How to Create a Stylish Crochet Crop Top

Introduction

This crochet crop top is a stylish and versatile addition to any wardrobe. Its intricate design showcases the craftsmanship of crochet, making it suitable for various occasions, from casual outings to more formal events. The lightweight fabric ensures comfort, while the cropped length pairs well with high-waisted bottoms, enhancing the overall silhouette. Whether layered over a tank or worn alone, this piece offers a unique blend of elegance and casual flair.

Materials

• Yarn – Coboo DK weight, #3 lightweight (51% Cotton, 49% Rayon from bamboo, 232 yd/212 m per 3.5 oz/100g skein)
• Estimated Total Yardage: 450 (550, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950) Yards
• Hook – 5 mm Crochet Hook

Gauge

Gauge – 20 sts over 10 Rows = 4 x 4” made using the stitch pattern before blocking.

Gauge Pattern

Chain 20 and follow the pattern for 10 rows.

Pattern Notes

Please kindly read through the pattern before starting.

The stitch count is written after each row/round, with the smallest XS written first and the others in the () format.

Stitch count written in black is for all sizes, but at some points, the stitch counts are color-coded for clarity, i.e., XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Terms

US Terminology

Stitch Abbreviations

• Chain/chains – ch/chs
• Chain space – ch sp
• Stitch(es) – st(s)
• Slip Stitch – sl st
• Single Crochet – sc
• Double Crochet – dc

Special Stitches

• V stitch = (dc, ch 3, dc)
• Dc cluster = (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)
• Hdc 3rd loop

Finished Measurements

Size(s) and color codes – XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

• Bust Measurement: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)”
• Armhole Circumference: 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18)”
• Length of top: 18 (20, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22)”

The modeled garment is shown in M, with about 1” of Positive Ease.

Construction Notes

This first part is made in flat (rows), after which the panels are joined together at the shoulder seam and the sides. This gives the crop top a structured shape.

The next section is the waist in rounds and in the third loop to create a beautiful braided look. The flare is then added also in rounds to hip level.

Picking a Size

Use your bust measurement for a fitted top. The model top is a M on a model with M bust, with a 1” of positive ease on me.

Pattern

Section 1 – Front and Back Panels

Make 2

Chain 60 (68, 76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124)

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch, rep from * until the last 8 chains, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, 2 dc in last ch, turn. 4 dc, 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) V sts, 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) sc

Row 2: Ch 1 (count as a st, here and throughout), sc in next st, ch 2, skip ch sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, *ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, skip next (st and ch sp), (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, rep from * until the last sc, ch 2, skip ch sp, sc in last 2 sts, turn. 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sc, 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60) dc

Your piece should measure about 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31)”

Row 3: Ch 3 (count as a st, here and throughout), dc in next st, *ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, rep from * until the last sc; ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), dc in last 2 sts, turn. 4 dc, 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) V sts, 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) sc

Row 4 – 15 (15, 15, 17, 19, 19, 19, 21, 21): Rep Rows 2 – 3

Row 16 (16, 16, 18, 20, 20, 20, 22, 22): Rep Row 2

Note: The panel should be a good cover across your chest (bust).

Shape Neckline/Armhole

XS (M, XL, 3XL, 5XL) only, continue below:

Place stitch marker on the 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) th ch 1 of dc cluster.

S (L, 2XL, 4XL) only – skip to the next section with similar colour coding for your size below

XS (M, XL, 3XL, 5XL) Right side:

Row 1: Ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, rep from * until the stitch marker, turn. Leave the remaining sts unworked. 3 (4, 5, 6, 7)V sts, 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sc 1 dc.

Row 2: Ch 3, sc in next ch 3 sp, *ch 2, skip ch sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, rep from * until the last sc, ch 2, dc in last sc, skip the last dc (ch 3 sp from the previous row), turn. 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) sc, 10 (14, 18, 22, 26) dc

Row 3: Ch 3, *(dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), ch 2, rep from * until the last dc cluster, dc in last sc, skip the last dc (ch 3 sp from the previous row), turn. 2 dc, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6)V sts, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) sc

Row 4: Ch 3, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, rep from * until the last V st, skip the last dc (ch 3 sp from the previous row), turn. 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) sc, 9 (13, 17, 21, 25) dc

XS stop reducing/shaping neckline/armpit and continue to Row 7

Row 5: Ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, rep from * until the last dc cluster, skip the last dc (ch 3 sp from the previous row), turn. 3 (2, 3, 4, 5)V sts, 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) sc, 1 dc.

Row 6: Ch 3, *sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), rep from * until the last V st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, dc in 3rd ch from the beginning ch 3 sp, turn. 2 (2, 3, 4, 5) sc, 9 (10, 14, 18, 22) dc

Row 7: Ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, rep from * until the last sc, ch 2, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, dc in last st, turn. 3 (2, 3, 4, 5) V sts, 1 (2, 3, 5, 6) sc, 2 dc.

