Peplum Summer Top

peplum summer top crochet pattern

An easy crochet summer top free pattern – my crochet Peplum Top pattern is a free summer wardrobe pattern here on the blog! Read about my inspiration and perfect yarn I choose for this crochet tank top or scroll on down for the free pattern and photo tutorial.

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If you prefer to purchase the cheap ad-free PDF Pattern to get all the instructions and pictures in a nice PDF you can print and take notes on without relying on your phone or an internet connection, I’ve got you covered!

The Peplum Summer Top crochet pattern is now available on Ravelry or in my Etsy shop. Add it to your favorites before you forget.

The inspiration behind the crochet summer top design

Amongst my summer wardrobe, I have a favorite summer top, I’m sure you do too. Usually my inspiration for garments come from ideas I can’t find in shops but this top is so comfortable and I love the drape so much I decided to try to replicate it in crochet.

I’m so excited with how it turned out! It’s just as comfortable and comfy as the original!

crochet summer top pattern

The yarn

For this crochet summer top free pattern, I knew I wanted a cotton base yarn. Cotton is one of the most comfortable and breathable materials to wear in the summer.

However, pure cotton yarns aren’t always very soft and don’t always have a good drape. For this easy crochet top pattern I wanted nice drape to mirror the original top.

PDF download of the crochet summer top pattern

I used the same local unbranded yarn I made my Pretty Spring Dress in combined with Lion Brand’s Coboo yarn for the accent color. My testers used my new favorite summer garment yarn, Coboo for their entire crochet tank top. You’ll get the exact same gauge, drape, and softness with the added benefit of a much bigger color range. The Tan color is the closest to the offwhite you can see in my pictures.

Lion Brand’s Coboo yarn is a 50% cotton and 50% bamboo blend and the perfect yarn for this project.

A crochet summer top free pattern for adventurous beginners

Peplum summer crochet top v neck

You only need the single crochet and double crochet stitches for this summer crochet top free pattern.

However, there is a bit of shaping (decreases) for the neck and armholes which can be a tiny bit more challenging for a complete beginner.

Just follow the crochet blouse pattern one row at a time and I’m sure you’ll be fine!

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Before you Start

Materials

  • 4mm / US G – 6 crochet hook.
  • DK weight cotton yarn. I used a local brandless yarn but my testers used Lion Brand Coboo (100g, 50% cotton, 50% bamboo, 232 yards / 212 m) so I could make sure to give you all the details. You will need:
    • 4 (4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins of the main color
    • Half a skein for the edges in your contrasting color
  • Tapestry needle to weave in the ends. I love this set as it has different eye sizes for different yarn thicknesses and it comes in a small tube which is very convenient so I don’t lose them.
  • 8 – 16 Stitch markers. You can use scraps of yarns instead if you don’t have enough stitch markers.
  • T pins for blocking.

Size

The summer crochet top pattern is available in following sizes: XS to 5XL. Sizes are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) throughout the pattern. Pictures illustrate the medium size.

Below are the final top bust circumferences for the different sizes.

  • XS: 80 cm / 31.5”
  • S: 88 cm / 34.5”
  • M: 99 cm / 39”
  • L: 109 cm / 43”
  • XL: 118 cm / 46.5”
  • 2XL: 128 cm / 50.5”
  • 3XL: 139 cm / 54.75”
  • 4XL: 150 cm / 59”
  • 5XL: 158 cm / 62.25”

The top is designed with 3 to 8 cm / 1.25” to 3.25” ease.

summer peplum crochet top

Gauge

The gauge for this pattern, in alternating rows of sc and dc, is 19 st by 15 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).

Abbreviations

This pattern uses US notations.

  • st = stitch
  • ch = chain
  • sc = single crochet
  • sc2tog = decrease by single crochet 2 stitches together
  • dc = double crochet
  • dc2tog = decrease by double crochet 2 stitches together
  • inc = increase = make 2 sc / dc in the same st
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • fsc = foundation single crochet (optional)

Notes

Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row / round.

