Are you ready for summer? I know I am. I designed this Sun-Ray summer top with warm days and sunsets at the beach on my mind! Get ready for a fun and easy crochet project to keep you feeling cool and looking hot this summer!
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The Yarn
I’m sure I have Lion Brand’s ZZ-twist yarn in just about every available color (and there are many.) And even though I had so much of it in my stash, I had to buy more when I saw this color! For my Sun-ray summer tee I used Lion Brand’s ZZ-twist in the color “pumpkin.” I would call this yarn a bright pumpkin. A perfect yarn for a summer garment, warm, cheerful and bright. If you haven’t used ZZ-twist, you’re really in for a treat.
It works up so quickly and easily and doesn’t split or slide too much on the hook. Even though it’s a worsted weight acrylic, it has a light, bouncy quality to it. A perfect alternative to the usual 100 % cotton for summer garments.
GREAT CROCHET GARMENT
I have long been fascinated with the versatility of crochet and the idea of making just about anything with some yarn and a little hook. Garment making is by far my favorite type of crochet. I just love the idea of creating something you can wear without having to break out the sewing machine. This summer I’ll be focusing on tanks and tees as well as beach cover ups and light summer sweaters. Expect to see a lot more fun and flirty designs like the Sun-Ray summer tee.
You’ll find the open work in the front and back of this tee is unique, yet very easy to achieve with simple ch-sts. This is a basic pattern with very little shaping that’s easily customizable for a shorter or longer tee. It’s definitely suitable for a beginner crocheter because it uses the basic crochet stitches with no color changing and some very simple shoulder shaping. And don’t you just love how great the “turned in” ribbed sleeves “turned out?”
Since you like the Sun-Ray Summer Tee, these might interest you too?
How Long Does It Take To Crochet That?
How long it takes to crochet something varies depending on your skill & how fast you crochet. But that isn’t a helpful answer is it?
Well, I’ve developed a yarn calculator to help you get the answer to this question. It will help you calculate exactly how much time you’ll spend crocheting a project.
All you need to know is how much yarn you will use on the project in either meters, yards or skeins. Then crochet your test square & time it.
Calculate how long it takes to crochet that.
SUN-RAY SUMMER TEE – THE FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern Options
GRAB THE PDF PATTERN ON ETSY!
GRAB THE PDF PATTERN ON LOVE CRAFTS!
About The Pattern
Written for sizes S (M, L, XL), this is a great look for summer worn with shorts a tank underneath for a day out. And I know you’ll be at the beach this summer! Wear this top over your swimsuit and embrace the slow fashion movement while looking amazing at the beach. This pattern is mostly double crochet stitches, you it’s going to work up quickly. Get started now and your tee will be ready long before the spring turns to summer.
Project Level
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Materials Needed
Crochet Hook
5 mm / US: H – 8 / UK: 6 crochet hook for main,
4.5 mm / US: 7 / UK: 7 for sleeves.
Yarn
Yarn used:
Lion Brand– ZZ- twist in color PUMPKIN.
Yarn amount used:
4 (4, 5, 5) skeins
Yarn characteristics:
- 4 medium yarn.
- 100 % acrylic
Other Materials Needed
- Tapestry needle and several head pins, find one here (if you don’t already have one)!
Gauge
15 dc x 9 rows = 10 cm / 4”.
Notes
- This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
- Pattern is written for sizes S (M, L, XL). All measurements given are unblocked.
- Model is 5′ 3″ tall shown wearing size S.
- Note that measurements are given as exact as possible. But crochet tension & technique might give variations in the result, that changes from person to person.
- Read pattern instructions carefully before beginning to make sure you understand everything. It might save you hours frogging your work & crocheting it again!
- Make a swatch that measure at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch the gauge is given for. If your swatch matches the gauge, you’re good to go. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your hook. Go up in crochet hook size if your stitches are smaller & go down in crochet hook size if your stitches are bigger. Learn more about testing gauge.
- Check yarn info if you want to find an alternative or test your yarn against the gauge. Learn more about substituting yarn.
- Ch 3 at beg of row always counts as a st.
- At the end of each row, the stitch count is given in parenthesis.
- Tee is made in 4 separate pieces (back panel, front panel, 2 sleeves) then sew together.
- Back and front panels are worked back and forth in rows from lower edge upwards.
Size & Measurements
Back AND FRONT PANELS:
Width: 19 (20.75, 23, 24.5) inches/48 (53, 58, 62) cm.