Row 8: Ch 3, *sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), rep from * until the last V st, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, dc in 3rd ch from the beginning ch 3 sp, turn. 2 (2, 3, 4, 5) sc, 9 (10, 14, 18, 22) dc

Row 9: Rep Row 7

Rows 10 – 13 (15, 15, 17, 17): Rep Row 8 – 7

Row 14 (16, 16, 18, 18): Rep Row 8

Fasten off.

XS (M, XL, 3XL, 5XL) Left side

Join yarn with a sl st to the edge of the other side.

Row 1: Ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, rep until the stitch marker, turn. Leave the remaining sts unworked. 3 (4, 5, 6, 7)V sts, 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sc 1 dc.

Note that the last dc cluster would now have 2 scs—one from the right side and the other from the left side.

Follow the instructions from Rows 2 through 14 (16, 18, 18) as with the right side.

Edging

• Crocheting around the whole piece.
• Work 3 sc in the ch 3 sp skipped when making the foundation row.

 Ch 1, sc in each st around, aim for 2 sc in each ch sp/dc st around, (sc, ch 1, sc) at each corner, join with a sl st to the beginning ch sp.

Fasten off.

Shape Neckline/Armhole

Only for S (L, 2XL, 4XL) continue below:

Place a stitch marker on the 6 (7, 8, 9) sc from the Row 16 (18, 20, 22) above.

S (L, 2XL, 4XL) Right side:

Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc now and throughout), sc in next ch 1 sp, *ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, rep until the stitch marker, ch 3, sc in st with the st marker, turn. Leave the remaining sts unworked. 4 (5, 6, 7) V st, 5 (6, 7, 8) sc, 2 dc

Row 2: Ch 3, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next sc, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, rep from * until the last sc, 3 dc in last sc, leave the remaining sts unworked, turn. 3 (4, 5, 6) sc, 16 (20, 24, 28) dc

Row 3: Ch 3, skip next 3 sts and ch sp, *(dc, ch 3, dc) in next sc, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), ch 2, rep until the last dc cluster, sc in ch 1 sp, skip the remaining sts, turn. 3 (4, 5, 6) V st, 3 (4, 5, 6) sc, 1 dc

Row 4: Ch 3, *skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next sc, ch 2, rep from * until the last V st, sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, dc in last dc (ch 3 from the previous row), turn. 3 (4, 5, 6) sc, 10 (14, 18, 22) dc

Row 5: Ch 3, *(dc, ch 3, dc) in next sc, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and 2 sts), sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, rep until the last dc cluster, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next sc, dc in last dc (ch 3 sp from the previous row), turn. 2 dc, 3 (4, 5, 6) V st, 2 (3, 4, 5) sc

Row 6: Ch 3, *sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next sc, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), rep from * until the last V st, sc in ch 3 sp, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), dc in 3rd ch from the beginning ch 3, turn. 3 (4, 5, 6) sc, 10 (14, 18, 22) dc

Row 7: Ch 3, *(dc, ch 3, dc) in next sc, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, rep until the last dc cluster, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next sc, dc in last st, (ch 3 from previous row) turn. 2 dc, 3 (4, 5, 6) V st, 2 (3, 4, 5) sc

Rows 8 – 13 (15, 17, 17): Rep Row 6 – 7

Row 14 (16, 18, 18): Rep Row 6

Fasten off.

S (L, 2XL, 4XL) Left side

Join yarn with a sl st to the edge of the other side and crochet towards the stitch marker.

Follow the instructions from Rows 1 through 14 (16, 18, 18) on the right side.

Edging

• Crocheting around the whole piece.
• With the right side facing.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, aim for 2 sc in each ch sp/dc st around, (sc, ch 1, sc) at each corner, join.

Finishing and Joining

Shoulder Seam(s)

Turn both panels made in section 1 to the wrong side (I used the side with neat shells as the right side).

• With the right sides of both panels facing each other, join the yarn with a slip stitch to the lower edge.
• Ch 1, sc over both panels.
• Fasten off and repeat on the other side.
• Try the piece on and adjust the amount joined for a more comfortable fit.

Side Seam(s)

• With the wrong side facing you, sew the sides of the front and back panels together.
• Fasten off.
• Repeat on the other side.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Block to measurement.

Neckline Edging

With the right side facing, join yarn to any stitch around the neckline. Crocheting around the V-neck and the corresponding stitches on the back panel.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain.

Fasten off.

Armhole Edging

With the right side facing, join yarn to any stitch around the armhole. Crocheting around the corresponding stitches on both panels.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain.

Fasten off.

Section 2: Waist Band

With the right side facing, join yarn with a sl st to the foundation chain of the top. Crocheting in rounds through the bottom of the front panel, then continue through the remaining sts left at the foundation row of the back panel.

Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain. 114 (132, 144, 162, 180, 192, 210, 228, 240) hdc

Rounds 2 – 10: Ch 1, in 3rd loop only, hdc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain. 114 (132, 144, 162, 180, 192, 210, 228, 240) hdc

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Block to measurement.