Introducing The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top, a lightweight and breathable top designed for warm-weather layering and sunny days. This free crochet pattern features an airy mesh stitch that sits beautifully, making it perfect for beach days, vacations, and easy everyday wear. Designed with a relaxed silhouette and made-to-measure fit, this top would look great in any colour combination. We made ours in bold, ocean-inspired tones but have a beautiful solid white and solid mushroom pink coming along in our WIPs. The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top is joyful to wear and joyful to make! It’s a very easy beginner friendly design, with full instructions included below.
We had a bit of a rough week – not going to lie….and because we don’t really want to focus on too much negativity here on our blog, we’ll just refer you to our Instagram post here. There is always a silver lining if you look for it. The first is that the crocheting community is truly an amazing space of creating, caring crafters! The second is after having a break from crocheting, and spending some time at the beach – we came up with a name for our new design…it really is “Better with the Beach”! Thank you to everyone that messaged us support, emailed us to not stop designing and for believing that a community of crocheters can really fight back if we support the real creators behind the work!
Let’s move on to this piece! Do you like the colors? We have used similar colors in another mesh top called The Nusa Mesh Net Crochet Sweater. That one was a self striping yarn, and this one uses individual skeins. It wasn’t intentional but we are obviously drawn to the blue and brown palette! We are currently crocheting one in a solid neutral and will show case it here when it is done!
Thank you so much to everyone who logs on to our Ko-fi site and buys us a coffee. Thank you for the incredible feedback, the positivity and the understanding that we cannot run this website without Ko-fi supporters. Thank you for supporting the costs to run this blog and supporting the crocheting community that use this website to access our free patterns!
We used a brand new cotton blend yarn from Premier Yarns. We used Premier Yarns a while ago for a top that is super popular in the summer; The Jasper Mesh Easy Summer Crochet Top. We are loving their weight 2, 3 and 4 yarns and we also love they are budget friendly!! Not sure we have ever worked with a worsted cotton blend, so this was very exciting for us. Find out all the details in the section “Crochet Materials” below.
Finally, in terms of styling – yes we are wearing this out now as the weather is getting a lot warmer. We do pop a cami underneath because the mesh stitch is quite large and throw it on top of jeans and skirts. We are also thinking of making a longer one in a lower weight yarn to use as a cute beach coverup.
Now lets get you started on The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top.
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DESCRIPTION of The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top is an easy, lightweight crochet top pattern made with a soft weight 4 cotton blend yarn that feels comfortable and breathable for warmer weather. Perfect for spring and summer, this long sleeve mesh crochet top features an airy mesh stitch that keeps the fabric light and relaxed, while the mid-length sleeves keeps this modern for layering through the seasons. Finished with a simple, minimal neckline and clean edges, this free crochet pattern is beginner-friendly, size-inclusive, and fully customizable.
With its simple stitch pattern and easy construction, The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top works up quickly and makes a fun, relaxing crochet project for beginners and experienced crocheters. Whether you choose earthy neutrals, ocean-inspired shades, or a single solid color, this versatile mesh crochet top creates an effortless piece that’s perfect for layering over tanks, swimwear, or everyday basics throughout spring and summer.
CROCHET MEASUREMENTS & SIZES for The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top pattern instructions are made to measure, based on your required measurements.
At Kiks + Jack Crochet, we focus on creating made-to-measure, size-inclusive crochet patterns rather than relying on standard commercially graded sizes (XS–5XL). This allows crocheters to enjoy the satisfaction of making a garment that fits beautifully to your perfect dimensions. We also understand that taking measurements isn’t always convenient, so we’ve included standard measurements for anyone who prefers to follow them instead.
To use The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top 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 where you would like the sweater to end up to the top of your shoulder at your collarbone.
Armhole Depth: Measure from the top outside edge of the shoulder down to the armpit. You may want to check that this measurement – when doubled – is as big as your upper arm circumference (around your bicep). Typically it is, however every body shape is different. If your upper arm circumference is larger, take this measurement instead.
