Whether you’re dressing up for a night out or keeping it casual for a day in the sun, this easy beginner-friendly crochet summer top has got you covered.
This Desert Lily free summer crochet top pattern is perfect for any skill level. With a detailed step-by-step guide and a video tutorial included, you’ll be able to follow along and create a beautiful summer top that’s stylish, comfortable, and great for those warm days.
Made with 100% cotton yarn, this simple tank top comes as a free pattern ranging from sizes XS – 5XL as well as a printable PDF copy with no distracting ads, and loads of guided images.
The full Video tutorial is available on my YouTube channel where it is worked up in size Small and the PDF pattern is available for purchase on my Pattern Store here. Or just add this to your Ravelry queue for later.
DESIGN INSPIRATION
The inspiration for this summer top comes from the need for a versatile, easy-to-make beginner-friendly garment that is both stylish and comfortable. This lightweight top is perfect for any beginner because it involves simple construction techniques and uses a simple stitch pattern throughout.
The Alpine Stitch is the star of the show, adding a beautiful texture to the overall top while still being easy to master without being too heavy or thick.
This stylish crochet top is designed to be cool and breathable, making it ideal for the summer months. This top is also designed to be flattering, comfortable, and easily adjustable, with a polished neckline and sleeve edges to give it a finished look.
Whether you’re going for a casual meeting with friends or an evening soiree, this top will be a perfect addition to your summer wardrobe.
And if you’re looking for more similar crochet tank top patterns and summer tops here are some free crochet patterns to check out.
Watch The Video Tutorial Here
If you would like to see more video tutorials like this you can check them out here on the blog or Subscribe to my Video Channel on YouTube.
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CONSTRUCTION
This free crochet summer top pattern is constructed from two single pieces, worked from the top down. The simplicity of the construction makes it accessible for beginners while still providing a beautiful finished product for any body type.
This easy pattern utilizes the Alpine Stitch, a gorgeous and textured stitch that adds an elegant touch to your top without being overly complicated. Combined with basic crochet stitches like Chains, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, and Double Crochet, these stitches create a lovely fabric that drapes well and feels light and airy.
The width and length of the top are designed to be easy to follow and easy to alter to any size. With clear instructions that make it perfect for beginners.
The front and back panels of this crochet summer top are completely identical which makes it an easy-to-do project. Start by making a foundation chain that matches the width of your chest circumference in half that size and work the first row in a half double crochet. From the second row onwards, begin the alpine stitch pattern, which will form the main pattern of your top.
The alpine stitch is a beautiful textured stitch created by alternating front post double crochet and half double crochet stitches. This pattern repeats every two rows, resulting in a lovely textured effect that adds interest and depth to your top.
To give your top a polished look, add an edge to the neckline and sleeves by adding double crochet stitches and chain spaces along the edge. This same pattern is also used along the sleeves as well. This finishing touch not only enhances the overall appearance of the top but also provides extra stability to the edges.
Materials Needed
For this project, I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in the color Desert Lily (hence the name). This yarn is perfect for summer projects because it’s lightweight, breathable, and has a beautiful sheen.
If you prefer to use a different yarn, the best yarn to substitute would be any lightweight yarn in category 3 or dk weight yarn / sport yarn, preferably cotton yarn or you could look for an alternative here at yarnsub.com to find the best match for your needs.
Remember to choose any light colors preferably as they reflect better in the summer sun.
I also used a 4.0 mm crochet hook for this pattern, providing a nice balance between stitch definition and drape. Make sure to check your gauge and adjust your hook size if necessary to achieve the correct measurements.
Tips For Beginners
If this is your first time attempting to make a crochet top, here are some additional tips to ensure success:
Hook Size Matters: Pay close attention to the recommended hook size in the pattern. Using the wrong size can significantly affect your gauge and, subsequently, the fit of your top.
Yarn Considerations: Consider using a lightweight yarn made from cotton ideal for the warmer weather. This modification allows for breathability and comfort in the summer months. Here are some great substitutes to consider – Yarn Sub
Customizing Your Top: Don’t be afraid to add your personal touch. Experiment with other colors, edging, or even adjusting the length!
Gauge: Always take the time to create a gauge swatch. This first step is crucial in ensuring your project size does not derail from the written pattern
More tips and suggestions here: How to crochet for beginners
Tools And Materials:
Yarn weight: Category 3
Brand: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton or find a yarn substitute: yarnsub.com
Color: Desert Lily
Hook: 4.0 mm crochet hook
Pattern Gauge: 18.5 Sts x 8 Rows = 4 x 4 in/ 10 x 10 cm
No. yarns (skeins): XS [S/ M/ L/ XL] [2XL/ 3XL/ 4XL/ 5XL] : 3.0 [3.5/ 4.0/ 4.5/ 5.5] [5.5/ 6.5/ 7.0/ 8.0]
Total Yardage (approx.): 743 [936/ 1054/ 1149/ 1383] [1486/ 1750/ 1890/ 2156]
Tools: tapestry needle, measuring tape, Scissors, Stitch Markers
Skill level: Beginner
Things to Note:
- Prepare a pattern gauge to get the right size. You may need to adjust your tension or change the hook size to achieve the same gauge.
