Create your own stylish and lightweight summer wardrobe staple with The Heidi Tee, a free crochet summer top pattern available in 9 inclusive sizes from XS to 5XL.

This beginner-friendly crochet tee uses simple stitches to create a gorgeous lacy texture, making it the perfect handmade top for sunny days, holidays, and layering all year round.

There’s something so satisfying about making your own clothes, isn’t there? Especially when they’re comfortable, pretty, and can be finished quicker than you might expect! If you’ve been wanting to dip your toes into garment making, this crochet summer top pattern could be exactly what you’re looking for.

The Heidi Tee is the second design in my Heidi Collection, with the first being the much-loved Heidi Wrap, (which is also a free pattern on the blog). As soon as I finished the wrap, I knew this stitch combination had more to give. The soft, lacy texture practically begged to become a lightweight summer top!

This easy crochet top is:

✔ Beginner friendly as long as you are confident with chains, single crochets and double crochets (US terms)
✔ Light and airy
✔ Perfect for layering over a camisole or bikini top
✔ Available in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL
✔ Made with DK (#3) weight yarn
✔ Stylish enough to dress up or down

Pair it with your favourite jeans, a flowing skirt, or shorts and sandals. Add some statement jewellery or oversized sunglasses—or simply let the beautiful stitch pattern do all the talking.

The Heidi Tee uses an easy combination of:

• Shell stitches
• V stitches
• A very simple spike stitch

Don’t let the fancy texture fool you. If you can work chains, single crochets, and double crochets, you can absolutely make this top! And if you need a helping hand, I’ve got both right and left-handed video tutorials to walk you through the stitch pattern.

The Inspiration Behind The Heidi Tee

When I designed the Heidi Wrap, I instantly fell in love with the texture. It has that magical quality of looking intricate while actually being made from very simple stitches.

I knew immediately that I wanted to expand the Heidi Collection, and a crochet summer top pattern for women seemed like the perfect next step.

I wanted this design to be approachable and achievable for confident beginners. Garments can sometimes feel intimidating, so I deliberately chose the easiest tee construction I know—two simple rectangles.

No complicated shaping.

No fancy maths.

No wrestling with sleeves at midnight wondering where you went wrong.

Just two panels, some easy seaming, and before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful handmade top ready for summer adventures.

I also wanted this tee to be easy to customise. We all have different preferences when it comes to clothing length, so the construction makes it incredibly simple to add or remove rows until your tee is exactly how you like it.

Construction of the Design

The Heidi Tee is worked flat and in short rows.

The body is created by making two rectangular panels which are then sewn together to create the finished top.

Because the stitch pattern is wonderfully open and lacy, you don’t need nearly as much yarn as you might think. This makes it an excellent project for warmer weather and a fantastic way to use some of those beautiful DK yarns you’ve been saving.

One of my favourite things about this stitch combination is that it’s reversible. Both sides look beautiful, so before you seam your panels together you can simply decide which side you prefer to be the right side of your finished tee.

The short-row construction also makes it incredibly easy to customise the length:

• Prefer a cropped top? Stop a little sooner.
• Want more coverage? Simply add extra rows.
• Love tunic-length tops? Keep crocheting!

It’s your handmade wardrobe—you get to decide.

Purchase the Printable PDF Pattern

If you’d prefer an ad-free, printable version of this pattern, you can purchase the PDF from my shops below:

You May Also Like:

If you enjoyed making The Heidi Tee, why not add a few more handmade summer favourites to your wardrobe? These free crochet patterns are all beginner-friendly, stylish, and perfect for warmer weather. Whether you’re heading to the beach, meeting friends for coffee, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon in the garden, there’s something here for every occasion.

The Lacy Tee – If you love airy crochet garments, this is another must-make! This free crochet top pattern combines an elegant openwork design with a comfortable fit, making it ideal for layering over a camisole or swimsuit. It’s lightweight, feminine, and perfect for staying cool while looking effortlessly stylish.

The Heidi Wrap – The Heidi Tee wouldn’t exist without the Heidi Wrap! This was the very first design in the Heidi Collection and features the same beautiful stitch combination you’ll find in the tee. It’s a lightweight wrap that’s perfect for cool summer evenings, weddings, holidays, or whenever you need a little extra layer without adding bulk.

The Kate Wristlet – Looking for a quick project to complement your new outfit? The Kate Wristlet is a stylish and practical accessory that’s perfect for carrying your essentials on summer days out. Whether you’re heading to a festival, farmers’ market, or evening meal, this easy crochet bag adds the perfect handmade finishing touch.

Pomander Placemat – Bring a little handmade charm to your garden table with the Pomander Placemat. This relaxing crochet project works up quickly and is ideal for outdoor dining, summer picnics, or simply brightening up your kitchen. Pair it with your favourite tableware for a beautiful seasonal look.

25 Easy & Free Summer Crochet Patterns for Beginners – Can’t decide what to make next? My Summer Crochet Pattern Roundup brings together 25 beginner-friendly projects from a variety of talented designers. From lightweight garments and accessories to home décor, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to keep your hook busy all season long.

Video Tutorials

I’ve created complete video tutorials to help you work the Heidi stitch combination. Just click the image below for the right or left handed version!

Whether you’re new to garments or simply prefer to learn visually, these tutorials will guide you through every step of making your crochet summer top.

