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    July 17, 2021

    Square Neck Ribbed Crop Top – Free Crochet Pattern

    Learn how to crochet a ribbed cropped tank top for summer! The Terracotta Crop Top an easy crochet project featuring, thick straps and an on-trend square neckline. This project works up quickly, so you’ll be able to make the most of the warm summer days!

    Scroll down for this free crochet crop top pattern and or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

    woman wearing summer crochet crop top with easy ribbing and denim high waisted button down skirt

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

    Thank you to WeCrochet for sponsoring this free crochet crop top pattern!
    As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own 🙂

    woman wearing handmade crochet ribbed crop top with square neck, high waisted jeans, straw hat, sunglasses and white bag

    The Terracotta Crop Top is the little sister to the Sagebrush Tank Top! Both crochet tops feature the same beginner-friendly, back loop half double crochet ribbing but have very different necklines and fit.

    The Terracotta Top is very much a crop top with a more fitted bust, it’s more like a cropped camisole whereas the Sagebrush Tank Top is more loose and airy. You’ll also notice that the Sagebrush Tank Top has a round neck while the Terracotta Tank Top has a square neck.

    The square neck also means that the Terracotta Tank Top has fewer increase/decrease rows and the vast majority of the top follows one base row – just back loop half double crochets in each stitch!

    close up of woman wearing rust coloured ribbed crop top camisole

    Construction

    The construction for this crochet camisole is really simple as the entire thing is crocheted in one piece. The foundation chain runs lengthways, not widthways so it forms the length of the top.

    We’ll start by crocheting from the centre back, then the first strap, the front panel, the second strap and then the last back portion.

    For a nice clean edge, we’ll crochet slip stitches along the neckline and straps. Remember the key to a clean and neat look is even stitches and tension. It’s really important to keep your tension even or your straps might feel too short!

    I find it helps to crochet edging for about 10cm/4” and then place my top on a flat surface. You’ll be able to see if your stitches are too tight – they’ll be pulling on the edge causing it to pucker (which shortens your straps). If your stitches are too loose, they’ll make the edges look ruffled.

    Another tip for crocheting edging is that I like to crochet the edging entirely in one go. This way you’re more likely to maintain the same tension throughout rather than crocheting a bit, putting down your top and coming back to it.

    Once you’ve finished the neckline edging, the edges of the back panels are crocheted together using slip stitches and then we’ll fasten off! You can now try on your top and use stitch markers to hold your straps in place. Adjust your straps as necessary and then sew them to your top.

    When sewing your straps, I like to make sure the wrong side is facing me and my darning needle doesn’t go through the slip stitch edging to the right side of the top. That way, you’ll keep the nice, neat edge you just crocheted! If you need more help, this technique is also used with the Blair Crop Top and you can view the video and step-by-step photos here!

    three quarter view of woman wearing square neck cropped tank top made with half double crochet ribbing

    Design Inspiration

    The design inspiration for this top was simple – it was voted by all of you on Instagram! I often get requests for lots of different styles of tops, sweaters, cardigans so I made a poll on Instagram and a square neck tank top was the most popular one!

    This thick strap ribbed top is the kind of style you can wear year after year (like most of my designs haha) and it’s such a simple pattern, you’ll want one in every colour!

    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

    flat lay of half double crochet swatch in wecrochet knit picks cotlin cotton linen yarn with gold crochet hook

    Cotton Linen Yarn

    This ribbed cropped singlet uses WeCrochet CotLin in the shade Copper. CotLin is truly one of my favourite summer yarns (you can find it in the Terrazzo Tank Top and Sagebrush Tank Top patterns!) because it’s so easy to crochet with and most importantly – it gets softer over time.

    The unique mix of cotton linen really gives this yarn great durability while being machine washable! With over 40+ shades, there is a colour for everyone 🙂

    CotLin is also a true DK / Light (3) so if you’re looking to substitute this yarn, any DK yarn should work just make sure to crochet a swatch beforehand to make sure you meet gauge!

    Pin me for later!

    pinterest image of square neck ribbed crochet crop top with text saying free crochet pattern

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

    Add the Terracotta Crop Top to your Ravelry queue!

    Purchase the ad-free, printable version pdf of the Terracotta Tank Top!

