The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is a free and easy crochet pattern that is made to measure, size inclusive and beginner friendly.
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The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is a great alternative to the basic T! It’s super easy to crochet and style, and depending on whether you team it with denim jeans or a long maxi skirt, the Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top can easily take your outfit from casual to formal.
This lovely purple yarn looks great all season round. Our initial drawings had a design made entirely out of the purple yarn. At the very last minute, like literally after the second row, we felt it needed a creamy stripe to lighten it up and that is how the stripes were born into the Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top!
It turned out great – with the stripes taking up the small mesh pattern and the purple taking the more solid stitches. If you are looking for something more formal, a navy blue and white stripe would be an amazing classic or a black ad white stripe.
The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is designed to be slightly cropped, however it is made to measure and you can crochet it any length. It would look super cute as a loose cropped t-shirt too! We didn’t add a hem so as to keep everything slightly oversized and loose!
When it came to the neckline and sleeves we decided to go for a simple square design that would allow you to crochet it off the shoulder or on the shoulder. The cute little cap sleeves finished it off with a polished look yet still keeping things casual.
The yarn used is by Yarnspirations and is called Caron Cotton Funnel Cakes. We used the colours Cumulus and Thistle. It is a weight 4/medium/worsted and is made out of 100% cotton. The cotton is soft – and combined with the simple mesh stitch, it gives the top some flow and drape.
If you cannot find this yarn you can substitute it with any weight 4 cotton yarn.
For more cotton patterns, check out the Sakura Summer Cotton Vest and the Jasper Mesh Summer Crochet Top.
Lets get started on The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top. Tag us your work in process on Instagram @kiksandjackcrochet (click on the icon) and we promise to cheer you on!
DESCRIPTION of The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top
The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is a short sleeved top using three simple stitches. It is designed to be a little oversized and slightly cropped. It features a square neck design and medium sized stripes. The sleeves are short and cap sleeved. The top is designed to hit at the hips, however it is easy to create a longer or shorter top.
The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is a free and easy crochet pattern that is written made to measure, size inclusive and beginner friendly.
CROCHET MEASUREMENTS & SIZES
The The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top pattern instructions are made to measure, based on your required measurements.
Kiks + Jack Crochet will always try to write patterns that are “made to measure” (versus graded sized patterns) so that crocheters can get the wonderful benefits of making a garment that fits perfectly. However we do appreciate taking measurements can be inconvenient for some and have also provided standard sizing for those who wish to use it.
To use this pattern you will need the following measurements and you should write them down for easy reference:
Chest/Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest/bust. Do not draw the tape too tightly.
Finished length: Measure from your waistline (or where you would like the top to end) up to the top of your shoulder. We wanted our top to hit at the waistline.
Armhole Depth: Measure from the top outside edge of the shoulder down to the armpit
Standard Sizing (For Reference)
If you would like to use standard sizing for the chest/bust – then for XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) use approximately 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) inches or 71-76 (81-86, 91-96, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127, 132-137, 142-147, 152-158) centimetres.
If you would like to use standard sizing for armhole depth – then for XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) use approximately 6-6.5 (6.5-7, 7-7.5, 7.5-8, 8-8.5, 8.5-9, 9-9.5, 9.5-10, 10-10.5) inches or 15.5-16.5, 16.5-17.5, 17.5-19, 19-20.5, 20.5-21.5, 21.5-23, 23-24, 24-25.5, 25.5-26.5) centimetres
Note: The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is designed as a classic fit with positive ease. This pattern is designed to be slightly loose and slightly cropped but is made to measure.
CROCHET GAUGE
Using a crochet hook 5mm (US 8), approximately 13 stitches and 10 rows of half double crochet in 4″ x 4″ (10 cm x 10 cm).
The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top pattern is written made to measure and can accommodate for different crochet gauges, however we suggest you select a yarn and hook similar to our gauge.
CROCHET MATERIALS
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Yarn brand: Caron Cotton Funnel Cakes by Yarnspirations. Weight 4/Medium/Worsted. 250g per skein and 425 yards (or 389 metres).
Approximately 1.1 skeins used in total or 460 yards (or 420m) used for our garment (approximately S) with a finished width of 18 inches and a finished length of 17 inches. Note however as we crocheted a stripe we required 1 skein of each colour.
Colors used are Cumulus and Thistle.
5 mm crochet hook (US size 8). We use many different crochet hooks and some of them can get quite pricey – but if you are a beginner and looking for some great budget friendly ergonomic crochet hooks try these from Amazon. It comes in a set and the grip and shape is amazing for beginner crocheters. We love these and recommend them to all our beginner crochet friends.
