This top was designed with not one, but two Melanie’s in mind. While both of these ladies are certainly baad mama’s, my hope is that this particular tee will capture the imagination of everyone who loves a good over-sized top with some flair.
Designed to fit loose, with some drama in the back, the slightly boxy shape is flattering on all profiles and sizes. Great on its own or layered, the Melanie Tee is just the thing to see you through every season. Who are the Melanie’s? Read on!
Find more: 31+ Women’s Top Crochet Pattern Collection.
The Yarn
The variegated yarn crochet pattern, the Melanie Tee was designed using a 100% superwash merino 4-ply DK yarn. Once blocked, the drape and texture of this super soft yarn can’t be beat. Worried about wool in the summer? Don’t be! Wool is a natural insulator, perfect to keep you cool (or warm, we know those office buildings are always frigid) as needed.
Designed using the two colors of yarn called Aries and I hate Birthdays, there are a lot of options to change the overall character of this design through color. Use any dark/light combo or reverse the two for a totally different feel to the design. My favorite thing about the “I Hate Birthdays” colorway has to be the little pops of confetti color. This shade would pair perfectly with any of the blue, green, or purple hues in Melanie’s line.
While the depth created by a tonal yarn is one of my absolute favorite characteristics to see in a finished object, the linen stitch body of this tee is perfect for showing off your favorite speckled or hand painted varieties.
DESIGN STORY
If you have ever designed a pattern, or really anything, you may have started with an idea and a direction. This is usually where I start too, but it is almost never where I end up. Originally, this top was going to be the sister to a knit design that is in the works. But, as tends to happen, once I started working the whole direction changed.
I ended up going for a loose fitting tee, mainly because that is all my pregnant self wants to wear these days. Both Melanie’s are pretty laid back, and I wanted this top to reflect a casual approach to fashion, with a little bit of flair. Let’s be honest, I love an open back top! The shell stitches came into play when I was looking for a way to give this piece a little more texture, and everything fell in to place from there.
In my mind, the great thing about a loose fitting top of any type is the ability to layer it over other pieces, wear it on its own, or layer over it. Especially for those of you looking to minimize and curate a capsule wardrobe, a piece like this has the potential to be a multi-season staple.
How Long Does It Take To Crochet That?
How long it takes to crochet something varies depending on your skill & how fast you crochet. But that isn’t a helpful answer is it?
Well, I’ve developed a yarn calculator to help you get the answer to this question.
It will help you calculate exactly how much time you’ll spend crocheting a project.
All you need to know is how much yarn you will use on the project in either meters, yards or skeins. Then crochet your test square & time it.
Calculate how long it takes to crochet that.
THE MELANIE TEE – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern Options
GRAB THE PDF ON RAVELRY
About The Pattern
This top is designed to have room, but not too much. For a fitted top you may wish to size down from your actual bust measurement. For a roomier top, size up! The chart below will list the minimum and maximum recommended bust measurements, as well as act as a guide for stitch counts. For an easy to print copy of the pattern, you may purchase an ad-free PDF on Ravelry.
For reference, counts are occasionally given in the following format: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).
Project Level
Not only does this top use simple stitches and minimal shaping, it is a nice quick make to satisfy your urge to make it right now and finish it before it ends up in the WIP pile.
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
Size 6.5 mm / US: K – 10.5 / UK: 3
Yarn
Yarn used:
Baad Mom Yarns – Warrior Mom in color Aries and I Hate Birthdays.
Yarn amount used:
| *XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
| Main Color | *227 1 Sk. | 276 2 Sk. | 321 2 Sk. | 376 2 Sk. | 444 2 Sk. | 526 3 Sk. | 615 3 Sk. | 733 4 Sk. | 862 4 Sk. |
| Accent Color | 160 1 Sk. | 186 1 Sk. | 237 2 Sk. | 266 2 Sk. | 325 2 Sk. | 357 2 Sk. | 426 2 Sk. | 447 2 Sk. | 523 3 Sk. |
*These sizes are very close to using the entire number of recommended skeins. Consider ordering an extra to be on the safe side!
Yarn characteristics:
- 3 light yarn, DK yarn.
- 100% Superwash Merino
Other Materials Needed
- Needle, find one here (if you don’t already have one)!
Gauge
Measured with linen stitch crocheted in rows:
16 stitches & 18 rows per 10 cm / 4”.
Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- All measurements given are unblocked.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- Make a swatch that measure at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch the gauge is given for. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger. Learn more about testing gauge.
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge. Learn more about substituting yarn.
- This pattern is written for sizes XS-5XL, reference the stitch count and sizing chart included under “Size & Measurements” to choose the best size for you.
Size & Measurements
Abbreviations
- dc = double crochet
- Hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Stitches You Will Need
Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Fan Stitch – Dc Clusters
Linen Stitch – Chain Followed by Single Crochet
Techniques You Will Need
Mattress Stitch – Used to Sew Panels
The Melanie Tee Pattern Instructions
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The pattern is written for sizes XS to 5XL per the Craft Yarn Council sizing standards. I will include notes as to the appropriate section of the included chart to reference at each stage of the pattern.
Front Panel – Bottom Portion
Using accent color.
Set-up: Chain 61 (71, 81, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141) and turn. (Refer to the starting count in the chart for your size and chain that number +1.)
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in every stitch across, chain two and turn.