    PATTERN DESCRIPTION:
    Simple and modern, the Terracotta Crop Top is the relaxing crochet project you need for summer!  The entire crop top is worked in one piece with beginner friendly stitches (Back Loop Half Double Crochet + Slip Stitches) and only a few rows of shaping. With a ribbed texture, square neck and thick straps, you can pair this crop top jeans, shorts, maxi skirts or over swimsuits. This project also works up quickly, so you’ll be able to make the most of the warm summer days!

    Pattern Notes:

    *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 45(45, 49, 53, 57)(61, 65, 69, 73) means Ch 45 for XS, Ch 45 for Small, Ch 49 for Medium, Ch 53 for Large, Ch 57 for XL, Ch 61 for 2XL, Ch 65 for 3XL, Ch 69 for 4XL and Ch 73 for 5XL.” If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.

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

    *"2HDC" means place 2 HDC into the same stitch.

    *The turning chain, ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch.

    *Total stitches are indicated between < >.

    *This pattern uses US crochet terms.

    *This crop top is designed with 10 – 15cm/4 – 6” negative ease. For a fitted look around the bust (as in sample photos), pick your normal t-shirt size (to fit bust measurement).

    *This crop top is worked lengthways and in one piece starting from the centre back.

    *The foundation chain runs the length of the back panel.

    *We’ll crochet the 1st half of the back panel, crochet the 1st strap, crochet the front, crochet the 2nd strap and crochet the 2nd half of the back panel.

    *Slip stitches are worked along the armholes and neckline to finish off the edges.

    *The edges of the back panel are slip stitched together and the straps are sewn onto the back of the top.

    *The majority of this pattern follows a one row repeat called the BASE ROW.
    (BASE ROW): Ch 1, BLO HDC in each st until last st, HDC in last st, turn.

    LEVEL: Easy

    Materials

    Yarn – WeCrochet CotLin - DK / Light (3), 112m/50g, 123 yds/1.75oz, 70% Tanguis Cotton + 30% Linen, Copper
    approx. 115(120, 145, 165, 210)(250, 290, 330, 380)g

    4.5mm Crochet Hook

    Darning Needle

    Scissors

    Stitch markers/Safety pins

    Stitches & Abbreviations

    Ch = Chain

    Sl st = Slip Stitch

    HDC = Half Double Crochet

    BLO HDC2tog+ = Modified Back Loop Half Double Crochet 2 Stitches Together

    BLO = Back Loop

    St(s) = Stitch(es)

    Rep = Repeat

    RS = Right Side

    WS = Wrong Side

    BLO HDC2tog+
    Yarn over, insert hook into BLO of next st, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into next st (pick up both the front and back loop), yarn over, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yarn over pull through all 4 loops on hook.

    Measurements

    *The measurements are taken from the garment lying flat, before it has been worn.

    *The straps will stretch out (approx. 5 – 8cm/ 2-4”) after the top has been worn a few times.

    Measurements cm:

    To fit Bust: 76(81, 91, 101, 112)(122, 132, 142, 152)
    Top Bust: 64(70, 77, 85, 96)(106, 115, 125, 136)
    Width: 32(35, 33.5, 42.5, 48)(53, 57.5, 62.5, 68)
    Armhole/Strap Length: 13(13, 14, 15, 17)(19, 20, 22, 23)
    Total Top Length (strap + body): 38(38, 41, 44, 48)(52, 56, 60, 63)

    Measurements inches:

    To fit Bust: 30(32, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60)
    Top Bust: 25(27.5, 30.5, 33.5, 38)(41.5, 45, 49, 53.5)
    Width: 12.5(13.75, 15.25, 16.75, 19)(20.75, 22.5, 24.5, 26.75)
    Armhole/Strap Length: 5(5, 5.5, 6, 6.5)(7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)
    Total Top Length (strap + body): 15(15, 16, 17.5, 19)(20.5, 22, 23.5, 25)

    GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 18 stitches wide x 10.5 rows tall in back loop half double crochet

    Terracotta Crop Top Pattern

    Back Panel (1ST Half)

    FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 45(45, 49, 53, 57)(61, 65, 69, 73).

    ROW 1 (RS): HDC into 2nd ch from the hook, HDC in each ch, turn.
    <44(44, 48, 52, 56)(60, 64, 68, 72)>

    ROW 2 (BASE ROW): Ch 1, BLO HDC across, HDC in last st, turn.
    <44(44, 48, 52, 56)(60, 64, 68, 72)>

    close up on back loop half double crochet stitches in cotton linen yarn

    Repeat BASE ROW until ROW 20(22, 24, 26, 30)(32, 36, 38, 42).