Measuring Tape. We use a super budget friendly measuring tape. Make sure it has cm and inches (not all patterns are written with both). We are always crocheting on the go so we like our tapes small and compact and we put one in our design area, one in our bag and one in our car. Retractable works best! We use these super cheap mini measuring tapes from Amazon.
Stitch Markers. We use these locking crochet stitch markers from Amazon and these stitch markers that do not lock. They are cheap and colourful.
Blocking Pins. You should buy more pins than you think you need. If you are going to take the time to block don’t skimp on the pins. We like T shaped stainless steel pins that don’t rust when they get wet. We love these blocking T pins from Amazon and the tin means the pins don’t fall out on the floor.
Yarn Needle. Buy blunt needles with large eyes for yarn. We use these Yarn Needles because we like the convenient bottle, they are budget friendly and we get lots of them!
Scissors. We love these thread snippers because they are cheap, we get two of them AND they come with a case (some don’t). Don’t carry these without the case! After you use thread snippers you won’t want to snip with scissors.
CROCHET STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS
ch = chain (With one loop on your hook, yarn over and pull through the loop)
sc = single crochet (Insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all two loops)
hdc = half double crochet (Yarn over and insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops)
dc = double crochet (Yarn over and insert hook into desired stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops. You now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all two loops)
tch = turning chain
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
sk = skip stitch
* = repeat the instructions following the * as directed
Note unless stated otherwise turning chains do not count as a stitch if there are 1 or 2 chains and the turning chain does count as a stitch if there are 3 or 4 chains.
SUMMARY of CONSTRUCTION for The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top
The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top is made by first crocheting a back panel and an identical front panel. We will start by crocheting the panels bottom up. We will crochet the square neckline on both panels. Small cap sleeves will be crocheted directly on to the panels. We will seam the two panels together to complete the top.
This is a free and easy crochet pattern available as a size inclusive made to measure.
PERMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may crochet items to sell using this pattern upon permission by email at [email protected]. Please link back to this post in exchange. Please do NOT use my photos as your own photos.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS for The Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top
Crochet the Main back panel
Start with colour 1
Calculate the length of your foundation chain as follows:
| Halve your “Chest/Bust Measurement“ | Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around Half our chest/bust measurement = 32/2 = 16 inches |
| Add additional 1-2 inches for positive ease and a slightly oversized look (it will also increase in width after a few rows) | 16 + 1 = 17 inches |
Chain a length as calculated above and count your stitches at the same time. Do not pull the chain too tight when you measure it. Keep it loose.
We want your total number of foundation chains to be an ODD number. If it is not, add one more chain to ensure your total chain ends on an odd number.
Example: Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around and we have to chain 17 inches as per our calculation above. We reached 17 inches after chaining 54 chains. However 54 chains not an odd number, so we add one more chain to give a total of 55 chains to achieve an odd number.
Row 1: ch2, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across the row. Turn
Row 2: ch1, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, sc in next st, dc in same st, rep from * across the row, sc in last st. Turn
Change to colour 2
Tip: you do not need to cut the yarn each time you change colour. Just leave the yarn attached and when you change back to the colour bring the yarn up to the row you are working on. This will save time and effort in weaving in and it will be all hidden when you seam the sides together.
Row 3: ch2, hdc into 1st st, hdc in each st across the row.
Row 4: ch 4, dc into the 3rd st *ch1, sk next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * to end. Turn.
Change to colour 1
Row 5: ch2, *hdc in ch-1 sp, hdc in next st (top of the dc from previous row), rep from * to end finishing with a hdc in the top of the tch. Turn
This is a good time to check that you are happy with the width of your sweater. Sometimes the yarn stretches out more or less than you expect. It’s important to check the width again before you go any further. Place it up against you and see if the width is correct for you (or measure it if you are making it for someone else).
If your yarn is more stretchy than expected and/or you want to reduce the width, we suggest you frog (unravel) and start again reducing the number of chains you originally crocheted. Or if you decide you want it more oversized and you want to increase the width we suggest you frog and start again increasing the number of chains. It’s better to get this width right at the start.
Row 6: ch1, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, sc in next st, dc in same st, rep from * across the row, sc in last st. Turn
Change to colour 2
Row 7: ch2, hdc into 1st st, hdc in each st across the row.
Row 8: ch 4, dc into the 3rd st *ch1, sk next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * to end. Turn.
Change to colour 1
Row 9: ch2, *hdc in ch-1 sp, hdc in next st (top of the dc from previous row), rep from * to end finishing with a hdc in the top of the tch. Turn
Row 10: ch1, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, sc in next st, dc in same st, rep from * across the row, sc in last st. Turn
Continue to change colours every two rows and repeat rows 7-10 in that order until the back panel reaches a length equal to your “Finished length measurement“ minus 1 inch.
