Two excellent options for summer tops to crochet, or summer dresses!
Looking for summer tops to crochet? The side slit crochet summer top is a tough name to say but I’m so happy with how this summer crochet top pattern design came out. Or a summer crochet dress pattern?
It’s a challenge to design a new pattern every week, but it keeps me on my toes and really forces me to come up with new and interesting projects. I’m sure you know I’m obsessed with designing crochet tops, it’s only every a matter of designing summer crochet tops or winter?
An even more fun challenge is to design something that is versatile enough that you all can customize it for as many purposes as possible. Like a combo summer tops to crochet/crochet dress pattern?
This crochet side slit top is no exception. It matches perfectly with a cute pair of shorts for the summer, but it doesn’t disappoint with some comfy stretchy pants or even jeans. Even sexier is….it can easily be made into a stunning crochet dress pattern!
This is a full written pattern in sizes XS-XXL. It’s a beginner friendly, step by step tutorial, so even if you’ve been to intimidated to make your first crochet top, this will get you there.
I’ve also included a video tutorial to make it easier for people that don’t do well with written patterns. If you’d like the printable PDF version or if you’d just like to support these free tutorials, you can find this and many more on my Etsy, Ravelry shop.
If you’re looking for other summer tops to crochet or maybe another crochet dress pattern, you might like some of these below.
I have SO many crochet top patterns, for all seasons and occasions, feel free to browse through them all!
Just follow the links in the caption or use the search bar in the right side menu to explore more free patterns.

Materials
- I used Lion brand comfy cotton blend #3 Light weight yarn ( 392 yards/ 358 meters ) per skein
- Color A Whipped cream
- Color B Stained glass
- Crochet hook size 5 mm
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
*Some of the links below are for affiliate products that I make a small commission from. It’s no extra charge to you, makes shopping easier and helps support these free projects.
Stitches used & code
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- dc = double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- sk = skip
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
- rs = right side
- ws = wrong side
- Picot = ch 3 sl st into the back bump of the first ch that we did
Notes:
- This crochet top pattern made as us women’s XS – XXL
- This top is made in 2 pieces and then sewn together. We’ll crochet around the edges after
- In this picture I have demonstrated with size small
- This pattern is in multiples of 2 + 3
- This pattern is a 4 row repeat
Gauge blocked: 14 dc X 7 rows = 4″
Measurements across back ( After blocked )
- XS = 15.14″ Width X 24.57″ Length (color A 410 yards, color 155 yards)
- S = 16.28″ Width X 24.57″ Length (color A 440 yards, color B 180 yards)
- M = 18.57″ Width X 24.57″ Length (color A 470 yards, color B 205 yards)
- L = 20.28″ Width X 26.85″ Length (color A 500 yards, color B 230)
- XL = 22.57″ Width X 26.85″ Length (color A 530 yards, color B 255 yards)
- XXL = 24.28″ Width X 26.85″ Length (color A 560 yards, color B 280 yards)

The crochet top pattern (or crochet dress pattern if you keep going)
Panels ( Make 2 )
Note: Make sure to make the last st into the third ch/the turning ch st in each row.
Row 1 ( rs ) Color A : ch 55( 59, 67, 73, 81, 87 ), sk 3 ch ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into next ch and each ch across. Total of 53( 57, 65, 71, 79, 85 ) dc
Row 2 ( ws ) Color B : Turn, ch 4 ( count as 1 dc and 1 ch ), sk next st, 1 dc into next st, *ch 1, sk next st, 1dc into next st* rep from *to* until the end. Total of 27( 29, 33, 36, 40, 43 ) dc and 26( 28, 32, 35, 39, 42 ) 1 ch sp
Row 3 Color A : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), * 1 dc into 1 ch sp, 1 dc into the dc st* rep from *to* until the end. Total of 53( 57, 65, 71, 79, 85 ) dc
Row 4 Color A : Turn, ch 3 ( count as 1 dc ), 1 dc into next st and each st across. Total of 53( 57, 65, 71, 79, 85 ) dc
Row 5 rep row 4
- XS = rep row 2-5 9 more times. Total of 41 rows
- S = rep row 2-5 9 more times. Total of 41 rows
- M = rep row 2-5 9 more time. Total of 41 rows
- L = rep row 2-5 10 more times. Total of 45 rows
- XL = rep row 2-5 10 more times. Total of 45 rows
- XXL = rep row 2-5 10 more times. Total of 45 rows
Change color the same way as the pattern repeat
*If you a want a shorter top, just rep row 2-5 less times. If you want a longer top or even a crochet dress, just keep repeating row 2-5 until you have your desired length.
Right shoulder
Row 42( 42, 42, 46, 46, 46 ) Color B : Turn, ch 4 ( count as 1 dc and 1 ch ), sk next st, 1 dc into next st, *ch 1, sk next st, 1 dc into next st* rep from *to* 4( 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 ) more times. Total of 7( 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 ) dc and 6( 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 ) 1 ch sp
Row 43( 43, 43, 47, 47, 47 ) Color B : Turn, ch 4 ( count as 1 dc and 1 ch ), 1 dc into the dc st, *ch 1, 1 dc into the dc st* rep from *to* until the end. Total of 7( 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 ) dc and 6( 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 ) 1 ch sp. Cut the yarn and leave about 14-20 inches long, enough to sew the shoulder of the back and front panels together.
Left shoulder
Row 42( 42, 42, 46, 46, 46 ) Color B : Turn, sk 27( 27, 27, 29, 29, 31 ) st at the middle for the neck hole opening (start count from the next st after last dc of row 42( 42, 42, 46, 46, 46 ) on the right shoulder), add new yarn into next st and then, ch 4 ( count as 1 dc and 1 ch ), sk next st, 1 dc into into next st *ch 1, sk next st, 1 dc into next st* rep from *to* until the end. Total of 7( 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 ) dc and 6( 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 ) 1 ch sp ( Check picture below )
Row 43( 43, 43, 47, 47, 47 ) Color B : Turn, ch 4 ( count as 1 dc and 1 ch ), 1 dc into the dc st, *ch 1, 1 dc into the dc st* rep from *to* until the end(The last st is a third ch st ). Total of 7( 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 ) dc and 6( 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 ) 1 ch sp. Cut the yarn and leave about 14-20 inches long, enough to sew the shoulder the back and front panels together ( Check picture below )