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘FIRST STRAP’ instructions.

    finished first half of back panel of ribbed crochet crop top

    First Strap

    ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO HDC across, [BLO HDC, HDC] in last st, ch 48(48, 51, 55, 61)(67, 73, 79, 85), turn.
    <45(45, 49, 53, 57)(61, 65, 69, 73) + 48(48, 51, 55, 61)(67, 73, 79, 85)chs>

    close up on half double crochet increase and chains
    flat lay of crochet crop top first strap row 1 chain extension

    *Note: The chain will seem quite long, but it is total length of the front + back strap together.

    chain folded to show length of crochet crop top strap

    ROW 2: HDC into 2nd ch from the hook, HDC in each ch, BLO HDC across, HDC in last st, turn.
    <92(92, 99, 107, 117)(127, 137, 147, 157)>

    half double crochet worked into the second chain from the hook
    row 2 of first strap on ribbed crop top
    close up on first crochet strap connected to body of crop top

    Repeat BASE ROW until ROW 4(4, 4, 4, 4)(6, 6, 6, 6).
    <92(92, 99, 107, 117)(127, 137, 147, 157)>
    Total Rows: <24(26, 28, 30, 34)(38, 42, 44, 48)>

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘FRONT PANEL’ instructions.

    finished first strap of ribbed crochet crop top

    Front Panel

    ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO HDC 47(47, 52, 56, 61)(65, 70, 75, 80), HDC2tog+, turn.
    <48(48, 53, 57, 62)(66, 71, 76, 81)>

    close up on half double crochet 2 stitches together decrease
    row 1 of front body panel on crochet crop top

    Repeat BASE ROW until ROW 18(20, 24, 28, 32)(34, 36, 42, 46).
    <48(48, 53, 57, 62)(66, 71, 76, 81)>
    Total Rows: <42(46, 52, 58, 66)(72, 78, 86, 94)>

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘SECOND STRAP’ instructions.

    Second Strap

    ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO HDC across, [BLO HDC, HDC] in last st, ch 44(44, 46, 50, 55)(61, 66, 71, 76), turn.
    <49(49, 54, 58, 63)(67, 72, 77, 82) + 44(44, 46, 50, 55)(61, 66, 71, 76)chs)>

    row 1 second strap extension for ribbed crop top

    ROW 2: HDC into 2nd ch from the hook, HDC in each ch, BLO HDC across, HDC in last st, turn.
    <92(92, 99, 107, 117)(127, 137, 147, 157)>

    Repeat BASE ROW until ROW 4(4, 4, 4, 4)(6, 6, 6, 6).
    <92(92, 99, 107, 117)(127, 137, 147, 157)>
    Total Rows: <46(50, 56, 62, 70)(78, 84, 92, 100)>

    finished second strap of ribbed square neck crochet crop top

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘BACK PANEL (2ND HALF)’ instructions.

    Back Panel (2ND Half)

    ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO HDC 43(43, 47, 51, 55)(59, 63, 67, 71), HDC2tog+, turn.
    <44(44, 48, 52, 56)(60, 64, 68, 72)>

    row 1 of second half of back panel on ribbed crop top

    Repeat BASE ROW until ROW 21(23, 25, 27, 31)(33, 37, 39, 43).
    Total Rows: <67(73, 81, 89, 101)(111, 121, 131, 143)>

    *At the end of the last row, do not turn your work.

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘EDGING’ instructions.

    Edging

    Rotate your work 45 degrees. Slip stitch along the top edge of the back panel, along the straps, neckline and armholes.

    finished body of ribbed crop tank top with dotted line showing slip stitch edging
    close up on slip stitch edging along neckline of crop top
    close up of ribbed square neck crochet cropped top singlet with slip stitch edging

    Do not fasten off! Proceed directly to ‘ASSEMBLY’ instructions.

    Assembly

    Fold your top in half lengthways with the WS facing you.

