Summer’s Breeze Top- FREE Pattern

About The Pattern

I’m so happy you want to make the Summer’s Breeze Top and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  The texture, the coverage, the fit!  It all makes for the most comfortable and fun crochet top.  And what’s more, it’s available in 18 sizes total (XS-5XL in both a halter and a tank style top).  

If you want the inexpensive, printable, ad free PDF version of this top, you can purchase it from our Ravelry, Etsy or site shops.  This PDF is large font, with color coding for each size, making it both easy to read and follow, plus 50% of all our PDF pattern sales are donated to ending modern day slavery! 

Struggling to follow along?  We’ve got a step-by-step picture tutorial for making this top on our blog here, which also includes the story behind how we designed this top.

About The Yarn

For my top I used Lion Brand’s Tuboo yarn.  This is DK weight, 100% bamboo fiber and it is an absolute dream to work with!  I cannot say enough good things about the drape, softness, and colors!  But it is a heavy yarn, especially when compared to it’s acrylic alternatives in the same weight.  I mention this because the weight of the yarn pulls down a lot, which in turns alters the fit of the completed top. This means that if you choose a lighter weight yarn, you may feel the straps of the Tank top, or the armholes of the Halter are a bit snug, because there’s not that weight of the body pulling it down.  

If you cannot get your hands on Truboo for this top, then Lion Brand’s Coboo (which is 50% cotton, 50% bamboo) worked well for my testers, and Darn Good Yarn’s Viscose & Cotton Baby yarn would be a great ethically sourced alternative.  These are both yarns that I have used and can confirm would be a great alternative to Truboo. 

Some other alternative ideas would include: Love Craft’s James C Brett DK cotton or Lion Brand’s Comfy Cotton (only use on Tank version).  These were some of the yarns used by a few of our testers, so while I cannot personally attest to their similarity of weight to Truboo, they seemed to work great for our testers. 

Whatever yarn you choose to make your top in, I would definitely recommend leaning towards a natural fiber (the more natural fiber in the composition, the better), since a natural yarn will have more weight to it. 

I also want to note that the yarn amount suggested in the pattern is on the more liberal side. The tank top will require more yarn than the halter, so you may not need quite as much if you choose to make the halter.

The Design

This top is designed to fit at a -1 to +1 ease of bust, the idea being that it’s a good fit, but still flattering.  Being made in bamboo, it is also a nice and cool top, perfect for summer.  

The pattern includes a pattern for both a Halter style and a tank style top, with the body and bottom ribbing patterns being the same.  The halter top is worked similarly to a raglan, as it starts narrower around the neck and grows in width to cover your bust.  It also has a super amazing racerback that is just so dang perfect.  Need convincing?  Check out this tester picture that I still cannot get over…

Picture by Julia of @hookedbyjulesz

Want to make something a little more straight forward but that still offers a great fit, coverage and is incredibly cute? The tank top is the way to go! I personally think I’ll be wearing my tank top under cardigans all winter long. I love it that much.

The FREE Pattern

What You Need 

5.0 mm (US H-8)

crochet hook (or hook to meet gauge)

3 (3,4,4,5,5,6,7,7) skeins of Lion Brand’s TruBoo or alternate DK weight (3) bamboo or cotton based yarn (approximately 620, 710, 900, 940, 1090, 1200, 1350, 1500, 1600 yards)

Embroidery or darning needle

Scissors 

 

