Perfect T-Shirt Crochet Pattern - Originally Lovely - Crochet (2024)

Introducing: The Perfect Crochet T-Shirt — Free Crochet Pattern

This beginner friendly crochet pattern is worked in the round from the top, down. Crocheted quickly in linen stitch, this top is extremely comfortable and stylish.

The best part? It’s also super fun to make!

The Perfect Crochet T-Shirt is available as a free pattern and as a kit with Lion Brand Yarn. Scroll down to access the free pattern or continue reading to learn a bit about the design and some pointers to help you out!

Also check out the coordinating knitting pattern, the Perfect Knit T-Shirt!

**please note, some links may be affiliate links which will allow me to make a small commission on products purchased through my referral. This does not influence my opinion or the price of the item that you are purchasing in any way.

Perfect T-Shirt Design

It seems like I am always searching for the perfect, everyday tee. Very rarely do I come across one that is just ~perfect~ and when I do, I buy a handful!

A perfect t-shirt, to me, needs to have a well shaped neckline. I love the look of a relaxed crew neck.

I don’t want a t-shirt that is too tight or too loose. I prefer around 4″ of positive ease for a relaxed fit that still looks polished.

Finally, comfort is KEY! I am not going to wear something that is uncomfortable, especially in the summer! I knew I needed to use this yarn to make a t-shirt that was soft, cool, and had beautiful drape.

The Crochet Pattern

I really wanted to be sure this pattern was fun and easy to make! I think summer is a time for relaxing and enjoying life so I wanted a pattern that fit right in with that vibe.

I used linen stitch (also called moss stitch) for this t-shirt. I love this stitch because it’s super easy and quick to work. You are crocheting into gap spaces between stitches so its very easy to do without looking or paying much attention!

This pattern is worked primarily in-the-round from the top, down. At the beginning, you will crochet a couple rows flat to shape the front neckline so that it sits a bit lower than the back neckline. Then, you will join to work in the round and shape the shoulders, body, and sleeves.

I’ve added some additional photos throughtout this pattern to explain the construction a bit more incase you’ve never made a top-down, raglan crochet sweater!

Yarn and Materials

As I mentioned above, I wanted to use a yarn for this t-shirt that was breathable, cool, and amazingly soft. Lion Brand Coboo is my favorite yarn and worked perfectly for this crochet pattern!

If you are interested in using this exact yarn, you might want to check out the crochet kit which contains all the yarn needed to make your size and a free copy of the pattern!

I will note that this yarn is plied and has a tendency to ‘split’ from your hook. I personally don’t find this to be an issue but if this is something that bothers you I have some great yarn substitutions listed below.

Yarn Substitutions

Some other yarns that I recommend for this crochet t-shirt are:

• Truboo from Lion Brand: a 100% bamboo yarn similar to Coboo but without the cotton! This yarn is a bit shinier and silkier than Coboo.

• Comfy Cotton Blend: another favorite, this yarn is an acrylic cotton blend that I’ve used and loved many times!

• Cotton Jeans Yarn: this cotton yarn looks just like denim when knit up!

• CotLin from KnitPicks: this yarn is a cotton, linen blend so its very cooling and perfect for warm weather. Its not quite as soft as some of the others but I still love it because it has that high-end linen feel

• Swish DK: a 100% merino wool yarn, perfect if you don’t want to use cotton but still prefer to use natural fibers! Just note, this yarn is wool so its a bit warmer than the other options.

• Comfy Worsted: this yarn is labeled as a worsted weight but I strongly think that it is more of a DK weight. I am always impressed with this yarn and how unbelievable soft it is! Also check out Comfy Color Mist, the same yarn just with speckled colors instead of solids.

Perfect T-Shirt Crochet Pattern

© ORIGINALLY LOVELY 2021

This pattern and photographs of this garment are property of Kaitlin Barthold of Originally Lovely. This pattern, photos, and design are subject to copyright and are for personal use only. All commercial use is strictly prohibited. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern under any circ*mstances.

The free version of this pattern must be viewed from the webpage.

Shop the kit with Lion Brand Yarn HERE

To purchase an ad-free, printable PDF of the Perfect Crochet T-Shirt on Ravelry, CLICK HERE

To purchase an ad-free, printable PDF of the Perfect Crochet T-Shirt on Etsy, CLICK HERE

Skill Level

Easy +

Materials

3, (4, 4, 5, 5), (6, 6, 7, 8) skeins / 696, (928, 928, 1160, 1160), (1392, 1392, 1624, 1624) yards Lion Brand Coboo Yarn (shown in White)

Size US F-5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook

Removable Stitch Marker

Tapestry Needle to weave in ends

Notes

This raglan style t-shirt is worked from the top, down. After the first few rounds are worked flat to shape the front neckline, this t-shirt will be worked in the round.

Finished Dimensions

XS, (S, M, L, XL), (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Perfect T-Shirt crochet pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parenthesis. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To keep track of your size, you may highlight or circle all numbers for your chosen size before you begin.

Help Choosing Size

This top is designed to be worn with 0-4” of positive ease at the bust. Model is 6′ tall, has a 33” bust, and is wearing a size small with 3” of positive ease. For best fit, choose a size that is 0-4” larger than your corresponding bust measurement.

Gauge

19 sts and 17 rows = 4” in linen stitch

Abbreviations

This pattern is written using U.S. English Terminology

[ ] = work instructions within brackets as many times as directed.

( ) = work instructions within parenthesis as directed.

* = repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.

