This Ruffle Sleeve Crochet Top is sure to be a summer staple in your handmade wardrobe!
It is perfect for dressing up or down, and I love how the feminine lace ruffles elevate an otherwise simple tank top from basic to beautiful.
The pattern is written for 9 sizes from XS – 5X, and is easily customisable to suit all body shapes and sizes.
Studio Crochet | Issue 2
This pattern is featured in Issue 2 of Studio Crochet magazine!
This magazine is a beautiful collaboration between Hannah from HanJan Crochet, RaeLynn from Itchin’ for some Stitchin’ and myself.
The theme of our second issue is lace, and is a celebration of lightweight yarns, open stitch patterns, and crochet lace with a modern flair.
The magazine is not only filled with premium crochet patterns, but also helpful articles, tips and tricks, as well as offering a little “behind the scenes” look into each of our lives.
There are 2 additional ways to get this pattern:
Option 1: You can purchase the individual pattern as an easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF in the following places:
Option 2: Scroll down to get the written instructions for this pattern for free (free pattern excludes schematics and stitch diagrams).
What you’ll need for this crochet summer top
Yarn
Any #3/DK/Light weight yarn in a cotton or cotton blend will work great for this pattern. Alternatively, a lighter #2/Fine/Sport weight yarn could also work, as long as you can match the gauge in the pattern!
For me, nothing says “summer is here!” quite like white cotton. So, for my top, I used StyleCraft Naturals Bamboo Cotton in the colorway “Ecru”.
This yarn is a lovely lightweight blend of cotton and bamboo – perfect for keeping cool during the warm summer months. It’s also durable, and easy to wash, so I will be able to get plenty of wear out of it without worrying about hand-washing 🙂
Hook
For my top, I used a 4mm (G-6) crochet hook. I found that this created a lovely drape with the extended single crochet (esc) moss stitch pattern, but was also small enough for good stitch definition in the ruffles section.
To learn more about drape, Issue 2 of Studio Crochet magazine also includes a detailed guide to drape in crochet projects, and how to create or reduce it.
Other supplies
You will also need some stitch markers to mark out your armhole and neckline shaping sections, as well as a yarn needle for seaming and to weave in those ends.
Crochet Summer Top Sizing
The summer top is designed for a classic fit, with approx. 0-2″-0.5cm of positive ease on the bust. If you would like your top to have a looser fit fit, feel free to size up when choosing the size you will make.
This concept of “ease” refers to the difference between the actual bust measurement and the finished garment measurement. In this pattern, the top is designed to be larger than the actual bust measurement, hence the term “positive ease.”
Choosing a size
The sizes in this pattern are based on the body measurements as laid out by the Craft Yarn Council.
Sizes & bust measurements used in the pattern:
- XS: 28 – 30″ / 71 – 76cm
- S: 32 – 34″ / 81 – 86cm
- M: 36 – 38″ / 91.5 – 96.5cm
- L: 40 – 42″ / 101.5 – 106.5cm
- XL: 44 – 46″ / 111.5 – 117cm
- 2X: 48 – 50″ / 122 – 127cm
- 3X: 52 – 54″ / 132 – 137cm
- 4X: 56 – 58″ / 142 – 147cm
- 5X: 60 – 62″ / 152 – 158cm
When deciding the size you would like to make, you will need to know your actual bust measurement (based on the info above), and this will give you a good starting point for the size you will make.
Next, you will need to decide how closely you want the top to fit to your body. A good way to determine this is to take a piece of clothing that you know fits you really well, measure the width of it, and then compare this to the finished garment measurements listed in the pattern.
Top tip: before you start crocheting, it is a good idea to go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
Crochet Ruffle Sleeve Top Construction
This summer top is worked flat in rows. You will work the front and back panels separately and then seam at the sides and shoulders to create armholes.
There is some shaping at the armholes and neckline but it is very straightforward, and having a few stitch markers to hand will make it much easier!
After seaming, you will work the ruffle sleeves directly into each armhole, and voilà, you are done!
Lily Ruffle Sleeve Top
Free Crochet Pattern
Finished Sizes
| SIZE | To fit bust | Finished garment width | Finished length |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 28 – 30″ / 71 – 76cm | 15″ / 38cm | 18.75″ / 48cm |
| S | 32 – 34″ / 81 – 86cm | 17.25″ / 44cm | 19.75″ / 50cm |
| M | 36 – 38″ / 91.5 – 96.5cm | 19″ / 48cm | 20.75″ / 53cm |
| L | 40 – 42″ / 101.5 – 106.5cm | 21.25″ / 54cm | 21.5″ / 55cm |
| XL | 44 – 46″ / 111.5 – 117cm | 23″ / 58cm | 22″ / 56cm |
| 2X | 48 – 50″ / 122 – 127cm | 25.25″ / 64cm | 22.5″ / 57cm |
| 3X | 52 – 54″ / 132 – 137cm | 27″ / 69cm | 23″ / 58cm |
| 4X | 56 – 58″ / 142 – 147cm | 29.25″ / 74cm | 23.75″ / 60cm |
| 5X | 60 – 62″ / 152 – 158cm | 31″ / 79cm | 24.25″ / 62cm |
Note: The print-friendly PDF also includes a schematic with more detailed measurements.
