The Darling Crochet Top

Lacy stitches and the sun go together like peanut butter and jelly – so say hello to the Darling crochet top! If you’d like to know more about how this crochet top came to be, keep reading. Or scroll down and get right to the free pattern!

We’re about a month out from the hottest season of the year, so you know that means it’s time stock up on all things Summer, and this includes crochet tops of course! Every year, I have so many ideas for things to crochet for the warmer weather, but I never get through them all. This time around, I’m on a mission to get these designs out of my head, and into your hands, FINALLY! I rarely make full length tops for the summer because you know…crop tops are my jam (check out the Summer Breeze Crochet Crop 2.0), but for this top, I had a change of heart.

This particular design was originally supposed to be released last summer, but before I knew it it was August. So I decided the Darling Crochet Top will be in the first round of crochet summer attire this year. This crochet top has a gorgeous v-neckline to make it a little flirty, and it also features rows of v-stitches that gives a lacy look to the top. It is open and airy which makes it perfect for being out in the hot sun. And my favorite part…..it’s so simple to make! The Darling Crochet Top is worked in two panels from the bottom up, seamed together, with a single crochet edging that gives a polished finish. Although the design looks a little complicated, I promise it’s simple. If you can crochet the basic stitches, then you’re on your way to making your new favorite top!

The Yarn

As you guys may know by now, I normally use a certain type of yarn. Go ahead and say it with me “Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn” (very good). It is one of my go-tos and it never lets me down, but I’ve been expanding my yarn collection as of late. For this design, I used Lionbrand’s Jeans Colors yarn in the color khaki, and I couldn’t be anymore in love! It is a 100% acrylic category 4 yarn, but it feels more like a category 3 yarn. Since this yarn is a little on the thinner side of a worsted weight yarn, it gives an excellent drape that it perfect for garments. And don’t even get me started on the colors! The colors are so vibrant and they really do favor a jean like material. You will definitely be seeing more of this yarn this summer…..trust me.

Yarn Subs

Now if you can’t get your hands on any Jeans Colors, don’t worry, you can still make this top. This yarn can be substituted for any category 3 yarn, it doesn’t have to be acrylic. Or if you’re working from your stash and DK weight yarn is just not your thing, you can also use a worsted weight category 4 yarn, but definitely check your gauge and hook size to be sure your top fits correctly.

Patterns I Love

Check out the Summer Breeze Crop 2.0!

The Darling Crochet Top Pattern

Get the printer friendly, ad free PDF version of the pattern here.
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Materials

I/5.50 mm crochet hook
Approx. 810 – 1230 yards of Category 3 “Light” yarn or lightweight worsted weight yarn
- Sample made with Lion Brand’s Jeans Colors
Scissors
Needle for weaving in ends
Your favorite show to “watch”

Gauge

4 inch square = 12 sts x 8 rows of Hdc

Finished Size

Bust – 26(30, 34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58)”
XS(S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
1.5-2″ of negative ease. Be sure to check gauge.

Abbreviations

Fhdc – foundation half double crochet
Ch – chain
Hdc – half double crochet
Sk – skip
V-st – v-stitch
Dc – double crochet
T-ch – turning chain
Sp – space
Rs – right side
Sc – single crochet
Sl st – slip stitch
St – stitch
Sts – stitches
Rep- repeat

Pattern Notes

The pattern is written for size XS with S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, and 5XL in parentheses. Be sure to follow the instructions for the size you’re making.
The pattern is worked in panels from the bottom up.
Ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
Ch 4 counts as a dc plus a chain 1.

Special Stitches

Fhdc – Foundation half double crochet. Click here to learn more about foundation stitches.
V-Stitch – [Double crochet, chain 1, Double crochet] in the same st.

Start Here…

Back Panel

Row 1: Fhdc 44(50, 56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92). Turn.

