Crochet tops are where the craft meets summer. Worked in cotton or linen, an open stitch like mesh, v-stitch, or shell gives a light, breathable fabric that drapes against the body instead of standing away from it. The current wave of younger crocheters has pushed crop tops, mesh tanks, and beach cover-ups to the front of the craft.
Construction is friendlier than it looks. Many tops are just two rectangles seamed at the shoulders and sides, with the gaps left as armholes and a neckline. Others are worked top-down in one piece so you can try them on as you go. A granny-square top joins motifs into a boxy, on-trend shape with almost no shaping at all.
Gauge matters more here than in a scarf, because a top has to fit. Always swatch in your chosen stitch and yarn, measure across at least 4 inches (10 cm), and compare to the pattern before you commit, since cotton can grow with wear.
What you need
- Yarn
- Cotton or linen DK (CYC 3) and sport (CYC 2) for drape and breathability.
- Hook
- 3.5 to 4.5 mm.
- Skill
- easy, intermediate, advanced
Stitches you will use
- Chain StitchUS: ch / UK: chThe chain stitch is the foundational crochet stitch that creates a series of interlocked loops used to start almost every pattern and to form turning chains at the start of a row.
- Double CrochetUS: dc / UK: trThe double crochet (dc) is the most widely used crochet stitch, producing an open, drapey fabric by working yarn over twice to create a stitch roughly twice the height of single crochet.
- V-StitchUS: V-st / UK: V-stThe V-stitch is an open crochet stitch made by working a double crochet, chain one, and another double crochet all into the same stitch, forming a small V shape with light, airy drape.
- Shell StitchUS: sh / UK: shThe shell stitch is a fan-shaped crochet stitch made by working multiple double crochets into the same stitch or space, creating a repeating scallop pattern used in blankets, garments, and shawls.
- Treble CrochetUS: tr / UK: dtrThe treble crochet (tr) is a tall stitch created by yarning over twice before inserting the hook, producing an open, lacy fabric about three times the height of single crochet.