Gauge
22 sts x 14 rows = 4″ x 4″ / 10 cm x 10 cm measured over esc moss stitch (blocked).
Please note: please do your absolute best to match the gauge for this project , as this will give you the best possible chance of having it turn out the size that you expect! You do not have to use the same hook size as I did, but it is very important to match the gauge.
Materials
Hook
4mm (G-6) crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge)
Yarn
Any #3/DK/Light weight yarn in cotton or a cotton blend.
The amounts given below are for StyleCraft Naturals Bamboo Cotton in Ecru (273yds/250m per 100g skein; Weight: #3/DK; 60% Bamboo, 40% Cotton).
Note on yarn weight: the yarn listed above is definitely on the lighter side for a #3/DK weight yarn. For this reason, try to choose quite a light #3/DK, or alternatively, a #2/Sport weight yarn will also work for this pattern.
| XS | 800 yds / 732m |
| S | 1000 yds / 914m |
| M | 1150 yds / 1052m |
| L | 1350 yds / 1234m |
| XL | 1500 yds / 1372m |
| 2X | 1650 yds / 1509m |
| 3X | 1800 yds / 1646m |
| 4X | 2050 yds / 1875m |
| 5X | 2200 yds / 2012m |
Alternative yarn options:
- King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK (50% Bamboo 50% Cotton, 252yds/230m in 100g)
- Lion Brand Coboo (50% Cotton, 50% Bamboo, 232yds/212m in 100g)
- Rowan SoftYak DK (76% Cotton 15% Yak 9% Nylon, 148yds/135m in 50g)
- WeCrochet Shine Sport (60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal natural beech wood fiber, 110yds in 50g)
- WeCrochet CotLin DK (70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen, 123yds in 50g)
Other items
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers (4)
Pattern Notes
Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.
Skill Level
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- st = stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- esc = extended single crochet (see Special Stitches)
- dc = double crochet
- tch = turning chain
- beg = beginning
- rem = remaining
- pm = place marker
- patt = pattern
- rep = repeat
- dec = decrease
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
Construction
- This top is worked in four steps as follows:
- Back panel is worked flat in rows.
- Front panel is worked flat in rows.
- Both panels are seamed at sides and shoulders.
- Ruffle sleeves are worked directly into the armhole at each side.
- The print-friendly PDF also includes a schematic, stitch chart and step-by-step assembly photos.
Sizing
- This top is designed for a classic fit, with 0-2” / 0-5cm of positive ease at the bust. If you would like your top to be a little more oversized, you can consider sizing up. Please consult the measurements outlined above when selecting the size you will make.
- The sizes in this pattern are based on the body measurements as laid out by the Craft Yarn Council.
- Before you start, go through the pattern and highlight/mark the stitch and row counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).
Adjustments
- Width: this garment is designed for a classic fit (see Sizing notes above). I suggest choosing your size based on the finished chest measurements in the table above, and then adjusting the other aspects from there.
- Torso Length: to make your top longer/shorter, you can simply work more/less rows before the “Armhole Shaping” section. Ensure that you end on a “Row 2” repeat before moving on to the armhole. And remember to add/subtract the same number of rows on the Front and Back!
- Armhole Depth: if you would like your armhole bigger/smaller then you can work more/less rows AFTER the decrease rows have been completed. Again, remember to add/subtract the same number of rows on both sides!
General Pattern Notes
- Ch 1 at the start of a row does not count as a st.
- Ch 5 at the start of a sleeve row counts as 1 dc, ch 2.
- Instructions are written for multiple sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).
- If an instruction does not apply for a particular size, then an “x” is used as a placeholder for that size: e.g. “Sizes x (x, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) only” indicates that the next instruction is not worked for sizes XS and S.
- The stitch count for each row is given in [ ] at the end of the row.
- For the Front and Back panels, chains are included in the stitch count.
- If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as the previous row.
Purchase the Print-friendly PDF
The print-friendly PDF version of this pattern also contains:
- Schematic (detailed measurements)
- Lace Ruffle Stitch Chart
- Step-by-step assembly photos
SPECIAL STITCHES
Extended Single Crochet (esc)
Step 1: Insert hook into indicated st and pull up a loop. [2 loops on hook]
Step 2: Yarn over and pull up a loop i.e. ch 1. [2 loops on hook]
Step 3: Yarn over and pull through both loops.
Written Pattern
And, if you would like the PDF version of this pattern, you have a few options!
Option 1: You can purchase the individual pattern as an easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF in the following places:
Option 2: You can get this pattern in Studio Crochet Issue 2: Lace.
This 60-page magazine is beautifully formatted, and features a total of 7 premium crochet patterns, as well as crochet tutorials, articles and much more!
I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!
Happy crocheting!
Sarah