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    June 26, 2021

    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.

    woman wearing a boxy crochet crop top with linen shorts, sunglasses and rattan bag

    This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.

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

    woman walking on beach wearing lilac cotton crochet t-shirt holding straw hat

    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.

    back view of model wearing pima cotton crochet shirt

    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!

    Looking for more free crochet patterns?

    free summer crochet pattern light blue tank top pink tie strap tank top and green v neck tee

    1. Sea Breeze Tank Top / 2. Leila Tie Strap Crop Top / 3. Forest Breeze V-neck Tee

    model wearing purple cotton crochet shirt with beige linen shorts

    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 🙂

    Pin me for later!

    pinterest image of women wearing purple cotton crochet t-shirt on beach

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

    Video Tutorial

    Add the Avignon Tee to your Ravelry queue!

    Purchase the ad-free, printable version of the Avignon Tee!

    Pattern Notes:

    The Avignon Tee:

    The Avignon Tee is a simple boxy top constructed from 4 rectangles. For this beginner-friendly, the skills needed are – chains, back loop slip stitches and double crochets. All pieces are whip stitched together to create a loose boat neck tee!

    *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

    Materials

    Yarn – WeCrochet Shine Sport – Sport / Fine (2), 100m/50g, 110yds/1.75oz, 60% Pima Cotton + 40% Modal, Hydrangea
    approx. 310(345, 405, 445, 510)(560, 635, 675, 770)g

    4.5mm Crochet Hook

    Darning Needle

    Scissors

    Stitch markers/Safety pins

    Stitches & Abbreviations

    Ch = Chain

    Sl st = Slip Stitch

    DC = Double Crochet

    BLO = Back Loop

    St(s) = Stitch(es)

    RS = Right Side

    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

    Avignon Tee Crochet Pattern

    Body Panel

    (make 2)

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 70(78, 86, 94, 102)(112, 120, 128, 138).
    <68(76, 84, 92, 100)(110, 118, 126, 136)>

    ROW 1 (RS): DC into 3rd ch from hook, DC in each st until end, turn.
    <68(76, 84, 92, 100)(110, 118, 126, 136)>

    ROW 2: Ch 2, DC in each st across, turn.
    <68(76, 84, 92, 100)(110, 118, 126, 136)>

    Repeat ROW 2 until ROW 39(39, 41, 41, 43)(43, 45, 45, 47).
    <68(76, 84, 92, 100)(110, 118, 126, 136)>

    flat lay of crochet summer top back panel in purple cotton yarn

    *You can add/remove repeats of ROW 2 to make your top longer/shorter. Keep in mind that the ribbing adds approx. 2.5cm/1” of length to your top.

    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)>

    close up on crochet back loop slip stitch ribbing

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

    close up on back loop slip stitch ribbing on crochet crop top
    finished body panel of pima cotton crochet tee

    Fasten off.

    Sleeves

    (make 2)

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 56(60, 64, 68, 73)(78, 82, 86, 90).
    <54(58, 62, 66, 71)(76, 80, 84, 88)>

    ROW 1 (RS): DC into 3rd ch from hook, DC in each st until end, turn.
    <54(58, 62, 66, 71)(76, 80, 84, 88)>

    ROW 2: Ch 2, DC in each st across, turn.
    <54(58, 62, 66, 71)(76, 80, 84, 88)>

    Repeat ROW 2 until ROW 7(7, 9, 9, 11)(11, 13, 13, 15).
    <54(58, 62, 66, 71)(76, 80, 84, 88)>

    Sleeve Ribbing

    ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO sl st in each st until last st, sl st in last st, turn.
    <54(58, 62, 66, 71)(76, 80, 84, 88)>

    Repeat ROW 1 until ROW 7.
    <54(58, 62, 66, 71)(76, 80, 84, 88)>

    finished crochet sleeve rectangle

    Fasten off.

    Sleeve Assembly

    Fold your sleeve in half lengthways and whip stitch the edges together.

    crochet sleeve folded in half to be whip stitched

    Assembly

    Place the body panels on top of each other.

    Whip stitch the shoulders together, sewing in 10(12, 14, 16, 18)(21, 23, 25, 27)cm / 4(5, 5.5, 6.5, 7)(8, 9, 10, 10.5)” from both edges of the top. The remaining opening is the neckline.
    *You can use stitch markers to hold the panels together.

    crochet top shoulder seams measurements

    Whip stitch up the sides of body panels together, leaving a 16(18, 19, 20, 21)(23, 24, 26, 27)cm / 6.5(7, 7.5, 8, 8.5)(9, 9.5, 10, 10.5)” gap at the top for the sleeves.

    assembly of beginner crochet top rectangles

    Whip stitch the top of sleeves to body

    flat lay of crochet tee made out of rectangles

    Weave in all of your ends.

    Voilà! You’ve finished your crochet tee 🙂

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joy says

      June 27, 2021 at 12:55 am

      Hey! I love this tee and just found my next project! I am new to crochet and I notice that a lot of patterns are seamed together vs being crocheted in the round. Is it a preference or is it beneficial to the end result? Thank you for providing such lovely patterns and excellent Tutorials!

      Reply
    2. Lisa says

      June 27, 2021 at 10:16 pm

      Oh! Are you the one who made the sea breeze tank top pattern? I just made one of those! My first clothing pattern and I did it right! I’ll probably try this one too. Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Crocherie says

      August 12, 2021 at 9:54 am

      Hello, I love this pattern and I wanted to ask if joining the sides must require sewing. Can we just single crochet the edges and join them with a slip stitch?
      Also, I use extra fine yarn, because there is no bulky yarn in my area, so do you have any patterns for extra fine yarn? If you do, can you post them. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
    4. Katie says

      August 16, 2021 at 12:14 am

      Love this design! But having trouble with the BLO sl st with the yarn i’m using, do you have any other alternative to help with the neckline be a little more flexible? Thanks!!

      Reply
    5. Joyce Wong says

      October 15, 2021 at 2:14 am

      How many balls of 50g. thread do I need to make a size medium top?
      I would love to try making this pattern.

      Reply
      • Dawn says

        February 13, 2022 at 8:43 am

        If I am reading the pattern correctly, the medium calls for 405 g yarn, so 8-9 50 g balls.

        Reply
    6. Libby says

      April 18, 2022 at 2:31 am

      How exactly do you get a half a stitch?
      GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 16.5 stitches wide x 10 rows tall in double crochet

      Reply
    7. Rebekah says

      October 15, 2022 at 5:01 pm

      I just finished this! It’s my first crochet project other than scarves. If you are tall, be advised this is VERY cropped. Loved the super straight-forward instructions!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Grace!
    An avid crocheter creating modern and wearable crochet patterns. I share my love for crochet designing here on this blog and on YouTube. Learn more →

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