Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern for Sunny Days

This free crochet summer top pattern puts two round sunburst motifs at the front in soft blue and white. Below them, a light mesh body ends in a lacy white edge, so the top feels airy on sunny days. Because the back stays plain with a small open border, it also works as a crop top or a vacation outfit.

Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern Skill Level and Size

This free crochet summer top pattern is intermediate level, because it uses spike stitches, color changes at the end of most rounds, joined motifs, and shaping with increases and decreases.

Finished Size

Each motif measures about 6 inches across, and the top fits a small to medium bust. However, you can make the body mesh longer or shorter by repeating rounds 2 and 3 until it suits you.

Materials for the Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern

• Yarn: Cotton yarn in two colors, blue (color B) and white (color A). Light worsted or DK-weight cotton works well for the soft drape shown in the photos.
• Amount: About 250 yards of blue and 150 yards of white.
• Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook, or the size that gives you a flat motif.
• Notions: Stitch marker, scissors, yarn needle, and tape measure.

Pattern Notes Before You Start

• Color A is white and color B is blue.
• The first chain 2 in round 1 does not count as a stitch, but chain 3 at the start of a double crochet round does.
• Spike stitches go into the space or row below, so pull each loop up loosely to keep the fabric flat.
• Make 2 identical motifs before you start joining.

Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern Steps

Step 1: Start the Center Ring for the Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern

To begin, make a slip knot with blue yarn and chain 5. Then slip stitch into the fifth chain to form a ring. After that, chain 2 and work 15 extended double crochet into the ring. Finally, slip stitch to close and chain 3.

Step 2: Add White and Spike Stitches

Round 2: First, work 2 double crochet in every stitch, which gives 30 stitches. Next, close with white and chain 1.

Round 3: Then work 1 spike single crochet between each double crochet pair, followed by 1 single crochet in the next 2 stitches. Repeat around.

Round 4: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch. Afterward, close with blue and chain 7.

Step 3: Build the Sunburst

Round 5: Work 1 treble crochet in the same stitch. Next, skip 2 stitches, then work 1 treble crochet, chain 3, and 1 treble crochet in the next stitch (the top of a spike). Repeat around to make 15 V shapes, and then close with white.

Round 6: Slip stitch to the next space and chain 3. Then work double crochet 2 together, chain 2, and double crochet 3 together in the same space. After that, work double crochet 3 together, chain 2, and double crochet 3 together in every space around. Finally, close with blue.

Round 7: Make a corner with double crochet 2 together, chain 2, and double crochet 3 together. Along each side, repeat 3 times: chain 2, work 1 spike double crochet two rows below inside the upside-down V, chain 2, and work 1 single crochet in the chain 2 space. Then make the next corner, repeat around, and close with white.

Step 4: Finish and Join the Motifs

Round 8: Make the corner first, and then work 3 double crochet in each side space. Also work a double crochet 3 together, chain 2, double crochet 3 together corner at every turn.

Next, make 2 identical motifs. To join them, start at a corner: work double crochet 3 together on the left piece, chain 1, connect to the right corner, chain 1, and work double crochet 3 together again. After that, connect to each stitch on the right piece while working 1 double crochet in each matching space on the left. Repeat at the next corner, and then finish the last side of the left piece.

Step 5: Work the Cup Rows of the Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern

To start, attach yarn at a corner with 2 single crochet. Remember to chain 1 and turn after every row.

Row 1: Work single crochet in each stitch to the next corner and 2 in the corner, for 24 stitches.

Rows 2 to 7: Then work single crochet in each stitch.

Rows 8 to 20: On even rows, work single crochet across and add 1 stitch at the end, while odd rows stay plain single crochet. As a result, you should reach 30 stitches.

Rows 21 to 61: Next, work plain single crochet with 30 stitches.

Rows 62 to 71: After that, decrease 1 stitch at the end of every other row until you reach 24 stitches, and then work plain rows.

Row 72: Finally, work single crochet across while attaching the second cup.

Step 6: Body Mesh and Straps

Do not fasten off at this point.

Round 1: Work single crochet around with a stitch marker at the start, and add 2 single crochet in the middle chain 2 spaces. Then close and chain 3.

Round 2: Work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 2 double crochet in one stitch. Next, chain 5, skip 5 stitches, and repeat around.

Round 3: In each double crochet group, work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 2 double crochet. Between groups, chain 3, single crochet in the next space, and chain 3.

Round 4: Change to blue and work like round 2, with chain 5 and skipped spaces. Then repeat rounds 2 and 3 until the top reaches the length you want.

Straps (make 2): First, attach yarn at the top corner and chain 55. Then join it to the back without twisting and slip stitch in each back bump. Finally, fasten off and weave in the ends.

Color Change Tracker for Your Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern

Before you start this free crochet summer top pattern, write down which color closes each round. The pattern switches between blue and white at almost every round end, so a quick note on paper keeps the motif stripes in order.

Wear Your Sunburst Top Out in the Sun

Once finished, this free crochet summer top pattern shows off the sunburst motifs at the front and a light mesh below. Before wearing it, weave in every end and check that the straps lie flat.