Beginner Crochet Top – free pattern + video tutorial

Are you a beginner crocheter looking for your first wearable pattern? Learn how to crochet this super simple boxy tee. Slouchy and comfy, if you can crochet a rectangle you can crochet this top! The Avignong Tee also has a customisable so you can turn this crochet shirt into a crop top or long legging length tee.

Scroll down for this free crochet top pattern and step-by-step video tutorial , or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

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Thank you to WeCrochet for providing the yarn for this free crochet top pattern! As always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own 🙂

The Avignon Tee is a slouchy boat neck tee can be worn with anything! Pair it with high waisted shorts, a maxi skirt or even jeans during the cooler months.

Made out of 4 rectangles – 2 sleeves and an identical front and back, this beginner-friendly top is made up of double crochets and slip stitches that’s it!

The body panels are crocheted from the bottom up with double crochets so you can alter the length to fit you by adding or removing rows. Then we’ll crochet back loop slip stitches along the top of the rectangle to create a knit-like ribbing look.

The slip stitches help the boat neckline to drape nicely across the shoulders. The sleeves are made with the exact same construction, they’re just smaller rectangles!

To assemble this crochet shirt, the ribbing portions of the body panels are sewn together while leaving a gap in the centre for the neckline. The sides of the top are whip stitched together and the sleeves are sewn on to the body.

Design Inspiration

While I love crocheting using different stitches and creating lots of different necklines and silhouettes, there is something so soothing about a project with no increasing or decreasing. The goal for this pattern was to create a top that was super simple and mindless to crochet but still was comfy and flattering to wear.

The colour of the yarn is called ‘Hydrangea’ but it reminds me of lavender fields in Provence ‘Avignon’

Sometimes boat neck tops made from rectangles can be very stiff or restrictive around your neck. For this pattern, slip stitch ribbing really makes the boat neck hang nicely and creates a modern and understated design detail.

For the sample top I’m wearing a size S which is my normal size, but if you want a really loose boho feel I’d suggest sizing up!

Yarn

This project uses WeCrochet Shine Sport which is a blend of 60% Pima Cotton and 40% Modal. If you’ve been following this blog for a while you’ll know that pima cotton is one of my absolute favourite fibres to crochet with!

The drape, softness and slight silky sheen make this garment so lovely to crochet with and to wear directly on your skin. Many of you ask how I look after my cotton crochet garments and the key to NEVER hang them to dry. Always, always, always let cotton yarn items lay flat to dry.

Cotton gets really heavy when it’s wet so the weight of the water will pull your garment down and stretch it out. Since cotton has very little stretch it also won’t spring back like how acrylic or animal fibres.

Also, Shine Sport is classified as a Sport / fine (2) yarn. However, it’s much closer to a really thick DK/Light (3) or even a thin Aran/Worsted/Medium (4) yarn. So when looking for substitutes make sure to pick a thicker DK cotton yarn so you can easily meet gauge 🙂

I love to see your finished projects! Use #forthefrills and tag me on Instagram @forthefrills for a chance to be featured

*Sample is a size small shown on a 5’3” model with a 32” bust.

*The sizing guide follows size XS(S, M, L, XL)(2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). E.g. “Ch 70(78, 86, 94, 102)(112, 120, 128, 138) means Ch 70 for XS, Ch 78 for Small, Ch 86 for Medium, Ch 94 for Large, Ch 102 for XL, Ch 112 for 2XL, Ch 120 for 3XL, Ch 128 for 4XL and Ch 138 for 5XL.” If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.

*"DC 10" means DC into the next 10 stitches.

*The turning chains, ch 1 and ch 2 do NOT count as a stitch.

*Total stitches are indicated between < >.

*This pattern uses US crochet terms.

*This top is made up of 4 rectangles. The back and front are identical.

*All pieces are sewn together with the right side facing inwards.

*The sample sweater uses WeCrochet Shine Sport which is classified as a Sport/Fine(2) yarn. However, if you want to substitute this yarn, it’s closer to a thick cotton DK/Light(3) or a thin cotton Worsted/Aran/Medium(4).

*The length of this top can be altered. For each additional 3cm/1.5” of length, you’ll need an extra approx. 20(22, 24, 26, 28)(31, 33, 36, 38)g of yarn.

LEVEL: Beginner

Stitches & Abbreviations

Measurements

Measurements cm:
To fit Bust: 71(81, 91, 101, 112)(122, 132, 142, 152)

Back Width: 41(46, 51, 56, 61)(67, 72, 77, 83)

Armhole: 16(18, 19, 20, 21)(23, 24, 26, 27)

Sleeve length: 10(10, 12, 12, 14)(14, 16, 16, 18)

Length: 42(42, 44, 44, 46)(46, 48, 48, 50)

Measurements inches:

To fit Bust: 28(32, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60)

Back Width: 16(18, 20, 22, 24)(26.5, 28.5, 30.5, 32.5)

Armhole: 6.5(7, 7.5, 8, 8.5)(9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)

Sleeve length: 4(4, 5, 5, 5.5)(5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7)

Length: 16.5(16.5, 17.5, 17.5, 18)(18, 19, 19, 19.5)

GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 16.5 stitches wide x 10 rows tall in double crochet

Body Ribbing

ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO sl st in each st until last st, sl st in last st, turn.
<68(76, 84, 92, 100)(110, 118, 126, 136)>

Repeat ROW 1 until ROW 7.
Total Rows: <46(46, 48, 48, 50)(50, 52, 52, 54)>

Fasten off.