Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern: The Lily Top

A light and airy crochet summer top pattern with pretty lace texture, easy shaping, and two length options to suit your style.

My Lily top is one of those garments that works beautifully with almost everything in your summer wardrobe.

The lacy texture is created with bobble stitches, chain spaces, and V-stitches, while rows of single crochet add structure and help the top keep its shape. The mesh detail at the shoulders keeps the design feeling airy and breathable, making it ideal for layering over a camisole, vest top, or summer dress.

You can choose between two lengths depending on how you like to wear your summer tops, a shorter waist-length version at 17.5 inches or a longer over-hip length at 24 inches. Whether you prefer a closer fit or something with a little more ease, the sizing gives you flexibility to make Lily feel like your perfect summer top.

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The free crochet pattern below includes everything you need to make your own Lily Top.

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Jump to:   Sizing  |  Materials  |  Pattern Instructions

Skill Level

Easy – you need to know how to single and double crochet and have experience of reading and following crochet patterns.

Lily Summer Top Sizing

Sizes follow guidance from the Craft Yarn Council.

The table below includes chest size, finished size and yarn amounts for 17.5 inch and 24 inch lengths.

Yarn amounts are approximate and may vary depending on your yarn choice, tension and chosen length.

How to Choose the Right Size for You

How do you prefer to wear your summer clothing?  Do you prefer a tighter top or one with a bit more room?

If you prefer a tight top, once you’ve measured your chest, check the table to see if you can go down a size.  For example, if your chest measures 40”, going down a size to medium (M) will give you a tight fit.

For a baggier top, if your chest measures 42”, going up a size to Extra Large (XL) will give you 6” of movement.

For reference, I’m often between a medium and large.  I’m wearing the large in the image below which is a comfortable fit. I’m 5’ tall 🙂

Materials

• DK #3 weight yarn

17.5” length; 625, (695, 765, 835, 900, 970) yds

24” length; 890, (990, 1090, 1190, 1290, 1385) yds

• 4mm crochet hook
• stitch markers
• scissors
• yarn needle

I use Clover Amour crochet hooks.

Choosing the Right Yarn for Your Lily Top

I used Wendy Supreme Cotton Love DK in white for my Lily Top. I chose this yarn specifically because the blend of 50% cotton and 50% premium acrylic felt perfect for a summer crochet top — the cotton gives breathability, while the acrylic helps keep the finished top lightweight and comfortable to wear.

This was my first time using this yarn, and I was pleasantly surprised by how soft it felt. Even better, there was no splitting while crocheting, which always makes a project more enjoyable. The stitch definition worked beautifully for this textured lace pattern too, helping the bobble stitches and V-stitches stand out clearly.

It’s also one of the most affordable blended yarns I found, making it excellent value for money. Each 100g ball gives you 330 metres / 360 yards, which goes a long way for garment projects.

You can substitute any DK #3 weight yarn, although I personally wouldn’t recommend 100% cotton for this design. Even with the lighter stitch pattern, I feel a full cotton version would make the finished top heavier than I’d want for everyday summer wear.

Recommended substitutions with a similar ply and tension include:

• Sirdar Snuggly Replay DK
• Rico Design Creative Sport DK
• Cascade Yarns Sarasota DK
• Sirdar Stories DK
• Hobbii Acacia
• YarnArt Jeans

If you find it difficult to match my gauge, you can easily adjust your stitch count using my stitch gauge converter.

Gauge

Using a 4mm hook:

17 stitches and 11 rows = 4” x 4”

Rows worked for swatch:

• 1 to 7
• 2 to 5

Stitches and Abbreviations

V-Stitch (V-st): double crochet, chain 2, double crochet in the indicated stitch

Bobble Stitch (bob): yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook 2 times more (4 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all 4 loops.

• single crochet (sc)
• double crochet (dc)
• slip stitch (sl st)

If you need help with a reminder for how to work the basic stitches, you’ll find instructions in part one of my stitch library.

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

My pattern uses these common abbreviations:

• between (bet)
• chain (ch)
• each (ea)
• instruction (instr)
• remaining (rem)
• repeat (rep)
• Right Side (RS)
• skip (sk)
• space (sp)
• stitch (st)
• Wrong Side (WS)

Crochet Top Construction: How Lily is Made

My Lily Top combines soft lace texture with simple structure, making it a lightweight summer crochet top that feels enjoyable to make and easy to wear.

The lacy stitch pattern is created simply with bobble stitches, chain spaces, and V-stitches, while rows of single crochet add shape and stability so the fabric keeps its structure without feeling heavy.

The back is worked first as one simple panel with no shaping, making it a relaxing project once you settle into the stitch repeat. The front is worked in the same way until the neckline, where the shoulders are shaped separately by working one shoulder first and then the second. This creates a boat neckline.

A lightweight double crochet mesh at the shoulders adds extra breathability and helps keep the design cool and comfortable for warmer weather.

Once both pieces are complete, the shoulders and sides are seamed to finish the top.

A round of single crochet is worked around the armhole for the perfect finish.

You can choose between two lengths depending on your preferred fit, a shorter 17.5” waist-length version or a longer 24” over-hip version for extra coverage.

If you’ve made my Maisie poncho, you’ll notice a similar stitch texture here, although Lily includes more single crochet rows for added structure and a lighter mesh detail at the shoulders for a fresh summer feel.

My Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
• Foundation chain is worked in multiples of 6 plus 1.
• Chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
• Chain 3 counts as a double crochet.
• Chain 4 counts as a treble crochet.
• Instructions for sizes are written as follows: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X).
• Repeated instructions are noted with the symbol * For example, in Row 4: * ch1, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, * means you will chain 1, skip 2 stitches, double crochet in the next stitch, and repeat across to the last stitch.
• Row 2 stitch counts DO NOT include the chain 2 in the V-stitch. The chain 2 is included as part of the V-stitch count.
• Row 3 stitch counts include the chain-2 spaces between each group of bobble stitches, but not the chain-2 spaces between individual bobbles.
• In Row 4, double crochet stitches are worked into the top of each bobble stitch.
• The front and back total row counts are different because the double crochet mesh at the shoulders on the front replaces part of the single crochet stitch repeat used on the back.
• First Shoulder Row 1 includes working into the stitch marker.
• Weave in ends as you go for easier finishing.
• Yarn amounts are approximate and may vary depending on your yarn choice, tension and chosen length.

Lily Crochet Summer Top Instructions

With a 4mm hook

Back

Ch 80, (86, 98, 104, 116, 122)

Row 1 (RS): sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, ch1, turn (79, 85, 97, 103, 115, 121 sc)

Row 2: sc in first st, ch2, sk 2 sts, V-st in next st, ch2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, *ch2, sk 2 sts, ch2, V-st in next st, ch2, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, * rep across, ch4, turn

(Row 2 stitch counts)

• S = 13 V-st, 13 sc, 26 ch-2
• M = 14 V-st, 14 sc, 28 ch-2
• L = 16 V-st, 16 sc, 32 ch-2
• XL = 17 V-st, 17 sc, 34 ch-2
• 2X = 19 V-st, 19 sc, 38 ch-2
• 3X = 20 V-st, 20 sc, 40 ch-2

Row 3: [bob, ch2, bob, ch2, bob, ch2] in ea ch-2 sp across to last ch-2 sp, [bob, ch2, bob, ch2, bob] in last ch-2 sp, tr in last st, ch3, turn

(Row 3 stitch counts)

• S = 39 bob, 2 tr, 24 ch-2
• M = 42 bob, 2 tr, 26 ch-2
• L = 48 bob, 2 tr, 30 ch-2
• XL = 51 bob, 2 tr, 32 ch-2
• 2X = 57 bob, 2 tr, 36 ch-2
• 3X = 60 bob, 2 tr, 38 ch-2

Row 4: dc in next st, * ch1, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, * rep across to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn

(Row 4 stitch counts)

• S = 41 dc, 38 ch-1
• M = 44 dc, 41 ch-1
• L = 50 dc, 47 ch-1
• XL = 53 dc, 50 ch-1
• 2X = 59 dc, 56 ch-1
• 3X = 62 dc, 59 ch-1

Row 5: sc in ea dc and ch-sp across, ch3, turn (79, 85, 97, 103, 115, 121 sc)

Row 6: dc in ea st across, ch1, turn (79, 85, 97, 103, 115, 121 dc)

Row 7: sc in ea st across, ch1, turn (79, 85, 97, 103, 115, 121 sc)

Rows 2 – 7 form stitch pattern

17.5” length

Row 8 – 49: rep rows 2 to 7 ending on a row 7 rep

24” length

Row 8 – 67: rep rows 2 to 7 ending on a row 7 rep

Fasten off

Front

17.5” length

Rep back instr to row 42

24” length

Rep back instr to row 60

Neckline

Identify the middle st on the last row and place a st marker

• count 17 sts to the right and place a st marker
• count 17 sts to the left and place a st marker

Remove middle st marker

The sp bet st markers is the neckline

First Shoulder

Row 1: rep row 7 of st pattern to st marker, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Row 2: ch3, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, * rep to last st, dc in last st, ch3, turn

Rows 3 – 5: rep row 2 of shoulder

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew shoulder seam

Second Shoulder

Rejoin yarn at st marker

Row 1: rep row 7 of st pattern across

Rows 2 – 5: rep instr for first shoulder

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew shoulder seam

Assembly

Working on the WS with the fabric laid flat, place front on top back and line up

Sew shoulder seams

Creating Armholes and Side Seam

Working on the WS

Measure 7, (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5) inches from shoulder towards hem and place a st marker through both pieces

Sew side seam from st marker to hem

Fasten off

Armhole Edging

Turn top to RS facing outwards

Rejoin yarn underarm

Work one round of sc evenly around armholes, join with sl st to first st

Fasten off

Congratulations!  Your Lily crochet top is finished and ready to be blocked

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.

My Lily Top is the kind of crochet summer top that quickly becomes a wardrobe favourite — light, comfortable, and easy to style with jeans, shorts, skirts, or layered over a simple camisole. Whether you choose the shorter waist-length version or the longer over-hip fit, it’s a practical handmade piece I know you’ll reach for again and again during warmer months.

However you style it, I hope the Lily Top becomes one of those handmade pieces you love wearing all summer long.

I’d love to see your finished top! If you make one, come and share it with us in the Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook — seeing your colour choices and personal style is always one of my favourite parts of releasing a new pattern.

Ready For Your Next Project?

If you’re looking for more warm-weather crochet inspiration, you might also enjoy my Ava top, the romantic texture of my Whispering Rose top , or my breezy Isla top . You can also browse a roundup of my own and other designer tops for your next project.

Pinterest

Save this free crochet summer top pattern to Pinterest so you can come back to it when you’re ready to make your own Lily Top.