A beginner friendly crochet tee~ The Harper Tee is a Free Pattern here on the blog!

Read through my inspiration and design process, scroll down for the Free Pattern or purchase the Full Color coded Printable PDF Here!

Inspiration + Design

Fall is officially here Y’all…. and although it may not feel like Fall in a lot of places, I have the perfect transitional piece to add to your Handmade wardrobe!

This beginner crochet tee is not only super simple to make but it is also the perfect “everyday tee”! It will pair perfectly with virtually everything in your closet! Wear it with your favorite leggings while crocheting and binge watching Netflix, throw on some boots and a jean jacket for running errands, or pair it with your favorite pair of jeans for a stylish and classy look!

The Yarn

For this beginner crochet tee, I chose my favorite yarn, Lion Brand Coboo! For most of you, I am sure that came as no surprise! I have used Coboo for most of my recent designs and trust me, it still does not disappoint!

Check out some of my other designs using Coboo Here!

If you love super soft and silky yarn and a garment that drapes gorgeously, then Coboo is sure to become your new best friend!

Shop for Coboo Here!

Pattern

~Purchase the Color Coded Printable PDF Here.

~Save it to your Ravelry Here.

To Sum it up:

The Harper Tee is a beginner crochet tee, that is made in 2 separate “T” shaped panels and seamed together at the end. It comes in two different lengths, Hip length and Tunic Length making this top suitable for everyone!

Yarn

Lion Brand Coboo (Category 3-Light, Dk weight)

Below is the approximate yardage for all sizes:

For Sizes XS(S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Tunic Length Version

First Color (Tan)- 2(2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins

Second Color (Steele Blue)- 2(3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins 

Or 800(900, 1000, 1075, 1200, 1275, 1350, 1475, 1525) yds of similar category 3-light weight yarn that matches gauge. 

Hip Length Version 

First Color (Tan)- 2(2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) skeins

Second Color (Steele Blue)- 2(3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4)

Or 700 (800, 900, 975, 1050, 1125, 1200, 1300, 1350) yds of similar category 3-light weight yarn that matches gauge.

Notions

–Size G (4.0 mm) Hook

–Yarn Needle

–Stitch Markers

Gauge

Gauge before Blocking

15 Hdc and 12 Hdc Rows = 4”

Gauge after Blocking 

14 Hdc and 11 Hdc rows = 4”

**It is very important to check gauge before you begin to ensure proper fit**

Sizing

This Beginner Crochet tee is made to be slightly loose fitting, with approximately 1”-2” of positive ease added. The measurements are Finished garment sizes, not actual bust measurements. When choosing your size, find the bust measurement that equals approximately 2” more than your actual bust measurement and make that size. 

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	2X	3X	4X	5X
Bust	32”	36”	40”	44”	48”	52”	56”	60”	64”
Panel Width	16”	18”	20”	22”	24”	26”	28”	30”	32”
Hip Length	22.5”	23”	23.25”	23.5”	23.75”	24”	24”	24.5”	24.5”
Tunic Length	25.5”	26”	26.25”	26.5”	26.75”	27”	27”	27.5”	27.5”

Abbreviations Used

Ch- Chain

Yo- Yarn Over

St- Stitch

Fhdc- Foundation Half Double Crochet 

Hdc- Half Double Crochet 

Pattern Notes

-Pattern is worked in 2 identical “T” shaped panels from bottom up

-Ch 2 does NOT count as a stitch throughout 

-First Color is Tan. The second color is Steele Blue 

-Total Stitches are indicated between [ ]

-The sizing guide follows size XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). E.g. “Ch 58(65, 72, 79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114)” means Ch 58 for XS, Ch 65 for Small, Ch 72 for Medium, Ch 79 for Large, Ch 86 for XL, Ch 93 for 2X, Ch 100 for 3X, Ch 107 for 4X, Ch 114 for 5X. If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.

The Harper Tee

Instructions written XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Panels

*Make 2 

Bottom Section

With First Color 

Row 1: Fhdc 56(63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112). Ch 2, Turn.

*If you are uncomfortable with the Fhdc, you can Ch 58(65, 72, 79, 86, 93, 100, 107, 114), Hdc in the 3rd Ch from the hook and in each Ch across*

Row 2: Hdc in the first St and each St across. Ch 2, Turn. [56(63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105,  112)] 

*Hip Length*

Repeat row 2 until your panel measures approximately 7.5” or until you have completed 21 rows. 

*Tunic Length*

Repeat row 2 until your panel measures approximately 8.75” or until you have completed 24 rows. 

Striped Section 

Row 1: Hdc in the first St and each St across until the very last St. Hdc in the last St but  before you finish the St, Yo in your new color and finish the Hdc with the new color. Ch  2, Turn. [56(63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112)]

This is where we will begin to make the stripes, you will now be carrying the first color along with you behind the second color and changing the color at the end of each row. 

Row 2: In the second color, Hdc in the first St and each St across. (Make sure to carry your  first color with you and switch to the first color at the end of the row.) Ch 2, Turn.   [56(63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112)]

Tip: Right before changing colors, it is helpful to check to make sure that the non dominant color yarn is not peeking through the front of your work or bunching up. If it is, simply give the non dominant yarn a gentle tug to even out the stitches. 

Row 3: In the first color, Hdc in the first St and each St across. (Make sure to carry your  second color with you and switch to the second color at the end of the row.) Ch 2,  Turn.  [56(63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112)]

*Hip Length* 

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until your panel measures approximately 15.5” or until you have completed 22 rows. 

*Tunic Length*

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until your panel measures approximately 18.25” or until you have completed 26 rows. 

***Finish off with the First Color. The remainder of the top will be made in the second color.***

Top Section 

Ch 16, Turn. 

Row 1: Sk 2 the first 2 Ch St. Hdc across the remaining 14 Ch stitches, Hdc across the body  stitches. Ch 16, Turn. Sk 2 St. [70(77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 126) Hdc only]

Row 2: Sk 2 the first 2 Ch St. Hdc across the remaining 14 Ch stitches and in each St across.  Ch 2, Turn. [84(91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 126, 133, 140)]

Row 3: Hdc in the first St and each St across. Ch 2, Turn. [84(91, 98, 105, 112, 119, 126, 133,  140)]

*Hip Length* 

Repeat Row 3 until your panel measures 22.5(23, 23.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24, 24, 24.5, 24.5)” or until you have completed 19(20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25) rows.

*Tunic Length* 

Repeat Row 3 until your panel measures 25.75(26.25, 26.5, 27, 27.25, 27.5, 27.5, 28, 28)” or until you have completed 21(22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 26, 27, 27) rows.

Finish off leaving a long tail to seam up the shoulders. 

Construction 

Lay your panels on top of one another with right sides facing each other. Using your yarn needle and the yarn tail, seam the shoulders together using the mattress stitch. It is helpful to use stitch markers to mark how far in you will be sewing. I sewed approximately 7” or 25 Stitches inward from the edge of both sleeves. You can customize the size of your neckline by adding or reducing the number of stitches you seam. 

Once you have your shoulders seamed, cut a piece of yarn about 3 times as long as your side seam. Beginning at the bottom corner of your sleeve, mattress stitch down to the bottom of your top. 

Tie off, tuck in those ends and enjoy your new Harper Tee!

Make sure to pin this pattern for later, and if you do make one tag me @Cactus.and.lace on Instagram and use the hashtag #CactusandlaceDesigns . I can’t wait to see your Harper Tees, and I would love to share your pics! 🌵

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The Rowan Racerback Tank// The Kahe Kai Top// The Wren Tee// The Ivy Tee