The colour changes are suggestions and you can customize it to your preference – or none at all if you are planning to crochet this in a solid colour.
Once again, this is a great time to double check that you are happy with the length by placing the panel up against you. Remember you will be crocheting a neckline that will add another 1-2 inches. If you would like to make it longer crochet a few more rows in the correct order. If you would like to make it shorter, remove a few rows. If you made changes, then make sure you update the Finished Length Measurement so that you can crochet an identical length for your front panel.
Do not fasten off.
Crochet the Back Panel Neckline
We will now crochet the square neckline.
Measure 4-6 inches (10-15 centimetres) in from the left edge of the panel and place a stitch marker. Repeat this on the right side of the panel.
If you would prefer a wider neckline, then reduce the number of inches you count in from each side. If you would prefer a tighter neckline, then increase the number of inches you count in. We measured approximately 4 inches in on both sides for a slightly wider neckline.
Using the same working yarn on one side continue as follows:
Row 1: ch2, turn, hdc in 1st st, hdc in each ch across the row up to the stitch marker. Turn.
Row 2: ch2, hdc in 1st st, hdc in each st across the row (away from the stitch marker). Turn
Repeat row 1 -2 in that order for 1 inch and so that your top now reaches the “Finished length measurement“. If you would prefer a slightly deeper neckline, you can crochet a few more of rows 1-2, however this may add a little length to your overall top.
Fasten off.
Repeat the neckline on the other side of the back panel.
Crochet the Front Panel
Repeat all the instructions under Back Panel and Back Panel Neckline to create an identical Front Panel.
Assembly and Preparation for Sleeves
Kiks + Jack Crochet highly recommends blocking all your panels before assembly. We understand you have finished and are eager to seam this all together! However blocking your panels will set your panels to the shape and size you want and give it a polished look.
We block our panels by pinning all the pieces on to an old yoga mat and manipulating the shape and edges so the front and back panel are similar and the two sleeve panels are similar. We then spray it with water focusing on the edges and ensuring it is well saturated. Do not remove the pins until the panels are completely bone dry.
Step 1: Seam the Front and Back Panel at the shoulder.
Place the front and back panels together with the right sides facing together. With a yarn needle, seam the two panels together across the shoulders starting from the edge and up to the end of the neckline. Fasten off. Make sure you seam on both shoulders.
Step 2: Seam the sides to create the arm opening
Measure from the top of the shoulder down the side of your front panel your “Armhole Depth Measurement” plus 1 inch and place a stitch marker.
Example: Our armhole depth measurement is approximately 7 inches. We measured from the top of the shoulder down the side of our garment 8 inches (7 + 1 = 8 inches) and placed a stitch marker
Do the same on the other side of the front panel, and do the same on both sides of the back panel.
Tip: attach both panels at the stitch markers and try the panels on. If you would like a more generous armhole opening add another 0.5-1 inch on both sides.
When you are satisfied with the size of the arm opening, using a yarn needle and matching yarn seam the sides of your top together (make sure you are seaming on the wrong side and right sides are facing together). Start from the bottom edge and seam all the way up to the stitch markers. Do the same on the other side.
You should now have two panels seamed together at the shoulders and the sides, with arm openings. We will now crochet the cap sleeves directly on.
Crochet the Cap Sleeves
Attach Colour 1 yarn near the stitch marker and next to a mesh space. You will now be crocheting hdc around the sleeve opening.
Row 1: ch2, hdc into the mesh space, hdc into the rows. Continue this pattern until you have crocheted completely around the arm sleeve opening. Try to crochet the hdc evenly around the sleeve opening. At the end of the round, sl st to join at the top of the tch. Turn
Row 2: ch 2, hdc in 1st st, hdc in each st across the round, sl st to join at the top of the tch. Turn
Repeat row 2 until you reach your desired sleeve length (we wanted small cap sleeves and only crocheted a total of 3 rows).
Fasten off.
Repeat the cap sleeve on the other side of the top.
Finishing the Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top
Weave in all your ends.
Congratulations you have finished your Iris Striped Easy Crochet Top and we hope you enjoyed this free crochet pattern.
We are trying to keep all our crochet patterns free for everyone, when you access them online. We meet the costs of running this website through coffee donations at https://ko-fi.com/kiksandjackcrochet and ad revenue. When you buy us a cup of coffee, you buy us a cup of motivation. Thank you for keeping us motivated and inspired every day to keep designing free crochet patterns for you.
It would be amazing to see a photo of your completed work on instagram. Tag us @kiksandjackcrochet.
