Easy Crochet Granny Stitch Top for Women

Pair it with jean shorts, a long skirt, or wide leg pants for the perfect boho outfit. With an on-trend boxy shape, the classic granny stitch, and simple ribbing you’ll want this crochet shirt in every color!

One Crochet Top Pattern, Many Styles

This sleeveless blouse is easy to adapt for several different crochet styles.

• Make it shorter and it becomes a fun crochet crop top.
• If you like crochet tunics, make this crochet granny stitch sweater a little longer.
• A little longer yet and you’ll have a nice cover up crochet for the beach.
• If you prefer a loose crochet top, make a size or two larger than what you normally wear. Refer to the size chart below.
• For fall or winter wear, make a size up and wear it over a long sleeve collared button-up.

Trendy Crochet Top Pattern

You may have noticed that every where you turn this summer you see a granny stitch crochet pattern. This is because it’s been used for many trendy crochet ideas this year.

Because the granny crochet stitch a slightly open and airy crochet stitch pattern, it makes a great crochet granny stitch top! Crochet granny tops make great additions to your wardrobe for year round wear.

Granny Stitch Crochet or Granny Stripe

For my Easy Crochet Granny Stitch Top, I worked the granny stitch in rows. You may also see this referred to as the flat granny stitch, straight granny stitch, and even the granny stripe stitch.

So, if you’ve been wanting to learn how to granny stitch crochet and you’ve gotten search results for granny stripe crochet, you’re probably wondering: “Is there a difference between the crochet granny stitch and crochet granny stripe?”

The quick answer is “No and Yes”. Keep reading for the long answer.

The “NO” Answer

The crochet stitches used for both the granny stitch and granny stripe are the same. Both use a cluster of three double crochet stitches nestled between the three double crochet clusters from the previous row.

You may sometimes come across a slight variation where a ch-1 is worked between each three double crochet cluster. This creates larger gaps between the clusters and the stitch pattern is more open and airy.

Modern Granny Stitch: Does not have a ch-1 between the clusters of double crochet.

Original Granny Stitch: Has a ch-1 between the clusters of double crochet.

So, there is no difference in the stitch pattern and stitches used for the granny stitch and granny stripe.

The “YES” Answer

The granny stitch originally got its name from the very first granny square pattern, designed by Mrs. Phelps, and published in an 1885 edition of Prairie Farmer Magazine. If you’re a history buff, The Yarn Queen posted a very extensive and interesting article on the history of The World’s First Granny Square Pattern.

It was because of this crochet square, later dubbed a “granny square”, that we now call the crochet stitch pattern of a cluster of three double crochet stitches nestled between the three double crochet clusters from the previous row, the granny stitch.

The difference between the granny stitch and granny stripe

The only difference between the two is that the granny stitch can be worked in both rounds and in rows, but the granny stripe pattern is only worked flat in rows (hence the reason it is sometimes referred to as the flat granny stitch or straight granny stitch).

So technically, I could have named this pattern a Granny Stitch Sweater, or Granny Stripe Sweater.

How to Crochet A Summer Top

If you’re searching for easy crochet top patterns for beginners, easy crochet summer tops, cute crochet tops, or plus size crochet tops, this crochet shirt pattern checks all the boxes.

This summer crochet top is worked in rows from the bottom up using a simple two row repeat of the granny stitch.

This crochet top is made with two almost identical panels. Each panel has a little shoulder shaping and the front panel has a neck opening.

First, you’ll crochet the bottom ribbing back and forth in rows.

Then you’ll work the body of top onto the long edge of the bottom ribbing. You’ll work the granny stitch pattern from the bottom of the top up to the shoulders. This is where you can adjust the length of your top. You can add more rows to make a crochet tunic, or work less rows to make a crochet crop top. You’ll end each panel with simple shoulder shaping.

After working each of the panels, you will seam the shoulders using the mattress stitch. Then, you’ll seam each side.

Lastly, you’ll add a simple short sleeve cuff to each armhole opening using single crochet stitches.

And there you have it! That’s how you crochet a top!

Crochet Granny Stitch Top – Free Crochet Top Pattern

The boho crochet top pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials + BONUS crochet garment schematic, on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).

Purchase this crochet granny sweater kit! (aff): Lion Brand has a full kit of the Crochet Granny Stitch Top for Women, available on their website. The crochet kit includes your choice of colors and a digital copy of the crochet pattern.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites.

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Materials

• Yarn: DK Weight / 3 / Yarn, (Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK Prints in Azul was used for the sample in the photos) (80 g / 2.8oz / 219 yards / 200 m / 100% cotton).
  • Yardage: See Size Chart Above
• Crochet Hook: G/6/4.00mm; or size needed to obtain gauge (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching).
• Locking Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• yo: yarn over
• sp(s): space(s)
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• Alt-ch3: alternate chain 3
• Alt-dc: alternate double crochet
• Join with a standing single crochet
• Join with a standing double crochet
• SM: stitch marker
• Rep: repeat
• Rnd: round
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• BLO: back loop only

Experience Level

• Easy

Gauge

• See individual sections for gauge.

