The Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top is a free pattern below. This pattern is currently written as graded sizing from XS to 5XL. If you would prefer to work on a very similar made to measure pattern of this design that can accommodate for different gauges, check out The Holiday Lace and Mesh Crochet Top.
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.ย Thank you for keeping us motivated and inspired every day to keep designing free crochet patterns for you.
Do you love light, bright, cotton crochet tops? Casual T-shirt’s are great and a real staple, however it would be great if they could come out of the wash wrinkle free. Crocheted tops – especially those with a mesh stitch – keep you as cool as a cotton T, but require less ironing and always seem to get the perfect balance of looking casual yet polished.
For the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top the idea was to design multiple stitch patterns similar to the style in the Sea To Sky Laced Top . Multiple stitch patterns give crocheted garments a look of complexity but depending on the stitch, it really isn’t very complex at all!
For this top we kept to three basic stitches. The double crochet for a little more drape, the mesh stitch for a breezy summery feel and the beautiful iris stitch. The iris stitch looks dramatic but is really just two double crochets separated by a chain stitch. We threw in a few rows of half double crochets to anchor down a few rows, but that’s basically it.
Initially we were going to design this like a cotton vest similar (but more oversized) to the Sakura Summer Cotton Vest but after it was completed we had a great idea to add a few rows of the Iris stitch around the armhole. It turned out so well and the fluttery sleeves made it look modern and feminine!
I love how you can style this with shorts and denim to keep it smart casual, or team it with a dress or flowing skirt for a more formal event.
We selected a 100% cotton yarn. It’s a weight3 or DK/Light Worsted. This yarn is so beautiful because the ripple in the yarn will give your top additional texture and well…a slight ripple! They have a number of colours and each one has graduated shades throughout that add another dimension to your top. This top would have turned out quite differently (although still beautiful) if a solid flat colour was used. For this specific top, we chose French Vanilla. You can find all the details in the Crochet Materials section below.
Let’s get started on the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top.
Tag us your progress on Instagram by clicking on the icon @kiksandjackcrochet and we promise to cheer you on.
DESCRIPTION of the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top
The Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top is a short sleeved top using mainly three types of stitches. It is designed to be slightly cropped. It features a square neck design and rows of alternative stitch patterns. The sleeves are short and cap sleeved. This is a free and easy crochet pattern that is beginner friendly.
CROCHET MEASUREMENT & SIZES
The pattern follows the following sizing guide: XS (S, M , L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). For example: ch 90(100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170) means ch 90 for XS, ch 100 for Small, ch 110 for Medium, ch 120 for Large and ch 130 for XL and ch 140 for 2XL and ch 150 for 3XL, 160 for 4XL and 170 for 5XL.
To fit bust 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.
Finished back width approximately: 16.5 (18.5, 20.5, 22.5, 24.5, 26.5, 28.5, 30.5, 32.5) inches or 42 (47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72, 78, 83) centimetres.
Note: Designed as a classic fit with positive ease. This pattern is designed to be slightly loose and slightly cropped.
CROCHET GAUGE
Using a crochet hook size 4mm (US size 8) approximately 13 stitches and 9 rows of double crochet in 4โณ x 4โณ (10 cm x 10 cm).
CROCHET MATERIALS for the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top
Yarn brand: Caron Cotton Ripple Cakes by Yarnspirations. Weight 3/Light Worsted. 240g per skein and 491 yards (or 449 metres). Approximately 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) skeins. Color used is French Vanilla.
4 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.
STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS
This pattern uses US terminology.
ch = chain (With one loop on your hook, yarn over and pull through the loopโโ)
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 Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top
The Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top is made by first crocheting a front panel and an identical back panel. We will start by crocheting the panels bottom up. We will then 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.
Instructions to customize the length of the top will be provided. Yarn requirements may change if adjusting the length.
PERMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT for the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top
Please do not publish or share the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top 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 Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top
Crochet the Main back panel
ch 56 (64, 72, 76, 84, 88, 96, 104, 108)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across the row. Turn
Row 2: ch3, dc into the 2nd st, dc across the row, dc in last st. Turn
Row 3: ch3, dc into the 2nd st, dc across the row, dc in top of tch. Turn
Row 4-6: repeat row 3
Small mesh rows:
Row 7: ch3, dc in to the 3rd st, *ch1, sk next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * to end. Turn
Row 8: ch 4, sk ch-1 sp, *1dc in next st (top of the dc from the previous row), ch1, sk next st, rep from * to end with dc in the top of the tch. Turn
(Note: you are crocheting a dc into the top of each dc from the previous row. This will create mesh โsquaresโ directly on top of each other)
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: repeat row 3.