*While the front and back panels are made the same, you only need to leave the tails on one panel for both shoulders.
Sew the front and back shoulders together
Place your panel right side facing down. We’ll sew on the wrong side, using the tails that we left earlier. Use which ever method you prefer to sew.

*Weave all the ends before we join the side seam
Join the crochet top pattern sides together
For this project I’m leaving the seam open on the bottom. Counting from the bottom, skip 14 rows and place the first st marker into row 15. Continue counting and place the second stitch marker in the 30th row. We will join from the first st marker to the second st marker.
I used a flat sl st to join on the sides, but you can also just use a yarn needle to sew. If you want to use the yarn needle to join, you’ll need to cut a new strand of yarn 20-30 inches long, enough to sew from the first st marker to the second st marker and sew on the wrong side.
For flat sl st join we’ll work on the right side and we’ll join the end of each row of the front and back panels together ( sp for reference ). It’s so difficult to see the normal st, but just make sure the it’s not too tight and even on both sides.
Flat sl st join
Color B, insert hook into the st before first st marker on the back panel and then insert hook into the st before first st marker on the front panel. Grab a new yarn, yarn over hook and pull through all loops on hook, *insert hook into next st of the back panel, insert hook into first hook into front panel, yarn over hook and pull all loops on hook* rep from *to* until you reach the second st marker. ( Check picture below )


Crochet around the arm hole edges
For the arm hole edges I used the same yarn that I used to join the sides of the top together. We’ll crochet into the end of each row(sp for reference). *1 sc, picot, 1 sc* all into same sp, rep from *to* around until the end. ( Check picture below )


Neck hole edges
Color B, add new yarn at the corner, 1 sc, *picot, sk next st, 1 sc into next st* rep from *to* until you reach the next corner, at the shoulder make *1 sc, picot, 1 sc* all into same sp, rep from *to* until you reach the next corner, 1 sc, *picot, sk next st, 1 sc into next st* rep from *to* until you reach the next corner, at the shoulder make *1 sc, picot, 1 sc* all into same sp rep from *to* until the end. Cut the yarn and weave the end. ( Check picture below )


The sides and bottom edges
Color B, add new yarn at the sp next to the first flat sl st join, *1 sc, picot, 1 sc* all into same sp, rep from * to* until you reach the corner, *picot, sk next st, 1 sc into next st* rep from *to* until you reach the next corner, *1 sc, picot, 1 sc* all into same sp, rep from *to* until the end. ( Check picture below )


Congratulations, you did it! I’d love to see everyone’s work. If you want to share with me, just tag me on FB or IG. If you think your fiber art folks would enjoy crochet top patterns/a crochet dress pattern like this or any of the many summer tops to crochet we share on the blog, be sure to pass this on.
Happy crocheting


Sherida
Monday 7th of September 2020
Hi! First time to your blog. I love your patterns and your instructions! Hoping to make this for myself someday, also love the drunken granny top.
Thank you for your inspiration and free patterns.
Knitcroaddict
Tuesday 8th of September 2020
Hey Sherida, welcome! Glad to have you, you're very welcome. Thanks for the kind words, best of luck on the tops, you got this!