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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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.

Stay tuned for the video tutorial.

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 find gauge and plant fiber blend like I mentioned above that make it an ideal yarn for warm weather projects.

Designer’s Pick for Summer blog hop

Are you here for the Designer’s Pick for Summer blog hop? Welcome! The blog hop is hosted by Ned & Mimi, Itchin’ for some Stitchin’, and HanJan Crochet. It is sponsored by We Crochet, who provided all the yarn for the patterns.

You can get each of the 33 blog hop crochet patterns free on their feature day by visiting the round up page, the designer’s page, and then their shopping platform. However, if you prefer to get all the downloads now without the “hopping,” you can purchase the crochet pattern bundle at 90% off the combined individual prices of the patterns!

My Tropic Top crochet pattern download is free on June 6th as part of the blog hop! To get the download free on June 6th you’ll need to first get the coupon code from the round up page at Ned & Mimi. Once you have the coupon code, come back here, scroll to the very bottom of the post, and click the download button. From there, you’ll go to Ravelry. Give the pattern a quick favorite or queue, add it to your cart, use the coupon code at checkout, and the download will be free!

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 prefer, you can get this 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

As with all my patterns, please do not make paper or digital copies for others, instead please direct them to my site to get their own copy. 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.

Crochet Hook: H/8 (5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions: Yarn needle.

Pattern Stitch: Spider Lace, Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula, p. 76

Gauge: 2 patt reps x 17 rows = About 7 1/2 inches.

Notes:

This pattern is written in standard US terms.

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), tutorial here

dc = double crochet, tutorial here

patt reps = pattern repeats

RS = right side

sc = single crochet, tutorial here

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 4^th 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 3^rd 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.

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 3^rd 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.

As with all my patterns, please do not make paper or digital copies for others. Instead, please direct them to my site to get their own. Thank you!

And there is your finished easy crochet summer top! Again, if you would prefer an inexpensive ad-free PDF, you can purchase that on Ravelry or Etsy with the buttons below.

Happy crocheting!

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