The crochet crop top is the piece that brought a whole new generation to the craft. It is short, quick compared to a full top, and works beautifully in the open, breathable stitches crochet does best. Many crop tops are just two rectangles or a few joined granny squares, which keeps the construction friendly even though the result looks designer.
Cotton and linen are the fibers of choice for drape and breathability. Because a crop top is fitted, gauge matters: swatch in your chosen stitch, measure across at least 4 inches (10 cm), and compare to the pattern before you commit, since cotton can relax with wear.
What you need
- Yarn
- Cotton or linen DK (CYC 3) and sport (CYC 2) for drape. About 400 to 700 yards depending on size.
- Skill
- Easy to intermediate. The shapes are simple, the care is in getting the fit right.
Crop Top projects to make
- 1Granny-square crop top. Two large squares joined at the shoulders and sides. Teaches motif joining into a garment.
- 2Mesh crop tank. An airy net body with simple straps. Teaches mesh and basic shaping.
- 3Shell-stitch crop top. A textured, fitted top. Teaches working shells in a garment.
- 4Tie-front crop top. A top that ties at the front for adjustable fit. Forgiving sizing.
Where to find free crop top patterns
Crop tops are newer, so indie designer blogs and Ravelry are the best free sources. Search "free crochet crop top pattern" and pick one with a real size range and a stated gauge.
Stitches you will use
- Double CrochetUS: dc / UK: tr
- V-StitchUS: V-st / UK: V-st
- Shell StitchUS: sh / UK: sh
- Chain StitchUS: ch / UK: ch
Looking for more? See all crochet tops patterns.