You’re going to love the Top Down Crochet Tee with Braids. It’s a beautiful crochet top for any season, that is crocheted from the neck down.
The beautiful braid details creates a lovely striped interest to the otherwise simple top.
Most of this crochet tee is made up of single crochet stitches.
Sizes available are from XS to 5XL.
Find more: 31+ Women’s Top Crochet Pattern Collection.
How to get this crochet pattern:
Option 1: Scroll down to see the FREE Crochet Pattern ⬇️
Option 2: Purchase the printable PDF:
Option 3: Get the printable version inside the crochet pattern membership.
Option 4: Most of my crochet patterns can also be found on Ravelry, Love Crafts and Etsy.
The Yarn
To crochet this top down crochet tee, the suggested yarn is 24/7 Cotton from Lion Brand Yarn.
The two yarn colors featured are new in 2021, the lovely Dragonfly & Cool Grey.
But they have lots of lovely colors to choose from!
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EASY CROCHET TOP PATTERN
This crochet top down tee pattern might seem difficult, but the look might fool you.
The top is worked from the neck down in one piece, then split into short sleeves and body at bust.
With mostly beginner friendly single crochet stitches, it’s easy to work up.
The few rows of braided puff stitches creates a fun challenge for new crocheters, & makes for a fun change of monotony between the repeats of basic stitches.
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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.
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TOP DOWN CROCHET TEE – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
About The Pattern
Lovely top down crochet tee that comes in sizes from XS to 5XL. As the name suggests it’s worked from the top down.
This crochet top is easier than it might look, as it’s mostly single crochet stitches.
This top is truly a great top for any season.
Project Level
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
Size 6 mm / US: J – 10 / UK: 4
Hook I used: Symphonie Rose Crochet Hooks from Knitpro
Yarn
Yarn used:
Lion Brand – 24/7 Cotton in color Cool Grey (CA) and Dragonfly (CB).
Yarn amount used:
Color A:
- XS: 3
- S: 4
- M: 4
- L: 4
- XL: 4
- 2XL: 5
- 3XL: 5
- 4XL: 5
- 5XL: 6
Color B:
- XS: 2
- S: 2
- M: 2
- L: 2
- XL: 3
- 2XL: 3
- 3XL: 3
- 4XL: 3
- 5XL: 3
Yarn characteristics:
- 4 medium yarn.
- 100 % mercerized cotton
Other Materials Needed
- Needle, find one here (if you don’t already have one)!
Gauge
Measured on single crochet stitches crocheted in rounds:
14 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 9 sizes, where the different sizes is given in parenthesis like this: XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL. If just one number is given, it applies to all sizes. I recommend that you highlight or circle the size you’re making before you begin to make the pattern easier to follow. Size adjustments are added under the heading “Size & Measurements”.
- At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis.
Size & Measurements
Size Notes
- This crochet pattern is written to have positive ease. Learn more about mastering ease in crochet garments.
Size Adjustments
- Yoke: Adjust length, by adding/reducing rounds.
- Body: Add/reduce length by adjusting how many rounds you crochet.
Diagram
Abbreviations
- CA = color A
- CB = color B
- ch = chain(s)
- dc = double crochet
- fsc = foundation single crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
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
Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)
Written description:
Step 1: Ch 2 st.
Step 2: Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop. Yo and pull through first loop (making “chain”). Yo and pull through both loops on hook.
Step 3: Insert hook into previous “chain” you made (It should look like you go through a resemblance of a “normal” st, with 2 strands of yarn), pull up a loop, yo and pull through first loop (making “chain”). Yo and pull through both loops on hook.
Repeat step 3 until you’ve made enough stitches. *2nd ch in step 1 makes 1 st, step 2 makes 1 st & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 st.
ZIG ZAG PUFF STITCH:
The Zig Zag Puff Stitch will be worked on the yoke part of the top. It includes the “Puff” itself + the stitch combination as given on those specific rounds.
PUFF WRITTEN TUTORIAL:
In stitch or space indicated: *Yarn over, pull up a loop*, repeat from *to* 2 more times, you have 7 loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through all.
Find a stitch tutorial for the Zig Zag Puff Stitch here.
Top Down Crochet Tee Pattern Instructions
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Yoke
With CA FSC 72 (72) 72 (72) 78 (78) 84 (84) 84 st, sl st in 1st st.
Round 1 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc 1 in each st, sl st in top of 1st sc, turn (= 72 (72) 72 (72) 78 (78) 84 (84) 84 st).
Round 2 CA: Repeat round 1.
SIZE XS-S ONLY:
Round 3-7 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=72 st).
Round 8 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), *sk 1 st, dc 1 in next st, puff 1 in sk st, ch 1*, repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=108 st).
Round 9 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sk 1st st, dc 1 in ch from previous row, puff in space between last puff and dc from previous row, ch 1, *skip dc and space between puffs, dc in next ch from previous row, puff in space between puffs* repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=108 st).
