This is a crochet pattern for my easy beginner-friendly baby top – Little Lace Tank Top. Find out what inspired me to design this pattern, what yarn did I choose, and learn all the tricks on how to create a perfect baby top.
You can find the free instruction below. If you want to support my work or need more sizes, purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.
The Summer is here and with it, higher temperatures and more lightweight and breezy clothes. Many people would say that crocheting and knitting are more of a Winter/Fall thing to do, but I can’t really agree with that. I crochet no matter what time of the year it is, Winter or Summer.
I think you can find fun and creative projects for any time of the year. It’s always crochet time, only the patterns and yarn you choose are different. I like thick and rich fibers like merino and wool for the wintertime and more light and breezy fibers like cotton for the rest of the year.
It’s June now and I am slowly moving to patterns for crochet shirts, sandals, shorts, and dresses. Today’s baby top is inspired by lovely woman tank tops with a V-shaped cut and a small lacy part on the front.
The pattern is made with two yarn weights; DK weight yarn for the lace and Aran weight yarn for the rest of the top. I choose Paintbox Yarn Cotton Aran and DK yarn because it’s available in so many beautiful shades and I wanted for my top to be vibrant and playful.
The pattern can be easily adjusted around the waist area by adding additional chains to your foundation chain or in length by adding rounds of half double crochet stitches before you end your main part.
There is a cluster stitch at the end of both triangle panels on the upper part of the top, that might be a bit challenging for the beginners, but nothing too hard if you follow the video tutorial. I included every step you need to know and every crochet technique you need to learn to successfully complete the project.
Do you need a last-minute gift for the baby shower? No problem at all. You can easily finish the top in just one crafty afternoon. It might take you a bit longer if you are a complete beginner and you have to learn a technique or two.
I really hope you will enjoy the pattern as much as I did when I was designing it for you.
Video Tutorial
Materials
Here is what you will need for this project (These links are affiliate links. Purchasing through these links earns me a small commission to no extra cost to you. So if you decide to purchase through them, know that you are awesome! Thanks! 🙂)
- YARN: I was using two yarn weights; DK weight for lace on the top of the shirt and Aran weight yarn for the rest of the pattern. DK weight 100% cotton yarn (Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK – one skein) and Aran weight 100% cotton yarn (Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran – two skeins).
- CROCHET HOOK: 3.5 mm (E/4) and 4.0 mm (G/6)
- YOU WILL ALSO NEED: a pair of scissors (HERE!), stitch markers (HERE!), a yarn needle (HERE!), sewing pins.
Gauge
GAUGE: 8 sts and 6 rows in HDC using 4.0 mm crochet hook and Aran weight yarn measure 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches).
When you find a new crochet project that you would like to make, you usually want to start ASP. We all do. But please take some time and check the gauge. It might save your project!
Checking the gauge is a crucial step in the process of making a new crochet/knit garment. It will help you achieve the right size of your finish item. Learn how to check your gauge here.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- St/Sts – stitch/stitches
- Ch – chain
- Ss – slip stitch
- Sc – single crochet
- Hdc – half double crochet
- Hdc2tog – half double two together
- Hdc3tog – half double three together
- Dc – double crochet
- Tr – triple crochet
Pattern Notes
- Sizes: 0 – 6 months (below) and 6 – 12 months (PDF pattern).
- How to read a pattern: You can learn how to read a crochet pattern here.
- The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
- Skill level: Easy/Medium
- Measurements: across the chast 40 CM/ 15.75″, length 27 CM/ 10.5″
- Fit is meant to be comfortable, but not too loose.
PDF Pattern
The PDF crochet pattern is a great solution for those who prefer to work offline, need additional sizes of the pattern, or just want to support my work. This beautifully designed PDF pattern can be found in shops on Etsy, Ravelry, and Love Crafts.
* This PDF instructions include one additional size. The fee compensates for the ad revenue I would make if you had to visit the site to access the instructions.
Instructions
Crochet Baby Top – Little Lace Tank Top
The instructions are written in a few simple steps:
- main part,
- middle part,
- upper part,
- V-shape
- straps and
- lace.
The shirt is made from the bottom up to the top.
Please, read the instructions carefully. Don’t skip any parts of the pattern and make sure you are not accidentally losing or adding additional stitches to the pattern. That might affect the final look of your design.
1. Main Part
With your main color, and with your 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook chain 66.
Join the ch with a slip stitch. Make sure you do not twist the ch. From now on work in rounds. After each round
join the round with a slip stitch. Do not turn, keep working in rounds.
Round 1 – 18: Ch 2. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 66 sts. = 66 sts.
Or as many times as you need to achieve the desired length.
