A new summer top crochet pattern – the Top Deck Tee – is now a free crochet pattern here on the blog. Read all about this striped crochet top pattern, scroll down to view the full free pattern or purchase an ad free PDF from my shop, Etsy shop or Ravelry shop.
No time right now? Pin this easy crochet summer top free pattern for later!
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If you’re looking for a fun and easy crochet project for summer, this top-down raglan crochet top is a great one to try. This easy crochet summer top free pattern is beginner friendly and worked in one piece from the neckline down, so there’s no seaming needed at all. The raglan construction creates a comfortable fit across the shoulders, and the simple stitches make it a really relaxing project. The striped crochet top pattern adds a playful pop of colour, but you can easily customise it with your own favourite shades.
This summer top crochet pattern is perfect if you’re making your first crochet garment. Since it’s worked from the top down, you can try it on as you go and adjust the length to suit you. The crochet tee pattern includes sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL, so you can find the fit that works best. If you’ve been wanting to try making a wearable piece, this beginner friendly crochet pattern is a great place to start.
Simple Summer Top Pattern Construction
You’re going to start at the neckline with a foundation chain, then work the yoke in rounds, turning at the end of each round. Four sets of increases shape the front, back, and shoulders as you go.
Once the yoke is complete, you’ll work a short section across the back only in flat rows. This lowers the front neckline slightly for a more comfortable fit and elegant square neckline.
After that, you join the front and back again and continue the body in the round to your desired length. The armholes are simply finished off with an edging for a clean, polished look.
Downloadable PDF for Top Deck Tee Crochet Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Top Deck Tee Crochet Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry shop:
More Crochet Top Patterns you'll love
Before You Start Your Top Deck Tee Easy Crochet Top Free Pattern
Materials
- 5 mm / US H – 8 hook.
- WeCrochet Comfy Worsted (50 g / 1.75 oz, 75% Pima Cotton, 25% acrylic, 100 m / 109 yd) in shades:
- Hollyberry (red): 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.Peony (pink): 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.Ivory (white): 2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins.
- Planetarium (Blue): 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 4) skeins.
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
- 4 locking stitch markers.
Size
The crochet tee pattern is available in sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL.
Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).
The pictures illustrate size L.
Final garment measurements are:
- Bust circumference: 79.5 (89.5, 99, 109, 114) (119, 123.5, 128.5, 138.5) cm / 31.5 (35, 39, 43, 45) (47, 48.5, 50.5, 54.5)”.
- Armhole depth: 21 (24, 27, 30.5, 32) (33.5, 35, 36.5, 39.5) cm / 8.5 (9.5, 10.5, 12, 12.5) (13, 14, 14.5, 15.5)”.
- Length (shoulder to hem): 55 cm / 21.5”.
The tee is designed to be worn with a regular fit, of around 2.5-12.5 cm / 1-5” ease at the bust.
To adjust the length, e.g. for a longer style or to match a taller/shorter wearer’s proportions, add/remove pairs of rows to the body (+/- 1.5 cm / ¾” per pair) just before adding the hemline border. Don’t forget to adjust your yarn quantity to allow for this.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern (blocked), in alternating dc and sc rounds, is 16.5 sts by 13 rounds for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- sp = space
- RS = Right side
- WS = Wrong side
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 does not count as a stitch throughout the pattern except if mentioned otherwise.
The turning ch 2 does count as a stitch 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.
Construction
You’re going to start at the neckline with a foundation chain, then work the yoke in rounds, turning at the end of each round. Four sets of increases shape the front, back, and shoulders as you go.
Once the yoke is complete, you’ll work a short section across the back only in flat rows. This lowers the front neckline slightly for a more comfortable fit and elegant square neckline.
After that, you join the front and back again and continue the body in the round to your desired length. The armholes are simply finished off with an edging for a clean, polished look.
Stripe Pattern
To recreate the stripe pattern you see in the photos, alternate rounds of sc and dc throughout.
Start with 6 rounds in blue. After that, switch to 2 rounds per color in this order: pink, red, white, and blue. Keep repeating that sequence throughout the pattern.
At each color change, you can either fasten off and weave in your ends as you go, or carry the unused yarn up the inside of the tee. It will be used again within about 5 cm / 2″ making relatively long floats so it’s up to your personal preference. If you choose to carry it, make sure you don’t pull the strand too tight when you pick it back up, or the fabric may pucker once worn.
Note: If you want to work with a different number of colors I’d recommend using either 1, 2 or 4 colors. The back panel adjustment to drop the neckline is based on a 4 color repeat. If you adjust it the size of the armholes and neckline shaping will also change or you’d have to accept an interrupt in stripe pattern in the back.
The Actual Top Deck Tee Easy Crochet Top Free Pattern
Yoke
With your 5 mm / US H – 8 crochet hook, ch 106 and, taking care not to twist the chains, join with a sl st in first ch ready to work in the round. As you work the first round, add a stitch marker in each ch-1 corner space.
Round 1 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in same st, dc 20, (dc, ch 1, 2dc) in next ch, dc 31, (2dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch, dc 20, (dc, ch 1, 2dc) in next ch, dc 31, dc in first ch and join with a sl st in 2nd ch, leaving 3rd ch as a ch-1 space, turn. <114 sts, 4 ch-1 spaces>
Round 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp across and join with a sl st in 1st ch, turn. <118 sts>
Round 3 (WS): Ch 3, dc in same st, dc to next marker, (dc, ch 1, 2dc) in sc above ch-1 space, dc to next marker, (2dc, ch 1, dc) in sc above ch-1 space, dc to next marker, (dc, ch 1, 2dc) in sc above ch-1 space, dc to next marker, dc in same st as first st and join with a sl st in 2nd ch, leaving 3rd ch as a ch-1 space, turn. <126 increased>
Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 another 7 (9, 11, 13, 14) (15, 16, 17, 19) more times. <210 (234, 258, 282, 294) (306, 318, 330, 354) sts; 4 ch-1 spaces>
Back Yoke Extension
Working only the back body section (between the current and next stitch marker on the RS including in both ch-1 spaces).
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc to next stitch marker, turn. <67 (75, 83, 91, 95) (99, 103, 107, 115) sts>
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, dc in same st, dc across, turn.
Repeat Row 1 and 2 three more times.
Note: The number of rows here is calculated to ensure the stripe repeat remains unbroken when joining back in the round. If you’re working with a different number of colors, you can remove or add some repeats here but be aware this is also going to adjust your armhole depth!
Divide Armholes and Body
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc to next stitch marker, skip sts to next stitch marker, sc in ch-1 space, sc to next stitch marker, sc in ch-1 space and join with a sl st in 1st ch, turn. < 138 (154, 162, 178, 186) (194, 202, 210, 226) sts>
Body
Round 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc in same st, dc across, turn.
Round 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc to next stitch marker and join with a sl st in 1st ch, turn.
Repeat Row 1 and 2 until total length is 49 cm / 19.5”.
Repeat Row 1 and 2 four times in blue yarn.
Fasten off.
Armhole Edging
Join the last color of your yoke repeat in the first row-end stitch of the Back Yoke Extension, ch 1, sc 9 along the row end stitches of the Back Yoke Extension, sc in each st around armhole, and join with a sl st in 1st ch.
Fasten off and weave in the end.
Repeat for the other sleeve.
Blocking
You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends (except for sewing).
To make your tee even prettier, wet block your project with the right side outermost.
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.
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