Height: 20 (20, 21, 21) inches/51 (51, 53, 53) cm.
Abbreviations
- ScBLO = back loop only single crochet
- ch = chain(s)
- dc = double crochet
- dc2tog = double crochet 2 together
- RS = right side
- Sk = skip
- Yo = yarn over
- Sp = space
- Dec = decrease stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- Sl st = slip stitch
- St = stitch (es)
We try our best to include all crochet abbreviations in the list above for the crochet pattern, but sometimes we may forget one or two.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Stitches You Will Need
CROCHET TOGETHER 2 DOUBLE CROCHET STITCHES (Dc2tog)
Yo, insert hook and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yo, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo and draw through 2 loops (3 loops on hook) yo, draw through all 3 loops.
Sun-Ray Summer Tee Pattern Instructions
Back Panel
*Note: Beginning at row 3, center ch-sts will decrease by 2 each row while dc sts will increase by 2 (1 per side) each row.*
Ch 74 (80, 88, 94)
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook (turning ch counts as a st, here and throughout), dc in next 21 (24, 28, 30) sts, ch 26 (26, 26, 28), sk next 26 (26, 26, 28) ch-sts, dc in remaining 23 (26, 30, 32) sts. – 46 (52, 60, 64) dc and 26 (26, 26, 28) ch-sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 22 (25, 29, 31) sts, ch 26 (26, 26, 28), sk next 26 (26, 26, 28) ch-sts, dc in remaining 23 (26, 30, 32) sts. – 46 (52, 60, 64) dc and 26 (26, 26, 28) ch-sts.
Row 3: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 23 (26, 30, 32) sts, ch 24 (24, 24, 26), sk next 24 (24, 24, 26) ch-sts, dc in remaining 24 (27, 31, 33) sts. – 48 (54, 62, 66) dc and 24 (24, 24, 26) ch-sts.
Row 4: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 24 (27, 31, 33) sts, ch 22 (22, 22, 24), sk next 22 (22, 22, 24) ch-sts, dc in remaining 25 (28, 32, 34) sts. – 50 (56, 64, 68) dc and 22 (22, 22, 24) ch-sts.
Row 5: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 25 (28, 32, 34) sts, ch 20 (20, 20, 22), sk next 20 (20, 20, 22) ch-sts, dc in remaining 26 (29, 33, 35) sts. – 52 (58, 66, 70) dc and 20 (20, 20, 22) ch-sts.
Rows 6-13: Continue in established pattern. – 68 (74, 82, 86) dc and 4 (4, 4, 6) ch-sts at end of row 13.
Rows 14-25 (25, 27, 27): Ch 3, turn, dc in next 34 (37, 41, 43) sts, ch 2 (2, 2, 4), sk next 2 (2, 2, 4) ch-sts, dc in remaining 35 (38, 42, 44) sts. – 70 (76, 84, 88) dc and 2 (2, 2, 4) ch-sts.
*Begin increasing number of center ch-sts by 2 (per row) and decreasing number of dc sts by 2 (1 dc st decrease per side) each row.*
Row 26 (26, 28, 28): Ch 3, turn dc in next 33 (36, 40, 42) sts, sk next dc, ch 4 (4, 4, 6), sk next 2 (2, 2, 4) ch-sts, sk next dc, dc in remaining 34 (37, 41, 43) sts. – 68 (74, 82, 86) dc and 4 (4, 4, 6) ch-sts.
Row 27 (27, 29, 29): Ch 3, turn, dc in next 32 (35, 39, 41) sts, sk next dc, ch 6 (6, 6, 8), sk next 4 (4, 4, 6) ch-sts, sk next dc, dc in remaining 33 (36, 40, 42) sts. – 66 (72, 80, 82) dc and 6 (6, 6, 8) ch-sts.
Row 28 (28, 30, 30): Ch 3, turn, dc in next 31 (34, 38, 40) sts, sk next dc, ch 8 (8, 8, 10), sk next 6 (6, 6, 8) ch-sts, sk next dc, dc in remaining 32 (35, 39, 41) sts. – 64 (70, 78, 82) dc and 8 (8, 8, 10) ch-sts.
Row 29 (29, 31, 31): Ch 3, turn, dc in next 30 (33, 37, 39) sts, sk next dc, ch 10 (10, 10, 12), sk next 8 (8, 8, 10) ch-sts, sk next dc, dc in remaining 31 (34, 38, 40) sts. – 62 (68, 76, 80) dc and 10 (10, 10, 12) ch-sts.