Arm Length: Measure from armpit to where you would like the sleeve to end (ours is a mid sleeve)
Standard Measurements (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
If you would like to use standard sizing for arm length – then for XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) use approximately 16.5 (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18, 18.5, 18.5) inches or 42 (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5, 45.5, 45.5, 47, 47) centimetres
Note: The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top is designed as an oversized fit with significant positive ease.
CROCHET GAUGE
The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top is “made to measure” and can accommodate for different crochet gauges. You do not need to swatch and match to our gauge however we suggest you use a yarn and hook of similar weight and size.
For our version of The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top we used a weight 4 yarn and a 4.5 mm hook.
CROCHET MATERIALS for The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
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Yarn Brand: Cotton Fair Worsted by Premier Yarn. Weight 4/Worsted 100g per skein and 207 yards (or 190m) per skein.
Kiks + Jack Crochet’s version of The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top has a finished width of approximately 20 inches and a finished length of 17 inches. We used approximately 4.3 skeins in total, or 890 yards (or 817 m). However as we designed ours as a multi-colored stripe, we required 1 skein of each of the following 4 colors; Hickory (Dark Brown), Cinnamon (Light Brown), Indigo (Dark Blue), Chambray (Light Blue) and 2 skeins of Cookie (Beige).
We would love to crochet this top in their Cotton Fair Sport too!
Crochet Hook (we used a 4.5 mm). We use many different crochet hooks and if you are looking for some great budget friendly ergonomic crochet hooks try these from Amazon. It comes in a set and the grip and the shape is amazing for beginner crocheters. We also love the slightly more pricey crochet hooks from Clover Crochet Hooks and the beautiful Furls Crochet Hooks (these are so stunning, we just love looking at them!)
Yarn Winder. We held off on a yarn winder for a long time. We love the idea of crochet being simple with just a hook and some yarn. However we decided to get this yarn winder, because it was affordable and we weren’t sure about investing in a super fancy one yet. We love it because it breathes life back into scrappy yarn lying around that looks messy. It’s simple to use and is holding up really well for us.
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
The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top pattern is written with US terms.
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)
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)
ch-4 sp = chain 4 space
ch-7 sp = chain 7 space
Picot stitch: ch3, sl st in 1st chain
Fisherman’s Knot: Crochet to the end of the row, cut off Color A with approximately 1.5 inch tail. Frog back a few stitches. Take the tail of Color A and loop it around Color B, tucking the end through the loop and pulling tight. Then take the tail of Color B and loop it around Color A the same way. Pull both ends in opposite directions so the knots slide together and hold firmly. Cut off ends. Crochet back and continue.
tch = turning chain
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 Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top is worked by first creating a back panel and a matching front panel. You’ll work the panels from the bottom up.
Next, you’ll crochet the sleeve panels that are designed loose, mid sleeve and oversized. You will measure out the neckline opening on both the front and back panels. Finally, the shoulders are joined by seaming the front and back panels together, and the sleeves are attached directly to the body. The sweater is finished with an optional edging on the base.
PERMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT
You may not publish or share any pattern on this website www.kiksandjackcrochet as your own including this pattern The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top. Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner, Kiks + Jack Crochet.
You may not use any Kiks and Jack Crochet photo as your own photo.
You may crochet items to sell using The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top pattern upon permission by email at kiksandjackcrochet@gmail.com. Please link back to this post in exchange.
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS for The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
Crochet the Main Back Panel
Note on our color stripe: we used 5 colors and alternated them as follows: Cookie (Beige), Indigo (Dark Blue), Cinnamon (Light Brown), Cookie (Beige), Chambray (Light Blue), Hickory (Dark Brown). The sweater is edged (instructions provided) at the base with Indigo.
We generally used one color per row EXCEPT for rows 3-4 where we used the same color for both rows and at the start (all instructions provided below). We used a fisherman’s knot on color changes to minimize the weaving in. If you would like to see a cute video showcasing how it can help with your weaving in later take a look here. Instructions are above in the section “Crochet Stitches”.
We have written the instructions below based on our color changes, however feel free to adjust to your desired stripe design or ignore completely if you are crocheting a solid color!
