|

“Vintage” Easy Crochet Sleeveless Top Pattern

Summer is in full swing and I recently dug through my stash to see what yarn I’d like to use for a new easy crocheted sleeveless top.  Because I really don’t want to make my brain work too hard in the summer, I hoped to make something fairly simple but still pretty to wear with shorts or jeans.  When I came across this “Jeans” yarn in the color Vintage, it seemed like the perfect choice.  The stitch pattern is similar to my recent Casablanca Poncho Crochet Pattern, but it’s not quite as open.  With this top, there are just enough airy openings to make it summery, but also enough coverage to make it a piece that you can wear to work or the park. Yay! It turned out so cute that I’d love to make a smaller version for my daughter. 🙂  UPDATE: Now available for purchase as a kit from Lion Brand Yarn HERE

*Scroll down to see the free pattern or you may choose to purchase the ad-free, printable PDF version in my Etsy shop HERE. 🙂

This Lion Brand “Jeans” yarn (here) is definitely one of the very softest acrylic yarns that I’ve ever touched!  The Vintage color that was used here is sort a grey with maybe a hint of blue.  It also has a really amazing drape, so it’s perfect for flowy, summery projects.  You might remember that it was also used in the Boxy Knit T Shirt Top Pattern. I’ve had several readers let me know that they liked the T Shirt pattern as there’s coverage for the arms. 🙂

As usual with my projects, this is an easy pattern with simple construction. First, you will make a long chain, and then crochet until you’ve got a rectangle for the front. Next, you’ll make another rectangle that is just a bit longer for the back. Lastly, you’ll simply seam the two panels together following the assembly instructions and DONE!

And can I just add a pretty picture here? We spent this last weekend at Rocky Mountain National Park (photo below) where I finished this top!  There are lots of great hikes and the town of Estes Park is super cute. I’ve never seen so many ice cream shops in my entire life. Hehe!

Let’s get to this easy crocheted sleeveless top pattern. 🙂

You can find the free pattern below, or you may also purchase the ad-free, printable version from my Etsy shop HERE. Thanks so much!

Vintage “Jeans” Easy Sleeveless Top Crochet Pattern

Pattern Description: Subtle vintage vibes make this denim-look crocheted top a classic for summer.  The boat neck top features clean lines, open stitching and a fabric that’s both soft and has amazing drape. Pair it with jeans, a skirt or shorts to take you from the work day to coffee with friends.  The simple design of the shirt is created by an equally simple pattern which will be enjoyed by beginners and intermediate crochet artists alike.

Skill Level: Easy +

Materials:

(3,4,5,6) Skeins “Jeans” Lion Brand Yarn in Vintage (here) (100 g/skein) Pattern uses approximately (300 g, 373 g, 453 g, 541 g )

US Size H 5.0 mm Crochet Hook

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Gauge: (Approximate) Just over 12 ½ stitches and 7 1/2 rows in 4”

Please follow this key throughout the pattern for your particular size:

(XS, S, M, L)  

For plus sizes – chain the same amount as a size L and follow the stitch pattern, however, you will make your panels wider. Simply repeat the stitch pattern of rows 3 – 6 until your piece is about 3″ less than the width that you need.  You can measure the width across the bust to under each arm and work the pattern in this way. To be precise, measure the width across the front bust for the front panel and the back for the back panel. Make your panels equal to these widths.   If making for someone else, you can find measurements for sizing at Craft Yarn Council’s site here.

Dimensions (approximate):

Bust:

XS – 32”

S – 36”

M – 40”

L – 44”

Length:

Front:

XS – 19”

S –  21”

M – 23”

L- 25”

Back

XS – 23”

S – 25”

M – 27”

L – 29”

Abbreviations:

ch – chain

hdc – half double crochet

sk st – skip stitch

st – stitch

dc – double crochet

Notes: This top is created by crocheting two rectangles and then seaming them together at the shoulder and up the sides, leaving openings for the arms and neck. See assembly section for more detailed instructions. As the pattern is written, the front is slightly shorter than the back. To make them equal, you can adjust the chain length but keep an even stitch count and yarn needs in mind.

