulder: 21.5 (22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24)”
Total Width: 28 (29.5, 31, 33, 35, 36.5)”

Gauge:
20.2 sts x 8.5 rows = 4”
Boxed Shell Stitch Section: 21 sts x 9 Rows = 4

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
ch1sp - space created by one chain
dc – double crochet
PM – place marker
RS – right side
rep – repeat
sp – space
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
WS – wrong side

Overall Pattern Notes:
• Pattern is worked in two identical rectangles and then seamed.

• Tweaking the sizing of this top is very simple. Choose your size based on bust measurements as this will impact the number of rows you work. Then add or remove chains from the foundation chain in multiples of 4 to adjust the length of the shirt.

MAIN PIECES
Notes:
• Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as a dc.

See stitch chart in printable ad-free PDF for detailed visual explanation of stitches.

Make 2.

IRIS STITCH SECTION

Foundation: Ch 175 (179, 183, 187, 191, 195).

Row 1 (RS): Sk first 4 ch, [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc]  in fifth ch from hook, *sk 3 ch, [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in next ch; rep from * until 2 ch remain, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in last ch; turn. [217 (222, 227, 232, 237, 242) dc, 43 (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) Iris clusters]

Rows 2-16 (16, 18, 18, 20, 20): Ch 3, sk first 3 dc, *[2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in ch1sp, sk next 4 dc; rep from * until 2 dc remain, sk last 2 dc, 1 dc in tch; turn.

Row 17 (17, 19, 19, 21, 21) (RS): Ch 1, sc in first dc, *sc in next 2 dc, sc in ch1sp, sc in next 2 dc; rep from * to end of row, sc in tch; turn. [217 (222, 227, 232, 237, 242) sc])

BOXED SHELL STITCH SECTION

Row 1 (WS): Ch 3, sk first sc, 1 dc in next sc, *ch 3, sk 3 sc, 1 dc in each of next 2 sc; rep from * to end; turn. [217 (222, 227, 232, 237, 242) sts and chs, 43 (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) ch-3 sps])

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3, sk first st, *5 dc in second ch of next ch-3 arch; rep from * ending with 1 dc in tch; turn.

Row 3 (WS): Ch 3, sk first dc, *1 dc in first of 5 dc, ch 3, sk 3 dc, 1 dc in last of 5 dc, rep from * ending with 1 dc in tch.

Rows 4-13 (15, 15, 17, 17, 19): Rep Rows 2 and 3  5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) more times each.

Row 14 (16, 16, 18, 18, 20) (RS): Rep Row 2.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Front and Back Seams:
Lay both rectangles out next to each other, WS facing up, with chain edges touching. Use safety pins or stitch markers to lightly pin rectangles together taking care to line up each cluster of iris stitches. Measuring from bottom front edge of shirt, place marker at 12” (12.5, 12.75, 13.25, 13.5, 14). Repeat from bottom of back of shirt so that there is approximately a 19” (19, 19.5, 19.5, 20, 20) space between markers.

Working from the bottom front edge of the shirt up, seam rectangles together using a zig zag seam. (Think of how you’d lace shoes: Insert needle in from under fabric and pull through to top, repeat on opposite piece of fabric. See photo below.) Stop at maker and fasten off. Repeat with second seam on back side of shirt.

Side Seams:
With RS facing in, pin side seam so that shells align. Place marker 10” from bottom of shirt. Working from the bottom edge up, use the mattress stitch to seam until marker. 11.5 (12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14)” remains unseamed for arm openings. Fasten off. Repeat with side seam on second side.

Weave in remaining ends.

Pop on your new lace poncho shirt, stash a flower behind your ear and frolic through the rest of summer!

I love to see your finished projects. Tag me (@makeanddocrew) on Instagram and use #makeanddocrew to show off your stitches!

Now that you've finished your Saratoga crochet top, here are more bohemian-style free patterns that your inner boho princess might love:

1. Dream Catcher Crochet Sandals with Flip Flop Soles - free crochet shoe pattern

2. Navajo Shrug - free, easy crochet pattern with video tutorial

3. Canyonlands Boho Top - free bohemian crochet lace shirt pattern

4. Campfire Cardigan - free crochet sweater pattern made from two hexagons