purlJam

# Colour-Block Crochet Crop Top
**A beginner-friendly cropped top in bold red, black and blue**

This easy crop top is worked as two simple rectangles using UK trebles (tr). Colour-block stripes in red, black and blue give it a sporty, modern look. Perfect for confident beginners ready to make their first garment.

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## Sizes

| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|------|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| To fit bust (cm) | 80 | 86 | 92 | 98 | 108 | 120 |
| Finished bust (cm) | 76 | 82 | 88 | 94 | 104 | 116 |
| Finished length (cm) | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |

*Pattern written for size **M**, with other sizes in brackets: XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL).*
*Designed with approx. 4 cm negative ease for a fitted cropped fit.*

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) 100% cotton or cotton blend, approx. 200 m / 100 g per ball
  - **Colour A — Red:** 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls — approx. 180 (200, 220, 240, 260, 290) m
  - **Colour B — Black:** 1 ball — approx. 80 (90, 100, 110, 120, 130) m
  - **Colour C — Blue:** 1 ball — approx. 60 (70, 80, 90, 100, 110) m
- **Hook:** 5.0 mm crochet hook (or size needed to achieve tension)
- **Notions:** Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape

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## Tension (Gauge)

**14 tr × 7 rows = 10 cm square** in trebles, using 5.0 mm hook.

*Always make a tension swatch — accurate sizing depends on it.*

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## Abbreviations (UK Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **dc** — double crochet (US: single crochet)
- **tr** — treble (US: double crochet)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sp** — space
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **rep** — repeat

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## Pattern Notes

- Worked flat in two identical rectangles (Front and Back), then seamed.
- Turning **ch-3 counts as 1 tr** throughout.
- To change colour: work the last yarn-over of the final stitch in the new colour, then cut old yarn leaving a 10 cm tail to weave in.
- Stitch counts shown in brackets at the end of each row.

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## Stitch Count by Size

| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|------|----|----|----|----|----|----|
| Starting chain | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 76 | 84 |
| Treble stitches per row | 54 | 58 | 62 | 66 | 74 | 82 |
| Total rows | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |

*Math check (size M): 62 tr ÷ 14 × 10 = 44.3 cm width → 88.6 cm bust circumference ✓*
*24 rows ÷ 7 × 10 = 34.3 cm length ✓*

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## BACK PANEL

### Foundation (Colour B — Black)

With **Colour B (Black)**, ch 56 (60, 64, 68, 76, 84).

**Row 1 (RS):** 1 tr in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 ch count as 1 tr), 1 tr in each ch to end, turn. **[54 (58, 62, 66, 74, 82) tr]**

**Row 2:** Ch 3 (counts as tr), 1 tr in each tr to end, working last tr into top of turning ch, turn. **[54 (58, 62, 66, 74, 82) tr]**

**Row 3:** Rep Row 2. Change to **Colour A (Red)** in the last st of this row. **[54 (58, 62, 66, 74, 82) tr]**

### Body (Colour A — Red)

**Rows 4–18 (4–19, 4–19, 4–20, 4–21, 4–22):** Ch 3, 1 tr in each tr to end, turn. **[stitch count unchanged]**

That is 15 (16, 16, 17, 18, 19) rows in red.

Change to **Colour C (Blue)** in the last st of the final red row.

### Upper Band (Colour C — Blue)

**Next 2 rows:** Ch 3, 1 tr in each tr to end, turn.

### Shoulders & Neck Shaping (still in Blue)

**Next row (Shoulder row):** Ch 3, 1 tr in each of next 14 (15, 16, 17, 20, 23) tr; fasten off. **[15 (16, 17, 18, 21, 24) sts including turning ch — right shoulder]**

Skip centre 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts for back neck. Rejoin Colour C in next st:

**Next row:** Ch 3, 1 tr in each of remaining 14 (15, 16, 17, 20, 23) sts; fasten off. **[15 (16, 17, 18, 21, 24) sts — left shoulder]**

*Math check (size M): 17 + 28 + 17 = 62 sts ✓*

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## FRONT PANEL

Work exactly as Back Panel through the Upper Band (Blue) rows.

### Front Neck Shaping

For a slightly deeper front neckline, work the shoulders as follows:

**Next row:** Ch 3, 1 tr in each of next 14 (15, 16, 17, 20, 23) tr; fasten off. **[15 (16, 17, 18, 21, 24) sts — right shoulder]**

Skip centre 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts. Rejoin Colour C:

**Next row:** Ch 3, 1 tr in each of remaining 14 (15, 16, 17, 20, 23) sts; fasten off. **[15 (16, 17, 18, 21, 24) sts — left shoulder]**

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## FINISHING

### Seaming

1. Block both panels lightly to measurements.
2. With RS together, use Colour A and a yarn needle to **whip-stitch shoulder seams** (15 (16, 17, 18, 21, 24) sts each side).
3. Lay flat with WS together. Whip-stitch **side seams** starting from the bottom edge, leaving the top **18 (19, 20, 21, 22, 23) cm** open on each side for armholes.

### Neckline Edging (Colour B — Black)

With RS facing, join Colour B at a shoulder seam.

**Round 1:** Ch 1, work dc evenly around neckline opening, working approximately 2 dc per row-end and 1 dc per skipped stitch. Join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off.

### Armhole Edging (Colour B — Black)

With RS facing, join Colour B at underarm seam.

**Round 1:** Ch 1, work dc evenly around armhole opening (approx. 2 dc per row-end). Join with sl st to first dc. Fasten off.
Repeat for second armhole.

### Final Steps

- Weave in all ends securely with the yarn needle.
- Steam-block lightly, avoiding the ribbed bands.
- Try on and enjoy your colour-block crochet crop top!

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## Quick Reference — Colour Map

| Section | Colour | Rows |
|---------|--------|------|
| Lower band | Black (B) | 1–3 |
| Body | Red (A) | 4–18/19/19/20/21/22 |
| Upper band & shoulders | Blue (C) | remaining rows |
| Edgings (neck & armholes) | Black (B) | — |

**Happy crocheting!** 🧶