BLO = back loop only

CH = chain stitch

GAP SP = gap space, this is referring to the gap that is created between each double crochet cluster

RD = round

RS = right side

SC = single crochet

SLST = slip stitch

SK = skip the next stitch

SP = space

ST = stitch

STS = stitches

WS = wrong side

Perfect T-Shirt Crochet Pattern

Ch 92 (92, 92, 92, 92) (92, 92, 92, 92) sts.

Set-up Row: beginning in 4th ch from hook, SC, ch2, SC, [ch1, sk1, SC] 11 (11, 11, 11, 11) (10, 10, 10, 10) times, ch2, SC, [ch1, sk1, SC] 20 (20, 20, 20, 20) (22, 22, 22, 22) times, ch2, SC, [ch1, sk1, SC] 11 (11, 11, 11, 11) (10, 10, 10, 10) times, ch2, SC, ch3, turn.

You will now begin shaping the raglans and neckline. Each ch2 sp worked in the previous row is a corner where the raglans will be increased.

Row 1: * [SC, ch2, SC] in ch2 gap sp, ch1, [SC, ch1], in each gap sp to next corner. Rep from * to final corner sp, [SC, ch2, SC] in corner sp, ch1, [SC, ch1, SC] in turning ch from previous row, ch3, turn.

2: * [SC ch1] in each gap sp to corner, [SC, ch2, SC] in corner sp, ch1. Rep from * three more times, [SC, ch1] until turning ch from previous row, [SC, ch1, SC] in turning ch, ch3, turn.

3-10: Rep row 2. On the final row, do not ch3 and turn.

Neckline Join:

You will now join the neckline and begin working in the round.

Ch18 (18, 18, 18, 18) (22, 22, 22, 22), careful not to twist work, SC into turning ch sp on opposite end of neckline to join in rd.

You are going to be working in the round in a spiral with no distinct beg/end of each rd. You may place a st marker here to denote this point as the beg/end of each rd to better keep track of raglan increase rounds worked.

Set-up Round: * ch1, [SC, ch1] in each gap sp to corner, [SC, ch2, SC] in corner sp. Rep from * 3 more times, ch1, [SC, ch1] to front neckline ch, sk the first ch, SC into next ch, ch1, [sk next ch, SC into next ch, ch1] to end of rd.

Round 1: * ch1, [SC, ch1] in each gap sp to corner, [SC, ch1, SC] in corner sp. Rep from * 3 more times, [ch1, SC] in each gap sp to end of rd.

Repeat Round 1 3, (8, 12, 17, 22) (25, 29, 34, 39) more times. Counting only the SC sts, no t the ch sts, you will have 27, (32, 36, 41, 46), (47, 51, 56, 61) st for each sleeve and 36, (41, 45, 50, 55), (60, 64, 69, 74) sts for both the front and the back.

Separate for Body:

You will now separate the sleeves from the body and begin working the body in the round.

Next row: * Ch1, [SC, ch1] in each gap sp to corner, SC into corner sp, ch5, sk all sleeve sts to next corner sp, SC into corner sp. Rep from * once more. This will now be beg/end of each rd.

The lower part of the neckline that you shaped will be the front of your shirt and the 5 ch sts will be each underarm.

1: * ch1, [SC, ch1] in each gap sp to underarm ch sts, SC into first ch, [ch1, sk1, SC] 2x, ch1, rep from * once more.

Work even by [SC, ch1] in each gap sp until piece measures 14, (13.5, 13, 12.5, 12), (12, 11, 10.5, 10)” from underarm. You may work more/less at this point to make your top longer/shorter.

Final round: SC, [slstblo] in each st to end of rd. Cut yarn leaving a tail and pull the final st all the way through to secure. Weave in end.

Sleeves:

Beginning at the right side of one underarm, [SC ch1] into each of the 4 gap spaces at the underarm, [SC, ch1] around arm opening to underarm, slst with first SC to join. This will be beg/end of each round.

Work even by [SC, ch1] in each gap sp until piece measures. 1.5” from underarm. You may work more/less at this point to make your sleeve longer/shorter.

Final round: SC, [slstblo] in each st to end of rd. Cut yarn leaving a tail and pull the final st all the way through to secure. Weave in end.

Repeat for second sleeve.

Neckline:

Starting in the raglan gap at the left side of the back neckline, [SC, ch1] into the raglan gap, [SC, ch1] in each of the 11 (11, 11, 11, 11), (9, 9, 9, 9) gap sp to the next raglan, [SC, ch1] in the next 6 gap sp down the side of neckline, [SC, ch1] in the next 9 (9, 9, 9, 9), (11, 11, 11, 11) gap sp across center front neckline, [SC, ch1] in the next 6 gap sp up the other side of neckline, [SC ch1] in each of the next 12 (12, 12, 12, 12), (10, 10, 10, 10) gap sp to final raglan, [SC, ch1] into the final 20 (20, 20, 20, 20), (22, 22, 22, 22) gap sp across back.

Final round: SC, [slstblo] in each st to end of rd. Cut yarn leaving a tail and pull the final st all the way through to secure. Weave in end.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends to secure.

Block by soaking in warm water and lay flat to dry.

Enjoy!

For questions, please email support@originallylovely.com

I’d love to see your finished work! Share on social media using the hashtag #originallylovely or by tagging @originally.lovely and @lionbrandyarn on Instagram!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this Perfect T-Shirt Crochet Pattern!

Looking for other free warm weather crochet patterns? Check out the Maria Top or read about the 20 Best Free Granny Square Patterns!

You can also check out the knit version of this pattern, the Perfect Knit T-Shirt!