How to Crochet a Light Summer Top

Lightweight and modest – this crochet top is perfect for summer and suitable for all occasions. Comprised of just two rectangles, you won’t believe how easy this crochet pattern is!

The Design

I absolutely love crochet tops for the summer! There are so many cute open stitch designs and crop tops out there.

However, I was looking for something a bit more modest but still wearable during the warm weather. Being able to wear it with a pair of jeans or shorts was also something I was wanting for my wardrobe.

In the past, I have used cotton yarn for garments like for the Talulah Top I made. It turned out so cute and great for spring but it did have some weight to it.

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For this design, I wanted it as light weight as possible. I basically wanted to be able to wear something over a camisole or tank top and barely notice that anything was over it. I think I achieved that in this design!

Since this top is made solely from two crocheted rectangles, I wanted to be sure to add some texture to make it interesting. I incorporated front and back post stitches every few rows to break it up.

It’s very subtle, but it gives the top a nice delicate touch! Another little touch I added was the open shoulder sleeves. It wasn’t in mind when I first planned out this design, but when I first tried it on (with stitch markers) I thought it would be a fun detail to have!

The Yarn

For this top, I used Loops and Threads Woolike 100% acrylic yarn. It’s a light fingering weight yarn that is so soft to work with! It’s available in 21 gorgeous colors. I opted for this delicate neutral color called Beige.

I was a bit intimidated about using a fine weight 1 yarn, but I used a bigger hook than suggested so it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be! I actually enjoyed crocheting up the delicate stitches.

A big big bonus about this yarn is that it’s so affordable! For large size, I used two skeins (barely any of the second skein) and each skein costs $3.19 at full price. Of course, I used my 50% off Michael’s coupons so I was able to make this entire top for just around $3!! I don’t think I can say that about any other top I have made.

Free Easy Crochet Top Pattern

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Materials

Loops&Threads Woolike yarn 678yds/3.5oz 2 (2, 2, 3) skeins in Beige

4.5mm hook

Tapestry needle and scissors

Measuring tape

Sizing

XSmall – Small fits bust sizes 28” – 34”

Medium – Large fits bust sizes 36” – 42”

XL – 2X fits bust sizes 44” – 50”

3X – 4X fits bust sizes 52” – 58”

Finished Dimensions

XSmall – Small: 19” x 21”

Medium – Large: 23” x 24”

XL – 2X: 27” x 27”

3X – 4X: 31” x 30”

Pattern notes

Beginning chains count as a stitch. Use stitch markers to easily find first and last stitch of each row.

For Petite size, make a total of 26 (30, 34, 39) rows before last two rows. (~3 inches shorter).

For Tall size, make a total of 34 (38, 42, 47) rows before last two rows. (~3 inches longer).

Model is wearing Large Petite and is 4’10”.

Gauge

4” x 4” ~ 15 st x 5 rows in treble crochets

Check gauge before starting project. 

This garment was crocheted with a very loose tension.

Abbreviations (US terms):

Ch = chain, tr = treble crochet, fptr = front post treble crochet, bptr = back post treble crochet, st = stitch(es)

Pattern

Row 1: Ch 74 (90, 104, 118), tr in the 5th ch from hook and across in each ch, turn (71, 87, 101, 115)

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as st), tr across each st, turn (71, 87, 101, 115)

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as st), *fptr, bptr, repeat from * across, turn (71, 87, 101, 115)

Row 4-6: Ch 4 (counts as st), tr across each st, turn (71, 87, 101, 115)

Repeat Row 3-6 until you have a total of 30(34, 38, 43) rows

Last two rows (repeat this row twice): Ch 4 (counts as st), tr across, turn (71, 87, 101, 115)

Make two panels.

Assembly

Place both panels on top of each other. Seam up the sides using the whip stitch or crocheting them together (3sc per side of treble st). 

Leave 7(8,9,10) inch opening for arms. Adjust arm opening as desired.

Weave in ends.

Secure top right corner and top left corner with yarn and weave in ends.

Leave 12(16, 22, 28) st open on either side of the shoulder for shoulder opening and seam together over 8 stitches leaving approximately 10” for the neck hole. 

Adjust neck hole as desired by leaving the open shoulder area smaller or larger.