Learn how to crochet a square neck crop top for summer! The Blair Crop Top is the perfect everyday crochet staple for your spring me-made wardrobe. This beginner-friendly project uses simple stitches – single crochet and half double crochet – to create a modern and wearable tank top.
Scroll down for this free crochet crop top pattern and step-by-step video tutorial, or purchase the ad-free, printable pdf here!
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As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own 🙂
The Blair Crop Top is so simple, modern, stylish – it’ll have people saying, ‘I can’t believe you made that!’ Pair it with denim shorts, maxi skirt or jeans, this easy crochet tank top is perfect to transitional piece from spring to summer. You can even wear it over a turtleneck or under a leather jacket during the colder months!
This ribbed crochet crop top is a bit of a crop top/tank top hybrid. The Blair Crop Top features thick waist ribbing crocheted in back loop single crochets while the body portion is made up of half double crochets.
The body is also worked entirely in one piece! We’ll crochet the waist ribbing and then crochet the body directly onto the ribbing. The straps are made up separately and then they’ll be sewn onto the crop top.
You’ll find alteration instructions in the pattern below, so crop top length is completely customisable and so is the ribbing and the straps.
How to get a perfect fit
The key to getting a fitted crop top is to crochet a top slightly smaller than your actual bust measurement and to pick a stretchy yarn! This pattern has 19 sizes – yes 19! With sizes ranging from a 71 - 162cm / 28” – 64” bust.
Since this is a fitted top I added half sizes in between the normal sizes of XS, S, M, etc. because I want this top to fit everyone nicely! You can see in the photos how only a difference of 2.5cm / 1” in width can make a huge difference when wearing this crochet crop top.
*As a point of reference I’m 5’3” with a 82cm/32” bust and 64cm/24” waist 🙂
The Lilac Top is a size S, while the Powder Beige Top is a size XS+. The Lilac Top (S) still fits me but it’s a lot looser around the waist and just barely fits around my bust. This is great if you want your crochet top to fit more like a tank top and the extra length also makes it easy to tuck into jeans/skirts.
On the other hand, the Beige Top (XS+), fits snugly around the bust and waist so it has a more streamlined look and feels more like a crop top. Personally, I love the way the Beige Top fits so if you want a fitted crop top choose the top size that is at least 2” smaller than your actual ‘to fit bust’ measurement. Since these crochet stitches are quite stretchy, a slightly smaller top will stretch out to fit you.
If your waist measurement is quite small (relative to your bust) you can size down even further. Pick a size that’s up to about 4” smaller than your actual bust measurement but make sure you are using a yarn that has a lot of stretch and spring!
And as always make sure you have the same gauge as what’s listed in the pattern! Always crochet a swatch before you start your project and that way you’ll know if your top will be the same size as the suggested measurements.
If your gauge is off, just search for some ‘crochet gauge’ tutorials on YouTube (there are heaps!) and you’ll learn how to adjust your tension or hook size. If you need your stitches to be taller or shorter search for ‘crochet golden loop’ tutorials and they’ll teach you how to adjust stitch height.
Crochet Design Inspiration
If you’ve been reading the blog for a while you’ll know that I love designing crop tops! In fact, my first ever free crochet pattern was the Easy Crochet Crop Top! Time and time again, so many of you have asked, “How do I get the perfect fit?” or “How can I make a crop top fit me at my waist and at the bust?”
Over the past 2 years, I’ve learnt so much about crocheting and designing and I’m so pleased to share this size-inclusive pattern with you!
I’ve been thinking about a fitted tank top design with waist ribbing details and a solid body for years but the tricky thing about figure hugging designs is that they can very easily go wrong. Often, you’ll need lots of rows of shaping which means a more difficult pattern and lots of counting … and if you know me, counting is definitely one of my least favourite parts about crocheting haha.
For the past few months, I’ve experimented with so many different stitches and I’ve finally found the perfect combination!
Single crochets are smaller and tighter than half double crochets so they work well around the waist while the wider half double crochets help the crop top get wider around the bust without lots of rows of shaping. Also having all the half sizes/ in between size will really help you get a perfect fitting crop top!
Looking for more free crop top crochet patterns?
1. Sea Breeze Tank Top / 2. Leila Tie Strap Crop Top / 3. Forest Breeze Tee
Yarn
The Blair Crop Top uses Drops Cotton Merino in the shades Lilac and Powder and it’s made up of 50% merino wool and 50% cotton. I know a lot of you will be thinking, ‘Merino in summer?!’ But merino is actually a very breathable fibre so unless you’re living somewhere 30C+ you’ll be fine!