    Slip stitch the edges of the back panel together.

    edges of crochet crop top back panel slip stitched together

    Fasten off.

    wrong side of ribbed crop top facing outwards

    With the WS facing up (the slip stitch centre back seam should be facing you), pin the straps to the back of the top.
    *Before sewing, I recommend trying on your top. Adjust the strap placement as necessary.

    ribbed crochet camisole straps folded in half to be sewn onto back panel

    Whip stitch the straps to back panel.
    *For a neat edge, don’t insert your needle through to the RS of the slip stitch edging. Make sure your darning needle only picks up the strands of yarn that are facing you.

    wrong side of straps sewn onto crop top back panel
    wrong side of slip stitches sewn on to back panel on ribbed crop top
    close up on right side of crochet crop top thick straps
    right side of back view of ribbed crochet crop top thick straps

    Weave in all of your ends.

    Turn your top inside out.

    Voilà! You’ve finished your Ribbed Crop Top 🙂

    flat lay of finished ribbed crochet crop top camisole singlet tank

    Ready for your next crochet project?

    Check out more summer crochet patterns, easy crochet patterns or crop top patterns!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pamela Thomas says

      July 18, 2021 at 6:31 pm

      I am way too old and too large to wear most of your designs, but I've got to tell you how doggone cute they are and that my granddaughters would probably look great in them!

      Reply
    2. Lydia says

      July 23, 2021 at 12:58 am

      I finished it today and in love. However, I have a tip. I'm 5'8 and have a 33 bust so when I saw the model was a 32 I said to myself ok, I'll make a small. What I didn't consider was how much of a difference in chest length me and the model would have. So my new tank is basically a bralette. A super cute one, but its still a bit short, So peoples of the internet, don't make the mistake I did! Overall, a lovely pattern.

      Reply
    3. Arlene says

      September 10, 2021 at 12:10 am

      Hi there I need some help please 😕
      I just can't seem to meet the guage.. I am OK on the 18sts for 4" but the number of rows are less how do I adjust this.... Thanks so much 😃

      Reply
    4. Arlene says

      September 11, 2021 at 11:03 pm

      Hi Grace I need ur help m not meeting my gauge on the number of rows.. i used a 3.5mm hook and I get only 5 rows in 2inches....... just worried the top will be too tight as the person m making it for is really busty

      Reply
    5. Michelle says

      January 29, 2022 at 3:58 pm

      Hi, thanks for this free pattern 🙂 I'm about to make the 2nd strap, but how do you get that "fade in" effect that you got from the BLO HDC2tog+ in the first strap? Maybe there's something that I'm overlooking, but I can't see that you're mentioning anything in the pattern...

      Reply
    6. Akshata says

      February 23, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      Hi dear, how to add to sleeves in this pattern

      Reply
    7. Daline says

      February 25, 2022 at 2:15 pm

      Hello, I wanted to do the top and bought yarn in the categorie "light", just like you said. But my yarn is somehow thinner than yours. the label if the yarn even says to use a crochet needle in size 3-4...what did I do wrong? are the categories different from brand to brand?! 🙁

      Reply
    8. Norma says

      March 01, 2022 at 2:56 am

      What does the dk stand for when you mention the Cotlin yarn? Does the 3 in parentheses mean 3 skeins of yarn?

      Reply
    9. Julia says

      April 03, 2022 at 4:29 pm

      Hi, I'm just making this now, and think there is a one stitch error in your count - at least on the two smaller sizes.
      When you look at the instructions for the first strap ...
      FIRST STRAP
      ROW 1: Ch 1, BLO HDC across, [BLO HDC, HDC] in last st, ch 48(48, 51, 55, 61)(67, 73, 79, 85), turn.

      The last row (above) count starts at 45 for the first two sizes, but the stitch count on the foundation for these was only 44.

      Reply
    10. Julia says

      April 03, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      Hello again - carrying on a bit further I realized the count is actually off by 2, not one, because the first amount of stitches is 44 (not 45, as stated), and the chain for the strap is 48, which then becomes 47 hdc. So the total is not 92, but 91 stitches.
      I only (sadly) realized this after frogging the whole of the first strap - and re reading the pattern.....ouch!

      Reply
    11. Kaylie says

      April 16, 2022 at 6:03 pm

      I liked this pattern, it was essy to follow as a beginner. However, I would recommend other plus size girls use caution when choosing what size to follow for the foundation chain. Make sure to measure yourself and don't just go by your usual size, or, measure against a top you like the fit of.

      Reply
    12. NANCY Weintraub says

      April 27, 2022 at 11:19 pm

      Hello,
      I purchased the pattern for your Ribbed Square Neck Crop Top and you mention that the straps will grow 2-4". How do you fix that if they no longer stay on the shoulders? Thank yo u.

      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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