Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern: Marlowe Collection

An easy filet crochet summer top with two wearable lengths for lightweight layering.

If you’re looking for a lightweight crochet top pattern for warm-weather layering, my Marlowe summer top is designed to be both comfortable and easy to style. The relaxed fit and airy filet crochet stitches make it perfect for layering over camisoles, vests, dresses, or swimwear on warmer days.

Worked in cotton yarn, the modern geometric stitch design creates beautiful texture without feeling heavy.

The pattern includes two wearable lengths; a shorter waist-length version and a longer over-hip option.  Choose the style that suits you best!

This design is part of my Marlowe Collection, using the same easy filet crochet stitch pattern as my cardigan design. If you love coordinated handmade wardrobe pieces, you can also take a look at my Marlowe Cardigan.

The free crochet summer top pattern is below including sizing, materials, gauge, how the filet top is made and full instructions.  If you’d prefer a printable ad-free version, the PDF is also available in my Etsy and Ravelry, shops. Thank you so much for supporting my work.

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Jump to:  Materials  |  Sizing  |  Free Pattern Instructions

Skill Level

Easy.  You need to know basic crochet stitches (double crochet, treble crochet and chains).

Sizing

This easy crochet summer top pattern includes sizes S–2X and two wearable length options.

The chart below includes the recommended chest measurements, finished top width, and approximate yarn quantities for each size and both lengths.

I base my sizing on the standards provided by the Craft Yarn Council.

Yarn amounts are approximate and may vary if you substitute the yarn or your tension differs.

Choosing the Right Size for you

My Marlowe top is designed to have a relaxed, loose-fitting silhouette for comfortable summer layering. 

If you prefer a closer fit, you may wish to go down a size. For example, if your chest measurement is 44 inches, choosing size L would give approximately 2 inches of positive ease. However, if your chest measurement is 46 inches, you may find the fit too snug.

Materials

• DK #3 weight yarn:

Short Length (18.5″): 593 (655, 716, 780, 841) yards
Long Length (23.5″): 730 (809, 887, 964, 1042) yards

• 4mm Crochet Hook
• Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I chose James C Brett Cotton Waves DK for this top because I hoped the bright splash of colours would work beautifully with the same stitch pattern used in my Marlowe cardigan. I was curious to see how the geometric design would look in a self-striping yarn compared to a solid colour.  I love how the Fruit Jelly shade turned out! What do you think?

One of my favourite things about this yarn is the fabulous floaty drape it gives the finished garment. Even though it’s 100% cotton, it doesn’t feel heavy, making it perfect for a lightweight summer top. It’s wonderfully soft too 🙂

Another bonus is how easy it is to care for, simply add it to your coloured wash at 30 degrees.

You can substitute any DK weight yarn for this project, although I’d recommend choosing fibres or blends that still keep the finished garment light and breathable for warmer weather.

If you have a solid colour waiting in your yarn stash, you can take a look at the cardigan in this collection to see how the stitch pattern works up which should help you decide.

Gauge

17 stitches and 10 rows = 4” x 4”

Pattern for swatch:

• 5 rows of double crochet
• 1 row of treble crochet
• 4 rows of double crochet

If you’re finding it difficult to match my gauge, you can easily adjust your stitches using my stitch gauge converter.

Stitches and Abbreviations

Stacked Double Crochet (stacked dc): make a single crochet into the first stitch. Insert hook into the left vertical leg of the single crochet just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through two loops.

Stacked Treble Crochet (stacked tr): make a single crochet into the first stitch, *insert hook into the left vertical leg of the single crochet just made, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, * repeat once more.

• single crochet (sc)
• double crochet (dc)
• treble crochet (tr)

Need a refresher of these stitches? You can 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.

I’ve used these abbreviations in the instructions:

• chain (ch)
• each (ea)
• remaining (rem)
• repeat (rep)
• right hand side (rhs)
• Right Side (RS)
• Skip (sk)
• space/s (sp/s)
• stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

Design and Construction: How the Marlowe summer top is crocheted

Working on my design couldn’t be easier. With an easy-to-memorise repeat, the Marlowe summer top is a relaxing crochet pattern that’s perfect for mindful stitching.

The filet crochet design is created using blocks of 10 double crochet stitches separated by a chain 1, skip 1 stitch space across rows of 5. These blocks are then broken up with a lighter mesh-style row of treble crochet, chain 1, skip 1 stitch.

The hardest part is deciding whether to make the waist-length or over-hip version 🙂

• The back panel is crocheted from the bottom up as a simple rectangle.
• The front panel is worked in the same way to the neckline. Stitch markers are then used to show where each shoulder is worked separately. No shaping or decreasing is needed.

