The spring and summer months are almost upon us here in the great white north and I couldn’t be more excited! While I love winter, I love changing seasons because it means changing wardrobes. I’m beyond ready to break out my shorts, sleeveless crochet tops and strappy sandals and this year I’ve added the Wandering Free Summer Top to my wardrobe. This crochet summer top will make the perfect addition to your spring & summer wardrobe. It’s got an amazing drape and is very lightweight… perfect for our hot summer days! You can find the free crochet top pattern in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, and Etsy here.
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PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: FROZEN MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY
The Wandering Free Summer Top is part of the Hop into Spring event hosted by Nicole Riley from Nicki’s Homemade Crafts. To read more about this event and find out how to get more free PDF downloads, click HERE.
The Yarn
When I began designing the Wandering Free Summer Top, I immediately knew that I wanted to use a super fine yarn that would provide a beautiful drape and make it feel as though you were wearing a top that was as light as a feather. After all, it’s a summer top and who wants to wear anything heavier?
I ultimately chose Woolike by Loops & Threads and it is the perfect yarn for this summer crochet top. Woolike is a machine washable and dryable yarn that is 85% acrylic and 15% nylon. It is available in several beautiful shades and can be purchased at Michaels craft stores or online at their website.
Wandering Free Summer Top – FREE CROCHET TOP PATTERN
The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, or need to order your yarn, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials, on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or Etsy here.
Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin it for later here.
This post contains affiliate links.
MATERIALS
- Yarn: Super Fine Weight Yarn / 1 / Any Color – Loops & Threads Woolike in Teal was used for the top in the photos.
- Yardage: See size chart below
- Crochet Hook: G/6/4.00mm (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- Scrap piece of yarn or stitch marker
Many of these materials are available for purchase through our affiliates below:
GAUGE
-
See Swatch instructions below: 20 sts = 4″; 10 rows = 2.5″
SIZES
- Women’s XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
- See Size Chart below
ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp(s): space(s)
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- Alt-dc: alternate double crochet. (click HERE for tutorial)
- dc2tog: double crochet decrease
- ext hdc: extended half double crochet
- hdslst: half double slip stitch
- csc: chainless single crochet (click HERE for video tutorial)
- RS: right side
- FLO: front loop only
- SM: stitch marker
- Rep: repeat
- Rnd: round
- yo: yarn over
NOTES
- Beginning chain(s) are not included in stitch count, unless noted otherwise.
- Loops & Threads Woolike in Teal was used for the sample on page 1. Super Fine (1) Weight Yarn / 85% Acrylic/15% Nylon (678 yards / 620 m / 3.5 oz / 100 g)
- Top is worked from the bottom up and then the shoulders are seamed.
Special Stitches
- Double Crochet Decrease (dc2tog): (Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, pull thru remaining 3 loops on hook.
- Alternate Double Crochet (alt-dc): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru one loop, yo, pull thru remaining loops. (Click HERE for tutorial)
- Extended Half Double Crochet (ext hdc): Yo, insert hook into stitch indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 1 loop on hook, yo, pull thru remaining loops on hook.
- Half Double Slip Stitch (hdslst): Yo, insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yo, pull up a loop and pull that loop through all loops on your hook.
Gauge Swatch
Gauge: 20 sts = 4″; 10 rows = 2.5″
Note: When checking row height gauge, only measure rows 2 – 11.
Row 1: Using a 4.00mm crochet hook, csc 23. Turn. (23 sts)
Row 2: Alt-dc, ext hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in the first st, *ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn.
Row 4: Alt-dc, ext hdc in each st and ch-1 sp across. Turn.
Rows 5 – 11: Rep Rows 3 – 4, ending w/ a Row 3 repeat.
Body of Top
Changes for sizes written as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL)
Note about Set-Up: Instead of working a set-up round of csc, you can ch 1 more than the stated csc below, work into the back hump of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch and in each ch across. Join w/ a sl st to the 1st st.
Set-Up: Using a 4.00mm crochet hook (or hook size needed to obtain gauge), csc 165 (187 , 205, 227, 245, 267, 285, 307). Join w/ a sl st to 1st st (make sure not to twist work). (165, 187, 205, 227, 245, 267, 285, 307 sts) *You may have a small gap between the first and last stitches. Use the tail of yarn to sew this gap closed.
