Free Crochet Top Pattern – Tea Time Tee
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As of April 2024, this pattern has been updated.
I’m so excited to share the updated Tea Time Tee, now a free pattern! Perfect for leisurely afternoons or stylish outings, this versatile crochet top pattern boasts a delicate blend of intricate stitches and beautiful texture that captivates the eye. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or just beginning your journey with yarn and hook, this pattern promises an enjoyable and rewarding project.
Pattern Inspiration
I designed this top with function and style in mind! I love a simple basic tee, but I also like a little bit of flare when it comes to my outfits.
This crochet top pattern has both! It is simple and basic and looks great dressed up or down. But it also has that cute lacy detailing on the back to give it just a little flare and style!
The Details
The pattern now comes in children’s sizes 2 through 10 and women’s sizes XS through 5X!
The pattern is worked from the bottom up and only requires a small bit of seaming at the shoulders. It is easy to make adjustments in the length and width, as well as in the arms and neckline.
The pattern is rated Intermediate in pattern difficulty simply because it is a garment that requires some basic knowledge of sizing, ease, and adjusting to fit. But an advanced beginner could easily tackle this project with some determination.
The tee has 1-4″ of positive ease.
If you’re new to crocheting garments, this would be a great top to start with! Also, be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to Crocheting Garments series to help you create a garment that fits great!
The Yarn
For my updated version of this pattern I chose to use WeCrochet Comfy Sport yarn. This yarn is a sport (#2) weight yarn made of 75% Pima Cotton and 25% acrylic. This yarn has quickly become my new favorite for all spring and summertime makes! The Comfy line comes in 3 weights, fingering, sport, and worsted. This cotton blend makes it cool and lightweight for warm weather and is so comfortable on the skin!
This yarn is machine washable and holds up so well when washed. It comes in a lovely variety of colors and is great for shoppers on a budget!
Premium Upgrade!
This pattern is also available as a premium pattern! A premium pattern is an ad-free, printable version of the pattern with extras like a schematic, photos, and links to stitch and construction tutorials! Plus space for your own notes to jot down as you work on the pattern.
You can purchase the premium pattern on Ravelry or Etsy! Click the buttons below to head on over to the Tea Time Tee purchase listing!
More Lightweight Summer Crochet Tops
Tea Time Tee Crochet Top Pattern
Upgrade and purchase the ad-free, printable pdf pattern on Ravelry or Etsy!
Yarn:
75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic
50g/136yds
Hook:
H/8 (5.0mm) crochet hook
Other Materials:
Gauge:
15 ehdc x 10 rows = 4”
Pattern Difficulty:
Intermediate
Stitches Needed & Abbreviations:
st(s)- stitch(es)
ch(s)- chain(s)
sc- single crochet
ehdc- extended half double crochet
dc- double crochet
shell- (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc)
WS- wrong side
RS- right side
* – repeat from
Sizing:
| Size | Chest Circumference | Finished Circumference | Finished Length | Yardage |
| 2/3 | 21” | 23” | 15.25” | 574 |
| 4/5 | 23” | 25.5” | 16” | 623 |
| 6/8 | 27” | 29” | 16.75” | 672 |
| 10/12 | 30” | 32” | 17.25” | 702 |
| XS | 28-30” | 32” | 22.5” | 782 |
| S | 32-34” | 35” | 23” | 879 |
| M | 36-38” | 41.5” | 23.25” | 989 |
| L | 40-42” | 44.75” | 23.5” | 1093 |
| XL | 44-46” | 48” | 23.75” | 1172 |
| 2X | 48-50” | 51” | 24.75” | 1275 |
| 3X | 52-54” | 57.5” | 25.5” | 1380 |
| 4X | 56-58” | 60.75” | 26.25” | 1484 |
| 5X | 60-62” | 64” | 26.75” | 1563 |
Pattern Notes:
Pattern is in US terms.
Garment is worked from the bottom up in the round. You will join with a slip stitch to the first stitch unless stated otherwise. You will turn each round.
Once the bottom of the garment is completed you will work in rows to create a front and back panel, which will create the armholes. You will then seam the two panels together at the shoulders.
Pattern is written in smallest sizes with additional sizes in parentheses as follows 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) and XS (S, M, L, XL)(2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Stitch count for ALL sizes is in parentheses at the end of each round/row.
Garment is worked in multiples of 6. Both bottom and panels must be a multiple of 6.
Tee has approximately 1-4” of positive ease. Check gauge within pattern in case of tension change and stretching.
Extended half double crochet stitch tutorial: https://youtu.be/VkIH0ZUzZMk?si=TQQZyYMqBSZkbRwO
Working a garment from the bottom up demonstration: https://youtu.be/zxK2RlonEAI?si=HkKEYiQNPOudTl3e
Pattern:
Children’s Sizes
Bottom of Tee:
Ch 84 (96, 108, 120), join to 1st st. (84, 96, 108, 120)
Round 1: Ch 1, ehdc in 1st ch and each ch around, join to 1st st. (84, 96, 108, 120)
Round 2: Ch 1, turn, 1 ehdc in each st around, join to 1st st. (84, 96, 108, 120)
Rounds 3- 28(28, 30, 30): repeat round 2.
Do not fasten off. Move on to Front Panel.