Assembly is simple too:

1. First, sew the shoulder seams.

2. Next, measure the armhole depth before sewing the side seams from the armhole down to the hem.

My Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
• Size instructions are written as S, (M, L, XL, 2X).
• Repeated instructions are written between * symbols.
• Instead of a turning chain, this pattern uses stacked double and stacked treble to begin a row.  This makes it easier to follow with a chain 1 to begin the filet block.  As an alternative, you can use chain 3 and chain 4 but you must then remember to also chain 1 at the beginning of a row and work into the chain in the following row, to leave the chain 1 space.
• Chain 1 at the beginning of edging rounds does not count as a stitch.
• Weave in ends as you go.
• Yarn amounts are approximate and may vary if you substitute the yarn or your tension differs.

Marlowe Crochet Summer Top Instructions (US terms)

Back

With a 4mm hook

Ch 82, (93, 104, 115, 126)

Row 1 (RS): dc in 4^th ch from hook, dc in ea ch across, turn (80, 91, 102, 113, 124 dc)

Row 2: stacked dc, *ch1, sk 1 st, dc in next 10 sts, * rep to last 2 sts, ch1, sk 1 st, dc in last st, turn

Stitch counts Row 2:

S 72 dc and 8 ch-1 sps
M 82 dc and 9 ch-1 sps
L 92 dc and 10 ch-1 sps
XL 102 dc and 11 ch-1 sps
XXL 112 dc and 12 ch-1 sps

Row 3 – 5: rep row 2 (stitch counts remain the same)

Row 6: Stacked tr, ch 1, sk 1 st, *tr in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * to last 2 (1, 2, 1, 2) sts, tr in last st, turn

Stitch counts Row 6:

S 40 tr and 39 ch-1 sps
M 46 tr and 45 ch-1 sps
L 51 tr and 50 ch-1 sps
XL 57 tr and 56 ch-1 sps
XXL 62 tr and 61 ch-1 sps

Row 7 – 11: rep row 2

18.5 inch length

Row 12 – 38: rep rows 6 – 11

Fasten off

23.5 inch length

Row 12 – 47: rep rows 6 – 11

Fasten off

Front

Rep instr for back to row 11

18.5 inches

Row 12 – 35: rep rows 6 – 11

23.5 inches

Row 12 – 44: rep rows 6 – 11

Creating Neckline for Both Lengths

Identify middle st on last row and place a st marker

Count 16 sts to the right and place a st marker

Count 16 sts to the left and place a st marker

Remove middle st marker

Sp bet st markers is the neckline

First Shoulder

Next row:  cont patt to st marker, dc in same st as st marker, turn leaving rem sts unworked

Cont patt for a further 2 rows

Remove st marker

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the shoulder seam

Second Shoulder

Rejoin yarn at rem st marker

Rep instr for first shoulder

Assembly

Shoulder Seams

With RS facing inwards, lay out flat back panel, line up front panel on top

Sew shoulder seams

Fasten off

Armholes

Still working with RS facing inwards, measure 7, (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches from shoulder towards hem and place a st marker through both pieces of fabric

Side Seams

Sew side seams from st marker to hem

Fasten off

Finishing Off

Sleeve Edging

Turn top RS out and rejoin yarn underarm

Ch1, sc evenly around armhole, join with sl st to first st

Fasten off

Rep on other side

Neckline Edging

Still working on RS rejoin yarn at shoulder seam

Ch1, sc evenly around neckline, join with sl st to first st

Fasten off

Congratulations!  Your top is ready to be blocked and worn

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.

Ready for Your Next Summer Crochet Project?

I hope you enjoy crocheting and wearing your Marlowe summer top as much as I enjoyed designing it. Whether you choose the waist-length or over-hip version, the lightweight filet crochet fabric makes this an easy piece to style throughout the warmer months.

If you love this stitch pattern, you can also take a look at my Marlowe cardigan, which uses the same geometric filet design in a lightweight layering cardigan.

Looking for more crochet tops to make? You might also enjoy these patterns:

• A Breezy Summer Crochet Top
• Whispering Rose Summer Top
• Ava Crochet Summer Top
• Lily Crochet Summer Top
• Filet Crochet Top

Or browse even more inspiration here:

• Summer Crochet Top Pattern Roundup

I’d love to see your finished Marlowe tops too! You’re always welcome to share your projects in my Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook.

Save to Pinterest for Later

No time to crochet your Marlowe top today? Save this lightweight summer crochet pattern to your favourite Pinterest board and come back when you’re ready for a relaxing, wearable make.