Sizes

• Women’s XS through 5XL
• See size chart above.

Special Stitches

• Alternate Chain-3: (Alt-ch3): Complete last st of previous row, take loop off hook, insert hook into sp between last dc and last 3 dc of previous row, put loop on hook and pull thru sp, turn, ch 3.
• Alternate Double Crochet (alt-dc): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through one loop, yo, pull thru remaining loops.
• Join with a standing single crochet: begin with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook.
• Join with a standing double crochet: begin with a slip knot on your hook. YO, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on your hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops on your hook.

Pattern Notes

• Turning chains are not included in stitch count unless noted otherwise.
• Lion Brand 24/7 DK Prints (80 g / 2.8oz / 219 yards / 200 m / 100% cotton).
• Colorway & Yardage
  • Azul #769-504J (see yardage in chart above)
• Changes for Sizes are written as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
• Stitch Counts are written at the end of the rows as follows: (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).
• Construction: This crochet top pattern is made with two almost identical rectangular panels. Each panel has a little shoulder shaping and the front panel has a neck opening. First, you’ll crochet the bottom ribbing in rows. Then you’ll work the body of top onto the bottom ribbing and crochet from the bottom up to the shoulders. You’ll finish each panel with simple shoulder shaping. After working each of the panels, you will seam the shoulders. Then, you’ll seam each side, leaving an armhole opening. Lastly, you’ll make crochet top sleeves around each armhole opening. These sleeves are more like cap sleeves when worn.
• Model wears a women’s medium and is wearing a medium sample.

Panel Construction

Front Panel: Work in the following order: Bottom Ribbing, Body of Top, Front Right Shoulder, Front Left Shoulder.

Back Panel: Work in the following order: Bottom Ribbing, Body of Top, Shoulder Shaping.

Bottom Ribbing

Gauge: With a 4.00mm crochet hook, in BLO hdc: 6 sts = 1.25″; 8 rows = 2.75″

Row 1: With a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 7, working into the back humps of the ch, hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 sts)

Rows 2 – 41 (47, 53, 59, 65, 71, 77, 83, 91): Ch1, BLO hdc in each st across. Turn. (6 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue on to Body of Top.

Body of Top

Gauge: With a 4.00mm crochet hook, in granny stitch: 11 sts = 2.5″; 12.25 rows = 4″. Row height isn’t crucial.

Right / Wrong Side: Right and wrong side isn’t crucial for this top. When seaming, you can choose which side you prefer to be your right side.

Row 1: Rotate to work along the long edge of the ribbing, [ sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st ] rep from [ to ] across to the last st, sc in the last st. Turn. (61, 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, 115, 124, 136 sts)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as a st), dc in the first st, skip each of the next 2 sts, [ 3 dc in the next st, skip each of the next 2 sts ] rep from [ to ] across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st. Turn. (61, 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, 115, 124, 136 sts)

Row 4: Alt-ch3, dc in the same sp, 3 dc in each sp across to the last sp, 2 dc in the last sp. Turn. (61, 70, 79, 88, 97, 106, 115, 124, 136 sts)

Rep Rows 3 – 4, ending with a Row 4, until body measures approximately (16.25″, 16.75″, 17.75″, 18.75″, 19.75″, 20.75″, 21.75″, 22.75″, 23.75″) (including bottom ribbing).

Adjusting Length: If you prefer a longer or shorter top, here is where you’ll want to adjust. The length stated in the chart above is measured from the top of the shoulder to the bottom edge of the top (including the bottom ribbing).

Note: The shoulder sections will add approximately 1.25″ to the length of your top.

• Longer: If you’d like a longer top, repeat Rows 3 – 4 in multiples of 2 (make sure to end with a Row 4 repeat).
• Shorter: If you’d like a shorter top, work fewer rows in multiples of 2 (make sure to end with a Row 4 repeat).

Front Right Shoulder

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the first 3 sts, hdc in the next st, [ 3 dc in the next sp ] 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13) times, then dc in the middle dc of the next 3 dc group. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 44 sts)

Place a SM #1: Place a SM in the 1st st of Row 1. This SM marks where you will join yarn to Edge Top of Front Panel.

Place a SM #2: Before turning to complete Row 2, skip each of the next 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17) spaces, place a SM in the middle dc of the next 3 dc group. This SM marks where you will join yarn to begin the Front Left Shoulder.

Row 3: Ch 1, sl st in the first, sc in each of the next 2 sts, hdc in the next st, dc in each of the remaining 9 (12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 36) sts. Turn. (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 40 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Front Left Shoulder.