Calculate the length of your foundation chain as follows:
| Calculation | Kiks + Jack Example |
| Halve your “Chest/Bust Measurement“ | Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around Half our chest/bust measurement = 32/2 = 16 inches |
| Add additional 3-4 inches for positive ease and oversized look. (Note depending on your yarn, there can be some expansion, however Row 3 can also cause some contraction. We will show you how to do an intuitive check later – we added 3 inches). | 16 + 3 = 19 inches |
Start with color 1 (eg Beige)
Chain a length as calculated above and count the stitches at the same time. Do not pull the chain too tight when you measure it. Keep it loose.
We want your total foundation chain to be a multiple of 8 stitches (divides evenly into 8). If it is not, add more chains to ensure your total chain ends on a multiple of 8 stitches.
Add 2 more chains.
Example: Our chest/bust measurement = 32 inches around and we have to chain 19 inches as per our calculation above. We reached 19 inches after chaining 78 chains. However 78 chains is not a multiple of 8. So we add 2 more chains to give a total of 80 chains to achieve a multiple of 8. We then added 2 more chains, so the total number of chains in our foundation = 82 chains.
Row 1: ch3, dc into 4th ch from hook, *ch4, sk 3ch, sc in next ch, ch4, sk 3ch, dc in next ch, repeat from * across the row ending with a dc in the second last ch and a dc in the last ch. Turn
Row 2: ch3, dc into 2nd st, *ch4, sc in next ch-4 sp (position closer to sc), picot (ch3, sl st in 1st chain ie. 3rd ch from hook), sc in next ch-4 sp, ch4, dc in next dc, repeat from * across the row, ending with a dc in last dc and dc in tch. Turn
Switch to color 2 (eg Dark Blue)
Row 3: ch1, sc in 1st st, sc in next st, *ch7, sc in next dc, repeat from * across the row ending with sc in last dc and sc in tch. Turn
Row 4: ch1, sc in 1st st, sc in next st, *7sc in next ch-7 sp, sc in next sc, rep from * across the row ending with a sc in the second last st, and a sc in the last st. Turn
Switch to color 3 (eg Light Brown)
Row 5: ch3, dc into 2nd st, *ch4, sk3, sc in next st (the 4th sc of the 7sc), ch4, sk 3, dc in next st, rep from * across row ending with a dc in the second last st and a dc in the last st. Turn
It’s a great time to do an intuitive check to see if you are completely happy with the width of the sweater before you crochet any further. You may want to hold it up against you after 5 rows of crochet to check. If it’s perfect keep going. If you would like to make changes to the width, it is best to start again increasing or decreasing the number of chains that you originally used remembering to follow all the stitch multiple rules.
Repeat rows 2-5 until you reach your “Finished Length Measurement”. After Light Brown we switch to Beige, Light Blue, Dark Brown, Beige, Dark Blue and back to Light Brown. Friendly reminder that we used the same color for rows 3-4. You can customize this to any color stripe pattern that works for you or ignore color changes if you are using a solid.
Finish on a Row 4. Fasten off.
Crochet the Main Front Panel
Repeat the Main Back Panel so that you end up with two identical panels. Remember to follow your stripe pattern.
Crochet the Main Sleeve Panel
We used the same stripe pattern as our front and back panel. We have not added the color change into the sleeve pattern instructions below to keep it short…but don’t forget to follow your stripe design!
| Calculation | Kiks + Jack Crochet Example |
| What is your armhole depth measurement? Double this number. (Alternatively you could use your bicep circumference if this is larger) | Our armhole depth is 6.5 inches. We double it to 13 inches |
| Add 2 more inches for ease. | 13 + 2 = 15 inches. |
Chain a length as calculated above counting the number of chains at the same time. Do not pull the chain too tight when you measure it.
Make sure the total number of chains is a multiple of 8.
Chain 2 more.