Especially since this yarn is a cotton-merino blend, I don’t find it any warmer than wearing an acrylic top during summer. And to be honest, a crop top tends to have very little fabric anyway haha 🙂
If you’re looking for a substitute make sure you to look for yarns that are a DK/Light (3) weight with a good amount of stretch and spring. Acrylic, merino and cotton acrylic blends are the best options.
100% cotton yarns will stretch out, but they don’t ‘spring back’ into place. This is great if you want a loose and relaxed look but if you want a fitted crop top, it’ll fit nicely the first few times you wear it and then stretch out!
Some of my favourite crop top yarns are –
Lion Brand Jeans (100% acrylic, aran/worsted/medium (4) yarn but it’s quite thin for a worsted weight yarn so it should be able to work with this pattern)
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (100% acrylic, DK, huge colour range and affordable!)
Drops Merino Extra Fine (100% merino, DK, a really versatile merino yarn)
If you’re looking for a more relaxed top –
WeCrochet CotLin (70% Cotton + 30% Linen, DK, a great cotton yarn that softens over time – I used it for the Sagebrush Tank Top!)
Lion Brand Truboo (100% Bamboo, DK, a ‘silky’ feel)
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Video Tutorial
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Pattern Notes:
*The Lilac Top is a size S and the Powder (Beige) Top is size XS+. Both tops are shown on a 5’3” model with a 82cm/32” bust and 64cm/24” waist.
*Sizing guide follows size XXS+(XS, XS+, S, S+)(M, M+, L, L+)(XL, XL+, 2XL, 2XL+)(3XL, 3XL+, 4XL, 4XL)(5XL, 5XL+). E.g. "Ch 21(21, 21, 22, 22)(22, 22, 24, 24)(26, 26, 28, 28)(30, 30, 32, 32)(34, 34)" means "Ch 21 for XXS+, XS and XS+; Ch 22 for S, S+, M and M+; Ch 24 for L, L+; Ch 26 for XL and XL+; Ch 28 for 2XL and 2XL+; Ch 30 for 3XL and 3XL+; Ch 32 for 4XL and 4XL+; Ch 34 for 5XL and 5XL+".
If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.
*"HDC 10" means HDC into the next 10 stitches.
*"2 HDC" means place 2 HDC in 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 crochet crop top is designed to be form fitting at the bust and at the waist. For best results pick a yarn that has a lot of stretch and will spring back into place. Acrylic, merino and cotton-acrylic blends will work best.
(100% cotton yarns will stretch out but will also lose their shape once you’ve worn your top a few times. They are a good option if you want your crop top to be more of a tank top and with a looser fit).
*Depending on your yarn, the top bust measurement can stretch up to 3” wider than the measurement listed and the top waist measurement can stretch up to 5” wider than the measurement listed.
*This pattern is designed with 2-4” of negative ease at the bust. Meaning if your bust measurement(to fit bust) is 107cm/42” pick size L with a 102cm/40”(top bust).
*You can see that a top with negative ease gives a more form fitting top (Powder Crop Top) while a top with the same bust measurement (Lilac Crop Top) still fits but has a more relaxed fit.
*The crop top starts with crocheting the body ribbing and then the body will be crocheted directly onto the side of the ribbing. The straps are crocheted separately and sewn onto the crop top.
*All pieces are sewn together with the right side (RS) on the inside and the wrong side (WS) facing outwards.
*The length of the top, top ribbing and straps are adjustable. Alteration instructions provided below.