Row 2-3: Ch 2. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 4. Sk next st. *V-st in next st. Sk next 2 sts. Rep from * until 2 sts left. Ch 1. Sk next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 4. *V-st in next ch-1 sp between v-st from previous row. Rep from * until last v-st is worked. Ch 1. Dc in 3rd ch of t-ch. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 2. *Hdc in next 2 sts. Hdc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * to end of row. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 2. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Rows 8-37: Rep rows 4-7 consecutively. Should end on a v-st row.

Sleeves

Row 38: Ch 10 loosely. Hdc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (There should be a total of 9 additional sts.) *Hdc in next 2 sts. Hdc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * to end of row. Fhdc 9 to form sleeve. Start 1st fhdc in the 2nd ch of t-ch. Turn. 62(68, 74, 80, 86, 92, 98, 104, 110) sts.

Row 39: Ch 2. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Next Steps: Rep rows 4-7 consecutively until you’ve worked row 46(47, 47, 50, 51, 55, 58, 59, 62). Should end on a hdc row.

Fasten off and cut yarn.

Front Panel

Rows 1-38: Rep rows 1-38 of the back panel.

Start of V-Neck

Row 39: Ch 2. Hdc in next 27(31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 49, 52) sts. Hdc2tog. Turn.

Row 40: Ch 4. Sk next st. *V-st in next st. Sk next 2 sts. Rep from * until 2 sts left. Ch 1. Sk next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

Row 41: Ch 4. *V-st in next ch-1 sp between v-st from previous row. Rep from * until last v-st is worked. Ch 1. Dc in 3rd ch of t-ch. Turn.

Row 42: Ch 2. Sk 1st st. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Row 43: Ch 2. Hdc in each st across until 4 sts left. [Hdc2tog] twice. Turn.

Next Steps: Rep rows 40-43 consecutively until you’ve worked row 46(47, 47, 50, 51, 55, 58, 59, 62). Should end on a hdc row.

Fasten off and cut yarn. Leave a long tail for seaming.

Start of Other Side of V-Neck

Row 39: Sk 2 sts from the last st worked on the row. Attach yarn to next st. Ch 1. Starting in same st where yarn was attached, Hdc2tog. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Row 40: Ch 4. Sk next st. *V-st in next st. Sk next 2 sts. Rep from * until 2 sts left. Ch 1. Sk next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

Row 41: Ch 4. *V-st in next ch-1 sp between v-st from previous row. Rep from * until last v-st is worked. Ch 1. Dc in 3rd ch of t-ch. Turn.

Row 42: Ch 2. Hdc in each st across until 2 sts left. Hdc2tog. Turn.

Row 43: Ch 2. Sk 1st st. Hdc in next st. Hdc2tog. Hdc in each st across. Turn.

Next Steps: Rep rows 40-43 consecutively until you’ve worked row 46(47, 47, 50, 51, 55, 58, 59, 62). Should end on a hdc row.

Fasten off and cut yarn. Leave a long tail for seaming.

Assembly

All assembly is done with a sl st. Feel free to use your preferred method.
Lay panels with RS facing each other.
Using long tail left from front panel, seam front panel to back panel with sl st across shoulder only. Fasten off and cut yarn. Complete on both sides.
Seam sides of front panel to back panel starting from the bottom corner of panels, up to the armpit, to the edge of the bottom of the sleeve. Fasten off and cut yarn. Complete on both sides.
Turn work RS out.

Neckline Edging

Step 1: With RS facing outward, attach yarn to inside shoulder seam near neckline.
Step 2: Ch 1. Sc evenly around neckline. Sl st to 1^st Fasten off and cut yarn.
Note: Work 1 st per hdc row and 2 sts per v-st row for an even edging.

Sleeve Edging

Attach yarn to the bottom seam of the sleeve. Ch 1. Sc evenly around sleeve opening. Sl st to 1^st Fasten off and cut yarn. Complete on both sides.
Note: Work 1 st per hdc row and 2 sts per v-st row for an even edging.