Lily Ruffle Sleeve Crochet Top – Free Pattern

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.

Check out the magazine here

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!

Finished Sizes

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.

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

BACK

All Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Ch 84 (96, 106, 118, 128) (140, 150, 162, 172).

Row 1 (RS): Esc in second ch from hook, *ch 1, sk next ch, esc in next ch; repeat from * across, turn. [83 (95, 105, 117, 127) (139, 149, 161, 171)]

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), esc in first st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across, esc in last st, turn. [83 (95, 105, 117, 127) (139, 149, 161, 171)]

Row 3: Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn.

Rows 4 – 39 (39, 41, 41, 41) (43, 43, 43, 43): Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 40 (40, 42, 42, 42) (44, 44, 44, 44): Repeat Row 2.

PM in sides of first and last stitches of previous row (to mark the end of the torso section, before armhole shaping).

Fasten off for sizes x (x, x, x, x) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) only.

BEGIN ARMHOLE SHAPING

Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (x, x, x, x) only

Row 41 (41, 43, 43, 43) (x, x, x, x) (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [81 (93, 103, 115, 125) (x, x, x, x)]

Rows 42 – 46 (42 – 46, 44 – 50, 44 – 52, 44 – 54) (x, x, x, x) (dec): Repeat previous row. [71 (83, 89, 97, 103) (x, x, x, x)]

Sizes x (x, x, x, x) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) only

With RS facing, and including each st and ch-1 in your count:

• pm in x (x, x, x, x) (3rd, 5th, 5th, 7th) st from right edge (marked st will be a ch-1 sp).
• pm in x (x, x, x, x) (3rd, 5th, 5th, 7th) st from left edge (marked st will be a ch-1 sp).

Join yarn to marked ch-sp on right hand side.

Row x (x, x, x, x) (45, 45, 45, 45) (dec): Ch 1, esc in marked ch-1 sp, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st rem before second marked ch-sp, sk next st, esc in marked ch-sp, turn. [x (x, x, x, x) (133, 139, 151, 157)]

Row x (x, x, x, x) (46, 46, 46, 46) (dec): Ch 1, esc in marked ch-1 sp, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st rem before second marked ch-sp, sk next st, esc in marked ch-sp, turn. [x (x, x, x, x) (131, 137, 149, 155)]

Rows x (x, x, x, x) (47 – 56, 47 – 56, 47 – 58, 47 – 60) (dec): Repeat previous row. [x (x, x, x, x) (111, 117, 125, 127)]

All Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Row 47 (47, 51, 53, 55) (57, 57, 59, 61): Repeat Row 3. [71 (83, 89, 97, 103) (111, 117, 125, 127)]

Rows 48 – 61 (48 – 65, 52 – 69, 54 – 71, 56 – 73) (58 – 75, 58 – 77, 60 – 79, 62 – 81):  Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 62 (66, 70, 72, 74) (76, 78, 80, 82): Repeat Row 2.

Do not fasten off.

NECKLINE SHAPING

With RS facing, and including each st and ch-1 in your count:

• pm in ​​21st (25th, 25th, 29th, 29th) (29th, 29th, 33rd, 33rd) st from right edge (marked st will be a ch-1 sp).
• pm in ​​21st (25th, 25th, 29th, 29th) (29th, 29th, 33rd, 33rd) st from left edge (marked st will be a ch-1 sp).

Note: RIGHT and LEFT in the next two sections refer to the panel as you are looking at it, not as it will be worn.

RIGHT SHOULDER

Row 1 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st rem before first marked ch-1 sp, sk next st, esc in marked ch-1 sp, turn. [20 (24, 24, 28, 28) (28, 28, 32, 32)]

Row 2 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across, esc in last st, turn. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Row 3: Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Cut yarn and fasten off.

LEFT SHOULDER

With RS facing, join yarn to second marked ch-1 sp (i.e. the marked space on the left hand side).

Row 1 (dec): Ch 1, esc in marked ch-1 sp, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp;  repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [20 (24, 24, 28, 28) (28, 28, 32, 32)]

Row 2 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Row 3: Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Fasten off.

FRONT

Work as for BACK to end of Row 47 (47, 51, 53, 55) (57, 57, 59, 61).

Rows 48-55 (48-59, 52-63, 54-65, 56-67) (58-69, 58-71, 60-73, 62-75): Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

Row 56 (60, 64, 66, 68) (70, 72, 74, 76): Repeat Row 2.

Do not fasten off.