Row 1: ch3, dc into 1st ch, *ch4, sk 3ch, sc in next ch, ch4, sk 3ch, dc in next ch, repeat from * across the row ending with a dc in the second last ch and a dc in the last ch. Turn
Row 2: ch3, dc into 2nd st, *ch4, sc in next ch-4 sp, picot (ch3, sl st in 1st chain), sc in next ch-4 sp, ch4, dc in next dc, repeat from * across the row, ending with a dc in last dc and dc in tch. Turn
Row 3: ch1, sc in 1st st, sc in next st, *ch7, sc in next dc, repeat from * across the row ending with sc in last dc and sc in tch. Turn
Row 4: ch1, sc in 1st st, sc in next st, 7sc in next ch-7 sp, sc in next sc, rep from * across the row ending with a sc in the second last st, and a sc in the last st. Turn
Row 5: ch3, dc into 2nd st, *ch4, sk3, sc in next st, ch4, sk3, dc in next st, rep from * across row ending with a dc in the second last st and a dc in the last st. Turn
Repeat rows 2-5 until you reach your Arm Length Measurement. The sleeves are meant to be loose and oversized and we stopped mid length between our elbow and wrist. Try to finish on a Row 4 for easier seaming.
Fasten off.
We will show you how to check the sleeve length again under “Assembly” so that you can ensure you have the perfect fit.
Remember you need to crochet two identical sleeve panels.
Assembling The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
Kiks + Jack Crochet highly recommends blocking all your panels before assembly. Blocking your panels will set your panels to the shape and size you want and give it a polished look.
Step 1: Measure out the neckline on your front and back panels and seam
Lay your front and back panels flat with the right sides facing together. On each panel, measure 4 inches in from both shoulder edges along the top and place locking stitch markers at those points. Align the panels and clip them together using the locking stitch markers. Carefully place the panels over your head to check the fit, adjusting the stitch markers closer to the edges for a wider neckline or further inward for a smaller neckline until it feels comfortable.
We positioned our neckline quite wide so it could fall off one shoulder – however if you would like it tighter just position the SM closer to your neck.
Once satisfied with the width of the neckline opening , remove the panels and seam across each shoulder from the outer edge to the stitch marker, leaving the centre section open as the neckline.
Fasten off.
Step 2: Line up your sleeves at the midway point to the shoulder and seam.
Open up the two panels (now seamed at the shoulders) so that the right side is facing the floor and the wrong side is facing upwards. Take one of your crocheted sleeves and fold it in half lengthways. Place a stitch marker at the top of your sleeve at the centre point. With the wrong side of the sleeve facing up, attach this stitch marker to the left edge of the left shoulder seam.
Do the same on the right side with the other sleeve.
Customization Tip: It is a good time to check the length of your sleeve. You can “seam” it with a few stitch markers to the main panel. Try it on.
If you would like your sleeves longer, simply undo the final knot where you fastened off, re-attach matching yarn, and crochet a few additional rows to reach your desired length. If you prefer them shorter, undo the final knot and gently frog (pull back) the last few rows until you’re happy with the length. Just be sure to make the same adjustment to the second sleeve so they match perfectly.
When everything is perfect, using a yarn needle, seam the sleeves to the main panels (wrong side facing up). First diagram below (illustrative purposes only)
Step 3: Seam the sides of the sweater and the bottom of the sleeve together.
Fold the two panels and sleeve panels at the seamed shoulders so that your sweater is facing wrong side out. With a yarn needle and matching yarn, seam the sides of the two panels together up to the armpit and along the bottom of the sleeve. Second diagram below (illustrative purposes only)
Fasten off.
Step 4: Crochet and Edge around the Base (Optional)
We ended our neckline on a Dark Blue and wanted the base color to match the neckline color. This step is optional.
Turn the sweater right side out. Attach a yarn to the side of the base. We used the color Dark Blue to match the neckline.
Round 1: ch1, sc in the first st, sc evenly around the base into every st. When you complete the round, sl st to join at the top of the tch.
Fasten off.
Finish & Celebrate The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top
Weave in all your ends.
Congratulations you have finished The Better with the Beach Long Sleeve Mesh Crochet Top and we hope you enjoyed this free crochet pattern.
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