The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row / round between < >.

The turning ch 1, ch 2 don’t count as stitches throughout the pattern except if mentioned otherwise.

The pattern is written in crochet shorthand.  For example:

  • “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch,
  • “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches,
  • and “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next st.
Easy crochet top pattern for beginners

Special Stitches

(Optional) Foundation single crochet (fsc): ch 2, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first loop (making a “chain”). Yarn over and pull through both loops on crochet hook.

Insert crochet hook into previous “chain” you made (It should look like you go through a resemblance of a “normal” st, with 2 strands of yarn), pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop (making a “chain”). Yarn over and pull through both loops on crochet hook.

Repeat until you reached the desired number of stitches. If you are not familiar with this technique, I recommend this very helpful tutorial by Joy of Motion Crochet.

The Actual Crochet Summer Top Free Pattern

The Summer Top Front Panel

Ch 76 (84, 94, 104, 112, 122, 132, 142, 150) + 1 and then sc in each stitch or fsc 76 (84, 94, 104, 112, 122, 132, 142, 150).

  • Row 1: Ch 2, dc in each stitch across, turn.
  • Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn.

Repeat these 2 rows until you reach 20.5 cm / 8”. Finish with a Row 2.

Row 3: Ch 2, dc2tog twice, dc across until last 4 st, dc2tog twice, turn. <72 (80, 90, 100, 108, 118, 128, 138, 146) st>

Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog twice, sc across until the last 4 st, sc2tog twice, turn. <68 (76, 86, 96, 104, 114, 124, 134, 142) st>

From now on, the right and left sides are worked separately. Because they are completely symmetrical I worked both at the same time with different skeins of yarn. However, I will give you the explanations separately.

Left Tank Top Shoulder

Row 1: Ch 1, sc 2, dc 29 (33, 38, 43, 47, 52, 57, 62, 66), dc2tog, turn. <32 (36, 41, 46, 50, 55, 60, 65, 69) st>

Row 2: Ch 1, skip 1, sc until last 2 st, sc2tog, turn. <30 (34, 39, 44, 48, 53, 58, 63, 67) st>

Row 3: Ch 2, dc2tog twice, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <27 (31, 36, 41, 45, 50, 55, 60, 64) st>

Row 4 – 7: Repeat Row 2 and 3 twice. <17 (21, 26, 31, 35, 40, 45, 50, 54) st>

Row 8: Repeat Row 2. <15 (19, 24, 29, 33, 38, 43, 48, 52) st>

Row 9: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <13 (17, 22, 27, 31, 36, 41, 46, 50) st>

Next Rows: Repeat Rows 8 and 9 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6) times. < 9 (13, 14, 19, 19, 24, 25, 26, 26) >

Strap

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 below until you reach 12.5 cm /5”.

  • Row 1: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
  • Row 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Tip: Use a stitch marker before starting the repeat to measure easily and make sure both sides have the same number of rows.

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Right Tank Top Shoulder

Row 1: Skip 2 stitches from the left side. Join yarn and make a dc2tog, dc until last 2 st, sc 2, turn. <32 (36, 41, 46, 50, 55, 60, 65, 69) st>

Row 2: Ch 1, skip 1, sc until last 2 st, sc2tog. <30 (34, 39, 44, 48, 53, 58, 63, 67) st>

Row 3: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc until last 4 st, dc2tog twice. <27 (31, 36, 41, 45, 50, 55, 60, 64) st>

Row 4 – 7: Repeat Row 2 and 3 twice. <17 (21, 26, 31, 35, 40, 45, 50, 54) st>

Row 8: Repeat Row 2. <15 (19, 24, 29, 33, 38, 43, 48, 52) st>

Row 9: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <13 (17, 22, 27, 31, 36, 41, 46, 50) st>

Next Rows: Repeat Rows 8 and 9 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6) times. < 9 (13, 14, 19, 19, 24, 25, 26, 26) >

Strap

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 below until you reach 12.5 cm /5”.

