Beginner Crochet Top Pattern Summer You Can Size To Any Body

This easy crochet crop top pattern is built to be simple, structured, and fully adjustable, making it a great first garment project. You’ll crochet two identical bra cups using a clean single crochet increase method that shapes the top of the cup smoothly without complicated stitch patterns. After that, you connect the cups with a straight single crochet joining row and add back wings for coverage and comfort.

Crochet Top

A light mesh row adds a little spacing and flexibility, then you finish the body with solid rows so the top feels secure. The straps are long, strong, and adjustable because they’re made from a reinforced chain with slip stitches back down, and the back is finished with lace up eyelets so you can tighten or loosen the fit anytime.

Materials

• 8 ply cotton yarn about 2.5 to 3 oz for a small and more for larger sizes
• Crochet hook that matches your yarn label recommendation
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Measuring tape

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sp = space

Notes Before You Start

• This pattern is made to your measurements, so you can size it for any body without complicated stitch math
• The cups grow by adding 3 sc in the center stitch at the top of the cup on every row
• The stitch marker always stays in the middle stitch of the 3 sc increase
• The first cup is finished and yarn is cut, the second cup stays attached to yarn so you can connect everything smoothly
• For a firmer more supportive fabric, use a slightly smaller hook than the label suggests

Measurements You Need

• Measurement A cup height
• Measure from underbust line straight up to the center of your bust
• Use Measurement A to decide how many starting chains to make for each cup
• Cup width goal
• Measure across the fullest part of one bust from inner edge to outer edge
• This helps you decide when the cup is wide enough
• Underbust length for band
• Measure around your ribcage where the band will sit
• You will create back wings to reach and lace for adjustability
• Desired body length
• Measure from the bottom of the cups down to where you want the crop top to end

Bra Cups Make 2

Cup Foundation Chain

• Make a slip knot
• Chain until the chain length equals Measurement A
• Make sure the number of chains for the measurement is even
• Add 1 extra chain at the end

Cup Row 1

• Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook
• Sc in each chain across until you reach the very last chain
• In the last chain work 3 sc
• Place a stitch marker in the middle sc of that 3 sc group
• Continue to sc down the other side of the foundation chain
• Sc in each chain loop on the opposite side until you reach the end

For Cup Row 2

• Ch 1 and turn
• Sc in each stitch until you reach the marked stitch
• In the marked stitch work 3 sc
• Move the marker into the middle sc of the new 3 sc group
• Sc in each stitch across to finish the row

Cup Row 3 and Beyond

• Ch 1 and turn
• Sc in each stitch until you reach the stitch marker
• Work 3 sc in the marked stitch
• Move marker to the new middle stitch
• Sc in each stitch to the end of the row
• Keep repeating this same increase row until the cup reaches your desired width

Cup Fit Check

• Stop increasing when the cup comfortably covers from inner bust point to outer bust point
• If you want more coverage, add a few more increase rows
• If the cup feels too tall but not wide enough, restart with a shorter Measurement A chain and grow width with rows instead of height

Finish Cup 1

• Fasten off and cut yarn
• Leave a long tail for weaving in

Finish Cup 2

• Complete the second cup the same way
• Do not cut the yarn when you finish cup 2
• Keep the hook attached so you can begin connecting immediately

Connecting the Cups and Building the Band

Back Wing Chain On Cup 2

• With yarn still attached to cup 2, ch to create the first back wing
• Use about 15 chains as a starting point or chain until it measures about 2.7 to 2.8 inches
• Remember you can make this longer if you want more back coverage or shorter if you prefer a tighter band

Join Row Across Wing and Cup Bottoms

• Turn your work
• Sc in each chain back toward the cup
• Continue sc evenly across the bottom edge of cup 1
• Use one sc per stitch along the cup edge
• Join into the bottom edge of cup 2 so the cups sit next to each other
• Continue sc across the bottom edge of cup 2
• Ch again for the second back wing using the same chain count or the same measured length
• Turn and sc in each chain back to the cup edge to complete the band row

