Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern You’ll Wear All Season

If you’re looking for a summer top that’s stylish, breathable, and fun to make, my free crochet pattern is a great project to try.  The Ava top is worked flat in two pieces using a 7-row stitch repeat that blends simple double crochet with the elegant Iris stitch for a beautiful mix of texture.

This is an intermediate-level pattern due to shaping at the armholes and neckline, but the construction is straightforward—just sew the shoulder and side seams, then finish with a round of single crochet around the neckline and armholes.  The hem is finished with a small side opening for a more flattering fit and ease of movement.

The sample is made with soft, 100% recycled cotton, making it a comfortable and eco-conscious choice of garment for warmer days. Paired with jeans, shorts, or a flowing skirt, this vest-style top is adaptable and wearable all summer long.

Written in US crochet terms, I’ve included instructions for sizes S through to 3X.

Keep scrolling for the free pattern here on the blog.  The PDF is available to buy in my Etsy and Ravelry stores.

What colour will you choose for yours?  Leave a comment or share with us in the Facebook group!

Jump to: Materials | Measurements | Free Pattern

Skill Level

Intermediate – this garment includes shaping for the armholes and neckline

Materials

• DK Yarn (100% cotton): 778, (870, 1003, 1165, 1242, 1368) yds
• 4mm /  G-6 crochet hook (I use Clover)
• 4.5mm crochet hook (starting chain)
• Tape Measure
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I’ve used Walnut Tree Yarn Kind Cotton in colourway Berry for this crochet vest.  This DK-weight recycled cotton yarn has a soft feel and gentle drape. I found it to be quite soft and very easy going with minimal splitting.

100% recycled, it comes in 100g/300m/328yd balls and is machine washable on a wool cycle.

You can substitute any DK yarn although I would recommend either 100% cotton or a blend of fibres that include cotton for summer wearing.  Look for yarns with good stitch definition and a soft finish for the best results.

If you do swap out Walnut Tree, crochet your swatch and if your gauge is different to mine, use my stitch gauge converter to help you adjust your stitches.

Gauge

15 stitches and 9 rows on a 4mm hook = 10cm X 10cm

Stitches

You need to know how to work these stitches:

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Crossed Double Crochet (xdc)

Slip Stitch (sl st)

For my UK crocheters, the table below is a conversion of basic crochet stitches from US to UK.

Abbreviations

The common abbreviations are used

• Chain/s (ch/s)
• Continue (cont)
• Decrease (decr)
• Each (ea)
• Instructions (instr)
• Repeat (rep)
• Remaining (rem)
• Right Side (RS)
• Skip (sk)
• Space (sp)
• Stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

Measurements

Measurements use guidance from the Craft Yarn Council.

How the Vest Pattern is Worked

The Ava top uses a similar stitch pattern to my popular Selene cardigan.  If you’ve worked on the cardigan, you’ll find this a breeze!

Rows of double crochet, Iris stitch and crossed double crochet stitches alternate in a 7-row repeat to the armhole.  From the armhole, you’ll work rows of double crochet.

Armhole decreases are worked by using slip stitches at the start of a row and leaving the same number of stitches unworked at the end of a row.

Neckline decreases are worked by leaving stitches unworked at the neck edge.

• The back panel is worked first.  Decreases are used to shape the armhole. 
• The front panel is worked next.  Decreases are used to shape the armhole and neckline.
• Once the back and front panels are worked, the shoulder seams are sewn, followed by the side seams. 
• To finish your summer top, a round of single crochet is worked around the neck edging and armholes.

Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in US crochet terms.
• Stitch pattern is a multiple of 4.
• Sizes are written like this: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)
• Chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
• Chain 2 counts as a double crochet.
• Pattern repeats are written *   instruction   *  ie; , *sk3, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, * rep to last 4 sts. You will skip 3 stitches, work 2 double crochet, ch1, 2 double crochet in the next stitch and repeat this to the last 4 stitches.
• Row 1 work into one loop only to help with elasticity/stretch of the hem.
• Decreases are worked by slip stitches at beginning of rows and leaving stitches unworked at the end of rows.
• Weave in ends as you go.
• This pattern includes positive ease (see measurements, compare ‘to fit’ with approx finished measurements). If you would like more movement, follow instructions for the next size up.
• Read these notes alongside how the pattern is worked and the instructions
• If you substitute the yarn you may need more or less yarn that stated.

Ava Crochet Top Instructions (US crochet terms)

Back

With a 4.5mm hook

Ch 73, (81, 89, 97, 105, 113)

Change to 4mm hook

Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, ch2, turn (72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112 sc)

Row 2: dc in ea st across, ch2, turn

Row 3: dc in next st, sk1, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, *sk3, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, * rep to last 4 sts, sk2, dc in last 2 sts, ch2, turn

Row 4: dc in next st, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in ea ch1-sp across to last 4 sts, sk2, dc in last 2 sts, ch2, turn

Row 5: dc in ea st, sk ch1-sps across, ch2, turn

Row 6: rep row 2

Row 7: xdc to last st, dc in last st, ch2, turn

Row 8: rep row 2

Row 9: rep row 2

Rows 3 – 9 complete pattern

Row 10 – 40: rep rows 3 to 9

S and M ONLY

Go to armhole

L, XL, 2X, 3X ONLY

Row 41 – 42, (43, 44, 45): rep row 2

Armhole (all sizes)

Row 41, (41, 43, 44, 45, 46): sl st in 4 sts, ch3, dc to last 3 sts, turn (leaving rem sts unworked)

Rep for a total of 2, (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) rows

Next row: sl st in 2 sts, ch3, dc to last st, turn (leaving rem sts unworked)

Rep for a total of 7, (7, 7, 8, 8, 9) rows

End of armhole decreases

Cont working rows of pattern until armhole measures 17.5, (19, 20, 21.5, 23, 24) cm

Fasten off

Front

Rep instr from back to end of armhole decreases

Work 2, (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) dc rows

Neck Opening

 Find the centre st of last row and place a st marker

Count 6, (8, 8, 9, 9, 10) sts to the right and place a st marker

Count 6, (8, 8, 9, 9, 10) sts to the left and place a st marker

Remove centre st marker

Sp between markers is the neckline

First Shoulder

*Decr worked at neck opening*

Next row: dc to last 3 sts before st marker, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.

Cont decr in this way as follows:

Decr 2 sts 1, (1, 2, 2, 2, 2) time/s

Decr 1 st 1, (1, 1, 1, 1, 2) time/s

Cont working first shoulder in rows of dc until armhole measures 17.5, (19, 20, 21.5, 23, 24) cm to match the back

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew shoulder seam

Second Shoulder

Rejoin yarn in the 4^th st from st marker on neck edge

Next row: dc across, ch2, turn

Rep instr for first shoulder, decr at neck edge

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew shoulder seam

Assembly

With WS facing outwards, line up front and back

Sew shoulder seams

Side Seams

Place a st marker in row 40, (40, 42, 42, 43, 44) at start and end of row on both panels

Sew side seams from st marker to row 7

Finishing Off

Neck Edging

Working on the RS

Rejoin yarn at shoulder seam with a sl st, ch1

Sc evenly around neckline, join with a sl st

Fasten off

Armhole Edging

Working on the RS

Rejoin yarn underarm with a sl st, ch1

Sc evenly around armhole

Rep on other side

Fasten off

Congratulations, your summer top is finished!

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

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