  • Row 1: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
  • Row 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Tip: Use a stitch marker before starting the repeat to measure easily and make sure both sides have the same number of rows.

The Summer Top Back Panel

The back panel of the crochet summer top is very similar to the front panel but without the v neck.

Ch 76 (84, 94, 104, 112, 122, 132, 142, 150) + 1 and then sc in each stitch or fsc 76 (84, 94, 104, 112, 122, 132, 142, 150).

  • Row 1: Ch 2, dc in each stitch across, turn.
  • Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across, turn.

Repeat these 2 rows until you reach 20.5 cm / 8”. Finish with a Row 2.

From now on, we start decreasing for the armholes.

Row 3: Ch 2, dc2tog twice, dc across until last 4 st, dc2tog twice, turn. <72 (80, 90, 100, 108, 118, 128, 138, 146) st>

Row 4: Ch 1, dc2tog twice, sc across until the last 4 st, dc2tog twice, turn. <68 (76, 86, 96, 104, 114, 124, 134, 142) st>

Row 5: Ch 2, sc 2, dc until last 2 st, sc 2, turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, skip 1, sc until last 2 st, sc2tog, turn. <66 (74, 84, 94, 102, 112, 122, 132, 140) st>

Row 7: Ch 2, dc2tog twice, dc until last 4 st, dc2tog twice, turn. <62 (70, 80, 90, 98, 108, 118, 128, 136) st>

Row 8 – 13:  Repeat Row 6 and 7 three times. <44 (52, 62, 72, 80, 90, 100, 110, 118) st>

Row 14: Repeat Row 6. <42 (50, 60, 70, 78, 88, 98, 108, 116) st>

Row 15: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <40 (48, 58, 68, 76, 86, 96, 106, 114) st>

Next Rows: Repeat Rows 14 and 15 0 (0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5). <40 (48, 54, 64, 68, 78, 84, 90, 94) st>

Tip: Use a stitch marker before starting the repeat below to measure easily.

Repeat the following 2 rows for 10 cm / 4”.

  • Row 1: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
  • Row 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Form the Peplum Top

The total length of the front and back panels should be the same. If it is not the case you might need to add/remove a few rows from your straps.

Attach both panels together by sewing the shoulder seams and the sides.

Crochet Summer Top Peplum Section

From now on, work continuously in the round, no joining. Join in the yarn on the front left bottom side. Work in the backside of your starting chains / fsc (also referred to as the 3rd loop).

Tip: Place a st marker or piece of yarn in each increase (in the 2nd st of the increase) so you don’t need to count on every other row.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in every stitch. Work an additional 0 (1, 1, 0, 2, 1, 1, 0, 2) st in each seam, at the end of the round increase by 0 (1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0).  <152 (171, 190, 209, 228, 247, 266, 285, 304) st>

Round 2: [dc 18, inc in the next st] repeat around. <160 (180, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320) st>

Round 3: Sc around.

Round 4: [dc to stitch marker, inc in marked st] repeat around. <168 (189, 210, 231, 252, 273, 294, 315, 336) st>

Round 5: Sc around.

Round 6 – 10: Repeat Rows 4 and 5 three times. <192 (216, 240, 264, 288, 312, 336, 360, 384) st>

Round 11: Sc around.

Round 12: Dc around.

Repeat Round 11 and 12 until your peplum section is 20 cm / 7.75” long.

Switch to your contrasting color and finish with a round of sc.

Bind off and weave in the ends.

Finishing Touches

With your contrasting color, sc around the armholes and the neck. The exact number of stitches doesn’t matter. I did about 1st per sc row and 2 st in each dc row.

Join yarn in the armpits to have a better finish.

Blocking

Carefully wet block your top. Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.

I love seeing what you make! Tag me @knittingwithchopsticks and share a pic!

Peplum summer crochet top pattern FREE
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