Easy Crochet Summer Top Pattern
An easy crochet summer top pattern
I’m so excited to share Tropic Top with you all! This is an easy crochet summer top pattern made in a type of stitch pattern called “spider lace.” There are a lot of varieties of spider lace, and this is only one of them, but it makes a beautiful lace fabric! Spider lace of any variety has a center cluster of stitches with chain spaces fanning out from that center a little like spider legs.
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Table of Contents
How to crochet this beautiful summer lace
You’ll get the line by line instructions for this stitch pattern in the free top pattern below. I will be putting together a tutorial video for the stitch pattern, so that will be helpful when it’s ready.
You will need to know how to crochet chains, single crochet, and double crochet in order to make this stitch pattern. Click those stitch names for video tutorials on those stitches.
One note I will make about this stitch pattern is that the groups of three double crochet stitches that are worked throughout are worked close together. In the line by line instructions you are told to work those three stitches in the appropriate chain space, but know that they should be close together on the end of the chain space furthest from the center cluster of single crochet stitches. It’s difficult to find a good way to explain that within the pattern itself, so it’s not included there.
What yarn should you use for this summer top?
When you crochet for summer, you’ll find that thin yarn and open pattern stitches make for better summer garments. In addition to choosing thin yarn, I highly suggest plant fibers or blends with plant fibers as they are going to be cooler to wear than animal fibers or synthetics. Plant fibers are more breathable than either of those other options.
Specifically, I used We Crochet Shine Sport for this top, and I highly recommend using this same yarn yourself. Why? A couple reasons. First you will get the best results for your own Tropic Top if you use the same yarn that I did. Second, it has that fine gauge and plant fiber blend like I mentioned above that make it an ideal yarn for warm weather projects.
Shop We Crochet Shine Sport here!
Designer’s Pick for Summer blog hop
This summer top crochet pattern was part of the Designer’s Pick for Summer Blog Hop. This event is over, but you can still purchase the pattern bundle from the hop!
You can get each of the 33 blog hop crochet patterns now with the purchase the crochet pattern bundle at 90% off the combined individual prices of the patterns!
Where can I get this easy summer top crochet pattern?
This easy crochet summer top pattern is available free here in this blog post, just scroll down for the free version.
If you decide to use the free version, please bookmark this page and come back to it when you work on your project rather than trying to print or screenshot the page. Your time on this page helps me get paid for my work, so thank you!
You can purchase the bundle of summer crochet patterns mentioned above, or if you prefer, you can get this individual crochet pattern as an ad-free PDF very inexpensively by purchasing on Ravelry or Etsy.
Tropic Top, An Easy Crochet Summer Top Pattern
By April Garwood
Tech edited by Kristine Mullen of Ambassador Crochet
(C)2022 April Garwood. As with all my patterns, please do not make paper or digital copies for others. Instead, please direct them to my website to get their own. Thank you!
Difficulty Level: Easy+
Available Sizes: Women’s XS [S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X, 5X]
Finished Measurements: Bust circumference 30 [37 1/2, 45, 52 1/2, 60, 67 1/2] inches; Length 22 [23, 23, 23 3/4, 24 3/4, 24 3/4] inches. Choose a size at least 2 inches larger around than the wearer’s bust circumference.
Yarn: We Crochet Shine Sport Weight (60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal; 110 yds; 50 g; yarn weight 2/fine): #25344 Cosmopolitan 6 [7, 7, 9, 11, 12] skeins.
Shop We Crochet Shine Sport here!
Crochet Hook: H/8 (5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.
I use and recommend Furl’s Streamline Metal crochet hooks!
Notions:
Pattern Stitch: Spider Lace
This pattern stitch can be found in Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula.
Gauge: 2 patt reps x 17 rows = About 7 1/2 inches.
Notes
This pattern uses standard US terms. For help with abbreviations, get my free, printable crochet abbreviations list here.
See this tutorial post for help with basic crochet stitches.
Top is made of two identical panels, one for the front, and one for the back. They are seamed together on the sides and top, leaving space for armholes and neckline. Then a simple single crochet edging is added to bottom edge, armholes, and neckline.
Abbreviations Used
ch(s): chain(s)
dc: double crochet
patt reps: pattern repeats
RS: right side
sc: single crochet
sp: space
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
Top
Front and Back Panels (make 2)
Ch 61 [75, 89, 103, 117, 131]
Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (ch 3 counts as dc), dc in next ch, *ch 3, skip next 3 chs, sc in next 5 chs, ch 3, skip next 3 chs, dc in next 3 chs, repeat from * across, turn – 35 [43, 51, 59, 67, 75] sts.
