Summer Crochet Granny Square Top Pattern to Brighten Your Closet

Prepare your next stylish and colorful outfit today with this Crochet Granny Square Top Pattern for a retro and cool look that fits every day.

Selecting a colorful and vintage piece of clothing brings a fresh wave of excitement to your personal style. This clever method helps you link many small and decorative blocks to build a breathable shirt that feels incredibly soft on your body. Because the design uses open spaces it keeps you feeling cool and relaxed during a stroll through a warm summer fair.

Perfect Crochet Granny Square Top Pattern to Rock Your Summer Looks

You can layer this bold item over a plain tee for a modern look or wear it alone to enjoy the sun. Turning yarn into these geometric shapes is a very soothing way to spend your time and clear your mind. This Crochet Granny Square Top Pattern offers a brilliant chance to play with different shades of string to make a garment that matches your mood perfectly.

The final result looks very high-quality and artistic which draws plenty of positive attention wherever you go. It is a delightful way to feel cozy and confident while expressing your own unique flair for fashion.

Special Features

Customizable fit: Easily adjust bust and length by changing the number of squares.
Scrap yarn friendly: Use up leftover yarn for a vibrant patchwork.
Reversible and versatile: Can be worn on either side, and styled with or without ties.
Join-as-you-go simplicity: Uses single crochet for visible, neat joins with a bold border.
Optional drawstring: Add a decorative band or beads for extra flair and shaping.

Level of Difficulty

Beginner: Uses basic stitches (chain, double crochet, single crochet) and simple shaping. Perfect for new crocheters who want to practice color changes and seaming.

Tutor’s Suggestions

Use as many colors as you like—this is a great stash buster project!
For a neater finish, make sure your squares and triangles are uniform.
Count your stitches as you go, especially when joining.
Lay out your motifs before joining to ensure the color arrangement you like.

Uses

Breezy summer top
Layering piece in cooler weather
Customizable for sizes from kids to plus size
Great gift idea

Materials Needed

4-ply acrylic yarn (use double strands of 2-ply if needed), multiple colors
Base/joining color yarn (e.g., black)
4.5 mm crochet hook
Scissors
Measuring tape
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Step-by-Step Pattern

1. Determine Measurements & Squares Needed

Measure your bust and preferred top length.
Each front/back panel = half your bust.
Example: For 40" bust, make panels 20" wide each.
Decide size of your granny squares (e.g. 5" each).
Calculate how many squares fit your width and length. For 20" wide by 15" length: 4 squares across (width) × 3 squares down (length).
Don’t forget: Each panel = (width x length) in squares; you will need two panels (front and back).
Each panel also includes 2 triangles for underarm shaping.

2. Make Granny Squares

For each square:

Make a magic circle.
Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), then work 2 double crochets into the ring (forms the first cluster).
[Cluster: 3 DC in same space.]
- Chain 1.
- Repeat (3 DC, chain 1) three more times into ring, making 4 clusters total.
Tighten the magic circle, chain 1, slip stitch into starting chain-3 to close round 1.

For subsequent rounds (rows 2–5 for a 5" square):

Round 2: Chain 3 (counts as DC), 2 DC in corner space, chain 1, 3 DC in same space (corner), chain 1, [3 DC in next space, chain 1, 3 DC in same (corner)] repeat at corners*.
Continue: On sides, just work clusters of 3 DC; in corners, work 3 DC, chain 1, 3 DC in same space.
Repeat until your square is the size you need (usually 4 or 5 total rounds).
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Make enough squares for front and back panels. Example: 10 squares for front.

3. Make Triangles (Under-Arm Fitting)

For each triangle (make 2 per panel):

Make a magic circle.
Chain 4 (NOT part of cluster), then 3 DC into ring (counts as 1st cluster).
Chain 1, then 3 DC (cluster), chain 1, then 1 DC. (You now have 2 clusters and 1 ending DC.)
Pull circle tight.
For following rows:
- Chain 4, turn, (cluster in next space), then corner (cluster, chain 1, cluster in same), then cluster in next space, chain 1, DC in top chain to finish.
- Continue, only doing the “corner” (increase) at the top middle of the triangle for growth.
- Continue rows until same side length as your squares.

4. Lay Out Your Panels

Arrange squares in a rectangle: 4 squares wide × 3 squares down.
Attach triangles at each side of the bottom row (for underarm shaping).

5. Join Squares and Triangles

Use your base color (ex: black), attach yarn at square edges.
Single crochet through both motifs to join, edge to edge. Work all the way down rows, then across columns for both panels.
Repeat to join panel's squares and triangles together.
Make 2 panels (front and back).

6. Join Panels Together

Place panels with right sides facing out.
Using the same single crochet join, seam only the side edges of squares (not the triangles—that's for the armholes).
The top cluster rows of each panel now form the shoulder.

7. Shoulder Straps (a.k.a “Hands” in the video)

From each shoulder, pick up 5 stitches at the top edge.
Single crochet back and forth, making 24 rows (or until your desired strap length). Repeat for both shoulders, both front and back panels.
Use a tapestry needle to whip stitch the front and back shoulder straps together with the long tails, matching stitches exactly.

8. Sleeve and Neckline Edges

Reattach your base color yarn at the underarm.
Single crochet all the way around each armhole. In each space, work 2 single crochet except at the underarm point or triangle tip (just 1 SC).
Slip stitch to join, fasten off.
Do the same for the neckline: single crochet evenly all the way around, slip stitch, cut yarn, and weave in ends.

9. Bottom Border

Reattach base color yarn anywhere along the bottom edge.
Work clusters (3 DC) into each space along the edge, just as you did for the squares’ edges.
Continue all the way around, join with slip stitch, fasten off and weave in all ends.

10. Optional Waist String

Fancy a snugger fit? Chain a long cord with your chosen yarn (try adding some beads for style).
Weave through the squares at waist level, and tie.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You made a vibrant, breezy granny square top, perfect for any season. You can wear either side as the front and tuck in a drawstring if you want more shape. Have fun experimenting with color and enjoy your handmade statement piece.

Tip

Check that your squares and triangles are the same size before joining. Blocking them first can help your top come out neater and more professional.