Front Left Shoulder

Row 1: With a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing dc in the st marked with the SM to begin Front Left Shoulder, [ 3 dc in the next sp ] 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13) times, then hdc in the middle dc of the next 3 dc group, sc in each of the last 3 sts. Turn. (17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 44 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, BLO sl st in each of the first 4 sts (do not count as sts), sc in the next st, hdc in the next st, [ 3 dc in the next sp] 3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12) times, then 2 dc in the last sp. Turn. (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 40 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Edge Top of Front Panel.

Edge Top of Front Panel

Row 1: With a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in st marked with a SM to Edge Top of Front Panel, sc in each st across the shoulder, work 2 sc into the side of each dc to bottom of neck opening, work 1 sc in each st across the next opening, work 2 sc into the side of each dc to the top of the next shoulder, sc in each st across the next shoulder. Stitch count isn’t crucial.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Make Back Panel then continue on to Back Panel Shoulder Shaping.

Back Panel Shoulder Shaping

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the first 3 sts, hdc in the next st, [ 3 dc in the next sp ] 18 (21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 43) times, then hdc in the middle dc of the next 3 dc group, sc in each of the last 3 sts. Turn. (62, 71, 80, 89, 98, 107, 116, 125, 137 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, BLO sl st in each of the first 4 sts (count as sts), sc in the next st, hdc in the next st, [ 3 dc in the next sp ] 17 (20, 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 42) times, then hdc in the middle dc of the next 3 dc group, sl st in the next st, skip the remaining 4 sts. Turn. (59, 68, 77, 86, 95, 104, 113, 122, 134 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across, including each skipped st from Row 2. (63, 72, 81, 90, 99, 108, 117, 126, 138 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Seam Shoulders.

Seam Shoulders

Step 1: Lay out the front and back panels with RS that you chose facing out, as shown in the photo below. Line up the stitches from each shoulder with stitches along the back panel. Use locking stitch markers to hold the panels together while seaming.

Step 2: With a yarn needle and piece of yarn that is 4 times the width of a shoulder, seam the shoulder using a mattress stitch crochet. Make sure to seam ALL sts from the front shoulders (including the sl sts and skipped sts along the outside edges). Check out my mattress stitch seam tutorial for tips!

Weave in ends. Seam the second shoulder, then continue on to the Side Seams.

Side Seams

Step 1: With same side facing out, fold your top over at the shoulders to line up the front and back panels.

Step 2: Mark the armhole openings. Measure down 6″ (6.5″, 7″, 7.75″, 8.5″, 8.75″, 9″, 9.75″, 11″) from each shoulder seam and place a locking SM through both the front and back panels to mark the bottom of the armhole opening. See photo below.

Step 4: With a yarn needle and piece of yarn that is 4 times the length of the side seam, seam the shoulder using a mattress stitch crochet.

Weave in ends. Seam the second side, weave in ends, then continue on to Sleeve Cuff.

Questions Crocheters Frequently Ask About Crochet Tops Patterns

If you have any questions that I haven’t answered below, always feel free to reach out to me, (e-mail me: ACrochetedSimplicity at Gmail dot Com), and I’ll do my best to help!

How do you Crochet a Top?

There are several ways to crochet a top. This woman’s top is crocheted in two panels, from the bottom to the top, and then seamed at the shoulders and sides.

Other crochet top patterns may be worked in the round and only require shoulder seams, while others may be seamless.

There are no right or wrong ways, only the way that works best for the stitch pattern and style of the crochet summer shirt.

What do you Wear Under a Crochet Top?

I recommend choosing undergarments that match your skin tone. This will help to create a seamless, barely-there look underneath.

Are Crochet Tops Good for Summer?

When crocheted with a lighter cotton or cotton blend yarn, a crochet top pattern can help you beat the heat during the warm summer months. The best summer crochet tops are made with lace or mesh stitches that are open and airy, such as the granny stitch.

Are Crochet Tops in Style?

Not only has crochet fashion been a defining look for women the past couple years, with both retro and boho styles, in 2023 it is becoming an increasingly popular trend in menswear as well.

Reported fashion trends are expecting their popularity to continue to rise!

How Much Yarn do I Need for a Summer Top?

For this summer crochet top, you’ll need any where from 540 – 1,680 yards, depending on which size you’re making. Also, keep in mind that you will need more or less yarn, if you are making your top longer or shorter than the dimensions in the size chart above.

How to Granny Stitch Crochet

The crochet granny stitch is simply a two row repeat of a cluster of three double crochet stitches nestled between the three double crochet clusters from the previous row.

Refer to Row 2 of the Body of Top above to learn how to crochet the granny stitch in rows.

MORE FUN & FREE SUMMER CROCHET PATTERNS

Are you looking for your next summer crochet project? We have several more free crochet patterns for summer lovin’.

You’ll find plenty of summer crochet ideas, from an easy crochet summer top and beach bags to summer crochet projects for kids!