Row 1 (RS): Alt-dc in first st, ext hdc in each of the next 24 (30, 34, 40, 44, 50, 54, 60) sts, 3 dc in the next st, (ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st) 6 times, [ (dc2tog) twice, dc in the next st] twice, (ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st) 5 times, ch 1, skip the next st, 3 dc in the next st, ext hdc in each remaining st around. Join. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st, [ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st] 52 (60, 67, 75, 82, 90, 97, 105) times, working in FLO hdslst in each of the next 35 sts & chs, working under BOTH loops, sc in the next st, [ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st] 12 (15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30) times. Join. Turn.
Row 3: Alt-dc in first st, ext hdc in each of the next 24 (30, 34, 40, 44, 50, 54, 60) sts & ch-1 sps, 3 dc in the next st, (ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st) 6 times, [ (dc2tog) twice, dc in the next st] twice, (ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st) 5 times, ch 1, skip the next st, 3 dc in the next st, ext hdc in each remaining st & ch-1 sp around. Join. Turn.
Rows 4 – 62 (4 – 62) (4 – 62) (4 – 62) (4 – 60) (4 – 60) (4 – 60) (4 – 58): Rep Rows 2 – 3, ending w/ a Row 2.
Do not fasten off. Continue on to Upper Front Panel.
Height at this point should be approximately: 15.25″ (15.25″, 15.25″, 15.25″, 14.75″, 14.75″, 14.75″, 14.25″). Try it on for fit. This portion is the bottom hem to the underarm opening. If you’d like a longer top, rep rows 2 – 3, in multiples of 2, ending with a Row 2. If your top is too long, pull out rows in multiples of 2. Take the top’s drape into account before adding or subtracting length.
Upper Front Panel
Row 1 (RS): Alt-dc in first st, ext hdc in each of the next 24 (30, 34, 40, 44, 50, 54, 60) sts & ch-1 sps, 3 dc in the next st, (ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st) 6 times, [ (dc2tog) twice, dc in the next st] twice, (ch 1, skip the next st, dc in the next st) 5 times, ch 1, skip the next st, 3 dc in the next st, ext hdc in each of the next 25 (31, 35, 41, 45, 51, 55, 61) sts & ch-1 sps. Place a SM in the next st to mark Back Panel. Turn. (85, 97, 105, 117, 125, 137, 145, 157 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st, [ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st] 12 (15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30) times, working in FLO hdslst in each of the next 35 sts & chs, working under BOTH loops, sc in the next st, [ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st] 12 (15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30) times. Turn.
Rows 3 – 25 (3 – 29) (3 – 33) (3 – 33) (3 – 35) (3 – 39) (3 – 39) (3 – 41): Rep Rows 1 – 2, ending w/ a Row 1.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Upper Back Panel.
Height of Upper Front Panel should be approximately: 6.25″ (7.25″, 8.25″, 8.25″, 8.75″, 9.75″, 9.75″, 10.25″). Try it on for fit. If you’d like the armhole opening deeper, rep rows 1 – 2, in multiples of 2, ending with a Row 1. If the armhole opening is too deep, pull out rows in multiples of 2.
Upper Back Panel
Row 1 (RS): Join yarn w/ a sl st in st marked with SM, alt-dc in same st, ext hdc in each of the next 79 (89, 99, 109, 119, 129, 139, 149) sts & ch-1 sps. Turn. (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st, sc in the next st, [ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st] 39 (44, 49, 54, 59, 64, 69, 74) times. Turn.
Row 3: Alt-dc in the first st, ext hdc in each of the next 79 (89, 99, 109, 119, 129, 139, 149) sts & ch-1 sps. Turn. (80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 sts)
Rows 4 – 25 (4 – 29) (4 – 33) (4 – 33) (4 – 35) (4 – 39) (4 – 39) (4 – 41): Rep Rows 2 – 3.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Shoulder Seams.
Shoulder Seams
Line up the corners of your upper and back panels, use the mattress stitch to seam each shoulder. (click HERE for Mattress Stitch Tutorial)
Seam each shoulder the following width: 3.5″ (3.5″, 4″, 5″, 5″, 6″, 7″, 7″).
Weave in ends. Block your top for a professional finish (click HERE for blocking tutorial).
Are you intimidated by knit-look crochet? Would you love to learn my tips & tricks? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears and help you increase your skills! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 4 video classes I have available!
Please share your finished ACS projects with us in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook! Use hashtag #ACrochetedSimplicity when sharing on social media so I can find your posts!
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