An easy free summer top crochet pattern – the Julia Top – is now a free crochet pattern on the blog. Read about my inspiration, the yarn and the knit version or scroll down for the free version.
No time right now? Pin this easy free summer top crochet pattern for later!
*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.
A lot of my designs are inspired by my favorite garments in my own wardrobe. I like making things I know I like to wear already. The Julia summer top crochet pattern is one of these!
I realized recently all my favorite summer tops have some sort of tassels or cords hanging from the neckline. They’re not only decorative and fun, but they’re also Basile’s favorite toys. So handy to always have baby distractions around.
I wanted a simple everyday top, something to wear with a pair of shorts and sandals or a jeans and open front cardigan on colder days.
The Yarn
My go-to yarn for summer garments is without a doubt LionBrand Coboo. I’ve used it for my Cache Coeur Dress, Peplum Top and Juliet Top and I couldn’t resist using it in another crochet design.
The cotton bamboo blend is so nice and silky against your skin, you won’t ever want to take it off. It’s not only soft, it also has amazing drape and stitch definition. Perfect to highlight the lace details on this top and get the flowy feel I was going for. With 20 gorgeous colors to choose from, you’re sure to find something for you.
Knit Version
When I release a new knitting pattern I often get requests to have the same design in crochet and vice versa. Unfortunately, that isn’t always possible as each craft has its own characteristics but in this case, it was! So I made it! The Juliet Top knitting pattern (find it here) came first but I love both versions equally.
Downloadable PDF
Why I Recommend You Purchase the PDF Pattern
If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, you are missing out on so much convenience!
- You don’t need to take screenshots of the pattern
- You don’t need to have your computer, phone or tablet around to work on your project.
- You don’t need to panic if your husband accidentally closed the page
- You can take notes, highlight your size and write down where you are.
- When your best friend begs you to make her the same sweater, you have the pattern ready.
- It’s a great way to support the blog so I can continue to bring you knitting tutorials.
Grab the printable PDF of the Julia Top crochet pattern now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry:
Materials
- 4 mm / US G – 6 hook.
- Lion Brand Coboo (100g, 50% cotton, 50% bamboo, 232 yards / 212 m): you will need 4 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10) skeins in Mauve 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.
- 9 stitch markers.
Size
The free summer top crochet pattern is available in following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL. Sizes are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) throughout the pattern. Pictures illustrate the M size.
The top is designed with a normal fit, 5 – 10 cm / 2” to 4” ease at the bust.
Below are the final top measurements for the different sizes.
- XS: bust 85 cm / 33.5”, length 55 cm / 21.5”
- S: bust 96 cm / 38”, length 56 cm / 22.5”
- M: bust 103 cm / 40.5”, length 58 cm / 23”
- L: bust 113 cm / 44.5”, length 58 cm / 23”
- XL: bust 130 cm / 51”, length 60 cm / 23.5”
- 2XL: bust 136 cm / 53.5”, length 61 cm / 24”
- 3XL: bust 145 cm / 57”, length 62 cm / 24.5”
- 4XL: bust 155 cm / 61”, length 62 cm / 24.5”
- 5XL: bust 169 cm / 66.5”, length 63 cm / 25”
To adjust the length, add/remove rows before the final eyelets (don’t forget to adjust your yarn quantity accordingly).
Gauge
The gauge for this top crochet pattern, in dc, is 17 st by 12 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.
Abbreviations
This top crochet pattern uses US notations.
- st = stitch
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- fsc = foundation single crochet (refer to special stitches section below)
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.
Special Stitches
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 hook.
*Insert 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 hook.
Repeat from * 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 Summer Top Crochet Pattern
V neck
The V neck section is worked in rows back and forth.
With your 4 mm / US G – 6 hook, fsc 104 (112, 112, 120, 128, 128, 128, 136, 136) st.
Row 1: Ch 3, skip 1, [dc, ch 1, skip 1] repeat until last st, dc, turn. <104 (112, 112, 120, 128, 128, 128, 136, 136) st>
Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.
Row 3: Follow instructions appropriate to your size.