LEVEL: Beginner+
Materials
Yarn – Drops Cotton Merino – DK/Light (3), 110m/50g, 120yds/1.75oz, 50% Cotton + 50% Merino, Lilac (4) and Powder (28)
approx. 120(130, 135, 155, 175)(185, 195, 220, 230)(260, 275, 305, 315)(350, 365, 400, 420, 455, 470)g
5mm (US H) Crochet Hook
Darning Needle
Scissors
Stitch markers/Safety pins
Stitches & Abbreviations
Ch = Chain
Sl st = Slip Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet
BLO = Back Loop
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Rep = Repeat
Measurements (cm):
To fit Bust: 71(86, 81, 86, 91)(96, 102, 107, 112)(117, 122, 127, 132)(137, 142, 147, 152)(157, 162)
Top Bust: 66(71, 76, 81, 86)(91, 96, 102, 107)(112, 117, 122, 127)(132, 137, 142, 147)(152, 157)
Top Waist: 53(58, 62, 66, 70)(74, 79, 83, 88)(92, 97, 100, 104)(109, 113, 117, 121)(126, 130)
Top Length(not including strap): 25(25, 25, 27, 27)(29, 29, 31, 31)(34, 34, 37, 37)(40, 40, 43, 43)(45, 45)
Measurements (inches):
To fit Bust: 28(30, 32, 34, 36)(38, 40, 42, 44)(46, 48, 50, 52)(54, 56, 58, 60)(62, 64)
Top Bust: 26(28, 30, 32, 34)(36, 38, 40, 42)(44, 46, 48, 50)(52, 54, 56, 58)(60, 62)
Top Waist: 21(23, 24.5, 26, 27.5)(29, 31, 32.5, 34.5)(36, 38, 39.5, 41)(43, 44.5, 46, 47.5)(49.5, 51)
Top Length(not including strap): 10(10, 10, 10.5, 10.5)(11.5, 11.5, 12, 12)(13.5, 13.5, 14.5, 14.5)(16, 16, 17, 17)(18,18)
GAUGE: 10cm/4” square = 17.5 stitches wide x 18 rows tall in back loop single crochet /15 stitches wide x 13 rows tall in half double crochet
Blair Crop Top Crochet Pattern
Body Ribbing
FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 21(21, 21, 22, 22)(22, 22, 24, 24)(26, 26, 28, 28)(30, 30, 32, 32)(34, 34).
*The foundation chain runs the length of the ribbing, not the width. You can add/remove chains to make the ribbing longer/shorter.
ROW 1: SC into 2nd ch from hook, SC in each ch until end, turn.
<20(20, 20, 21, 21)(21, 21, 23, 23)(25, 25, 27, 27)(29, 29, 31, 31)(33, 33)>
ROW 2: Ch 1, BLO SC across, SC in last st, turn.
<20(20, 20, 21, 21)(21, 21, 23, 23)(25, 25, 27, 27)(29, 29, 31, 31)(33, 33)>
Repeat ROW 2 until ROW 96(104, 112, 118, 126)(134, 142, 150, 158)(166, 174, 180, 188)(196, 204, 210, 218)(226, 234).
Do not fasten off! We will now work along the long edge of the ribbing band. Each row equals 1 stitch. Proceed to ‘BODY’ instructions.
Body
ROW 1: Ch 1, 2HDC in first row, HDC in each row across, 2HDC in last row, turn.
<98(106, 114, 120, 128)(136, 144, 152, 160)(168, 176, 182, 190)(198, 206, 212, 220)(228, 236)>
ROW 2: Ch 1, HDC across, turn.
<98(106, 114, 120, 128)(136, 144, 152, 160)(168, 176, 182, 190)(198, 206, 212, 220)(228, 236)>
Repeat ROW 2 until ROW 18(18, 18, 20, 20)(22, 22, 24, 24)(26, 26, 28, 28)(30, 30, 32, 32)(34, 34).
*You can add/remove rows to make your top longer/shorter.
FINAL ROW (RS): Ch 1, sl st in each st across. Fasten off.
<98(106, 114, 120, 128)(136, 144, 152, 160)(168, 176, 182, 190)(198, 206, 212, 220)(228, 236)>
*Keep your slip stitches loose so that your top can stretch as you put it on.
Fold your body panel in half so that the WS is facing you.
Whip stitch the sides of the top together.
Straps
(make 2)
FOUNDATION CHAIN: Ch 6.
ROW 1: Working into the back bumps of the chain, SC into 2nd ch from hook, SC in each ch until end, turn.
<5>
ROW 2: Ch 1, SC across, turn.
<5>
Repeat ROW 2 until your strap measures 24(24, 24, 25, 25)(26, 26, 26, 26)(27, 27, 28, 28)(29, 29, 30, 30)(31, 31)cm / 9.5(9.5, 10, 10)(10.25, 10.25, 10.25, 10.25)(10.5, 10.5, 11, 11)(11.5, 11.5, 12, 12)(12.5, 12.5)”
Pin your straps in place and try on your garment.
Adjust straps by adding/removing rows to make your straps longer/shorter.
Your straps should fit snuggly as they will stretch out after you’ve worn your top a few times.
Once you’re satisfied with your strap length, fasten off.
Assembly
Pin your straps into place.
*I recommend wearing the skin coloured bra you’ll wear under the top while pinning your straps into place. This way you can hide your bra straps underneath the crop top straps.
*As a point of reference, I placed my straps 8cm/3” from the edge of the top.
Sew your straps onto your top.