Shape and Placement Notes For the Join

• Make sure cup peaks face upward and the cups mirror each other
• If there is a gap between cups, add a few extra sc stitches in the center join area on the next row
• If the cups feel too close, remove a few stitches at the join and try again

Mesh Row For Flexibility

• Ch 4 to begin the row
• Dc in the next stitch you are working into
• Ch 1
• Skip 1 stitch
• Dc in the next stitch
• Ch 1
• Keep repeating skip 1, dc, ch 1 across the entire row
• At the end of the row, finish with a dc into the last stitch if possible for a neat edge

Solid Row After Mesh

• Ch 1 and turn
• Sc in each dc
• Sc in each ch 1 space
• Continue sc across the row to lock the mesh into place

Lower Body Rows

• Ch 1 and turn
• Sc in each stitch across
• Repeat solid sc rows until the body reaches your desired length
• A short crop length can be around 2.5 inches of body depth
• For more coverage, continue adding sc rows until it reaches the length you want

Sizing Tips For the Body

• If the body feels too tight, go up a hook size or add a few stitches at each side edge on the next row
• If the body feels too loose, go down a hook size or reduce width by skipping one stitch at each side edge occasionally

Back Lacing Eyelets

Eyelet Row Placement

• Work eyelets along the vertical edge of each back wing where the lacing will pass through
• You want neat evenly spaced holes from the bottom edge up to near the top edge

Eyelet Stitch Pattern

• Attach yarn at the bottom corner of one back wing edge if needed
• Ch 2 or ch 1 depending on your tension for hdc height
• Hdc into the side edge row space
• Ch 1
• Skip the next side row space
• Hdc into the next side row space
• Repeat hdc, ch 1, skip 1 space up the entire edge
• Fasten off and weave in end
• Repeat the same eyelet row on the other back wing edge

Clean Edge Option

• Sc evenly around the full top edge and bottom edge if you want a cleaner finish
• Add 1 sc at row ends and corners as needed to keep the edge flat

Straps

Strap Style

• Each strap is a long chain reinforced by slip stitching back down the chain
• This creates a strong cord that holds shape better than a plain chain

First Strap At Cup Peak

• With yarn attached, sc up the side edge until you reach the peak of cup 1
• Ch a long strap length
• A common strap length is about 150 chains or about 26 inches
• Sl st into the 2nd chain from hook and sl st in each chain back down to the cup peak
• This reinforces the strap
• Sl st into the cup peak stitch to anchor the strap securely

Travel Between Cups

• Sc down the inner edge of the cup and across the center join area
• Sc up the inner edge of the second cup to reach cup 2 peak

Second Strap At Cup Peak

• Ch the same strap length as the first strap
• Sl st back down the chain to reinforce
• Anchor the strap to the cup peak

Back Strap Cord

• Make a separate long chain for the back lacing cord
• Use a length long enough to lace through both sides and tie a bow
• A good starting point is 180 to 220 chains depending on your body size and how long you want the tie ends
• Sl st back down the chain for reinforcement
• Fasten off and weave in the ends neatly

Assembly And Finishing

• Weave in all yarn tails securely with a yarn needle
• Lace the back cord through the eyelets in a criss cross pattern
• Tie at the center back and adjust tension for comfort
• Try on the top and adjust straps for lift and coverage
• If you need more lift, tie straps higher on the neck or shorten strap length
• If you want more cleavage space, widen the center join slightly next time
• If you want more side coverage, increase back wing chain length and add a couple extra body rows

Customization Ideas

• Add an extra mesh row for a lighter summer look
• Add a picot edging around the top edge for a decorative finish
• Add a ruffle at the bottom by increasing stitches in the final row
• Change strap style to over the shoulder straps by shortening chains and stitching to back corners instead of tying at neck
• Make it longer into a camisole by continuing solid sc rows or alternating mesh and solid rows