Note: place a marker in each ch 1 (8 markers total for each size).
- XS: Ch 2, dc 6, [(dc, ch 1, dc), dc 12] until last 7 st, (dc, ch 1, dc), dc 6, turn. <120 st>
- S, M: Ch 2, dc 7, [(dc, ch 1, dc), dc 13] until last 7 st, (dc, ch 1, dc), dc 6, turn. <128 st>
- L: Ch 2, dc 7, [(dc, ch 1, dc), dc 14] until last 8 st, (dc, ch 1, dc), dc 7, turn. <136 st>
- XL, 2XL, 3XL: Ch 2, dc 8, [(dc, ch 1, dc), dc 15] until last 8 st, (dc, ch 1, dc), dc 7, turn. <144 st>
- 4XL, 5XL: Ch 2, dc 8, [(dc, ch 1, dc), dc 16] until last 9 st, (dc, ch 1, dc), dc 8, turn. <152 st>
Row 4: Ch 2, [dc until marker, (dc, ch 1 (place marker), dc) in marked st] repeat through last marked st, dc until end of row, turn. <136 (144, 144, 152, 160, 160, 160, 168, 168) st>
Repeat Row 4 3 (3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) times. <184 (192, 192, 200, 240, 256, 272, 296, 312) st>
Sizes XS, S, M, L only: Ch 2, work dc in each dc and in each ch-1 space across (move st markers up in corresponding st).
Yoke
Join in the round. Work in continuous spirals.
Round 1 = Increase round: [dc until marker, (dc, ch 1 (place marker), dc) in marked st] repeat until last marker, dc until end of round.
Work 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 4, 4, 6) increase rounds. <200 (208, 208, 216, 256, 288, 336, 360, 408)>
Round 2: Dc around (move st markers up in corresponding st).
Repeat Round 1 and 2 another 4 (5, 6, 7, 7, 7, 6, 6, 5) times. <264 (288, 304, 328, 368, 400, 432, 456, 488) st>
Repeat Round 2 another 3 (2, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0) times.
Split for the sleeves
To separate the sleeves from the body of the top, skip the sleeve stitches while working the next round. You will go back to these stitches later to finish off the sleeves.
- XS: Dc 36, skip 60, dc 72, skip 60, dc 36. <144 st>
- S: Dc 41, skip 62, dc 82, skip 62, dc 41. <164 st>
- M: Dc 44, skip 64, dc 88, skip 64, dc 44. <176 st>
- L: Dc 48, skip 68, dc 96, skip 68, dc 48. <192 st>
- XL: Dc 55, skip 74, dc 110, skip 74, dc 55. <220 st>
- 2XL: Dc 58, skip 84, dc 116, skip 84, dc 58. <232 st>
- 3XL: Dc 62, skip 92, dc 124, skip 92, dc 62. <248 st>
- 4XL: Dc 66, skip 96, dc 132, skip 96, dc 66. <264 st>
- 5XL: Dc 72, skip 100, dc 144, skip 100, dc 72. <288 st>
Body
Round 1: Dc around.
Repeat until you reach 39 cm / 15.5” from armpits.
Round 2: [Ch 1, skip 1, dc] around.
Round 3: Sc around.
Bind off and weave in the ends.
Sleeves
Repeat for each sleeve.
Join yarn in armpit.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as a st here and throughout the sleeve section), dc around, join with sl st in 2nd ch. <60 (62, 64, 68, 74, 84, 92, 96, 100) st>
Round 2: Ch 2, [ch 1, skip 1, dc] until last st, ch 1, skip 1, join with sl st in 2nd ch.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc around, join with sl st in the ch.
Bind off and weave in the ends.
Blocking
You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your top even prettier, help even your stitches and open up the eyelets, wet block your project.
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.
Finishing Touches
Using 6 45 cm / 17.5” strands of yarn make a braid (using 3 times 2 strands). Attach a 10 cm / 4″ tassel at one end. Attach the other end to the corner of the V neck. My tassel hangs 32 cm / 12.5” from this corner.
Repeat for the other corner.
Enjoy your summer crochet top!