Iris stitch rows:
Row 11: ch2, 2dc into 3rd st, ch1, 2dc into the same st, *sk 3st, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, rep from * to end, 1dc in last st. Turn
Row 12: ch3, *[2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next ch-1sp, sk next 4dc, rep from * to end of row ending with 1dc in tch. Turn
(You are effectively crocheting the stitch that looks like a fan [2dc, ch1, 2dc] directly on top and in the middle of the fan cluster from the previous row).
Row 13: repeat row 12
You may want to think of the next Row 14 as 4 x hdc per Iris stitch cluster. 1hdc before the ch1-sp, 1hdc in the ch-1sp, 1 hdc after the ch-1 sp and 1hdc between the cluster.
Row 14: ch2, hdc the same number of stitches as your initial foundation chain. Turn
Tip: You may want to count your stitches as you crochet row 14 to check in that this row has the following 53 (61, 69, 73, 81, 85, 93, 101, 105) stitches.
Continue repeating this pattern of 6 rows of double crochets, 2 rows of small mesh stitch (with a hdc and dc row), 3 rows of iris stitch (with a hdc row) until the total length measures 15.5 (16, 16, 16.5, 16.5, 17, 17, 17, 17.5) inches or 39 (40, 41, 41, 42, 43, 43, 43, 44.5) centimetres.
Customization Tip: If you would prefer a longer top, you can crochet more rows than suggested. Remember the total length you crocheted so that you can make an identical front panel.
Do not fasten off.
Crochet the Back Panel Neckline
We will now crochet the square neckline.
Measure 4(4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5) inches or 10 (11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16, 16.5, 16.5) centimetres in from the left edge of the panel and place a stitch marker. Repeat this on the right side of the panel.
Customization Tip: 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.
Using the same working yarn on one side continue as follows:
Row 1: ch3, dc into the 2nd st, dc in next st, dc across the row up towards the stitch marker. Turn
Row 2: ch3, dc into the 2nd st, dc in each st across the row. Turn
Row 3: repeat row 1
For XL – 5XL: add another row 4 by repeating row 2.
Repeat Rows 1 -3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) on the other side to complete the square neckline. You will need to attach the same colour working yarn to the edge to start these rows.
Fasten off.
Crochet the Front Panel
Repeat all the instructions under Back Panel and Back Panel Neckline to create an identical Front Panel.
Remember if you added any rows to the back panel, you will need to do the same for the front panel.
Assembling the Desaru Summer Cotton 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.
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. 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.
Place the two panels together with the right side facing together and the wrong side facing outwards.
Using a yarn needle and matching yarn, seam the two shoulders together.
Measure 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11) inches or 18 (19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28) centimetres from the top edge towards the bottom edge and place a stitch marker clipping both panels. This will mark the bottom of your sleeve opening under the armpit.
Do the same on the other side of the top.
Customization Tip: Some crocheters like a more generous arm opening โ personally we like lots of space between the armpit and the bottom of the sleeve. We suggest you place the top on and adjust the stitch marker closer to your armpit or further away to an armhole depth that is right for you. The measurements given above are based on standard armhole depths with some ease, however everyone has a different preference.
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 Sleeves
You will now be crocheting directly around the sleeve opening starting with a row of hdc. Note that we did not actually join the fluttery sleeves at the bottom of the arm opening (ie near the armpit).
Attach yarn near the stitch marker (near the armpit).
Row 1: ch2, hdc into each space and into each row of stitches. Try to end the row on a multiple of 4 stitches +1. Crochet evenly so that there is no pulling. If your sleeve opening is starting to bunch in you are crocheting hdc too close together. Continue this pattern until you have crocheted around the arm sleeve opening leaving a 1-2cm gap ie. you do not join and leave a small gap. Turn
Row 2: ch2, 2dc into 3rd st, ch1, 2dc into the same st, *sk 3st, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, rep from * to the other end. 1dc in the last st. Turn
Row 3: ch3, *[2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next ch-1sp, sk next 4dc (ie. the fan), rep from * to the other end. 1dc in the last st.
Fasten off.
Repeat the cap sleeve on the other side of the top.
Finish & Celebrate the Desaru Summer Cotton Crochet Top
Weave in all your ends.
Congratulations you have finished the Desaru Cotton 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.ย 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.
Comments are closed.