*For a neat finish, only insert your needle through the tops of the last rows of HDCs on the body of the top. Don’t insert your needle into the slip stitch edging. This gives a clean and crisp edge along the right side of the top.
Finishing
Weave in all of your ends.
Voilà! You’ve finished your Blair Crop Top! 🙂
This looks lovely and is right up my daughter's street!! I actually have some Paintbox Baby DK which is 50% acrylic and 50% nylon. My daughter will definitely prefer the tighter fit so do you think this mix of fibres will be work? Many thanks!
Hi Anthea,
Yes acrylic and nylon should definitely have a lot fo stretch to it 🙂
Grace
Hi, I didn’t achieve the rainbow arch when I’m doing the body. It’s a straight cut from the body to ribbing, is there some where I went wrong? 😔
Hi Dale,
It's probably due to either your single crochets being too loose or your half double crochets are too tight. If your waist to bust ratio is relatively close, then it won't be a huge problem. If your waist is small relative to your bust, your top will probably still fit but it won't be form fitting at the waist.
I hope this helps,
Grace
Hi! Thank you so much for this guide. I have some leftover yarn that's 50% cotton and 50% polyester yarn; will this be okay to use for this project? Also worried it might be too warm for summer..
Thank you for being an amazing teacher!!! Making this for my daughter and I’m almost finished! Please keep blogging and doing what you do- you’re THE BEST!!
Because math is hard, if I had a 32 inch bust and a 27 inch waist what size should I use? I absolutely love this pattern and I would like to make it correctly the first time. Thank you!
Hi! I have the same measurements as yours, how did you go about your stitches? Until now, I'm still in doubt on how many chains I should do.
Hey, how many wool ball did you usw for the top?
How many wool balls did you use for everything?
Hi. I have a Loops & Threads Capri yarn which is 57% cotton, 28% nylon, and 15% polyester (medium 4). Will it work the same since it has some stretch to it? Will Truboo retain its shape after wash?
Hi, in the beginning, you say to make 21 stitches of rubbing. I was wondering if it’s the same number of stitches with the xs+??
Thus is my second ever crotchet project and I'm only in the ribbing, but I still managed to need to undo it and redo it 5 times but I'm really determined to do this 🙂 How long did it take you?
I am crocheting my daughter your pattern in a size small. Does it take one or three skeins of yarn? Thank you for your help!
Hello, I'm from the Philippines and I can not find 50% cotton and 50% acrylic, is it fine if I use 80% cotton and 20% wool? Thank you! I love your blogs and videos!
Hello, is it fine to use 80% cotton and 20% cashmere? Thank you! I love your blogs and videos! I'm from the Philippines, btw 🙂
or 67% cotton and 33%polyamide? What's better?
I don't see where the measurements and sizes for the Top Waist and Top Bust are used. Could you please clarify? I have a niece whose bust is 34" and waist is 30" so I used the To Fit Bust measurement where I subtract 2 she is 32" therefore an XS+ in the Sizing Guide. My other niece has 38 bust and 32.5 waist so I used To Fit Bust Measurement where I subtract 2" so she is 36" therefore an S+ in the Sizing Guide. Is this correct? When do we use the Top Waist and Top Bust measurements?
Hello, I made 118 rows as you recommend for the waist in the video but they are too many for my waist that measures 74 cm, what can I do?
hI,
I'm a beginner and I have few questions, is the gauge either 17,5 stitches wide x 18 rows tall in back loop single cr or 15 stiches wide x 13 row tall in half double corchet? unless I didn't understand this bit... I did 15 stitches in 13row in half double crochet and it's 4cm too small, should I change my hook or is it that i didn't do it properly from the beginning?
And about the sizing, i'm 95cm bust and 72cm waist, how do I which size to follow? the measurements sheet it's very easy to understand to me and I even bought the pattern thinking it would be clearer but it's not, please can you help?
Many thanks
Hello! I was wondering what's the difference betweent 'to fit bust' and 'top bust' sorry, i'm just a beginner and this is gonna be my first major project.
Hi! Would this be appropriate to wear without a bra underneath - ie is it see through? I'm worried the HDC might be too big of a stitch..
Hello!
This is the first piece of clothing that I have made before! It was so fun making this; especially while listening to music because of the easy flow with the stitches. I hope to crochet for my whole life (I’m 14)!
Gemma
I do not like acrylic or polyester. I only use 100% cotton or bamboo or Egyptian cotton which is very soft. The others you mention are much too hot for our climate in Cape Town summer season.
Hi. Just one question. I have lost count of the number of rows. How do I count them?