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), skip first 3 sts, *3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next st, sc in next 3 sts, skip next st, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across, dc in tch, turn – 38 [47, 56, 65, 74, 83] sts.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first st, *dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next st, dc in next st, skip next st, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last ch-sp, dc in last ch-sp, dc in 3rd ch of tch, turn – 35 [43, 51, 59, 67, 75] sts.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch-sp, sc in next st, repeat from * across, sc in tch – 39 [48, 57, 66, 75, 84] sts.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, *sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch-sp, sc in next 3 sts, repeat from * across, turn – 35 [43, 51, 59, 67, 75] sts.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, *ch 3, skip next st, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next st, sc in next 3 sts, repeat from * across, turn – 39 [48, 57, 66, 75, 84] sts.
Row 7: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first st *dc in next st, ch 3, skip next st, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next st, repeat from * across to last st, dc in last st, turn – 35 [43, 51, 59, 67, 75] sts.
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I love sharing crochet and knitting patterns with you! Please don’t copy, paste, or distribute this pattern. Want an ad-free version? Purchase an inexpensive PDF digital pattern from Ravelry or Etsy. I appreciate your reading, buying, and using my patterns! Because of you, I can keep designing.
Row 8: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), skip first 2 sts, *3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch-sp, sc in next st, sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st, repeat from * across, dc in tch, turn – 38 [47, 56, 65, 74, 83] sts.
Row 9: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first st, 2 dc in next ch-sp, *ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch-sp, sc in next 3 sts, sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts**, 3 dc in next ch-sp, repeat from * across to last ch-sp, ending last rep at **, 2 dc in last ch-sp, dc in 3rd ch of tch, turn – 35 [43, 51, 59, 67, 75] sts.
Repeat Rows 2-9 for pattern.
Work in pattern for a total of 50 [52, 52, 54, 56, 56] rows. Fasten off.
Block both front and back panels to measurements. Don’t skip this step, it’s important!
Schematic
Flat Image of Completed Top
Assembly
Note: The instructions include approximate stitch counts, but hitting that number exactly isn’t critical. Getting the right measurements is most important.
Holding panels with RS together, working through both pieces, join yarn at bottom edge and sc evenly up one side to the top of row 32 [32, 28, 28, 30, 28] leaving remaining rows open for armhole – about 50 [50, 44, 44, 47, 44] sts.
Repeat for other side seam.
Still holding panels with RS together, join yarn at top edge and sc evenly across shoulder seam until seam measures about 2 ½ [4 ½, 5 ¾, 7 ½, 9, 10 ¾] inches. This should be roughly equal to ¾ [1 ¼, 1 ½, 2, 2 ½, 3] pattern repeats – about 10 [18, 23, 30, 36, 43] sts.
Turn piece to join at other top edge and repeat for other shoulder seam. This should leave about 10 [10, 11, 11, 12, 12] inches open in the middle for the neckline.
Edging
Turn top RS out
Join yarn with sc at bottom center of one armhole
Rnd 1: Sc evenly around armhole, do not join or turn.
Rnd 2: Sc in each st around, do not join or turn.
Repeat Rnd 2 until edging measures about 1 inch, sl st in next st. Fasten off.
Join yarn with sc at bottom center of second armhole and repeat instructions to make a 1 inch edging.
Join yarn with sc at one side seam along bottom edge and repeat instructions to make a 1 inch edging.
Join yarn with sc at one shoulder seam along neckline and repeat Rnd 1 of edging instructions, join to first sc with sl st. Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
And that finishes this easy summer top crochet pattern!
I would love to see photos of your in-process or finished projects! You can share them on Instagram and tag me, or you can join my friendly Facebook group and share them there.
Happy crocheting!
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I love your work. Thanks for sharing your beautiful items!
Thank you and you’re welcome! I don’t often meet others with the last name Garwood. I’m a Garwood by marriage. Maybe we are related!
This is so pretty and I can’t wait to make it! But I’m anxiously awaiting the tutorial because I’ve tried to get started on this pattern several times but keep getting lost ????????♀️ Also, can you better explain what a “2 pattern repeats x 17 rows” means for the gauge? Thank you!
Hi Carolyn. Sorry that I haven’t put together that tutorial yet. Life has been in the way of that. Each pattern repeat is one of the diamond shapes bordered by the blocks of three double crochet stitches. If you chain 33 and then work in pattern for 17 rows, that swatch should equal the stated gauge. If it doesn’t, you’ll want to adjust your hook size.
Thank you! That makes sense. I just wasn’t sure. I appreciate the response and will keep checking back for the tutorial. I completely understand life and how it is what happens when you’re busy making plans 😉