Crocheted Cropped Summer Top Pattern

In Crochet Design 101Tags Caron International, Caron Simply Soft, crocheted top, free crochet pattern, oundation single crochetAugust 22, 2013

Patrice Walker

Caron International's Casual and Cropped Crochet Top — Caron International’s Cropped and Casual Crochet Summer Top

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I started a search back in the spring for crocheted tops that would carry me through the summer. I wanted to crochet tops that were lacy enough to let a breeze through, but not too lacy that I’d have to wear something underneath them. I’d envisioned making several tops in different colors, but as fate or life or lack of time would have it, I only got around to crocheting two.

The Pattern

The first one was based on a pattern designed by my Facebook friend, BrownSugar Ravenel. If I crochet that one again, I’ll use a lighter weight yarn.

I crocheted the second one, pictured above, from a free Caron International pattern called the Cropped and Casual Summer Top (Unfortunately, the pattern is no longer available. Contact me via email or the contact form for a copy). While the pattern stitch looks intricate, it’s actually a simple, two-row repeat that works up quickly. And there’s only a bit of shaping at the neckline, making this a pattern an advanced beginner should have no problems with.

The Yarn

The pattern calls for Caron Simply Soft yarn, but if you’ve been with me long enough, you know I am trying to use up my yarn stash. And I just so happened to have copious amounts of a decent, worsted-weight cotton yarn. So I substituted the pattern yarn with my stash yarn.

I used a G (4.00 mm) hook and four skeins of Caribbean Cotton Yarn (one 5-oz skein yields 258 yards). I think a DK-weight yarn would work well, too, and that’s what I think Simply Soft is, even though it’s labeled as worsted weight.

Foundation Single Crochet Stitch

What I really like about this pattern is the fact that it uses the foundation single crochet stitch instead of the customary chain to begin the pattern. This stitch is pretty easy to make, but just in case you aren’t familiar with it, here’s a video that shows you how to do it.

The foundation single crochet bottom edge makes for a nice border, so you don’t have to add one like you would if you’d started with a chain. The only border you’ll add is one round of single crochet at the neck edge.

I highly recommend this pattern for the following reasons:

Except for the shaping at the neck edge, you’re essentially crocheting two big squares.
The pattern stitch is simple enough that you can do it while watching TV in the evening, my favorite way to crochet.
It has a lot of ease, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a size that will fit you.
You can either follow the pattern to create a cropped top or add some length to it which I plan to do next time I make one. If you want to make the top longer, I’d recommend purchasing an extra skein of yarn.
And if you want to make it wider, the pattern stitch is a multiple of 8 + 3.

I love simple construction techniques that result in fashionable crochet wearables that are easy to make. This pattern definitely fits the bill.

12 comments On Crocheted Cropped Summer Top Pattern

Rhondda Mol
August 23, 2013 at 4:25 am - Reply

Lovely! You did a beautiful job on your summer top 🙂 Rhondda
- Patrice Walker
  August 23, 2013 at 11:16 am - Reply
  
  Thanks, Rhondda!! I enjoyed making it. Thanks for stopping by!
Kelley
August 26, 2013 at 12:22 am - Reply

very nice! I have a Shawlette nade of the same stitch. I agree its a simple stitch but really translates into something that looks alot more intricate!
- Patrice Walker
  August 26, 2013 at 1:37 am - Reply
  
  Thanks, Kelly! Yes, intricate, but easy. Was the stitch included in your shawlette pattern or did you come across it in a stitch dictionary??
Sandi
July 2, 2015 at 10:15 am - Reply

I cannot find the pattern…. got one similar but like yours better can you help me pls?
- Patrice Walker
  July 2, 2015 at 12:47 pm - Reply
  
  Thanks for the heads up, Sandi. Here’s the pattern – http://www.yarnspirations.com/patterns/casual-summer-top.html
  
  I’ll edit the blog post to include it there as well.
Linda
July 1, 2018 at 5:15 pm - Reply

The pattern is no longer available on that site. Where can I get the pattern ?
- Patrice Walker
  July 1, 2018 at 5:56 pm - Reply
  
  Hi Linda, you’re right, Yarnspirations (formerly Caron) no longer carries this pattern. Since it’s no longer available, I can’t provide it. My suggestion would be to do a search for crochet tops at Yarnspiration.com, Pinterest, Ravelry or Google to see if you can find something that comes close. I’ll update the post to note that the pattern is no longer available.
Pingback: 20 Free Crop Top Crochet Patterns For Summer - TheYarnAddicts ()
Lyn
January 6, 2023 at 9:25 am - Reply

Hi really love the top
Did a search on Google ravelry Pinterest yarn inspiration everywhere I could think of and no luck ??
Do you have any other suggestions
Cheers
- Patrice Walker
  January 6, 2023 at 2:40 pm - Reply
  
  Glad you like it, Lyn. These days I go on YouTube to find patterns for crochet tops. You’ll get a video tutorial along with a written pattern. Good luck!
Lyn
January 27, 2023 at 7:40 am - Reply

Hi really love the top
Did a search on Google ravelry Pinterest yarn inspiration everywhere I could think of and no luck ??
Do you have any other suggestions
Cheers