Row 2: Hdc in every stitch across. Chain two and turn. 60 (70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140)
Row 3: Sc in every stitch across. Chain two and turn. 60 (70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140)
Row 4: Hdc 2 in the first, then in every stitch across until the last, two in the last. Finish your last stitch with the main color. 62 (72, 82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142)
Row 5: With main color attached, chain two and turn. Skip the first stitch and sc in the next. Continue to chain one, skip one, sc one, all the way to the end of the row. (You should have the same number of stitches as the previous row, counting your chain spaces. Refer to the increased stitch count section of the chart.) 62 (72, 82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142)
Continue in linen stitch for 55 (57, 58, 60, 63, 67, 71, 77, 83) rows.
Front Panel – Top Portion
Set-up Row: Join accent color to right corner with the right side of the work facing. Sc in every stitch across for the length of the row, placing one stitch in each of the gaps. Chain three and turn. 62 (72, 82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142)
Row 1: 2dc in first stitch, skip 2, 5dc in the next, *skip 4, 5dc in the next** repeat from *-** to the last 3 stitches, skip 2, 3 dc in last. Chain three and turn. (Refer to the total number of fans section of the chart for reference. We will be counting fans rather than stitches when checking the length of our rows.)
Row 2: 2dc in the first (use the top of the chain three from the previous row), *skip 4, 5dc**, repeat from *-** to the last 5 stitches, skip 4, 3dc in last. Chain three and turn.
Repeat Row 2 of this section until you have 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) rows of fan stitches, including your first row. Now you will work the shoulders.
Shoulders
Part 1: Chain 3 and turn. 2dc in the first stitch. *Skip the next 4 stitches, 5dc in the next, repeat from * 2 (3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) times. Skip the next four stitches, 3 dc in next. Chain three and turn.
Repeat Part 1 of this section until you have 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10) rows of fan stitches, including your first set of complete rows (so counting from the first row of fans after the color section). Fasten off and cut yarn to rejoin on the other side.
Part 2: Join yarn to corner of panel on the opposite side of Part 1. Chain three, 2dc in the same stitch.
*Skip the next 4 stitches, 5dc in the next, repeat from * 2 (3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) times. Skip the next four stitches, 3 dc in next. Chain three and turn.
Repeat Part 1 of this section until you have 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10) rows of fan stitches, including your first set of complete rows (so counting from the first row of fans after the color section). Fasten off and cut yarn to rejoin on the other side.
Back Panel – Bottom Portion
Using accent color.
Set-up: Chain 61 (71, 81, 91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141) and turn. (Refer to the starting count in the chart for your size and chain that number +1.)
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in every stitch across, chain two and turn.
Row 2: Hdc in every stitch across. Chain two and turn. 60 (70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140)
Row 3: Sc in every stitch across. Chain two and turn. 60 (70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140)
Row 4: Hdc 2 in the first, then in every stitch across until the last, two in the last. Finish your last stitch with the main color. 62 (72, 82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142)
Row 5: With main color attached, chain two and turn. Skip the first stitch and sc in the next. Continue to chain one, skip one, sc one, all the way to the end of the row. (You should have the same number of stitches as the previous row, counting your chain spaces. Refer to the increased stitch count section of the chart.) 62 (72, 82, 92, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142)
Continue in linen stitch for 22 (24, 25, 27, 30, 34, 38, 44, 50) rows.
Back Panel – Top Portion
For this section you will need to pay careful attention to the Fans, Sc, Fans portion of the chart. I am including a condensed version here for you to use.
Set-up: Using your accent color, and with the right side of your panel facing up, sc in every stitch across. Chain three and turn.
Right Side
Row 1: 2dc in first stitch, skip 2, 5dc in the next, *skip 4, 5dc in the next** repeat from *-** until your fan cart matches the appropriate count for your size in the chart, less one of your partial fans. Skip 2, 3dc in last. Chain three and turn.
Row 2: 2dc in the first (use the top of the chain three from the previous row), *skip 4, 5dc**, repeat from *-** to the last 5 stitches, skip 4, 3dc in last. Chain three and turn.
Repeat Row 2 of this section until you have 13 (13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17) rows of fan stitches, including your first row. Fasten off yarn.
Left Side
Row 1: Skip the number of sc stitches indicated in the chart. That would be the sc of the Fans, Sc, Fans, section. In the next stitch, join yarn and chain 3. 2dc in the same stitch. Skip 2, 5dc in the next, *skip 4, 5dc in the next** repeat from *-** until your fan cart matches the appropriate count for your size in the chart, less one of your partial fans. Skip 2, 3dc in last. Chain three and turn.
Row 2: 2dc in the first (use the top of the chain three from the previous row), *skip 4, 5dc**, repeat from *-** to the last 5 stitches, skip 4, 3dc in last. Chain three and turn.
Repeat Row 2 of this section until you have 13 (13, 14, 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17) rows of fan stitches, including your first row. Fasten off yarn.
Finishing
When you’re finished crocheting you have two parts, the front and back panels:
Seaming
Before you sew, I recommend blocking your panels. This will give you a cleaner seam and overall drape. Once they have dried, lay them side by side right side up. Starting at the first rows of your main color, use a mattress stitch and sew up the side until you reach the first row of fans on your back panel. Sew along the first row. Fasten off yarn.
Fold your panels together so the wrong sides are touching. Seam the other side of the panel the same. Align the outer edges of the top portions. Seam using the mattress stitch across the top moving inward. Leave one fan left unsewn from the back panel. Repeat on the other side.
Making the Ties
Join accent color yarn to the corner of the not sewn fan (this is the last partial fan on each side), chain about 60 stitches. Fasten off. Repeat on other not sewn fan.
Fasten threads & weave in ends.
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