Cut the yarn and fasten off.
2. Middle Part
Continue with the main color and attach the yarn to the center front part of the top (photo 1).
Work in rows. After each row turn and start a new one.
Row 1: Attach the yarn with ch 1. Work 1 hdc into the next st. Those two sts (ch and hdc) count as a decrease in the pattern. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 62 sts. Join the last two with a hdc2tog. = 64 sts.
Row 2: Ch 2. Dc into the same. Hdc3tog. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 56 sts. Hdc3tog. Work 1 dc into the last st of the row. = 60 sts.
Row 3: Ch 2. Dc into the same. Hdc3tog. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 52 sts. Hdc3tog. Work 1 dc into the last st of the row. = 56 sts.
Do not cut the yarn just yet.
3. Upper Part
RIGHT SIDE
Turn the row and continue working in rows.
Row 1: Ch 2. Dc into the same. Hdc3tog. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 6. Hdc2tog. Turn. = 9 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1. Hdc2tog. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 3. Hdc3tog. Dc 1.Turn. = 6 sts.
Row 3: Ch 3. Join all the sts of this row with a special cluster stitch (VIDEO). Join 2 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, and 1 sc into 1 stitch.
Fasten off and pull the loop through.
Weave in the ends and start with the left side.
LEFT SIDE
Go back to row 3 of the upper part and attach the yarn in the 12th stitch from right to left.
Row 1: Ch 1. Hdc into the next one. Work 1 hdc into each of the next 6. Hdc3tog. Dc 1. Turn. = 9 sts.
Row 2: Ch 2. Dc 1. Hdc3tog. Hdc 3. Hdc2tog. = 6 sts.
Row 3: Ch 1. Join all the sts of this row with a special cluster stitch. Join sc 1, hdc 1, 2 dc, and 2 tr into one stitch.
Fasten off and pull the loop through.
Weave in the ends.
4. V-shape
Take a small amount of yarn in the main color and chain 26. Start in the 2nd ch from the hook. Work in rows. After each row turn.
Row 1: Sc 12. Work sc 1, ch 1, and sc 1 ch into the same stitch. Sc 12. = 27 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1. Sc 13. Work sc 1, ch 1, and sc 1 around the ch1-space from the previous row. Sc 13. = 29 sts.
Row 3: Ch 1. Sc 14. Work sc 1, ch 1, and sc 1 around the ch-space from the previous row. Sc 13. = 31 sts.
Fasten off. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Take a yarn needle, turn the top inside out and attach the V-shape part to the top with a few sewing sts of your choice.
5. Straps
Take 3 stitch markers. Attach the first two; each to the top of the pointy part on the upper part. Attach the third one under the right armpit.
Take a small amount of yarn in the main color and attach it to the stitch under the right armpit marked with a stitch marker.
Ch 1. Start in the same. Work hdc sts evenly up to the first stitch marker. Work 1 hdc into the stitch marked with a stitch marker. Do not remove the stitch marker. Ch 23. Start in the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 hdc into each of the next 22 sts. Work next hdc into the side of the hdc and the next into the stitch marked with a stitch marker.
Continue with the hdc sts. Skip 1 st in the center of the v-shape. Work hdc sts all the way around to the second stitch marker. Repeat all the steps for the second strap. Continue working hdc sts evenly all the way around.
Join the round with a slip stitch made into the very first st of the round.
Cut the yarn, fasten off and weave in the ends.
Take a small amount of yarn in the main color and attach the straps to the back of the top, 10 sts apart.
The top is almost complete. All you have to do now is to create a beautiful lace that will decorate the front side of the top.
6. Lace
Take a small amount of yarn in the contrasting color and 3.5 mm crochet hook. Ch 29.
Start in the 2nd ch from the hook.
Work in rows. After each row turn.
Row 1: Work 1 sc into each of the next 28 sts.
Row 2: Repeat { ch 2, 2 dc into the same, skip 2, ss into the next one} 4 times. Skip 2. Ss into the next one. Repeat { ch 2, 2 dc into the same, skip 2, ss into the next one} 4 times.
Cut the yarn, fasten off. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Take some yarn in a contrasting color. Align the lace with a V-shaped part on the top. Attach the lace to the inner side of the top with a few simple sewing sts.
And your crochet top is now complete! 🙂
And here you have it, a beautiful tank top for sunny days.☀️
Disclaimer: The content you find (including crochet patterns) here on this website crobypatterns.com is a property of Croby Patterns. Do not modify, copy, sell or share as your own any parts of the website. For more information, read the TERMS OF USE page and FAQ. Thank you!
This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy for details.
Share your work with me on Instagram using the #crobypatterns. I can’t wait to see them!