Pattern Instructions

Front Panel:

Ch (62, 68, 74, 80)

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across row, turn (60, 66, 72, 78)

Row 2 Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch stitch), dc in 6th st from hook (this is the 2nd to last st of previous row), * ch 1, sk st, dc in next st, repeat from * across row, turn. (61, 67, 73, 79)

Row 3 Ch 2, hdc in ch sp, *hdc in next st, hdc in ch sp, repeat from * across the row, ending with an hdc in 3rd st of turn ch from previous row, turn. (60, 66, 72, 78)

Row 4 Ch 2, hdc in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row, turn. (60, 66, 72, 78)

Row 5 Repeat row 4

Row 6 Repeat row 2

Row 7 Ch 4, dc in 7th st from hook (this the 2nd to last dc st of row), *ch 1, sk st, dc in next dc st, repeat from * across the row, working final dc into 3rd st of turn ch from previous row, turn (61, 67, 73, 79)

Next, repeat rows 3 – 6, in that sequence, (5, 6, 7, 8) more times. This will end at row (27, 31, 35, 39)

Next, repeat row 7

Next, repeat row 3

Next, repeat row 4

Next, repeat row 4

Next, repeat row 2

Next, repeat row 3

Tie off and weave in ends.

Back Panel:

Ch (68, 74, 80, 86)

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across row, turn (66, 72, 78, 84)

Row 2 Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch stitch), dc in 6th st from hook (this is the 2nd to last st of previous row), * ch 1, sk st, dc in next st, repeat from * across row, turn. (67, 73, 79, 85)

Row 3 Ch 2, hdc in ch sp, *hdc in next st, hdc in ch sp, repeat from * across the row, ending with an hdc in 3rd st of turn ch from previous row, turn. (66, 72, 78, 84)

Row 4 Ch 2, hdc in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row, turn. (66, 72, 78, 84)

Row 5 Repeat row 4

Row 6 Repeat row 2

Row 7 Ch 4, dc in 7th st from hook (this the 2nd to last dc st of row), *ch 1, sk st, dc in next dc st, repeat from * across the row, working final dc into 3rd st of turn ch from previous row, turn (67, 73, 79, 85)

Next, repeat rows 3 – 6, in that sequence, (5,6,7,8) more times, this well

Next, repeat row 7

Next, repeat row 3

Next, repeat row 4

Next, repeat row 4

Next, repeat row 2

Next, repeat row 3

Tie off and weave in ends.

Assembly:

Place front panel on top of back panel, lining them up evenly at the top. Seam with a whip stitch seam at the shoulders and up each side, leaving openings for the arms and neck.

Below: Seaming up the side with a tapestry needle and a whip stitch seam.  Seam evenly at the shoulders as well, leaving openings for the arms and neck. Weave in ends and block to shape and size if desired.

Additional Assistance:

If you’re finding difficulty with your stitch count, or where to place stitches, you can practice the first few rows of the pattern by making a small swatch.  For example, as pictured below, chain 10 stitches. Work the stitch pattern from rows 1 – 5.  The stitch count for row 1 & 3-5 will be 8 and the count for row 2 will be 9.

I’m often asked whether I like knitting or crochet better, and I can never give an answer to that question because they’re equal in my eyes.  However, I do believe that it’s easier to get a vintage vibe with crochet.  (Think granny squares etc.)  I’m thinking that this top reflects that crochet can be modern, but also vintage.  What do you think?

Hope you love your new top my friends!

XO,

Jessica

If you liked this, you might also like:

Topcho Crochet Pattern

\

Similar Posts

38 Comments

  1. So cute Jess! I love the vintage feel to it! I don’t knit (not good anyway ha!) so I can’t compare the two. Maybe one day I’ll do both 🙂

    1. It is pretty fun to do both Mary! But then there’s double the amount of projects you want to make. Lol.

  2. Wow Jessica. One to save,have a loads of your patterns to keep me busy. Thank you, Best Wishes, Sonja

  3. I love this! I’m going to make mine the length of the small but the size of the extra small because I like my tops to be longer. I’m excited to make it 🙂

  4. This is so cute and versatile!! It will be my next project . How much ease is there? I’m trying to decide which size to make.

    1. Hey Jess – there’s a decent amount of give. I’m 105 lbs and 5’6” wearing the XS size if that’s of any help.

  5. I’m definitely making this and I’m going to be adventurous and make it with one of my cake yarns! This will look fun in vertical stripes!

  6. A very pretty top! I haven’t used the Blue Jean yarn, but I keep seeing all these patterns. Better try it out! Thanks for the free pattern!

  7. I’m anxious to start this project!! I’m thinking after making the cute top; I will repeat, only making the pieces longer, and have a cute dress to wear over a slip and belt. Your thoughts?? Could also wear the longer version over leggings.
    Hugs and thank you for great ideas !!

    1. Super cute idea! I think that would look amazing – especially with leggings like you said.

  8. Jessica, I saw this pattern on Lion Brand but in a knitted pattern. I can’t knit and have been looking all over the place for it in crochet and voile, here it is. I Love it but want to make a shawl out of it and am thrilled to have found it. Thanks Now if you can find one for their cotton knit kimono but in crochet I think I will have died and gone to heaven.