Approximate Completed Measurements 

Size Bust
Circumference
Body Length Armhole Depth
XSmall 28″ 18″ 5.5″
Small 32.5″ 18″ 6″
Medium 36″ 19″ 6.5″
Large 40″ 19″ 7″
XLarge 44″ 20″ 7.5″
2XLarge 48.5″ 21″ 8″
3XLarge 52″ 22″ 8.5″
4XLarge 56.5″ 22″ 9″
5XLarge 60″ 23″ 9″
Gauge Used
18 sts= 4” 
14 rows= 4”
Gauge Pattern
Foundation: Ch a multiple of 3 plus 1, in 2nd ch from hook (hdc, dc), sk 2, *(sc, hdc, dc) in next, sk 2* repeat from *to* until 1 st remains, sc, turn
Row 1: ch 1, (hdc, dc), sk 2, *(sc, hdc, dc) in next sc, sk 2*, repeat from * to * across, sc in last, turn
Repeat row 1 for swatch
Abbreviations Used 
ch= chain 
fsc=foundation single crochet 
sc= single crochet 
hdc= half double crochet
dc= double crochet 
blo= back loop only 
pu= pick up 
st(s)= stitch(s)
sk= skip [stitch]
ss= slip stitch
fo= fasten off 
WS= wrong side [of work]
RS= right side [of work]
Special Stitches Used
Star Stitch:  ch 3, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pu (2 loops on hook), insert into 3rd ch from hook, yo, pu (3 loops on hook), insert into your 1st ch, yo and pu (4 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (5 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (6 loops on hook), yo pull through all 6 loops, yo and ch 1, creating the “eye” of the star (1 loop on hook: first star created)*insert hook into “eye” of star yo, pu (2 loops on hook), insert in between last legs of the star, yo, pu (3 loops on hook), insert hook into same st as last legs, yo, pu (4 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (5 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (6 loops on your hook), yo and pull through all 6 loops, yo and ch 1* (1 loop on hook: second star created). Repeat from * to * to last st, hdc in last (same st as the last leg of the final star)Sedge Stitch: *work a (sc, hdc, dc) in next stitch, sk 2*, repeat from * to *
Pattern Notes
  • This pattern is written in US standard sizes and abbreviations
  • This top is written to fit, with a 1” negative to 1” positive ease on the bust
  • The pattern is written in x-small size with (small, medium, large, x-large, 2x-large, 3x-large, 4x-large and 5x-large) sizes to follow in parentheses.  
  • The final stitch count for each row/round is listed in parentheses following the instructions. 
  • I chose to use the Foundation Single Crochet technique to start my pattern pieces.  If you prefer, you may alternately work a foundation chain equivalent to the fsc listed +1, and work sc across the ch row, starting in the 2nd ch from your hook. 
  • The Front Pattern of the Halter top is worked back and forth in rows, the turning ch does not count as a stitch. 
  • Slip stitches used to join and slip stitches in the bottom ribbing do not count as a stitch
  • The body for both tops is worked in joined turning rounds, vs continuous or spiral rounds.
  • When picking up stitches after fastening off (i.e. changing colors, adding the body, adding the bottom ribbing) always make sure you’re working on the right side of your work. 
  • The body of this pattern is worked in the Sedge stitch.  Each (sc, hdc, dc) of the sedge stitch should be worked into the sc from the previous row/round, (unless you are working into a chain stitch for the Join of The Body portion of the Halter Top Pattern).
  • The bottom ribbing on this top will  be added as you go. To work this technique, I recommend this tutorial by TL Yarn Crafts found here to get an idea how this is worked.  Please note that I do not go down in hook size for this pattern, and the last st for every other row will be a sc instead of sc in blo for our pattern.

Halter Style Top

Neck Ribbing Pattern

Foundation: fsc 89 (91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105) join to first fsc

Row 1[RS]: star st around, ss to top of starting chain, turn (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 stars) 

Round 2[WS]: ch 2, hdc in 1st hdc, hdc in the “eye” of the 1st star, hdc 2 in the “eye” of each remaining star around, hdc in the last st, ss to top of starting ch, turn (89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105)

Round 3 [RS]: ch 1, sc around, ss to top of starting ch, fo. (89, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105)

Front Pattern 

Foundation: starting on the RS and at the join of the Neck Ribbing, sk 27( 27,  26, 26, 25, 25, 24, 24, 23), pu yarn, sedge st across for a total of 33( 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57) sts, turn. (33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57)

Row 1: ch 1, (sc, hdc, dc) in 1st dc, sk 1, sedge st across, turn. (36, 39,  42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60)

Row 2- 19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 33): repeat row 1

You should now have: 90 (99,  108, 117, 126, 135, 144, 153, 156) sts, fo. 

Racerback Pattern

Foundation: starting on the RS and at the 9th st before the back join of the Neck Ribbing Pattern; pu yarn, ch 1, (hdc, dc) in first, sk 2, sedge st 5 times for a total of 17 sts, sc, turn. (18)

Row 1-15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31): ch 1, (hdc, dc) in first, sk 2, sedge st across to last, sc, turn. (18) fo.

