An elegant top to wear on your summer vacation, featuring a beginner-friendly pattern!
This beautiful crochet striped top is not only easy to make, it also adds a touch of elegance and class to any pair of pants or shorts you wear with it.
In this post, I’ll be teaching you how to crochet this classic summer top that only uses the basic stitches, which is perfect for beginners.
I’ll also be guiding you through the preparation needed and share some tips for crocheting your first garment!
It also comes with a matching summer headband that perfectly compliments the top!
I love the colors that it has to offer too. They all blend beautifully together and the style of the top gives it a simple and classic look that is great to wear for summer vacations.
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About the Crochet Summer Top
If you’re a crochet beginner and want to get into crocheting clothes (which can feel intimidating at first) then this pattern is the right project to start with.
This top is beginner-friendly because it uses only basic stitches and only increases at the corners. There are no actual “increase stitches” to keep track of and the placement doesn’t vary.
The most challenging part of this pattern for beginners will probably be making the tie and/or doing the color changes. If doing slip stitches on the tie proves to be too challenging, a simple chain stitch tie or braided yarn would be good substitutes.
In terms of sizing, if you need to adjust the length of this top, then I recommend evenly distributing the bottom two colors of this striped top.
I also want to note that choosing the right yarn is an important part when crocheting garments (more on that below).
Before we get started, I want to note that the free pattern directions below is only available in size Extra Small. If you’d like to have all 8 sizes (XS to 4XL) then you can purchase the PDF pattern below!
Prefer the PDF Version for All Sizes?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern for XS to 4XL.
You can view it on your computer, phone or tablet or download and print it at home.
If you’re interested in crocheting light and airy tops, then I recommend checking out my Summer Ties Tank and my beautiful and unique Dogwood Top!
Beginner Tips for Crocheting Garments
As a beginner, I know it can feel intimidating and challenging to start crocheting women’s garments!
That’s why I listed out a few pointers to help you get started as a beginner:
- Take the proper time to make a gauge swatch and take your own measurements. It will give you the best possible chance of ending with a well-fitting top.
- For a top-down crochet top like striped top pattern, it’s very important to make sure that your starting chain isn’t twisted before you slip stitch the ends together.
- Take your time! If this is your first attempt at making a garment, going slower and being willing to undo mistakes will mean that you end up with something you can wear proudly and be satisfied with, which is well worth the extra time.
Crochet Summer Top with Matching Headband
Before we get started, I also wanted to show you how cute the matching headband is with this striped top! This set can be a perfect gift for a loved one (which I would love if I got this as a present!) or it can be made for yourself too.
Choosing the Right Yarn
When it comes to crocheting tops in general, having the right yarn is important. You want to choose a yarn that is soft, machine washable (on delicate of course) and the colors don’t fade over time.
Plus, if you’re crocheting a summer top, then a light weight and airy yarn is crucial!
In my experience, the touch of linen yarn ticks all those boxes. The only note I’d point out is that it can sometimes feel itchy around the arms, but when you wear it a few times and wash it, it tends to get softer.
Skill Level
Beginner-friendly pattern.
Materials Needed for Size Extra Small
- A total of 611 yards of light worsted yarn is needed, divided across 3 colors (220 for color 1 indigo, 190 for color 2 terracotta, and 201 for color 3 clay). A size medium in touch of linen yarn in indigo, terracotta , and clay is shown.
- F5/3.75mm hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle (optional, for weaving in ends)
Gauge
14sts and 8rows of dc per 4X4″ square
Abbreviations and Special Terms Used
- Ch-chain stitch
- Dc-double crochet
- Sc-single crochet
- Ss-slip stitch
- Make a corner-dc, ch3, and then dc again into the same stitch
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written in US terms
- This version of the top includes 10 dc rows of colors 2 and 3. If you find that you would like to adjust the length of this top, I would recommend evenly distributing those 2 colors.
- The number of chain stitches in the cording is a suggestion meant to give you enough length of your final tie.
Crochet Top Pattern Directions for Size Extra Small
Yoke
(Color 1)
Ch110
Row 1: skip the first 2 chains, and then dc13. *Make a Corner(dc, ch3, then dc again into the same st) dc26* Repeat 2x(3x total). dc13. Ch2 and turn.
For the next 9 rows: dc into the top of every dc. from the previous row. In the ch-spaces of the corners, create new corners. Each row should increase by 8 dc stitches. Ch2 and turn at the end of all rows except for the last one in this section.
Creating arm openings:
At end of row 10 ss to the top of the ch3 at the beginning of the row.
Row 11: dc into the top of every dc until you get to the first ch-space(the first corner). In the ch-space, dc3 and then skip the next section of dc sts and dc3 in the next ch-space as well. Dc into every stitch along the front section.
In the 3rd ch-space, dc3 and then skip the next section of dc sts and dc3 in the last ch-space as well. Dc into every remaining dc in the round and Ss into the top of the turning chain to finish the round.
Body:
Row 12: ch2 dc in every st, then ss into the top of the ch2 to finish the round.
(Switch to color 2)
For the next 10 rounds, repeat row 12.
(Switch to color 3)
For the next 10 rounds, repeat row 12. Do not bind off.
To finish the hem, ch1 and sc in every st. ss into the top of your ch1 and bind off.
(Color 1)
Add yarn at the neckline and sc around the neckline, including the slit opening. Bind off.
Then, do the same for both arm openings.
Cord:
In color 1, Ch 176 sts. Skip a ch and ss into the others. Bind off.
Weave your cord in and out of the first row of dc in your top, keeping the ends at the slit in the back for tying.
Weave in all your ends, and enjoy your finished top!
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed making this adorable summer top! As a beginner, I’m sure you build a lot more confidence after completing this project and will be ready for more advanced ones!
If you’re interested in keeping up to date with all my new patterns that we release every month, make sure to join my email list! As a thank you, I will send you 3 popular PDF patterns of mine!
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Keep crochet delightful.
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