NECKLINE SHAPING

With RS facing, and including each st and ch-1 in your count:

• pm in 23rd (27th, 27th, 31st, 31st) (31st, 31st, 35th, 35th) st from right edge (marked st will be a ch-1 sp).
• pm in 23rd (27th, 27th, 31st, 31st) (31st, 31st, 35th, 35th) st from left edge (marked st will be a ch-1 sp).

Note: RIGHT and LEFT in the next two sections refer to the panel as you are looking at it, not as it will be worn.

RIGHT SHOULDER

Row 1 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 1 st rem before first marked ch-1 sp, sk next st, esc in marked ch-1 sp, turn. [22 (26, 26, 30, 30) (30, 30, 34, 34)]

Row 2 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across, esc in last st, turn. [21 (25, 25, 29, 29) (29, 29, 33, 33)]

Row 3 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [20 (24, 24, 28, 28) (28, 28, 32, 32)]

Row 4 (dec): Repeat Row 2. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Row 5: Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Row 6: Ch 1, esc in first st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across, esc in last st, turn.

Rows 7 – 8: Repeat Rows 5 and 6.

Row 9: Repeat Row 5.

Cut yarn and fasten off.

LEFT SHOULDER

With RS facing, join yarn to second marked ch-1 sp (i.e. the marked space on the left hand side).

Row 1 (dec): Ch 1, esc in marked ch-1 sp, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp;  repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [22 (26, 26, 30, 30) (30, 30, 34, 34)]

Row 2 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [21 (25, 25, 29, 29) (29, 29, 33, 33)]

Row 3 (dec): Ch 1, esc in first st, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp;  repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [20 (24, 24, 28, 28) (28, 28, 32, 32)]

Row 4 (dec): Repeat Row 2. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Row 5: Ch 1, esc in first st, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * until 2 sts rem, ch 1, sk next st, esc in last st, turn. [19 (23, 23, 27, 27) (27, 27, 31, 31)]

Row 6: Ch 1, esc in first st, esc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, sk next st, esc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across, esc in last st, turn.

Rows 7 – 8: Repeat Rows 5 and 6.

Row 9: Repeat Row 5.

Fasten off.

Assembly

BLOCKING

Block both panels to measurements.

SEAMING

• Lay panels on top of each other so that the right sides are touching (i.e. you are looking at the wrong side).
• Seam the sides, up to and including the last marked row of the torso section (before the decrease rows for armhole shaping).
• Seam the shoulders on each side.
• Turn top the right way around.

Sleeves

Work the following steps for each sleeve.

ARMHOLE TRIM

Join yarn to underarm at seam.

Ch 1, sc evenly around armhole, sl st to join to beg st.

Fasten off.

Note: you do not need to be too concerned about the number of sts in this round; work as evenly as you can, but ensure that you end with an ODD number of sts (this is important!). For reference, you will end up with approx. 75 (87, 93, 99, 105) (109, 119, 125, 135) sts, but it is not essential that you have this exact number.

SLEEVE RUFFLE

Looking at the round just worked:

• pm in 10th (10th, 13th, 16th, 19th) (21st, 23rd, 26th, 31st) st to the right of the underarm seam
• pm in 10th (10th, 13th, 16th, 19th) (21st, 23rd, 26th, 31st) st to the left of the underarm seam

Make sure that you have an ODD number of sts along the shoulder line, between the 2 marked sts.

Note: your marked sts will correspond approx. to the point where you finished the decrease rounds in the armhole shaping sections.

Join yarn to marked st to the left of the underarm seam.

Row 1: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, ch 2), dc in marked st, *sk next st, (3 dc, ch 2, dc) in next st; repeat from * until 1 st rem before marked st on opposite side, sk next st, 3 dc in last st, turn.

Row 2: Ch 5, dc in first st, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * across, ch 1, 3 dc in tch, turn.

Row 3: Ch 5, dc in first st, *ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * across, ch 2, 3 dc in tch, turn.

Sizes x (x, x, x, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) only

Row(s) x (x, x, x, 4) (4, 4, 4-5, 4-5): Repeat Row 3.

SLEEVE SEAMING

Seam ruffle edges to unworked armhole sts on each side. Do not worry if the edges do not meet at the underarm seam. Depending on the size you are making, there may be a little gap at the underarm – this is absolutely fine!

Finishing

NECKLINE TRIM

Join yarn to neckline at either left or right shoulder seam.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around neckline, do not join.

Row 2: Sl st in each st around, sl st to join to beg st.

Fasten off.

HEM TRIM

Join yarn to hem at either left or right side seam.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around hem, do not join.

Row 2: Sl st in each st around, sl st to join to beg st.

Fasten off.

Weave in ends. All done!

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:

Ravelry

Etsy

LoveCrafts

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!

Check out the magazine here

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