Body Join Pattern

Foundation [RS]: starting at the last row of the Racerback Pattern,  sk 9, pu yarn, ch 1, (hdc, dc) in sc, sk 2, sedge st twice, ss in next hdc, ch 9 (15, 18, 24, 27, 33, 36, 42, 48), ss to next dc in last row of the “Front Pattern”, sedge st across to last sc, ch 9 (15, 18, 24, 27, 33, 36, 42, 48), sedge st in first sc of “Racerback Pattern” sedge st twice more, sc in last, ss to top of starting ch 1, turn. (126, 147, 162, 183, 198, 219, 234, 255, 270)

DO NOT Fasten off, proceed to “Both Style Tops Section”

Tank Style Top

Top Ribbing Pattern

Foundation: fsc 115 (139, 147, 163, 179, 195, 211, 227, 243) join to first fsc

Round 1: star st around, ss to top of starting chain, turn (57, 69, 73, 81, 89, 97, 105, 113, 121 stars) 

Round 2: ch 2, hdc in 1st hdc, hdc in “eye” of first star, hdc 2 in the “eye” of each remaining star around, hdc in last st, ss to top of starting ch, turn (115, 139, 147, 163, 178, 195, 211, 227, 243)

Round 3: ch 1, sc around, ss to top of starting ch, fo. (115, 139, 147, 163, 178, 195, 211, 227, 243)

Strap Pattern (make 2) 

Foundation: fsc 45 (49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)

Row 1: star across, turn (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 stars) 

Row 2: ch 2, hdc in 1st hdc, hdc in “eye” of first star, hdc 2 in the “eye” of each remaining star across, hdc in last st, turn (45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)

Row 3: ch 1, sc across, fo leaving tail. (45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77)

Lay the Top Ribbing Pattern flat, with the join at the center back.  Attach the straps to the front and back of either side of the foundation of the “Top Ribbing Pattern” about 3.5” (4”, 4.5”, 5”, 5.5”, 6”, 6.5”, 7”, 7.5”) in from the outermost edge

Body Foundation Pattern

Foundation: starting on the RS and at join of the “Top Ribbing Pattern”, pu yarn, sc in each st around, adding 11 (8, 15, 20, 20, 24, 23, 29, 27) sts as evenly around as possible, ending with a total of 126 (147, 162, 183, 198, 219, 234, 255, 270) stitches.  

DO NOT Fasten off, proceed to “Both Style Tops Section”

Both Style Tops

Body Pattern

Row 1: ch 1, (hdc, dc), sk 2, sedge st around, sc in last, ss to top of starting ch 1, turn. (126, 147, 162, 183, 198, 219, 234, 255, 270)

repeat row 1 until your top is roughly 17” (17”, 18”, 18”, 19”, 19”, 20”, 20”, 21”) long, or as long as you desire.

If you are not changing colors for the Bottom Ribbing, make sure you end on the RS of your work

If you are changing colors for Bottom Ribbing, fo, and pu alternate color yarn on the RS.

Bottom Ribbing Pattern

Foundation: ch 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 11, 11, 11, 11)

Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in blo across, ss into 2 sts of body, turn (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10) 

Row 2: sc in blo  4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 9, 9, 9, 9), sc in last, turn (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10) 

Row 3: ch 1, sc in 1st, sc in blo 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 9, 9, 9, 9), ss into 2 sts of body, turn (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10) 

Row 4-125 (146, 161, 182, 197, 218, 233, 254, 269): repeat rows 2&3 around the entirety of the body opening (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10) 

Row 126 (147, 162, 183, 198, 219, 234, 255, 270): join foundation to row 125 (146, 161, 182, 197, 218, 233, 254, 269), ss into each stitch across, joining both rows together.  Fo and weave in ends. (5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10)

2 Comments

  • although we are heading into the cold your summer breeze top will be a reminder of the hot days in sun we had this as plan to make over the winter read for next year also the muted tone makes a differences and will stand out against the bolder hush of the typical summer tones

    • So true! I’m looking forward to wearing my more muted tank as a layering piece throughout winter 😀

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