The Summertime Tee, a Breezy Modern Crochet Top

Meditative rows of simple stitches and basic construction come together to make the ultimate warm weather crochet top, the Summertime Tee!

This latest collaboration with JOANN gave me a chance to further explore crochet garment design. Past designs like the Astrid Ruana and Veronica Cardi are perfect for getting cozy. With spring in full swing, it was time to venture out of my comfort zone and try a lighter weight layering piece! The Summertime Tee fits the bill perfectly and is available as a FREE pattern here on TLYCBlog.

This post contains affiliate links that support TLYCBlog content. All opinions are my own.

PIN IT NOW, READ IT LATER

Find a printer friendly, PDF version of the Summertime Tee in my  Ravelry shop and on TLYarnCrafts.com. PDF version includes full-color, 6 page instructions and photo explanations.

Favorite this pattern and share your projects with me on Ravelry – click here!

Until the recent wave of crochet bloggers, summer crochet design options have been pretty limited. Before I started designing, my warm weather pattern options usually included beach coverups and home décor items. I’m so excited to see more garments and even designed my own vest last year, the Denim Breeze Vest.

The idea for the Summertime Tee came from memories of beach bonfires, strolling the boardwalk for ice cream, and holiday cookouts. I wanted to design a go-to top that was flattering for every shape and was casual enough for any event.

Style the Summertime Tee like any staple in your closet. On casual Friday at work, pair it with skinny jeans, a cropped blazer, and stacked bracelets. For a weekend shopping trip, try distressed denim, sandals, and big hoop earrings. When it’s time for brunch, tuck your tee into high-waisted shorts and complete the look with your favorite tennis shoes. The options are endless!

The mesh-look fabric of the Summertime Tee uses a simple modification on the single crochet – the extended single crochet, abbreviated esc. Paired with chain stitches, this stitch adds visual interest and texture to the garment without adding bulk. Crocheters of all skill levels will enjoy the ease of this stitch and how quickly the finished piece comes together. Other techniques in this pattern include BLO ribbing, finishing a neckline, and chainless foundation stitches, which you can learn using my tutorial here: watch the tutorial.

While strolling the aisles of JOANN with the Summertime Tee idea floating in my head, I stumbled upon Lion Brand Jeans Colors. For a 100% acrylic yarn, I could not believe the softness. It’s a 4-Medium weight yarn that becomes surprisingly light, depending on the stitch used. I originally tried a much more textured stitch when I started the design but fell in love with the drape that resulted from the extended single crochet and chain stitch combination.

The smallest size of this pattern only uses 3 skeins of Lion Brand Jeans and I made the original sample from the color Khaki. Find this yarn at your local JOANN store or on JOANN.com.

Having other talented makers test a new design is a crucial part of my design process. I love working with pattern testers because they bring a different perspective to the design that I might not have considered. Pattern testers help me to clarify verbiage in my written patterns and make sure I don’t have any typos or mistakes. When you stare at a pattern as long as I sometimes do, a fresh pair of eyes is exactly what you need.

I was lucky to find a group of generous testers via my TLYC Insiders group. Please click their links below and show them some love on their amazing finished Summertime Tees!

–Cindy of @moosenowl

–Shelly of @daisystitchco

–Key of @designsbykey

-Caitlin of @cozee_creations_co

–Tearsha of @light.of.a.maker

–Nadir of @unraveledgrace

–Alliyah of @yarnfox_

–Sarah S. of @stitchedbysarahs

Click to PIN this Post!

Summertime Tee Pattern

FINISHED SIZE:

• Bust: 38 (42, 46, 50, 54)”
• Note: This garment was designed with approximately 4-6” of ease. Please take this into consideration when choosing your size.

MATERIALS:

-3(4, 4, 5, 5) balls of Lion Brand Yarn Jeans Colors in the color Khaki

-6.0mm crochet hook

-6.5mm crochet hook

-Scissors

-Yarn Needle

-Measuring Tape

-Stitch Markers

GAUGE:

4 inches square = 8 stitches and 11 rows in esc + ch 1 pattern, using K hook

ABBREVIATIONS:

• BLO = back loop only
• Ch = chain
• Cont = continue
• FDNsc = foundation single crochet
• Rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• Sc = single crochet
• Sk = skip
• Sp = space
• St(s) = stitches
• Tch = turning chain
• WS = wrong side

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL HERE!

Pattern Stitch – Extended single crochet (esc).

Esc = insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up loop. Yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.