Round 10-19 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=108 st).
Round 20 with CA: Repeat round 8 (=162 st).
Round 21 with CA: Repeat round 9 (=162 st).
Round 22-33 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=162 st).
SIZE M – L ONLY:
Round 3 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 11 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=78 st)
Round 4-5 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=78 st).
Round 6 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 12 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=84 st).
Round 7 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=84 st).
Round 8 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), *sk 1 st, dc 1 in next st, puff 1 in sk st, ch 1*, repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=126 st).
Round 9 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sk 1st st, dc 1 in ch from previous row, puff in space between last puff and dc from previous row, ch 1, *skip dc and space between puffs, dc in next ch from previous row, puff in space between puffs* repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=126 st).
Round 10-19 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=126 st).
Round 20 with CA: Repeat round 8 (=189 st).
Round 21 with CA: Repeat round 9 (=189 st).
Round 22-32 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=189 st).
Round 33 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in each st, sl st in top of 1st sc, turn (=190 st).
SIZE XL-2XL ONLY:
Round 3 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 12 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=84 st).
Round 4 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 13 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=90 st).
Round 5 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=90 st).
Round 6 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=90 st).
Round 7 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 14 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=96 st).
Round 8-9 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=96 st).
Round 10 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), *sk 1 st, dc 1 in next st, puff 1 in sk st, ch 1*, repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=144 st).
Round 11 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sk 1st st, dc 1 in ch from previous row, puff in space between last puff and dc from previous row, ch 1, *skip dc and space between puffs, dc in next ch from previous row, puff in space between puffs* repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=144 st).
Round 12-21 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=144 st).
Round 22 with CA: Repeat round 10 (=216 st).
Round 23 with CA: Repeat round 11 (=216 st).
Round 24-34 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=216 st).
SIZE XL ONLY:
Round 35 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=216 st).
SIZE 2XL ONLY:
Round 35 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 8 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat from *to* 23 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=240 st).
SIZE 3XL-5XL ONLY:
Round 3 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 13 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=90 st).
Round 4 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 14 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=96 st).
Round 5-6 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=96 st).
Round 7 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 15 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=102 st).
Round 8 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *Sc 1 in the next 16 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat 5 times, sl st in top of 1st sc (=108 st).
Round 9-11 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=108 st).
Round 12 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), *sk 1 st, dc 1 in next st, puff 1 in sk st, ch 1*, repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=162 st).
Round 13 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sk 1st st, dc 1 in ch from previous row, puff in space between last puff and dc from previous row, ch 1, *skip dc and space between puffs, dc in next ch from previous row, puff in space between puffs* repeat from *to* until end of round, sl st in 1st dc, turn (=162 st).
Round 14-23 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=162 st).
Round 24 with CA: Repeat round 12 (=243 st).
Round 25 with CA: Repeat round 13 (=243 st).
Round 26-38 with CB: Repeat round 1 (=243 st).
SIZE 3XL ONLY:
Round 39 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st), *sc 1 in the next 12 st, sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in the next 11 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat from *to* 9 times, sc 1 in the next 12 st, sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in next 5 st, sl st in top of 1st sc (=262 st).
SIZE 4XL ONLY:
Round 39 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st) *sc 1 in the next 5 st, sc 2 in next st, sc 1 in next 6, sc 2 in next st* repeat 18 times, sc 1 in next 5 st, sc 2 in next, sc 1 in the next 3 st, sl st in top of 1st sc (=280 st).
SIZE 5XL ONLY:
Round 39 with CB: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc 1 in next 11 st, *sc 1 in the next 3 st, sc 2 in next st* repeat from *to* 55 times, sc 1 in next 12 st, sl st in top of 1st sc (=298 st).
Continue directly on body.
Body
Round 1 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *sc 1 in the next (51 (53) 63 (64) 71 (78) 84 (89) 96 st), FSC 6 (10) 8 (13) 13 (14) 15 (17) 17 st, sk (30 (28) 32 (31) 37 (42) 47 (51) 53 st)*, repeat from *to* once, sl st in top of 1st sc, turn (=114 (126) 142 (154) 168 (184) 198 (212) 226) st.
Round 2 with CA: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc 1 in each st, sl st in top of 1st sc, turn (=114 (126) 142 (154) 168 (184) 198 (212) 226) st.
Round 3-55 with CA: Repeat round 2.
Round 56-68 with CB: Repeat round 2.
Round 69-71 with CA: Repeat round 2.
Fasten off & cut yarn.
Sleeves
Attach yarn in the middle under arm with the wrong side facing.
Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as st), sc 1 in each st, sl st in top of 1st sc, turn (=36 (38) 40 (44) 50 (56) 62 (68) 70) st.
Round 2-3: Repeat round 1.
Fasten off & cut yarn.
Finishing
Fasten threads & weave in ends.
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