Easy Crochet Top With 3/4 Bell Sleeve Free Pattern

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The Belinda is a lightweight top featuring 3/4 length crochet bell sleeves. This free crochet pattern is made with basic crochet stitches that come together in an almost lace like design. There is a step by step photo tutorial for stitch pattern too.

This crochet top pattern includes 9 women’s sizes. It’s written for women’s sizes XS – 5X, and it’s easy to customize by adding or taking away four stitches at a time. Depending on where you fall in the size range the ease is 1″ – 4″.

This lightweight top uses a #3 DK weight yarn. I do think a #4 medium worsted weight yarn will work, especially if it’s on the thinner size. Always be sure to work a gauge swatch, no matter your yarn choice.

For reference Size M is shown on 36″ bust model.

The Belinda also has a sister pattern, the sleeveless crochet summer top version is perfect for summer.

Materials

• 3.5 mm US Hook Size E*, or hook needed to meet gauge.
• Measuring tape, yarn needle, stitch marker (2) optional, and scissors
• #3 lightweight/DK yarn pictured in Berroco Comfort DK* (50% Super Fine Nylon, 50% Super Fine Acrylic, 1.75 oz / 50 g, 178 yd / 165 m) color: barley.

Yarn by Size

• XS – 7 balls (1246 yd / 1139 m)
• S – 8 balls (1340 yd / 1225 m)
• M – 8 balls (1424 yd / 1320 m)
• L – 9 balls (1602 yd / 1465 m)
• XL – 10 balls (1780 yd / 1628 m)
• 2X – 11 balls (1958 yd / 1790 m)
• 3X – 12 balls (2136 yd / 1953 m)
• 4X – 13 balls (2314 yd / 2116 m)
• 5X – 14 balls (2492 yd / 2279 m)

Notes

1. Starting ch 3 counts as a dc, standing stitches are a great alternative, you can see my tutorial for my favorites.
2. The stitch multiple is 4 plus 4 for the foundation row.
3. Pattern is written as a multi size pattern where the first number is the smaller size, and each number following is inside the parenthesis and the next size up: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). 
4. Stitch counts are given after the row instructions, with all numbers inside the parentheses ( ).

Stitches/Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

rnd – round

rep – repeat

RS – right side

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

st (s) – stitches

pm – place stitch marker

WS – wrong side

Video Tutorial

Watch the full video tutorial for the twin v stitch used in this top pattern here.

Gauge

*A note about gauge. Checking your gauge is important to achieve the correct sizing. Crochet a gauge swatch with the yarn and hook you plan to use. If you have more or less stitches than the listed gauge you need to use a hook smaller or larger to get the correct gauge.  Read more on gauge in this blog post.

4″ / 10 cm x 4″ / 10 cm = 20 sts  x 11 rows in pattern

Gauge Swatch Pattern

1. Ch 32
2. Follow the pattern Rows 1-3 until your swatch measures 6″.
3. Measure and count how many stitches per 4 inches. If you have more than 20 sts, then try going up a hook size, if you have less, then try going down a hook size. 
4. Measure in length (rows), if you have more than 11 rows then try going down a hook size and if you have less than 11 rows then try going up a size—unless your stitch gauge is right on, then you can use the hook that works for stitch gauge and just work more or less rows to accommodate your row gauge.
5. If you cannot meet gauge by going up or down one hook size you may need to go up or down by a size in the pattern to get the correct width for your panels. See the Fit for detailed measurements.

Fit

To fit bust size:

XS (30”), S (34”), M (38”), L (42”), XL (46”), 2X (50), 3X (54”), 4X (58”), 5X (62”)

XS (76 cm), S (86 cm), M (96.5 cm), L (106.5 cm), XL (117 cm), 2X (127 cm), 3X (137 cm), 4X (147 cm), 5X (158 cm).

This top has a recommended 1 – 4 in / 2.5 – 10 cm of positive ease, where the finished top is larger than the actual bust/hip measurement.

Finished Hip/Bust:

XS (31”), S (36”), M (39”), L (44”), XL (47”), 2X (52), 3X (55”), 4X (60”), 5X (63”)

XS (78.5 cm), S (91.5 cm), M (99 cm), L (112 cm), XL (119.5 cm), 2X (132 cm), 3X (139.5 cm), 4X (152.5 cm), 5X (160 cm).

As this pattern is worked without shaping, I recommend choosing size/ease that comfortably fits your widest measurement. For some that will be the hip, for some the stomach and some the bust.

Panel Width:

XS (15.5”), S (18”), M (19.5”), L (22”), XL (23.5”), 2X (26), 3X (27.5”), 4X (30”), 5X (31.5”)

XS (39.5 cm), S (45.5 cm), M (49.5 cm), L (56 cm), XL (59.5 cm), 2X (66 cm), 3X (70 cm), 4X (76 cm), 5X (80 cm).

Adjustments

There is no shaping in the pattern. If you would like to add shaping, choose the fit for your largest measurement and use decreases at both ends of a row to narrow the rectangle to fit your waist or bust. *Unless your narrowest measure is the hip, then you should choose the size corresponding to that measurement and add increases on either end of rows to increase as you work.

Depending on where you fall in the size range, you may want to size up or down. This boatneck shirt is designed to have a classic fit and hip length. 

Length:

XS (21.5”), S (21.5”), M (22”), L (22”), XL (23”), 2X (23), 3X (23.5”), 4X (23.5”), 5X (24.5”)

XS (54.5 cm), S (54.5), M (56 cm), L (56 cm), XL (58.5 cm), 2X (58.5 cm), 3X (59.5 cm), 4X (59.5cm), 5X (62 cm).

If you would like a longer shirt, just add more rows. Measure from the top of your shoulder down to your where you want the hem to stop. 

If you would like long sleeves, you can continue the sleeve length repeat for full length instead of 3/4. Be sure to add extra yarn.

Video Tutorial

Start with Belinda Top video tutorial to make the body of this sweater. Then watch the full video tutorial for the bell sleeve for this crochet top on my YouTube channel.

Scroll down for the written pattern instructions on how to make this free bell sleeve crochet top!

Pattern Instructions

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