- Pattern consist of the Alpine Stitch and Chains, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet and Double Crochet stitches.
- Video Tutorial available here
- The abbreviation is available in English US format here.
Crochet Abbreviations (US term)
Ch – Chain Stitch
Ch Sp – Chain Space
RS – Right Side
WS – Wrong Side
inc – Increase
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sc – Single Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
FpDc – Front Post Double Crochet
Desert Lily Measurement Chart:
- Pattern consists of 9 sizes.
- Measurements above are only an estimate of the finished garment based on gauge and not body size
- Size can be adjusted to your liking
- If you are in between sizes, size up or measure along
- I am wearing size small in these pictures.
**
Desert Lily Crochet Summer Top Free Pattern
Instructions
PART 1: Body Panel
Working from the top down, feel free to adjust the width to your liking, ensuring you end on an odd number.
- Foundation Row: Ch 69 [79/ 89/ 97/ 107] [115/ 125/ 135/ 143] , Ch 1 turn to start the next row
- Row 1: Work Hdc Sts into each Ch across, Ch 1 turn
- Row 2: Sc into each St across, Ch1 turn
- Row 3: *(Hdc, FpDc), Rep (*) across, Hdc into the last St, Ch 1 turn
- Row 4: Sc into each St across, Ch1 turn
- Row 5: Hdc, *(Hdc, FpDc) Rep (*) across until the 3rd last St, Hdc 2, Ch 1 turn
Tip: Each Row starts and ends with a Hdc St. Always work a Hdc on top of a FpDc St (on prev row) and a FpDc St on top of Hdc (on the prev row)
- Next Rows: Rep Rows 2 – 5 for a total of 40 [44/ 44/ 44/ 48] [48/ 52/ 52/ 56] Alpine rows or until you’ve reached your preferred length.
Alpine Rows: Refers to the RS row working the Hdc and FpDc Sts. eg: Rows 2 to 5 = 2 Alpine Rows.
- End your last row on a Sc row. Bind off
- Make a second piece by repeating Steps 1 – 8.
- Do not bind off yet.
PART 2: Seaming Sides
Sides
- Place both body panels together WS out
- Measure 7.0 [7.5/ 8.0/ 8.5/ 9.0] [9.5/ 10.0/ 10.5/ 11.0] inches or 18 [19/ 20/ 22/ 23] [24/ 25/ 27/ 28] cm from the top row down for the armhole. Place SMs to mark measurement and to secure both pcs together.
- Do this on the other side as well.
- From your last St (Yellow SM), Sc both pcs together (evenly across the row) along the sides until you reach the 1st SM. Ch 1 to secure and bind off
- Rep on the other side.
Shoulder
- Turn to the top and measure 3 [4/ 5/ 6/ 6] [7/ 8/ 9/ 10] inches or 7 [10/ 11/ 14/ 16][18/ 20/ 22/ 24] cm from the sides.
- Place SMs to mark measurements and to secure the top pieces together.
- Rep on the other side as well.
- Sc both pcs together along the sides until you reach the SM. Ch 1 to secure and bind off
- Rep on the other side.
- Bind off
PART 3: Neckline
- Turn panels RS out and insert hook along the seam, draw up a loop and Ch 1
- Rnd 1: Sc each St in the round (loosely), Slst to join, Ch 1
- Rnd 2: Dc in the same St, Ch 1, Sk 1, *(Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1) Rep (*) in the round, Slst into the 1st St to join, Ch 1
Note: If you do not have a St to Sk, that’s fine, just Slst to join
- Rnd 3: Work 2 Sc in Ch Sp, Rep in the round, Slst to join, Ch 1 to secure, Bind off.
PART 4: Armhole
- Insert hook along the seam, draw up a loop and Ch 1
- Rnd 1: Sc each row evenly across in the round (loosely), Slst to join, Ch 1
- Rnd 2: Dc in the same St, Ch 1, Sk 1, *(Dc, Ch 1, Sk 1) Rep (*) in the round, Slst into the 1st St to join, Ch 1
Note: If you do not have a St to Sk, that’s fine, just Slst to join
- Rnd 3: Work 2 Sc in Ch Sp, Rep in the round, Slst to join, Ch 1 to secure, Bind off.
- Rep Steps 1 – 4 on the other armhole
- Bind off and weave in all loose ends.
END
If you are looking for the tools used to make this Crochet Desert Lily Summer Top pattern, I’ve listed them all right here:
♥ 4.0 mm crochet hook
♥ 24/7 Cotton Lion Brand
♥ Desert Lily Summer Top (Ad Free & Picture guided!)
♥ Video Tutorial