  9. Dear Jessica!

    Please draw the pattern. I can not speak English.

    Best regards: Csorba-Simonné Judit

  10. I’m so excited to start this as my first crochet project. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful beginner pattern! I have completed rows 1 – 7 and am finding the project about half the length I need it to be. Do you think this will correct with blocking, that my stitches are too tight, or that I just need to add stitches per row? I know it’s hard to diagnose without seeing the WIP, but your experience-based advice would be appreciated!

  11. This is gorgeous! I love the back longer. I need to make one before school starts.
    Thanks for all your hard work, Jessica

    Alison

    .

  12. I love this and others of your creations, thank you for your generosity in sharing. However, I generally only use natural fibres for my projects and was wondering if you could put the weight of the material you are using, I know you do add a gauge that is helpful but a weight would save a bit of time. I like to purchase the pattern and give a yarn as gifts to my very special knitters/crocheter friends and family, your little top patterns are perfect for this.

    1. Hi Penny! Thanks so much for your kind words! I’ll definitely try to get better about listing the weight of the yarn. I guess I get too comfortable figuring folks can do a quick google search of the yarn to see the weight if they need….thanks for the reminder!

  13. Hi Jess
    Thank you for all your amazing patterns. Have just tried to do a sample swatch of this, just wanted to check on row 2 is it really stitch in the 6th from the hook? I tried to make the sample swatch to practise but mine didn’t turn out. Will you be doing a video tutorial by any chance? I know I am getting spoiled now!

  14. I made this top in a lovely hand painted (white with pink and burgundy sprinkles) “WAK We are knitters” cotton yarn. The top was perfect to wear during the extreme heat we’ve experienced here in Sweden this summer. Really nice with a full lenght white silk skirt! And with jeans shorts, of course.
    Your pattens are perfect for those luxurious WAK yarns, in wool and cotton.
    The results are simple but look boutique-like and let the wonderful yarns show.

    1. Antonette says , Id love to see you the way you looked like that!!! It sounds beautiful!!! Id love to have made a top like that!! Thank you for sharing!!! What is Sweden like? It sounds like a beautiful country!!!! March ,1, 2019

  15. I am absolutely in love with your knitting and crocheting. Wonderful. Congratulations! I am sorry in Brazil that we do not have the wonderful wool you have. Thank you for sharing your art with us.

  16. Hi! I am in the middle of the back pannel. Did you block it when you finished? I usually don’t block whan it’s acrylic, but I was wondering.

    Thank you!

  17. I just finished my first one!! I love it! And I plan to make many more! I will post and tag you on IG soon!
    Thank you for such an easy pattern!!

  18. Antonette says Dear Jessica , are you the mama in a stitch lady?? I have seen your clothing- blouses i wanted to make them so bad but i look it says knitted. I know some women can take a blouse that it knitted and do it in crochet ,i dont know how to do that yet. Id love to know how or learn how to do it. Im so happy you posted this im going to make it!! I hope to see or hear from you real soon!!

  19. Thanks for sharing this lovely easy pattern. I just finished making one for myself with a beige colour yarn.
    Will soon be sharing the picture on my Facebook page Calming Crafts.

  20. Hi.
    such a lovely sweater.. looking forward to making one for myself and one for my daughter. So I’ve started the front panel, and have completed rows 1-5 just fine… row 6 (repeat row 2) however,.. am having a problem. I’ve counted row 5 (rpt of 4) now 3 times to make sure i have 78 stitches across. when i do row 6, the spaces line up, but it doesn’t end at stitch 79, it ends at 77. so confused. 1) does the turning chain on each row count as the first stitch? 2) am i making a stitch on top of the turning chain at the end of each row?? I don’t want to keep unraveling. thank you!

  21. question for those who have completed this sweater… I started it. Am almost done with the front panel but i find that it is starting to look “askew”… I’ve been keeping count, so I know that part is correct. I try to keep the tension the same. Has anyone had this problem?

  22. I made this and am really happy with how it turned out… Except for the neckline. The neckline seems to bunch weirdly, even after blocking. Anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?

  23. Love your site. I have made 6 sweaters since March 14th and never thought I could do so. You make the patterns simple and in plan every day language. I have suggested your site to many of my friends. I have been home since March 14th and had severe bronchitis so this kept me busy and quite so I wouldn’t cough. Best medicine ever and I made clothes for my wardrobe. Thanks for making it so easy and making me a believer that even I can make clothing. Prayers are coming your way for continued good health and safety. Will be looking for more ideas and patterns.

    1. Hi Sylvia!
      Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know you’ve enjoyed these patterns! And thank you so much for sharing with your friends. It means a lot. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been so sick. Prayers for you to recover and stay healthy and well!

Comments are closed.