Daisy flower motifs have a way of making a finished piece look far more involved than the actual construction requires each flower works up as its own small unit, and the top comes together as you join them into a grid. The result is an airy, lace-effect crop with long sleeves that gives you real coverage without weight, which makes it one of those pieces that works just as well over a swimsuit as it does with jeans. For another motif-based top that uses a similar join-as-you-go approach, the crochet patchwork tank top is a good comparison piece at a simpler motif scale.
Crochet Tube Top With Sleeves
The top is built in three panels body and two sleeves which you work flat and then seam together, so you’re never handling an unwieldy amount of fabric at once. Getting the first motif right is the key step; once that clicks, the rest is repetition. If the flower motif style appeals but you want something sized for gifting rather than yourself, the crochet cotton top with flower motif covers similar petal-based construction in a tunic length.
Materials
- Smooth yarn with good stitch definition will make the flower texture easier to see.
Stitch Guide for This Pattern
Fit and Sizing Guidance
The starting chain determines the width of each panel. Because the flowers repeat every 25 stitches, sizing adjustments are made by adding or removing repeats.
Examples:
- 75 chains creates three flowers across
- 100 chains creates four flowers across
- 125 chains creates five flowers across
You can adjust the width of the sweater by increasing or decreasing the number of flower repeats. Always keep the starting chain in multiples of 25 so the flower placement remains centered and evenly spaced.
Length is completely flexible. Continue working the repeating body rows until the panel reaches the desired sweater length.
Understanding the Daisy Construction
- The flowers are created in stages across several rows.
- First, the pattern forms square openings in the fabric using chain spaces. These squares mark where the flowers will grow.
- Next, taller stitches and chain loops build the petals outward from the center square. Each row increases the size of the flower slightly, creating layered petals.
- Finally, the pattern begins closing the flower again by working stitches back into the petal loops and squares. Once this step is complete, the fabric returns to a more stable row of stitches before repeating the next flower row.
Seeing the flowers as a sequence of expanding and closing rows helps the structure make more sense while crocheting.
Crochet Pattern
Foundation and Setup
- Chain a length in multiples of 25 to match your desired width such as 75 chains for three flowers
- Add 2 extra chains
- Double crochet into the 75th chain and work double crochet across the row
- Chain 2 to begin the next row
- Double crochet 10 stitches
- Chain 2, skip 2 stitches, double crochet into the third stitch
- Work 3 more double crochets
- Chain 2, skip 2 stitches, double crochet into the third stitch
- Continue with 17 double crochets between each flower section across the row
- If you’re a beginner and crochet patterns feel confusing, start with the video tutorial below, it’s the easiest way to learn as you go!
Building the Daisy Pattern
- Chain 2 at the start of the next row
- Skip 2 stitches and place 2 double crochets into the chain space
- Work 1 double crochet before and after the gap to form a square
- Crochet across until reaching each flower gap
- Chain 2 and skip 2 stitches at the square
- Place 2 double crochets into the square
- Chain 4
- Treble crochet into the middle square from the row below
- Chain 4
- Place 2 double crochets into the next square
- Work 2 double crochets into the square on the following row
- Chain 5
- Single crochet into the first petal
- Single crochet into the treble stitch
- Single crochet into the second petal
- Chain 5 and repeat for each flower
- Chain 6 for the next row
- Work 5 single crochets across the center of the flower
- Chain 6 to complete the largest petal row
Closing the Flower
- Chain 5 to begin the decrease row
- Skip the first single crochet of the flower center
- Single crochet into the next three stitches
- Chain 5
- Place 3 double crochets into the large petal loop
- Work 2 double crochets into the square
- Chain 2
- Place 3 double crochets into the petal
- Chain 4
- Treble crochet into the middle single crochet of the flower
- Chain 4 to mirror the opposite side
Finishing the Panel
- Work rows of double crochet and square gaps using chain 2 and skip 2 stitches
- Continue until the panel reaches your desired length
- Make one front panel and one back panel
- Make two sleeve panels
- Place the front and back panels with right sides facing
- Join the shoulders by single crocheting or sewing approximately 5 stitches on each side
- Attach each sleeve panel flat to the armhole area
- Fold the sweater and sew from the wrist up the sleeve and down the side seam on both sides
Stitch and Shaping Notes
- The chain spaces form the structure that holds each flower. It helps to think of them as small windows in the fabric. When the pattern asks you to work into a square or gap, you are placing stitches inside that window rather than into the top of a stitch.
- Treble crochet stitches act as the tall center of the flower. These stitches anchor the petals and help the flower stand out from the surrounding fabric.
- The chain loops create the outer petals. Because these loops are larger than the surrounding stitches, they give the flower its rounded shape.
- If your petals appear tight or distorted, try crocheting the chain loops slightly looser.
Beginner Notes
- Even though the sweater looks detailed, most of the fabric is made from simple double crochet rows.
- The only areas that require extra attention are the flower sections. It helps to slow down and visually locate the chain spaces before placing stitches.
- Using stitch markers at the beginning of each flower repeat can also make the pattern easier to follow.
Troubleshooting
- Flowers look uneven: Check that your starting chain was a correct multiple of 25. Incorrect stitch counts can shift the flower placement.
- Petals curling or pulling: This usually happens when the chain loops are too tight. Try loosening the tension slightly when making the longer chains.
- Squares are hard to see: Chain spaces can sometimes blend into the surrounding stitches. Look for the open gap rather than counting stitch tops.
- Panel edges leaning: Make sure the chain 2 turning chain is placed consistently at the beginning of each row.
Finishing Notes
- After seaming the sweater, take a moment to gently shape the flower sections with your fingers. This helps the petals open and lie more evenly.
- Light blocking can also improve the definition of the flowers. Blocking allows the chain loops and treble stitches to relax, which helps the daisy shape stand out clearly.
- Because the sweater is built from simple panels, it is easy to adjust the length or sleeve size before seaming. This flexibility makes the design adaptable to many different fits.
