Long sleeves and a button-front V-neck give this blue crochet top a look that works well past summer, dressed up or layered over denim. If you like the long-sleeve silhouette, the crochet asymmetrical top is another worth adding to your queue.
Crochet Front Tie Top Long Sleeve
The construction here is straightforward, worked in rows with a clean stitch repeat — so it moves quickly even if you’re still building confidence. For something with a similar ease level but a different neckline, the backless long-sleeve top makes a nice companion make.
Pattern Overview & Planning
Materials
Yarn: DK weight yarn (Size 3 light worsted)
Hooks:
3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook (for the main body)
2.25 mm (US B/1) crochet hook (for the picot edging)
Notions: Scissors, yarn needle, measuring tape, and stitch markers
Stitch Cheat Sheet
Sizing & Customization Measurements
This pattern is written using standard custom-fit instructions. Take the following measurements before you begin:
Full Bust: Measure around the widest part of your chest.
Front Panel Width: Measure from just under your armpit, over the apex of your bust, to the exact center of your chest.
Back Panel Width: Multiply your Front Panel Width by 2, then subtract that number from your Full Bust measurement. (e.g., If Bust = 36″ and Front Panel = 9″, then $36 – 18 = 18″$ for the back panel width).
Back Panel Height: This will match the total height of your front bust panel before you start the neckline decreases.
Step-by-Step Crochet Pattern
1. Bust Panels (Make 2)
Pro-Tip: The Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC)
Instead of making a stiff chain, use the FHDC method for your first row. It provides a beautiful, stretchy edge that prevents the bottom of your top from digging into your skin.
To do an FHDC: Chain 3, yarn over, insert hook into the 3rd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through first loop only (this creates the base chain). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops (this completes the first half double crochet). For the next stitch, yarn over and insert your hook into that base chain you just created, and repeat.
Row 1: Work Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC) stitches until the width of the strip exactly matches your measured Front Panel Width. Turn.
Body Rows: Chain 2 (does not count as a stitch here and throughout), half double crochet in each stitch across. Repeat this row until the height of the panel reaches from just under your bust up to your nipple line.
Neckline Shaping (V-Neck): Chain 2, half double crochet across the row until you reach the last two stitches on the neckline side. Work a half double crochet two together (HDC2tog) decrease over those last two stitches. Turn. Repeat this row, decreasing only on the neckline edge, until your desired V-shape width is achieved.
Armpit Shaping: While continuing your neckline decreases on one side, begin decreasing by one half double crochet at the start and end of the armpit side as well. Continue decreasing evenly on both sides until your remaining stitches form a strap that is approximately 2 inches wide.
Straps: Work even rows of standard half double crochet (no decreases) over these remaining stitches until the strap is long enough to reach over your shoulder to the top of your back.
Back Transition: Mirror your armpit shaping by increasing by one half double crochet on both sides of the strap for the exact same number of rows you used for the armpit decreases. Fasten off.
- If you’re new to reading crochet patterns, don’t worry, just follow along with the video tutorial below and use the written pattern as a reference!
2. Back Panel & Assembly
Row 1: Using the 3.5 mm hook, work a row of Foundation Half Double Crochet to match your calculated Back Panel Width. Turn.
Subsequent Rows: Chain 2, half double crochet in each stitch across. Repeat this row until the back panel height matches the straight, non-decreased section of your front bust panels. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.
Shoulder Assembly: Lay your pieces flat. Join the top edges of the front straps to the top edge of the back panel using slip stitches or single crochets across.
Side Assembly: Align the front panels with the back panel. Sew or slip stitch the side seams together, working from the bottom edge upwards to the underarm/armpit turn.
3. Lower Body & Mesh Section
Set-up Round: Attach your yarn to the bottom edge of the assembled top. Using the 3.5 mm hook, work single crochet stitches evenly all the way around the lower perimeter. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.
Solid Section: Chain 2, work rows of standard double crochet evenly around until the piece reaches your natural waistline.
Mesh Rows: Chain 4 (counts as a double crochet and a chain-1 space), skip the next two stitches, and work a double crochet into the following stitch. Chain 1, skip two stitches, double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * evenly across the row.
Mesh Extension: Repeat the mesh rows until you reach your desired total length.
Edging: Work one final row of single crochet evenly around the entire bottom mesh edge for a clean, stable finish. Fasten off.
4. Sleeves (Make 2)
Technique Explainer: Double Crochet Mesh
To keep the sleeves light and flowing, we alternate solid double crochets with chain spaces. When working into a previous mesh row, always place your double crochet directly into the top of the double crochet from the row below to keep your grid lines perfectly straight.
Cuff: Using the 3.5 mm hook, create a row of Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) that fits comfortably and snugly around your wrist. Join into a loop.
Lower Sleeve (Mesh): Work several rounds of the same mesh pattern used on the body (Chain 4, skip 2, double crochet).
Upper Sleeve (Solid): Switch back to solid rows of regular double crochet for the main arm section.
Sleeve Shaping: To accommodate the natural shape of your arm, gradually increase your stitches by placing two double crochets in the same stitch every few rows. As you approach the upper arm/bicep area, increase more frequently to ensure comfort and mobility. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Sleeve Attachment: Fold your completed sleeve in half lengthwise to find the top center point. Mark it with a stitch marker. Align this marker with the shoulder seam of the body, and use single crochets to securely attach the sleeve into the armhole opening.
Finishing Touches
Back Cord
To ensure the straps stay perfectly on your shoulders, crochet a small cord (a simple chain of 20–30 stitches) and securely attach it horizontally between the two back shoulder straps.
Picot Front Edging
Switch to your smaller 2.25 mm crochet hook and attach your yarn to the bottom corner of the front opening.
Row 1: Work a clean row of single crochet all the way up the front opening edge, around the neckline, and down the opposite side.
Row 2 (Picot Row): Work a single crochet in the first 3 stitches. In the next stitch, create a picot (Chain 3, slip stitch into the front loop of the single crochet just made). Single crochet in the next 3 stitches. Repeat from * to * all the way along the front edge. This creates beautiful loop guides for your ties!
The Tie Closure
Using your 3.5 mm hook and a double strand of yarn (or a beautiful matching ribbon), crochet a long chain of approximately 150–200 stitches. Weave this cord in a criss-cross, corset-style fashion through the picot loops along the front opening to close your beautiful new top!
