Blue Top with Sunflowers — Crochet Tank Top Pattern

Written in US crochet terms. A lightweight, slightly relaxed sleeveless crochet top worked flat in rectangles, finished with crocheted sunflower appliqués sewn to the front. Constructed for warm weather in DK cotton yarn, this pattern includes clear stitch counts, row totals and placement notes for sizes S (M, L, XL). Website: purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam.

Finished Measurements

• S: Bust 34" (86 cm), Length (shoulder to hem) 21" (53 cm)
• M: Bust 38" (97 cm), Length 22" (56 cm)
• L: Bust 42" (107 cm), Length 23" (58 cm)
• XL: Bust 46" (117 cm), Length 24" (61 cm)

Materials

• Yarn: DK weight 100% cotton (light DK). Main color (Blue): S 450 yd / 412 m; M 550 yd / 503 m; L 650 yd / 594 m; XL 750 yd / 686 m. Sunflower set: Yellow ~50 yd / 46 m, Dark brown (center) ~30 yd / 27 m, Leaf green ~20 yd / 18 m as accents.
• Hook / Needles: Crochet hook US G/6 (4.0 mm) or US 7/H (4.5 mm) if you need looser fabric. UK (old) equivalents: choose hooks marked 8 (4.0 mm) or 7 (4.5 mm). Metric: 4.0 mm (recommended) and 4.5 mm (optional). (If preferred to knit, use knitting needles for DK: US 6 / UK 4 / 4.0 mm.)
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, sewing needle for finishing, blocking tools.

Gauge

16 dc (double crochet) x 10 rows = 4" / 10 cm using 4.5 mm hook (blocked). Row gauge = 2.5 rows per inch (approx). Adjust hook if necessary to match gauge.

Abbreviations (US / UK)

• ch = chain (ch)
• sc = single crochet (UK: dc)
• hdc = half double crochet (UK: htr)
• dc = double crochet (UK: tr)
• sl st = slip stitch (same)
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Notes

• Top is worked as two identical rectangles (Back and Front). Seam sides, leaving armholes by measuring up from hem.
• All sizes use the same stitch pattern (plain rows of dc). Numbers in pattern are given as S (M, L, XL). When only one number is shown, it applies to all sizes.
• Sunflower appliqués are crocheted separately and sewn on. Placement guidance included.

Sizing & Starting Chains (foundation chains are half the bust circumference)

Stitch per inch (dc) = 4 (approx). Chain counts for each size (foundation chain + 2 turning chains):

• S (half bust 17") = 17 x 4 = 68 sts. Foundation chain: ch 70 (ch 68 + 2 turning ch)
• M (half bust 19") = 76 sts. Foundation chain: ch 78
• L (half bust 21") = 84 sts. Foundation chain: ch 86
• XL (half bust 23") = 92 sts. Foundation chain: ch 94

Row Counts / Lengths

Rows per inch = 2.5. Work the rectangles to the lengths below (rows counted from hem):

• Underarm depth (stop to create armhole height by seaming): S 14" = 35 rows; M 15" = 38 rows; L 16" = 40 rows; XL 17" = 43 rows.
• Total length to shoulder before adding straps: S 21" = 53 rows; M 22" = 55 rows; L 23" = 58 rows; XL 24" = 60 rows.

Body (Back and Front — make 2)

Using main color and 4.0 mm hook (or size to match gauge):

1. Foundation: Ch 70 (78, 86, 94). Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across — total 68 (76, 84, 92) dc. Turn.
2. Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each st across. Turn. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures the underarm depth given above (35, 38, 40, 43 rows total). Mark the row where underarm depth is reached with a removable marker or safety pin.
3. Continue working same dc rows until total rows reach 53 (55, 58, 60). Fasten off. Block gently if desired.

Sewing / Seaming

1. Place Back and Front wrong sides together. Seam sides from hem up to underarm depth measurement (S 14"/35 rows; M 15"/38 rows; L 16"/40 rows; XL 17"/43 rows), leaving the top shoulder openings unseamed to form armholes and neck area. Use mattress stitch or whipstitch for a neat join.
2. Seam shoulders: Leave a 6-7" (15-18 cm) central neck opening; seam shoulder widths of approx 3" (7.5 cm) each or simply join the topmost 2"-3" (5-7.5 cm) of each shoulder depending on desired neckline width. Adjust to your measurements.

Straps (make 2)

1. Using main color, ch until strap is approximately 8" (20 cm) long — this will vary with tension; using gauge as a guide, chain ~24–30 ch. (Make foundation chain and adjust to fit your shoulders.)
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. Turn. Repeat rows until strap width is 1/2"–3/4" (1.2–2 cm) or desired width (usually 3–5 rows). Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
3. Sew straps to top corners of front and back (inside), spacing in from the edges by about 1" (2.5 cm) so the strap sits comfortably on the shoulder.

Edging

With main color and 4.0 mm hook: Work 1 round of sc around armhole openings and neckline if desired, placing 2 sc in each corner to avoid puckering. Work an optional decorative round: *sc, ch 1, skip 1 st* around for a subtle scallop; adjust to fit evenly.

Sunflower Appliqué (make 3 for S, 4 for M, 5 for L, 6 for XL or adjust)

Use yellow (petals), brown (center) and green (small leaves) yarn; 4.0 mm hook.

1. Center (brown): Magic ring, ch 1, work 10 sc into ring. Pull ring tight, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off brown, join yellow.
2. Round 2 (yellow, petals base): Join yellow in any st, ch 1, *sc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st; move to next st and repeat* around to create 10 little loops. Join and fasten off (10 loops).
3. Round 3 (petals shaping): Work into each ch-3 loop: join yellow, (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) into each loop to form a petal. Fasten off and weave in ends.
4. Leaves (optional): With green, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc along chain to form a small leaf. Fasten off and sew to the edge of the sunflower if desired.

Placement of Sunflowers

Block front flat. For centered arrangement: measure the front width (half width = foundation chain stitches /4 because you worked half bust). Place one large sunflower centered horizontally across bust line, then add smaller sunflowers staggered towards the hem or one side. Suggested counts: S 3 across lower chest, M 4, L 5, XL 6. Leave at least 2" between centers. Sew appliqués on with matching thread/yarn and secure tightly.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends. Lightly block to open stitches and set shape. Press gently with steam if cotton.
• Try on and adjust strap lengths if necessary. If neckline gapes, add another row of sc around neck for stability.

Customization Tips

• Use larger hook for looser drape; smaller hook for more fitted look.
• Add 1 or 2 repeats of length rows for longer torso or tunic-style top.
• Embellish with beads sewn into sunflower centers if desired; secure beads before final sewing.

Care

Hand wash cool and lay flat to dry to keep cotton shape and color; light machine wash gentle cycle OK for most cotton DK yarns but check manufacturer's care instructions.

If you want this pattern adapted to knit or want a size graded spec sheet (XS or plus sizes), please request the specific conversion and I can create a graded knitting version.

Pattern by PurlJam at purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk. Socials: #purljam.

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