NOTES:

• Beginning ch 3 counts as esc + ch 1.
• Pattern is written for 38” bust size with all other sizes in parentheses in order of 42, 46, 50, 54 inch bust.
• Numbers in parenthesis at the end of some rows represents the total number of stitches in that row.
• The finished garment is made to fit loosely. Adjust the number of stitches to customize your fit. To adjust the bust size, create a ribbing that will make Row 1 of the Front Panel – Body and Back Panel be a multiple of 2 + 1.
• CHECK YOUR GAUGE! This pattern is made with a loose gauge that is likely to stretch. Go for a gauge that is exact or slightly smaller than the gauge listed above.

Front Panel – Body

Step 1: With J hook, ch 6 (6, 6, 8, 8). Sc in 2^nd chain from hook and each ch across. (5, 5, 5, 7, 7 sc)

Step 2: Turn. Ch 1. Sc in BLO across row.

Step 3: Rep Step 2 until ribbing measures 19 (21, 23, 25, 27) inches when slightly stretched, ending with an odd number of rows.

Row 1: With K hook, ch 1. Rotate ribbing to work into row ends. Sc in each row end across. You should have the same number of sc as your number of ribbing rows.

Row 2: Turn. Ch 3. Sk first 2 sts. Esc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, esc in next st; rep from * across row.

Row 3: Turn. Ch 3. Sk first esc. *Esc in next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to tch. Esc in 2^nd ch of tch.

Rep Row 3 until panel measures 14 inches, including ribbing.

Front Panel – Sleeves

Step 1: Ch 1. Without cutting the yarn, FDNsc 4 inches, ending with an even number of FDNsc stitches made. Drop hook from loop.

Step 2: Using the opposite side of the yarn ball, FDNsc the same number of sts from Step 1. Cut yarn from the ball and set it aside. Insert hook back into loop of FDNsc attached to the panel.

Row 1: Turn. Ch 3. Sk first 2 FDNsc sts. *Esc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 sc; rep from * across FDNsc sts.

Row 1, cont.: When you reach the Body, *esc in the next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to tch. Esc in 2^nd ch of tch. Ch 1. Pick up FDNsc sts made in Step 2. Sk first FDNsc. *Esc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * across to last FDNsc. Esc in last FDNsc.

Row 2: Turn. Ch 3. Sk first esc. *Esc in next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to tch. Esc in 2^nd ch of tch.

Rep Row 3 until Sleeve measures 7.5 (8, 8.5, 9, 9.5) inches high, including FDNsc sts.

Front Panel – Neck Shaping

Step 1: Place stitch markers in an esc 8.5 (9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5) inches in from Sleeve to mark shoulders on either side of panel.

Step 2A: (RS) Turn. Ch 3. Sk first esc. *Esc in next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to first marker. Esc in marked stitch. Remove marker.

Step 2B: (WS) Turn. Ch 3. Sk first esc. *Esc in next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to tch. Esc in 2^nd ch of tch. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Step 3A: With RS facing, join yarn in marked st. Ch 3. Sk first esc. *Esc in next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to tch. Esc in 2^nd ch of tch.

Step 3B: Turn. Ch 3. Sk first esc. *Esc in next esc, ch 1; rep from * across to tch (made in marked stitch). Esc in 2^nd ch of tch. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Back Panel

Repeat all Front Panel instructions (including Body, Sleeves, and Neck Shaping) with this exception: Rep Front Panel – Body Row 3 until Body measures 17 inches instead of 14 inches.

Assembly

Note: All seaming is done using a mattress stitch.

Step 1: With RS facing each other, use remaining tails from Front Panel – Neck Shaping to seam the shoulders. Complete this step on both sides. Cut yarn.

Step 2: Still with RS facing each other, seam the Front Panel to the Back Panel starting from the bottom of the sleeve to the armpit and down the sides, stopping at the sc row above the ribbing on the Front Panel. This will leave a hip slit at the bottom of the garment. Complete this step on both sides. Cut yarn.

Step 3: Weave in all ends.

Neckline

Step 1: With RS facing out and J hook, join in esc closest to the center of the Back Panel. Ch 1. Sc evenly, working in each esc and ch-1 sp and evenly along sides of stitches where needed. Sl st in first sc of round.

Step 2: Do not turn. Ch 1. Loosely sl st in same st as join and each st around. Sl st in the first sl st of round. Cut yarn.

Sleeves – complete these steps for both sleeves

Step 1: With RS facing out and J hook, join at bottom seam of the sleeve. Sc evenly around sleeve. Do not join.

Step 2: Continuing to work in the round, sc in each st around until start of round. Sl st in next st. Cut yarn.

Weave in all remaining tails. THE END!

Purchase the printable PDF Summertime Tee pattern HERE!

I really hope you have some fun with your Summertime Tee! I can’t wait to see all of your projects! Share then with me on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtags #SummertimeTee and #TLYCMakers for a chance to be featured on my feed. Comment below and let me know what yarn you plan to use for your Summertime Tee 🙂

Click here to pin this post!