Learn how to crochet an easy summer crochet top with the Kya Tee free crochet pattern. Using simple open stitches and light weight cotton yarn, this tee will be the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe!

Love the look of this Tee, but you’re more of a tank top kinda girl….. Don’t worry, The Kya Top comes in a Tank Version as well.

Find the Free Crochet Tee Pattern below or purchase the Full color coded printable PDF with both the Tee + Tank versions here!

The Inspiration Behind The Kya Summer Crochet Top

It’s no secret that summer crochet tops are at the top of my list of favorite things to design. I just love the loose, airy stitches, the light weight yarn, and not to mention how quick they work up.

So a few months ago when I picked up some cotton yarn at the Hobby Lobby yarn clearance, I knew immediately that I wanted to make a cute little summer top with it. And before I knew it, this summer crochet top was flying off my hook. I loved the unique look of these stitches so much that I decided to make both a tank and a tee version!

Looking for other Tank + Tee designs? Check out the Wren Tank + Wren Tee Here!

The Yarn

For this summer crochet top I used Yarn Bee Sugarwheel Cotton Solids yarn, a category 3 light weight, Dk yarn. This yarn is a 100 % Cotton yarn and unlike a lot of other cotton yarns, it is actually very soft and light. It was my first time using this particular yarn and I was hesitant at first, but I definitely was not disappointed and I would use this yarn again.

Some other yarn suggestions that I think would work for this summer crochet top are:

Lion Brand Coboo

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Dk

Crochet.com CotLin

Pattern

~Purchase the Color Coded Printable PDF with both the Tank + Tee Versions Here.

~Save it to your Ravelry Here.

Yarn

Category 3 Light weight Dk Yarn

Below is the approximate yardage for all sizes:

Notions

-Size K (6.5 mm) Hook

-Yarn Needle

Gauge

12 Hdc St and 9 rows = 4”

Sizing

This Summer Crochet Top is made to have a classic fit with approximately 2-4” positive ease. The measurements are Finished garment sizes. When choosing your size, find the bust measurement that equals approximately 2-4” larger than your actual bust measurement and make that size. 

Abbreviations Used

St- Stitch

Ch- Chain 

Yo- Yarn Over

Sc- Single Crochet 

Hdc- Half Double Crochet 

Hdc2Tog- Half Double Crochet 2 Together 

Pattern Notes

-Ch 1 turning Ch does NOT count as a stitch throughout.

-Ch 1 within the rows counts as a stitch.

-Total Stitches are indicated between [ ].

-The sizing guide follows size XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). E.g. “Ch 49(55, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85, 91, 97)” means Ch 49 for XS, Ch 55 for Small, Ch 61 for Medium, Ch 67 for Large, Ch 73 for XL, Ch 79 for 2X, Ch 85 for 3X, Ch 91 for 4X, Ch 97 for 5X. If there is only one number, it applies to all sizes.  

The Kya Summer Crochet Top

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

Front Panel

Row 1: Ch 49(55, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85, 91, 97). Hdc in the 2nd Ch from the Hook. *Yo, insert hook  into the next Ch, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next Ch,  bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last Ch. Hdc in  the last Ch. Turn. [48(54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96) St]

Row 2: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull  through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops.  Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last St. Hdc in the last St. Turn. [48(54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84,  90, 96) St]

Row 3: Repeat row 2.

Row 4: Repeat row 2. 

Row 5: Repeat row 2. 

Row 6: Repeat row 2.

Row 7: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn. [48(54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96)  Hdc]

Row 8: Repeat row 7. 

Row 9: Repeat row 7.

Row 10: Repeat row 2. 

Repeat rows 2-10 until you have a total of 42 rows. 

***If you would like to do a color block tee or tank change to your second color on row 34.***

Do not finish off. We will now be splitting for the neckline. 

Row 43: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 14(16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20, 20) St. Hdc2Tog.  Leaving the remain stitches unworked. Turn. [16(18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 22) Hdc]

Row 44: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 12(14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn.  [14(16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20, 20) Hdc]

Row 45: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 10(12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn.  [12(14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18) Hdc]

Row 46: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2  loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1.*  Repeat from * to * until 2 St remain. Hdc2Tog. Turn. [10(12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16) St]

Row 47: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull  through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops.  Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last St. Hdc in the last St. Turn. [10(12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16,  16, 16) St]

Row 48: Repeat row 47. 

Row 49: Repeat row 47.

Size XS finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 50: Repeat row 47.

Size S finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 51: Repeat row 47.

Size M & L finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 52: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn.

Size XL & 2XL finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 53: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn.

All other sizes finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Opposite Shoulder 

With your panel laying in front of you and the first shoulder on the right side, skip 12(14, 20, 22, 28, 30, 36, 42, 48) stitches. Join in the next St. 