Pattern Specifics

Skill Level

Confident Beginner

Sizes and Yardage

Adult:

• XS – up to 30″ bust – 850 yards
• Small – 30-34″ bust – 900 yards
• Medium -36-38″ bust. – 1000 yards
• Large – 40-42″ bust. – 1100 yards
• XL – 44-46″ bust. – 1200 yards
• 2XL – 48-50″ bust – 1300 yards
• 3XL – 52-54″ bust – 1400 yards
• 4XL – 56-58″ bust – 1500 yards
• 5XL – 60-62″ bust – 1600 yards

Gauge

My gauge was 12 sts and 7 rows of pattern repeat per 2”

However, the height of your stiches is not important for this pattern – but be sure to get 12 sts per 2’’ in width.

Materials Needed

• #3 weight yarn – I used  Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo and Cotton in shade Blossom.
• 4mm hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers – you will need 4

Abbreviations Used

• Ch(s) – chain(s)
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Sc – single crochet
• Dc – double crochet
• Sk – skip
• Rep – repeat
• Ss – Slip stitch(es)

Pattern Notes

• Read the pattern through before beginning.
• Ch sts at the beginning of the row do not count as a stitch unless otherwise stated.
• This pattern is reversible 
• Ch’s at the start of the row do not count as a st unless specifically stated otherwise.
• The various sizes are identified as xs (s/m/l/xl) (2xl/3xl/4xl/5xl)
• This pattern is worked by creating 2 rectangles and then seaming them together.
• The tee is worked flat in rows.
• The tee is made from two panels that are sewn together.
• Length can easily be adjusted by adding or removing rows.

Special Stitches

V Stitch

For the purposes of this pattern the V st consists of (dc, ch 3, dc,) in the same stitch.

Shell Stitch

For the purposes of this pattern the shell st consists of (dc, ch 3, dc, ch 3, dc) in the same stitch.

Spike Stitch

For the purposes of this pattern the spike st is a loose sc worked into the centre dc from the shell st two rows below. You will work it around the ch 5 so that the ch 5 is ‘encased’ into the spike st.

Free Crochet Summer Top Pattern

Important Information

This is a free pattern on the Sunflower Cottage Crochet blog. If you are reading this anywhere else it is stolen content.

Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. You may sell completed items made from this pattern giving me credit as the designer.

Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!

Pattern Instructions

Make 2 panels:

Row 1:            FSC 96 (112/120/136/144)(152/168/184/192)

OR

Ch 97 (113 / 121 / 137 / 145) (153 / 169 / 185 / 193)

Row 2:            If you FSC to start ch7 (counts as a dc, ch3) sk 3 sts, sc in next ch, sk 3 sts, shell st in the next st. Rep from * across until you reach the last st. (Note: you will have just worked a sc, sk 3 at this point.) In the final ch work a V st. 

                        If you chained to start DC in 7^th ch from hook (counts as dc, ch 3) *sk 3 ch’s, sc in next ch, sk 3 ch’s shell st in the next ch. Rep from * across until you reach the last ch. (Note: you will have just worked a sc,sk 3 at this point.) In the final ch work a V st. 

Row 3:  Turn, ch 1 (does not count) sc in the first st, ch 2, *V st in the next sc, ch 5, sk the shell st from the previous row. Rep from * across until you have worked the V st in the final sc of the row. [Ch 2, sc] in the third ch of your turning ch 7 from the previous row.          

Row 4:  Turn, ch1, sc in first st, *shell st in the ch3 sp of the V stitch on the previous row, spike stitch over the ch5 and into the second dc of the shell st from 2 rows below.

Rep from * across until you have worked the shell st into the final ch 3 sp of the V st from the previous row. Sc in the last st.

Row 5:  Turn, ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), dc into same st, *ch 5, sk the next shell st, V st into next sc. Rep from * across until you have 1 st remaining (note: you will have just worked a ch 5). [Dc, ch1, dc] in last st.

Row 6: Turn, ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3), dc in the first ch1 sp, *spike stitch over the ch5 and into the second dc of the shell st from 2 rows below, shell st in the ch3 sp of the V stitch on the row below. 

Rep from * across until you have worked the final spike st of the row. 

Dc into the top of your turning ch from the previous row, ch 1, dc into the 3^rd chain of your turning ch from the previous row.

Rows 7-on:  Rep rows 3-6 until work is  19.5’’ (20’’/20.25’’/20.5’’/20.75’’) (21’’/21’’/21.5’’/21.5’’) or as long as desired.

NOTE: Be sure to end with row 3 

Row 8:  Turn, Ch1 (does not count), sc in first st, 2 sc in ch 2 space, sc in next dc, sc in next ch3 sp, sc in next dc*in ch 5 space work [2 sc, spike st, 2 sc], sc in top of next dc, 1 sc in ch3 space, sc in top of next dc. Rep from * across, 2 sc in last ch2 sp, sc in final stitch.

FO and weave in ends.

Block if desired.

Assembly

With wrong sides facing, measure according to the diagram below and use a stitch marker to mark them: 

To Finish off both sleeves: 

Round 1 – With right sides facing, attach yarn to the bottom of either arm hole. CH1, SC evenly around. SS to join.

Note: if you create too many SC your sleeve edging will become wavy, too few and you will see it tightening up. I found 3 SC in each DC and 1 SC in each SC around worked well for me.

Round 2 – CH1, SC in each st around. SS to join.

FO and weave in ends

Optional – you may also like to sc around the head hole for 1 row if desired.

FO and weave in ends

I Would Love to See Your Heidi Tees!

I hope you’ve enjoyed making this free crochet summer top pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it.

I absolutely love seeing your finished projects, and it makes my day when you share them with me!

Be sure to:

📸 Tag me on Instagram: @sunflower.cottage.crochet.too

📘 Share your makes in my Facebook community: Sunflower Cottage Crochet Community

Happy crocheting, and I hope your new Heidi Tee gets lots of sunny adventures this summer! ☀️🧶💕