Are you looking for an easy crochet top pattern? The Olivia sweater top is a simple 2-panel design that works up fast, drapes beautifully, and is excellent for beginners!
Read on down to learn how to crochet a top today!
If you want to crochet another summer top, then be sure to check out the reader favorite Mara Kimono Beach Cover-up pattern too!
I can’t wait to see your crochet tops!
Happy Crocheting!
Simple Crochet Sweater Top Design
The Olivia crochet top is a basic two rectangle design, which makes it a lovely pattern for those wanting to try a crochet garment! And I promise with the free pattern below you can learn how to crochet a sweater top in no time at all!
This Crochet Pattern Top is Special!
This pattern is a unique one for me because it is officially my first ever crochet top design! I am so proud of this piece and the hours it took to figure out sizing, yardage and photographing it! I see many more crochet sweater tops in Easy Crochet future.
I am so happy and proud to share this lightweight crochet sweater top with you! I hope you like it and please let me know if you do decide to make this for spring!
The Yarn That’s Perfect for a Crochet Sweater
For the entire design, you will be using the Lion Brand Jeans Cotton, which is just a fantastic extension of their Jeans acrylic yarn line! It is a DK lightweight yarn but is amazingly soft and works up beautifully in sweaters, baby blankets and even for a comfy crochet summer throw!
You will need two colors of this yummy yarn (or even one if you prefer fewer ends to weave in) and then you are good to go! Check it out below! Jeans yarn is also a great substitute if you can’t find the cotton yarn.
The Drape is Perfect for a Top!
Another thing you will love about this yarn is the drape! The top needs little to no shaping and drapes beautifully when worn! Once you crochet the first few rows, you will see just how amazing the way this yarn works up. This top is probably one of the most flowing and softest pieces I have ever designed. If you do make this piece, then you will know what I mean!
Easy to Construct Crochet Top!
This crochet piece uses just TWO basic rectangles and is super easy to put together! You will need to know how to do the mattress stitch & a slip stitch to finish. That’s it!
The process of putting together the crochet panels is super easy, and you’ll want to make a few of these in different sizes when you see how simple it is!
Grab a PDF Crochet Pattern Instead
I have put together a PDF of this crochet top if you would prefer an AD-FREE version of this pattern. Pattern sales help support my family, which means I can continue to offer FREE crochet patterns (with ads) and to keep designing.
If you are ready to get started on this design, scroll on down for the free pattern, or purchase an inexpensive PDF version.
The Olivia Pattern Top Details
Skill Level: Intermediate
Description
You will love how easy this lightweight top feels when worn. The soft drape and the way it wears will have you going back to this piece time and time again!
Abbreviations
- Ch = Chain
- Dc = Double Crochet
- Sk St = Skip Stitch
- Sc = Single Crochet
Materials
- LB Collection Jeans Cotton Yarn (Weight: 3: Light / 218 yards 3.5 oz or 100 g)
- Color: Sun Bleached & Classic Indigo if doing the color-blocked look or just one color of choice from the LB Collection Jeans Cotton Yarn Line.
- S = 700 yards or 4 skeins total
- M = 850 yards or 4 skeins total
- L = 1000 yards or 5 skeins total
- XL = 1100 yards or 6 skeins total
- 2XL = 1350 yards or 7 skeins total
- 3XL = 1500 yards or 8 skeins total
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- H 5.00 mm crochet hook
- F 3.75 mm crochet hook (For lace scalloped details)
- Measuring tape or ruler
Gauge
6 st(s) = approx. 2 inches & 2 rows of sc & dc is approx. 1 inch
Finished Sizes
- Bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54)”
- Length: 24 (24, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5)”
- Neckline: 11 (11, 12,12, 12.5, 12.5)”
- Armhole: 7 (7, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)”
Notes
- Written in Standard US terms
- Sizes are in parenthesis (S) (M) (L) (XL) (2XL) (3XL)
- The color block look is optional. If you’d prefer one color that is totally fine. (less ends to weave in!)
- I changed my color on row 34 but this is totally optional and you can change colors on any row or even make stripes!
- If you are between sizes, please size up.
- To follow pattern more easily, highlight all numbers for your size before beginning.
Pattern Steps
Note: This makes two panels.
