The Easy Going Crochet Top is a relaxed off-the-shoulder top that is perfect for the summer months. This is a great beginner friendly pattern that features a gorgeous cluster mesh stitch.
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Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything in this post that I have not personally used or tested.
Inspiration & Construction
It is starting to get warmer here in Jersey. I am slowly starting to peel off all the layers of clothing that I have been wearing every day through the colder months.
During the summer, I like to wear tops that have a relaxed and open feel. I love the idea of an open-work mesh stitch that creates a lot of movement.
The construction of the Easy Going Crochet Top is fairly simple. It consists of making two identical panels that feature ribbing on the bottom followed by an open double crochet mesh stitch. There is some sewing but it’s nothing a beginner can’t handle. I try to keep sewing to a minimum as I am no expert seamstress…..not even close!
Below is a video tutorial I made showing how to crochet the double crochet cluster stitch. Although this is a fairly simple stitch, I wanted to provide as many resources as possible for you!
The Yarn
I wanted to use a yarn that is soft and summery. I decided to go with a cotton and acrylic blend from Knitpicks called Comfy Fingering yarn. It comes in a wide array of colors and is machine washable. This yarn also comes in a worsted weight.
I have never worked with a fingering yarn before. I definitely underestimated just how light a fingering yarn actually is. Even though working with this yarn seemed slow going at times, it made for the perfect airy and flowy top I wanted. Keep in mind that with working with such a light yarn, I did need to block my work. Blocking isn’t necessary but definitely recommended.
I really hope you love the design! Scroll down for the pattern.
Easy Going Crochet Top
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NOTES
- Pattern is worked by crocheting two identical panels that are sewn together. Sleeves are added to the panels before blocking, if you choose to block your top.
- If you wish to not have an off-the-shoulder look to this top, simply sew more stitches for each shoulder. If you wish to have a wider opening, sew less stitches for each shoulder.
- To give this top a more finished and polished look, make a single crochet border around the neckline and the bottom of the shirt.
- Whenever it says to sew/seam two pieces together, always flip them inside out and whip/mattress stitch them together to get a cleaner look.
MATERIALS
Knit Pick Comfy Fingering Yarn – 5 skeins for XS/S 6 skeins for M/L 7 skeins for XL/2X
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Blocking Mats – (recommended) I use these
Pins for blocking
Fabric Measuring Tape
ABBREVIATIONS
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Back Loop Only (blo)
Skip (sk)
Stitch (st)
Space (sp)
Repeat (rep)
Decrease (dec)
Double Crochet Cluster (dc cl) – Yarn over, insert hook into designated stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over a draw through 2 loops on hook (3 times in the same st). Yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on hook.
SIZES
XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X
Gauge (after blocking)
6 st of dc cl across x 12 rows = 4″
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
BUST (in.) Length (in.)
XS – 30 22
S – 34 22
M – 38 23
L – 42 23
XL – 46 24
2XL – 50 24
-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in parenthesis such as (88, 94, 100, 106, 112, 118) whereas 88 for size XS, 94 for size S, 100 for size M, 106 for size L, 112 for size XL, 118 for size 2X . When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
– All sizing is based on the CYC sizing guidelines.
EASY GOING CROCHET TOP PATTERN
Panels: (make 2)
Ribbing:
Ch.11
Row 1 – sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (10)
Row 2 – Ch.1 turn, sc blo in every st across. (10)
Repeat Row 2 for a total of (92, 98, 104, 110, 116, 122) rows.
Do not bind off
Working along longer edge of ribbing, make (88, 94, 100, 106, 112, 118) sc along edge of band.
Row 1 – Ch.5 (counts as a dc, ch.2 here and throughout) sk the first 3 sc *dc cl in the next sc, ch.2, sk the next 2 sc* Rep *across, ending with a dc in the last sc.
Row 2 – Ch.1 turn, sc in the first dc, *2 sc in the next ch-2 sp, sc in the top of the next dc cl* Rep *across, ending with 2 sc under the ch-5, sc in the third ch of the ch-5. (88, 94, 100, 106, 112, 118)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 respectively for a total of (56, 56, 60, 60, 64, 64) rows.
Bind off
SLEEVES:
Sleeves are attached to the top side of each panel before blocking.
Sleeve 1:
With right side panel facing you, rotate panel to the right so it is on it’s side. (Ribbing will be on your left)
Row 1 – Attach yarn to top right of panel and work 52 sc along edge of panel. This will be about 12 inches down your panel. See Pic below.
Row 2 – Ch.5, sk the first 3 sc *dc cl in the next sc, ch.2, sk the next 2 sc* Rep *across, ending with a dc in the last sc.
Row 3 – Ch.1 turn, sk first dc, 1 sc in first ch-2 sp, sc in top of first dc cl. Then, 1 sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in top of next dc cl. *2sc in the next ch-2 sp, sc in top of next dc cl* Rep *across, ending with 1 sc in last dc cl. Leave the ch-5 unworked. (46)
Row 4 – Repeat Row 2
Row 5 – Ch.1 turn, sc in the first dc, *2 sc in the next ch-2 sp, sc in the top of the next dc cl* Rep *across, ending with 2 sc under the ch-5, sc in the third ch of the ch-5. (46)
Row 6 – Repeat Row 2
Row 7 – Repeat Row 3 (40)
Row 8 – Repeat Row 2
Row 9 – Repeat Row 5 (40)
Row 10 – Repeat Row 2
For Sizes XL and 2X – Repeat Row 5 and bind off
For sizes XS thru L -Move onto Row 11
Row 11 – Repeat Row 3 (34)
Row 12 – Repeat Row 2
For sizes M and L – Repeat Row 5 and bind off
For sizes XS and S – Move onto Row 13
Row 13 – Repeat Row 3 (28)
Row 14 – Repeat Row 2
Row 15 – Repeat row 5 (28)
Bind off
Sleeve 2:
To crochet opposite sleeve, lay panel on its side so the ribbing is on the right. Measure 12 inches down from top and attach yarn. You can look at other sleeve for reference to know exactly where 12 inches will be. See Pic below.
We need to attach the yarn this way so the right side of the fabric will be facing out for the sleeve.
Repeat Rows 1 thru 15 for sleeve. Bind off
Follow Sleeve pattern for other Panel.
BLOCKING PANELS
You will want to wet block both panels before you begin sewing. This will allow the panels to keep their shape and give you crisp edges for sewing. Sewrella has a written blog post along with a video tutorial that takes you step-by-step on how to block your crochet project.
SEWING PANELS
Lay both Panels on top of each other so the right side of bottom panel is facing you and the wrong side of top panel is facing out.
Start by sewing the top and bottom of both sleeves followed by the sides of each panel.
I left 5 inches on each side for the top shoulder. This measurement is up to you. If you want a more dramatic off-the-shoulder look, sew less inches. See Pic below
EDGING
Attach yarn to edge of neck opening a make a round of sc along the edge. Do the same for the bottom Ribbing. This allows for a nice clean edge to your top.
Bind off a weave in all ends!
Thank you so much for following along with this Easy Going Crochet Top pattern. Be sure to tag me on Instagram with your creations so I can share!
Other Patterns You May Like:
- Freesia Top / 2. Simply Striped Tee / 3. Havana Top
