Most crochet tops are built panel by panel, this one starts from a center ring and spirals outward into the body, giving it a mandala-style structure that’s genuinely different to wear and to make. The circular motif sits at the back (or front, depending on how you style it), while the open lace sleeves keep the whole piece feeling light despite the long length. It’s a natural next step if you’ve already tried something like the daisy lace off-shoulder top or want a more textured take on the style found in the open weave fan stitch top.
Asymmetrical Crochet Top Long Sleeve
The body panel is worked in rounds using puff stitch clusters that build into petal shapes as the motif grows, each round adds definition without adding bulk. Once the circle reaches the right diameter, the lace sections are worked outward from the edges to form the sleeves and neckline, so the shaping happens organically rather than through seaming.
Materials
Yarn: Approximately 800 yards of weight 4 (Medium/Worsted) 100% acrylic yarn.
Hook: 6.5 mm (US K-10.5) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and 4 stitch markers.
Stitches Featured in This Pattern
Sizing & Measurements
Size: Written for size Small/Medium (fits up to a 32-inch chest measurement).
Customization Note: To increase the overall sweater size, simply work extra rounds of double crochet or mesh to the exterior of the front and back body squares before assembling.
Sleeve Note: The sleeves are designed to look intentionally short while working up. Do not panic! The open lace stitch pattern stretches significantly during blocking and wearing.
Written Pattern Instructions
Front and Back Panels (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1, then work 7 single crochets into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. (8 single crochets total)
Round 2: Chain 3 (counts as your first double crochet). Work 1 double crochet into the base of that chain. Work 2 double crochets into each remaining stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3. (16 double crochets total)
Round 3: Work a sunflower cluster in each stitch around as follows: Chain 3, work 2 partial double crochets into the first stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook, then chain 1. Repeat this cluster sequence in every stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first cluster. (16 sunflower clusters total)
Round 4: Slip stitch into the first chain space. Work a puff stitch by pulling up 10 loops (5 yarn-overs) in that space, yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook, then chain 3. Repeat this puff stitch sequence in each chain space around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first puff stitch. (16 puff stitches total)
Round 5: Slip stitch into the first chain-3 space. Work 5 double crochets directly into that space. Work 5 double crochets into each remaining chain-3 space around. Join with a slip stitch to the first double crochet. (80 double crochets total)
Round 6: Chain 7, skip the next 5 double crochets, and work a slip stitch into the natural gap/space between the 5-double crochet groupings. Repeat this sequence around. Join with a slip stitch to the base of the beginning chain.
Round 7: Slip stitch to the center of the loop. Work a treble crochet into the join space from Round 5, chain 5, and repeat this sequence around. Join with a slip stitch to the first treble crochet.
Round 8: In each chain-5 space around, work the following shell sequence: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 treble crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 1 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.
Round 9: Working between each shell, execute 2 treble crochets, chain 3, and connect with a slip stitch to the top treble crochet of the previous shell. Repeat around. Join with a slip stitch to start.
Round 10: Create chain-9 loops across the round, connecting the tops of the shells together with a slip stitch at each peak.
Round 11: Work 10 double crochets into each chain-9 loop around. Join with a slip stitch to the first double crochet. (160 double crochets total)
- New to crochet and not sure how to read a pattern yet? The video tutorial below will guide you through it step by step, you’ve got this!
Round 12 (Squaring Round):
- To transform the circle into a square, establish corners and flat edges.
- For the Corners: Work 2 treble crochets, chain 1, 2 treble crochets all into the designated corner stitch.
- For the Sides: Flatten the sides by working a sequence of 2 double crochets, 2 half double crochets, 30 single crochets, 2 half double crochets, and 2 double crochets across to the next corner. Repeat this configuration for all four sides.
Round 13 (Mesh Round): Work a mesh pattern along the sides by placing 1 treble crochet every fourth stitch, separated by a chain 5. For the four corners, work: 1 treble crochet, chain 3, 1 treble crochet into the corner chain space.
Round 14: Work 5 half double crochets directly into every open mesh space around. Join with a slip stitch to start.
Round 15: Work 1 half double crochet in every stitch across the sides. When you reach the corners, skip the center stitch of the corner completely and replace it with a chain 3. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Foundation: Chain to your desired sleeve width. Note: Keep your chain approximately 20 stitches shorter than your actual arm measurement to allow for the significant stretch of the lace stitches.
Row 1: Work 1 double crochet into the fourth chain from your hook and into every remaining chain stitch across. Turn.
Row 2 (Eyelet Row): Chain 4 (counts as double crochet + chain 1). Skip the first stitch. Work 1 double crochet into the next stitch, chain 1, skip 1 stitch. Repeat from * to * across the row, ending with a double crochet in the final stitch. Turn.
Row 3: Chain 3 (counts as double crochet). Work 1 double crochet into every stitch and chain space across the row. Turn.
Rows 4 to 6 (Wave Stitch): Create wave stitch rows by gradually shifting stitch heights. Work a fluid sequence of slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet across the row. Reverse the sequence on the following row (placing slip stitches over treble crochets and treble crochets over slip stitches) to create a wave layout. Turn at the end of each row.
Rows 7 to 9 (Diamond Mesh): Chain 7 to form your first loop, skip 4 stitches, and secure with a single crochet. Repeat across to create chain loops. In the following rows, bridge the gaps by chaining 5 and securing with a single crochet into the center peak of the previous row’s loops. Turn.
Rows 10 to 15 (Open Boxes): Alternate solid rows of double crochet with open box rows. For open box rows: Work 1 double crochet, chain 5, skip 5 stitches, and repeat across. Turn. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.
Assembly & Finishing
Prepare the Panels: Lay your two finished body squares flat on top of one another with the wrong sides facing up.
Mark the Neckline: Using your stitch markers, count approximately 4 stitches inward from each shoulder edge to define the neck opening.
Join the Shoulders: Slip stitch the front and back panels together along the top shoulder seams up to your stitch markers.
Position the Sleeves: Lay the body panels flat open. Find the exact center point of your sleeve rectangles and pin them directly to the shoulder seams.
Attach Sleeves: Run a row of single crochets evenly along the pinned edges to secure the sleeves to the body armholes.
Side & Underarm Seams: Fold the sweater in half along the shoulder line. Starting at the wrist cuff, work a continuous row of single crochets up the length of the sleeve, past the armpit, and straight down the side of the body panels to close up the top.
Finishing: Fasten off all yarn, weave in any remaining loose ends securely using your yarn needle, and block your finished asymmetrical top to relax the lace stitches!
Technique Explainers & Pro-Tips
Pro-Tip: The Magic Ring (MR)
If you struggle with the magic ring losing its tension, you can substitute this step by chaining 4, slipping stitching into the first chain to form a ring, and working your Round 1 stitches directly into that ring.
Technique Explainer: Sunflower Cluster
To make a cluster: Chain 3 (counts as your first partial stitch). Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Repeat from * to * one more time in the same stitch. You will have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Chain 1 to close the cluster.
Technique Explainer: Puff Stitch
Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated space, yarn over and pull up a long loop (to the height of a double crochet). Repeat this process a total of 5 times in that same exact space. You will have 11 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 11 loops carefully. Chain 3 to close and secure the puff.