Rows 30 (30, 32, 32) – 37 (37, 39, 39): Continue in established pattern. – 46 (52, 60, 64) dc and 26 (26, 26, 28) ch-sts at end of row 37 (37, 39, 39).
Neck Shaping (Left side)
Row 1:Ch 3, turn, dc in next 22 (25, 29, 31) sts, leaving remaining ch-sts and dc sts unworked for neck and right shoulder. 23 (26, 30, 32) dc.
Row 2: (dec row) Ch 3, turn, dc2tog, dc in remaining 20 (23, 27, 29) sts. 22 (25, 29, 31) dc.
Row 3: (dec row) Ch 3, dc in next 19 (22, 26, 28) sts, dc2tog. 21 (24, 28, 30) dc.
Row 4: (dec row) Ch 3, turn, dc2tog, dc in remaining 18 (21, 25, 27) sts. 20 (23, 27, 29) dc.
Shoulder shaping (left Shoulder)
Row 1: Do not ch, turn, sl st in next 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts, dc in remaining 14 (17, 21, 23) dc. – 20 (23, 27, 29) sts.
Fasten off.
Neck Shaping (Right side)
From RS, sk left shoulder just made and middle ch-sts, join new strand of yarn with sl st in next available dc st.
Row 1: Ch 3, dc in remaining 22 (25, 29, 31) sts. – 23 (26, 30, 32) dc.
Row 2: (dec row) Ch 3, turn, dc in next 20 (23, 27, 29) sts, dc2tog over 2 remaining sts. – 22 (25, 29, 31) dc.
Row 3: (dec row) Ch 3, turn, dc2tog, dc in remaining 19 (22, 26, 28) sts. – 21 (24, 28, 30) dc.
Row 4: (dec row) Ch 3, turn, dc in next 17 (20, 24, 26) sts, dc2tog over 2 remaining sts. – 20 (23, 27, 29) dc.
Shoulder shaping (Right shoulder)
Row 1: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 13 (16, 20, 22) sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, sl st in remaining 3 sts. – 20 (23, 27, 29) sts.
Fasten off and cut yarn.
Front Panel
Ch 74 (80, 88, 94)
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 33 (36, 40, 42) sts, ch 2 (2, 2, 4), sk next 2 (2, 2, 4) ch-sts, dc in remaining 35 (38, 42, 44) sts. – 70 (76, 84, 88) dc and 2 (2, 2, 4) ch-sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 34 (37, 41, 43) sts, ch 2 (2, 2, 4) sk next 2 (2, 2, 4) ch-sts, dc in remaining 35 (38, 42, 44) sts. – 70 (76, 84, 88) dc and 2 (2, 2, 4) ch- sts.
Rows 3-25 (25, 27, 27): Repeat row 2.
Rows 26 (26, 28, 28)-37 (37, 39, 39): Repeat exactly as back panel including neck and shoulder shaping on both sides.
Sleeves (make 2)
With smaller hook, ch 21 (21, 26, 26).
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. 20 (20, 25, 25) sc.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), turn, scBLO in each st across. 20 (20, 25, 25) scBLO.
Repeat row 2 until sleeve measures 15 (16, 17, 18) inches/ 38 (41, 43, 46) cm.
Fasten off.
Finishing
When you’re finished crocheting you have 4 parts:
1.-Place Front and Back panels together wrong sides up, with top edges aligned and sew shoulder seams using the mattress stitch.
2.-Fold sleeve in half to determine the center. Pin sleeve along the side so the center of sleeve aligns with the shoulder seam. Pin center into place, pin the remainder of sleeve into place.
3.-Sew sleeve into place, repeat for other sleeve.
4.-Fold garment in half wrong side out, then sew the underarm seams from cuff to underarm.
5.-Sew sides seams from underarm to lower edges, leave 2 inches (5 cm) unsewn at lower edges for side slits.
Border
From RS, join yarn with sl st at lower edge of one side slit.
Round 1: Work sc sts evenly spaced across the inside of the side slit, continue working sc sts in each st around lower edge of shirt, repeating for opposite side slit and continue working sc sts until reaching beg ch-1, sl st to join.
Fasten threads & weave in ends.
Turn sleeves in and enjoy!
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