Row 43: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 14(16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20, 20) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn.  [16(18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 22) Hdc]

Row 44: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 12(14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn. [14(16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20, 20) Hdc]

Row 45: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 10(12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn. [12(14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18, 18) Hdc]

Row 46: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2  loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1.*  Repeat from * to * until 2 St remain. Hdc2Tog. Turn. [10(12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16) St]

Row 47: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull  through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops.  Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last St. Hdc in the last St. Turn. [10(12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16,  16, 16) St]

Row 48: Repeat row 47. 

Row 49: Repeat row 47.

Size XS finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 50: Repeat row 47.

Size S finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 51: Repeat row 47.

Size M & L finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 52: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn.

Size XL & 2XL finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 53: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn.

All other sizes finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Back Panel 

Row 1: Ch 49(55, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85, 91, 97). Hdc in the 2nd Ch from the Hook. *Yo, insert hook  into the next Ch, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next Ch,  bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last Ch. Hdc in  the last Ch. Turn. [48(54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96) St]

Row 2: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull  through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops.  Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last St. Hdc in the last St. Turn. [48(54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84,  90, 96) St]

Row 3: Repeat row 2.

Row 4: Repeat row 2. 

Row 5: Repeat row 2. 

Row 6: Repeat row 2.

Row 7: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn. [48(54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96)  Hdc]

Row 8: Repeat row 7. 

Row 9: Repeat row 7.

Row 10: Repeat row 2. 

Repeat rows 2-10 until you have a total of 42 rows. 

Row 43: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 44(50, 56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn.  [46(52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82, 88, 94) Hdc]

Row 44: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 42(48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn.  [44(50, 56, 62, 68, 74, 80, 86, 92) Hdc]

Row 45: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. Hdc in the next 40(46, 52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82, 88) St. Hdc2Tog. Turn.  [42(48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90) Hdc]

Row 46: Ch 1. Hdc2Tog. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2  loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1.*  Repeat from * to * until 2 St remain. Hdc2Tog. Turn. [40(46, 52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82, 88) St]

Row 47: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St. *Yo, insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull  through 2 loops. Insert hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops.  Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until last St. Hdc in the last St. Turn. [40(46, 52, 58, 64, 70, 76,  82, 88) St]

Row 48: Repeat row 47. 

Row 49: Repeat row 47.

Size XS finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 50: Repeat row 47.

Size S finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 51: Repeat row 47.

Size M & L finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 52: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn.

Size XL & 2XL finish off leaving a tail to seam shoulders

Row 53: Ch 1. Hdc in the first St and in each St across. Turn.

All other sizes finish off leaving a tail to seam 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.

Once you have your shoulders seamed, cut a piece of yarn about 3 times as long as your side seam. Place a stitch marker on your top marking where you want your seam to stop and your armholes to start. You will be seaming from the armhole down towards the bottom. A good place to begin your seam is Row 34 then seam down to Row 5. This will create the side slits. 

Sleeves 

Attach yarn in the armpit area and Ch 1. You will now be working around the arm hole opening in rounds.

***This portion of the sleeves is worked in TURNED rounds. Join at the end of each round with a Sl St and then TURN your work so that your next round will be worked in the opposite direction. ***

Round 1: Hdc 42(44, 46, 46, 48, 50, 52, 52, 52) evenly around the arm hole opening. Join with  a Sl St to the first Hdc. Turn. [42(44, 46, 46, 48, 50, 52, 52, 52) Hdc]

Round 2: Ch 1. Hdc in each St around. Join with a Sl St. Turn. [42(44, 46, 46, 48, 50, 52, 52,  52) Hdc]

Round 3: Ch 1. Hdc in each St around. Join with a Sl St. Turn. [42(44, 46, 46, 48, 50, 52, 52,  52) Hdc]

Round 4: Ch 1. Yo, insert hook into the first St. Bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2 loops. Insert  hook into the next St. Bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1. *Yo, insert  hook into the next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through 2 loops. Insert hook into the  next St, bring up a loop. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. Ch 1.* Repeat from * to * around.  Ending with a Ch 1. Join with a Sl St. Turn. [42(44, 46, 46, 48, 50, 52, 52, 52) St]

Round 5: Repeat round 4. 

Round 6: Repeat round 4. 

Round 7: Repeat round 4. 

Round 8: Repeat round 4. 

Round 9: Repeat round 4. Do not turn after joining this round. 

Round 10: Ch 1. Sc in each St around. Join with a Sl St. [42(44, 46, 46, 48, 50, 52, 52, 52) Sc]

Finish off

Neckline

Join yarn with a Sl St at one of the shoulder seams. Ch 1, and Sc around the neckline. Join with a Sl St to the first St. Finish off. 

Bottom Trim

Join yarn with a Sl St on one of the bottom corners. Ch 1, and Sc around the bottom of the panels including the side slits. Join with a Sl St to the first St. Finish off. 

Tie off, tuck in those ends and enjoy your new Kya 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 Kya Tee, and I would love to share your pics! 🌵

Other Free Crochet Patterns You Might Love

The Kahe Kai Top // The Rowan Tank // The Harper Tee // The Ivy Tee