Welcome to the ultimate guide for crocheting the Summer Breeze Top! This pattern is a beautifully light and airy design, perfect for warm weather, layering, or as a chic beach cover-up. It uses a simple, repeating lace motif that creates a delicate fabric, making it a surprisingly quick project for any crocheter—even a beginner!
The top is constructed from two identical flat panels (front and back) that are later seamed together, which simplifies shaping and allows you to customize the fit easily.
🧶 Materials & Tools
For a successful garment, choose a yarn with good drape and breathability.
- Yarn: Approximately 300–450 grams (depending on size) of Fingering/Sport Weight (Category 2 or 3) yarn. Cotton, linen, or a lightweight acrylic blend is ideal for a summery feel.
- Hook: 3.5 mm (US size E/4) crochet hook, or the size needed to meet gauge.
- Notions:
- Tapestry needle (for seaming and weaving in ends).
- Scissors.
- Measuring tape (essential for taking body measurements).
- Stitch markers (to mark armhole and shoulder seams).
📏 Sizing, Measurements, & Gauge
This pattern is easily adaptable to any size based on your body measurements. We will be calculating the width of the front and back panels.
Taking Measurements
- A. Chest Circumference: Measure around the fullest part of your bust.
- B. Width: Divide your Chest Circumference by 2. This is the finished width of one panel.
- C. Length to Armhole (Sleeve Hole): Measure from your shoulder down to your armpit.
- D. Total Length: Measure from your shoulder down to where you want the hem to fall.
Gauge (Measured in the Lace Pattern)
- Lace Motif: 1 repeating motif (2 DC + Ch 1 + 2 DC) should measure approximately 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) wide.
- Overall Gauge: 4 rows of the pattern should measure approximately 3.5 cm (1.4 inches) tall.
Calculating Your Starting Chain
The lace pattern repeat is a multiple of 5, plus 1 at the start.
- Take your desired Width (B) measurement.
- Chain a length that stretches to this measurement.
- Adjust your final chain count until it is a multiple of 5, plus 1.
Example: If your desired width is 45 cm, and 45 cm is 111 chains, you would round this down or up to the nearest (multiple of 5) + 1. If 110 is a multiple of 5, you would chain 111.
📘 Abbreviations & Stitch Pattern (US Terms)
This pattern uses standard US terminology and a 4-row repeating lace sequence.
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
| ch | Chain |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| sc | Single Crochet |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| ch-sp | Chain space |
The Lace Motif
The repeating motif is: (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) worked into the previous row’s Ch-4 space.
🧱 Part 1: Initial Set-Up (Base & SC Row)
We begin the construction of the first panel (e.g., the Back Panel).
Row 1 (Base Row – SC):
- Chain your calculated count (Multiple of 5 + 1).
- SC in the 2nd ch from the hook and SC in every chain across.This creates a dense, non-stretchy foundation.
Row 2 (Foundation for Lace – Arches):
- Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Turn.
- SC in the first st.
- *Ch 4.
- Skip 3 sts.
- SC in the next st, SC in the next st (2 SC total).***
- Repeat from * to * across the row.
- End the row with SC in the last st.
🌊 Part 2: The Main Body (Lace Repeat)
We now establish and repeat the 4-row lace sequence until the desired height is reached.
Row 3 (Motif Row – RS):
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC). Turn.
- DC in the first SC (forms a starting half-motif/edge).
- Ch 1.
- In the next Ch-4 space, work the Lace Motif: (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC).
- Repeat
(2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC)in every Ch-4 space across the row. - End the row by skipping the last SC (of the 2 SC set) and working DC in the very last SC of the previous row.
Row 4 (Arch Row – WS):
- Ch 1. Turn.
- SC in the first DC.
- Ch 2.
- Work SC in the next Ch-1 space (the center of the motif).
- SC in the next Ch-1 space (the separation between the 2 SC set).
- Repeat the sequence across: *Ch 4, SC in the center Ch-1 sp of the next motif, SC in the separation Ch-1 sp.
- End the row with Ch 2, and SC in the top of the beginning Ch 3.
Row 5 (Motif Row – RS):
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC). Turn.
- DC in the first SC.
- Ch 1.
- Work the Lace Motif (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) into the Ch-4 space.
- Repeat the Motif across the row.
- End the row with DC in the last SC of the previous row.
Row 6 (Arch Row – WS):
- Ch 1. Turn.
- SC in the first DC.
- Ch 4.
- Work SC in the center Ch-1 sp of the next motif, SC in the separation Ch-1 sp.
- Repeat the sequence: *Ch 4, SC in the center Ch-1 sp, SC in the separation Ch-1 sp.
- End the row with SC in the top of the beginning Ch 3.
Continue Repeating Rows 3-6:
- Repeat the 4-row sequence until the panel reaches the Length to Armhole (C) measurement. End after a Motif Row (Row 3 or 5 repeat).
✂️ Part 3: Shaping the Neckline (Square)
At the armhole height, we will create a simple square neckline by dividing the work and only crocheting across the shoulders.
- Identify Shoulder Width: Decide how wide you want the shoulder straps to be (e.g., 3-4 full motifs). Mark the starting and ending motifs for the shoulders. The space in between is the neckline.
- First Shoulder: Continue the next Arch Row (Row 4 or 6 repeat), working the pattern as usual, but STOP when you reach the stitch marker for the end of the first shoulder. Do not chain or turn.
- Turn & Work: Turn and continue working the Motif and Arch rows only across the shoulder stitches.
- Height: Work these shortened rows until the shoulder strap reaches the desired Total Length (D).
- Finish: Fasten off.
- Second Shoulder: Attach yarn to the other side of the neckline opening (at the second shoulder marker).
- Work: Repeat steps 2-5 for the second shoulder strap.
- Repeat Panel: Create an identical second panel for the front.
💖 Part 4: Assembly & Finishing
With both front and back panels complete, we will seam them together and add a final edge.
1. Seaming the Shoulders
- Place the front and back panels Right Sides together.
- Align the shoulder straps.
- Sl st or use a tapestry needle and yarn to seam the shoulders together along the top edge.
2. Seaming the Sides
- Measure down from the shoulder seam the distance of the Length to Armhole (C). Place a stitch marker here on both sides. This is the top of your armhole opening.
- Starting from the bottom hem, sl st or use a tapestry needle to seam the side edges together until you reach the armhole marker.
- Fasten off and repeat on the other side.
3. Edging (Neckline and Armholes)
- Neckline: Join yarn anywhere along the neckline edge. Ch 1. Work one round of SC evenly around the entire neckline opening. Join with a sl st to the first SC. Fasten off.
- Armholes: Repeat the SC edging around both armhole openings for a clean, finished look.
- Weave Ends: Securely weave in all remaining yarn tails.
Your finished Summer Breeze Top is now ready to wear!