- 1 = Front Panel
- 1 = Back Panel
Foundation Row: Ch (53 ) (63) (73) (83) (93) (103)
Row 1: Ch 1, starting in the second ch from the hook sc, sc into each ch across, turn. (52) (62) (72) (82) (92) (102)
Row 2: Ch 2, dc, sk a st, dc, go back to sk st then dc, *sk a st, dc, go back to sk st then dc, repeat from * across ending with 1 dc in last st, turn. (52) (62) (72) (82) (92) (102)
Row 3: Ch 1, starting in the first st make 1 sc, sc into each st across, turn. (52) (62) (72) (82) (92) (102)
Row 4-33: Ch 1, Repeat row 2 & 3. (52) (62) (72) (82) (92) (102)
Row 34: Change color to Classic Indigo (optional, can do one color instead), repeat row 2 (52) (62) (72) (82) (92) (102)
Row 35 – 48: Repeat row 3 & 2 (52) (62) (72) (82) (92) (102)
Size Option: For size S & M
Row 49: Repeat row 3, fasten off (52) (62)
Size Option: For size L & XL
Row 49 & 50: Repeat row 3 & 2 (72) (82)
Row 51: Repeat row 3, fasten off. (72) (82)
Size Option: For size 2XL & 3XL
Row 49 – 52: Repeat row 3 & 2. (92) (102)
Row 53: Repeat row 3, fasten off. (92) (102)
Finishing:
Sides: With the wrong side of the front & back panel facing, start at the bottom of the garment and sew the side seam (use the mattress stitch) until the inches shown below are left according to the size made. If you would like more room at the hips leave 3-4″ slit (un-seamed) at the bottom, on each side of the body.
Arm Hole: Leave indicated space for armhole when seaming up the sides at the top of the piece.
- S:7″
- M: 7.5″
- L: 8″
- XL: 8.5″
- 2XL: 9″
- 3XL: 9.5″
Shoulders: Before you work the seams ( I recommend a slip stitch seam) across the top of the shoulders, try on the garment and mark off how wide you want your neckline to be.
Lace Detail:
*Use the 3.75 mm hook for this part of the top.
(optional) I suggest using a contrasting color but any color would work fine.
Working along with the sleeve opening work four sc’s in the side of the first dc row, in the next dc row work five double crochets along the side, repeat this process around the sleeve opening, finishing with a sl st to the first set of four sc’s.
One Last Step: Weave in the ends throughout the piece with a yarn needle and you are done with your new crochet sweater top for spring & summer!
Don’t Forget to Follow Along With Me on Social Media!
If you enjoyed this free crochet pattern, please find me on Instagram, Pinterest, or come chat with me in the private Easy Crochet Facebook Group! If you have a question about this pattern the Easy Crochet crochet club group is welcoming and always looking to help out!
Awesome patterns!
Thanks Pam!
Hi the pattern is beautiful. I have one question, if you are using both colors how many skeins of each color?
Thanks for the great pattern! Just one suggestion. Re-read your promo…there’s a quite noticeable typo under the caption, “Easy to Construct Crochet Top! This piece used just TWO triangles…”. It should be changed to ‘rectangles ‘
Lol. Thank you!
Hi Krista! I too love this pattern and can’t wait to make it! I am wondering how many skeins of each color?
Thank you! by the way I was born and raised in Pittsburgh but now live in North Carolina. :).
Hi! It would all depend on the size you are making. I figured out an overall yardage but left the color blocking width to the crocheter so every one made is unique. Hope that helps!
North Carolina is the next place I’d like to live! Pittsburgh is getting a little cold. lol
Happy Crocheting!
Krista
Ok, gotcha! One other question. Is there another yarn that will work well for this pattern other than Jeans??? Thank you!
Hi! I think the new comfy cotton blend would be great with this pattern too or Heartland yarn would even work great too!
Hi! It’s a great pattern, what’s your suggestion about adding a small sleeve. Thank you.
I love this pattern and I tried to purchase the PDF pattern. When I hit the “Get the PDF” button above and I go to the page where I will be purchasing it (My Cart), it tells me I will be paying $3.98 for the pattern. However, above where the “Get the PDF” button is, it indicates that the pattern is $2.99. I don’t mind paying $3.98 for the pattern because that is a reasonable price for such a cute pattern, however, if it says $2.99 and then changes to $3.98 in “My Cart”, something is wrong. Am I missing something? Help!
Hi Mary,
That was a mistake on my part! I wrote the wrong price down in the post. It is supposed to be $3.98. Thank you finding this mistake. I fixed it. 🙂
Krista
Hi! Just bought your pattern. Lovely blouse! If I wanted to make this for a 9 y/o girl, could I use a smaller hook? Maybe size F or G? Thank you! =)
Hi Suhey,
You could, but I cannot guarantee it would work as written. Let me know how it turns out.
Krista