Chic & Easy: Crochet Herringbone Wrap Top (Free Pattern!)

Hey crochet enthusiasts! If you’re searching for a free crochet wrap top pattern that’s both chic and beginner-friendly, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll dive into the world of crochet wrap tops and create a stunning herringbone crochet top that’s perfect for summer days and breezy evenings. This design, inspired by Madeleine Shirley’s wonderful crochet wrap top tutorial, will have you looking effortlessly stylish in no time. Whether you’re new to crochet or a seasoned pro, this pattern is a must-try! Follow along as we take you through a step-by-step journey, starting with the essential tools and materials and ending with a gorgeous handmade wrap top that’s all your own.

Crochet Wrap Top Essentials: Materials and Tools You’ll Need

Before we embark on our crocheting adventure, let’s gather our supplies:

Yarn: Choose a soft, lightweight yarn that drapes well. The color is entirely up to you! I recommend a natural fiber like cotton or linen for breathability.
Crochet Hook: You’ll need two hook sizes: one for the ribbing and a slightly larger one (0.5mm larger) for the herringbone stitch. Refer to your yarn’s label for recommended hook sizes.
Scissors: For cutting yarn and weaving in ends.
Tapestry Needle: For weaving in those pesky ends and sewing seams.
Stitch Markers: Optional, but helpful for marking key points in your pattern.

Crochet Wrap Top Basics: Mastering the Herringbone Stitch

The herringbone stitch is the star of this show. It creates a beautiful textured fabric that adds dimension and visual interest to the crochet wrap top. Don’t worry if you’ve never tried it before; it’s surprisingly easy to learn. Here’s how it’s done:

Yarn over (YO), insert your hook into the stitch, and pull up a loop.
YO again, pull through one loop on your hook (leaving two loops).
YO, pull through the remaining two loops on your hook.
Repeat steps 1-3 in the same stitch.

You’ll be working two herringbone stitches into each stitch along the row, except for the first and last stitches, where you’ll only work one. This creates the subtle shaping of the wrap top.

Crochet Wrap Top Pattern: Step-by-Step Instructions

Cuff Ribbing:

Ch a multiple of 2, plus 1 (e.g., 21 chains for a 10-stitch repeat).
Row 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. SC in first st, *BLO SC in next st; repeat from * across.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. SC in first st, *FLO SC in next st; repeat from * across.
Repeat rows 2-3 until cuff reaches desired height.

Body (Herringbone Stitch):

Switch to larger hook.
Row 1: Ch 2, turn. Skip 2 chs, work 1 hdc in next st, *2 hdc in next st; repeat from * across to last st, 1 hdc in last st.
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. 2 hdc in first st, *1 hdc in next st; repeat from * across to last st, 2 hdc in last st.
Repeat Row 2 until body reaches desired length.

Shaping Notes:

Increasing at each row’s start/end creates the angled shape.
Adjust body length by working more/fewer rows.
For a cropped top, stop sooner. For longer, continue past hip level.

Finishing:

Edging: With smaller hook, SC evenly around entire top edge, including neckline.
Seaming: With wrong sides together, SC along side edges from cuff bottom to desired waist opening.
Weave in all ends.

Customizing Your Crochet Wrap Top: Tips and Tricks

Feel free to get creative with your crochet wrap top! Here are a few ideas:

Add Fringe: Attach fringe along the bottom hem for a boho-chic vibe.
Play with Color: Use different colors for the ribbing and body or create stripes for a fun twist.
Embellish: Add beads, sequins, or embroidery to personalize your top.

Show Off Your Crochet Wrap Top: Styling Ideas and Inspiration

This versatile wrap top can be dressed up or down. Pair it with jeans and sandals for a casual look, or dress it up with a skirt and heels. You can also wear it over a swimsuit for a stylish beach cover-up.

Finishing Touches: Edging and Seaming Your Wrap Top

Once you’ve finished crocheting the body, it’s time to add the finishing touches:

Edging: Work a row of single crochet around the entire top, including the neckline.
Seaming: With wrong sides together, seam the sides of the top using single crochet.

Crochet Wrap Top Styling Tips: How to Wear Your Handmade Creation

For more styling ideas and inspiration, check out Madeleine Shirley’s YouTube channel @MadeleineShirley. Her crochet top tutorial video is an excellent resource!

And don’t forget to share your stunning creations with us! Tag your photos on Instagram (@tubacrochet_) and TikTok (@tubacrochet) to join our vibrant crochet community. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!