Front Panel:
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, ehdc in 1st 42 (48, 54, 60) sts. (42, 48, 54, 60)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, ehdc in each st across. (42, 48, 54, 60)
Rows 3-11 (13, 13, 15): repeat row 2.
Fasten off. Move on to Back Panel.
Back Panel:
Join yarn to first unworked stitch on body of tee, facing RS.
Row 1: Ch 1, 1 ehdc in first 6 sts, *ch 2, skip 5 sts, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next st*, repeat from * 3(4, 5, 6) more times, ch 2, skip 6 sts, 1 ehdc in last 6 sts. (12 ehdc/4, 5, 6, 7 shells)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 1 ehdc in first 6 sts, ch 3, *1 dc in ch-2 space of shell, ch 3, 1 sc around next ch-2 space, ch 3*, repeat from * across to last ch-2 space, ehdc in last 6 sts. (12 ehdc/4, 5, 6, 7 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 1 ehdc in first 6 sts, *ch 2, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next dc; repeat from * across to last dc, ch 2, 1 ehdc in last 6 sts. (12 ehdc/4, 5, 6, 7 shells)
Rows 4-11 (13, 13, 15): repeat rows 2-3.
Do not fasten off. Continue to Joining Panels Section.
Joining Panels:
Turn garment inside out.
Working from the outer edge inwards toward the middle, but sure to work through both panels, slip stitch, or use your tapestry needle to sew, each stitch across for 6 (9, 11, 14) sts. Fasten off. Join yarn to the other side of the panels and do the exact same thing. (I slip stitched until the lacy stitching and then used my tapestry needle to sew the rest together.)
You may need more or less stitches on each side sewn together, depending on garment size and head size. You want garment to easily slip over your head, but not have the neck hole too wide.
Armhole Trim:
Join yarn to bottom of armhole.
Work one round of sc evenly around armhole, join to first st.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Tip: If you’d like a longer sleeve you can also do rounds of ehdc before doing the trim.
Adult Sizes:
Bottom of Tee:
Ch 120 (132, 156, 168, 180)(192, 216, 228, 240), join to 1st st. (120, 132, 156, 168, 180)(192, 216, 228, 240)
Round 1: (RS) Ch 1, ehdc in 1st ch and each ch around, join to 1st st. (120, 132, 156, 168, 180)(192, 216, 228, 240)
Round 2: Ch 1, turn, 1 ehdc in each st around, join to 1st st. (120, 132, 156, 168, 180)(192, 216, 228, 240)
Rounds 3-40: repeat round 2.
Do not fasten off. Move on to Front Panel.
Front Panel:
Row 1: (RS) Ch 1, turn, ehdc in first 60 (66, 78, 84, 90)(96, 106, 116, 120) sts. (60, 66, 78, 84, 90)(96, 106, 116, 120)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, ehdc in each st across. (60, 66, 78, 84, 90)(96, 106, 116, 120)
Rows 3-17 (17, 19, 19, 21)(23, 25, 25, 27): repeat row 2.
Fasten off. Move on to Back Panel.
Back Panel:
Join yarn to first unworked stitch on body of tee, facing RS.
Row 1: Ch 1, 1 ehdc in first 12 sts, *ch 2, skip 5 sts, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next st*, repeat from * 3(4, 5, 6) more times, ch 2, skip 6 sts, 1 ehdc in last 12 sts. 24 ehdc/ (5, 6, 8, 9, 10)(11, 13, 14, 15) shells
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 1 ehdc in first 6 sts, ch 3, *1 dc in ch-2 space of shell, ch 3, 1 sc around next ch-2 space, ch 3*, repeat from * across to last ch-2 space, ehdc in last 6 sts. 24 ehdc/ (5, 6, 8, 9, 10)(11, 13, 14, 15) dc
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 1 ehdc in first 6 sts, *ch 2, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next dc; repeat from * across to last dc, ch 2, 1 ehdc in last 6 sts. 24 ehdc/ (5, 6, 8, 9, 10)(11, 13, 14, 15) shells
Rows 4-17 (17, 19, 19, 21)(23, 25, 25, 27): repeat rows 2 and 3.
Do not fasten off. Continue to Joining Panels Section.
Joining Panels:
Turn garment inside out.
Working from the outer edge inwards toward the middle, but sure to work through both panels, slip stitch, or use your tapestry needle to sew, each stitch across for 11 (14, 19, 22, 25)(28, 34, 37, 40) sts. Fasten off.
Join yarn to the other side of the panels and do the exact same thing. (I slip stitched until the lacy stitching and then used my tapestry needle to sew the rest together.)
You may need more or less stitches on each side sewn together, depending on garment size and head size. You want garment to easily slip over your head, but not have the neck hole too wide.
Armhole Trim:
Join yarn to bottom of armhole.
Work one round of sc evenly around armhole, join to first st.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Tip: If you’d like a longer sleeve you can also do rounds of ehdc before doing the trim.
Love this pattern? Check out the rest of my Free Crochet Patterns!
Michelle has been crocheting since 2011 and has been designing crochet patterns since 2014! She specializes in modern garments and accessories for your handmade wardrobe. Michelle has been featured in Happily Hooked Magazine, thehooknooklife.com, wecrochet.com, ourmakerlife.com, and several other websites. She is committed to providing the highest quality crochet information and patterns that instill a true feeling of pride, enjoyment, and accomplishment when completing a project.
