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Monterey Bay Striped Top Crochet Pattern

by | All Designs, Crochet, Free Patterns, Garments, Spring, Summer

You know that feeling of just waking up to sunshine, have no specific plans for the day, and just want to throw on something casual but fun and see where the day takes you? That was the idea behind the Monterey Bay striped top, both in it’s finished feel and in its construction – just easy, breezy summer vibes from dawn till dusk.

summer striped crochet top

Last month, I was burnt out from managing a conference, and had spent several evenings playing a potato on the couch while watching familiar shows on Netflix. After a while, my hands started itching for a new project, but my brain wasn’t quite ready to tackle the math for a new design. I wanted, and needed, something simple, basic, yet still be something I’d want to wear when I was done. What’s more basic than double crochet stripes? Well, double crochet non-stripes I guess, but adding stripes adds just enough fun to keep things interesting!

crochet striped top with shoulder knot

This colorful top uses Lion Brand Feels Like Butta yarn, a soft, chenille-like yarn that feels great against the skin. And the colors are so vibrant and beautiful! If you’ve known me for any amount of time, you know what a sucker I am for beautiful colors! The yarn feels like chenille, but is a medium 4 weight yarn, and even a bit on the light side of that, I think. It works up fast and smooth, especially when you’re just doing yards of double crochet stitches.

Monterey Bay striped top with fedora

While there is some math involved, the Monterey Bay striped top is basically 2 rectangles seamed at the shoulders and up the sides. Aren’t rectangles such dependable friends when it comes to wearables (see the Granny Squared Top)? For the stripes, you can cut the yarn at each color change, or follow the pictorial below to see how I carried my yarn from one color to another. Don’t worry, all those edges will be hidden once you seam up the side/finish the sleeves. To finish, there’s also a separate “ribbon” for you to tie at the shoulder, in case you’re looking for an added bit of flare. If not, the shirt works great without it too!

how to crochet stripes without cutting yarn pictorial

The pattern listed below is for size S, or head over to Etsy or Ravelry to grab the PDF for sizes XS through 2XL. The PDF is especially formatted for easy printing and includes instructions and schematic for additional sizes. You can also find the full kit for sale at Lion Brand*, which will give you all the yarn you need to make your own Monterey Bay top.

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Monterey Bay pin image

Supplies

Abbreviations

Pattern Notes

  • Skill level Easy.
  • Pattern written for:​ XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) – only size S shown below
  • Gauge:​ 16 sts and 8.75 rows in 4 inches.
  • Dimensions:​ 20” inches wide, 39” circumference after seaming, 24 inches long
  • Size S = model is 34 inch bust, 6 inches ease
  • Weight :​ 15 oz.

Monterey Bay Striped Top Pattern Instructions

FRONT PANEL

Start with a long tail. (used to seam up the sides)

Row 1:​ Work 80 foundation single crochet stitches in color A.
Row 2:​ Work 1 sl st in each stitch across. Be sure to work the slip stitches extra loosely, or use a larger hook to ensure the sts stay loose.
Row 3-4:​ Repeat Row 2.
Row 5:​ In color A, ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Row 6:​ Ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Row 7:​ In color B, ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Row 8:​ Ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Repeat Rows 5-8, alternating 2 rows of color A and 2 rows of color B for a total of 49 rows, ending on color A.
Row 50:​ Using Color A, ch 2. Work 22 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc, 2 sl st. Cut yarn. Skip 24 sts. Join new yarn, work 2 sl st, 2 sc, 2 hdc, 22 dc. Fasten off.
Row 51:​ Using Color B, ch 2. Work 19 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sl st. Skip 36 sts. Join new yarn, work 1 sl st, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 19 dc.
Fasten off, leaving a tail to seam shoulders.

BACK PANEL

Start with a long tail. (used to seam up the sides)
Row 1:​ Work 80 ​foundation single crochet​ stitches in color A.
Row 2:​ Work 1 sl st in each stitch across. Be sure to work the slip stitches extra loosely, or use a larger hook to ensure the sts stay loose.
Row 3-4:​ Repeat Row 2.
Row 5:​ In color A, ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Row 6:​ Ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Row 7:​ In color B, ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Row 8:​ Ch 2. Work 1 dc in each st across.
Repeat Rows 5-8, alternating 2 rows of color A and 2 rows of color B for a total of 51 rows, ending on color B.
Fasten off, leaving a tail to seam shoulders.

COLLAR

→ Lay the front and back panels together right sides facing out. Using the mattress stitch and the tail left over from the body, seam the shoulders from the outside edge in towards the neckline for 19 sts.
→ Fasten off and weave in ends.
→ Repeat for other shoulder.

NECKLINE

→ Join yarn of Color A to a shoulder seam.
Rnd 1:​ Ch 1. Work 1 sl st in each st around. Join to 1st st. → Repeat Round 1, 1 more time.
→ Fasten off and weave in ends.

ARMHOLE

→ Lay the front and back panels side to side right sides facing out.
→ Seam up both sides approx 15.5 inches (34 rows), leaving 7.75 inches / 17 rows unseamed for armhole opening.

Round 1:​ Join yarn to center of armpit. Ch 2, continue to work 68 dc (includes standing dc) around evenly – this is 4 sts per 2 rows of the body.
Round 2:​ Ch 1. Work 1 sl st in each st around. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Repeat for other armhole.

RIBBON (optional)

Row 1:​ Work 7 foundation double crochet stitches. Turn.
Row 2:​ Ch 2 (does not count as st). Work 1 dc in each st across.
→ Repeat Row 2 32 times, or until the ribbon is approximately 15 inches long. → Fasten off and weave in ends.
→ Tie the ribbon around one shoulder as an optional accent.

I’m telling ya, this might just become your go-to top for those sunny, carefree days!

Monterey Bay striped top with shoulder knot

Check out my pattern shops on Ravelry and Etsy where you can purchase printable PDFs of my latest crochet patterns. These PDFs are formatted without comments or ads, and have instructional photos at the bottom for optional printing.

I sometimes include affiliate links in my supply lists. Purchasing from these merchants earns me a small commission with no extra cost to you, and goes towards supporting One Dog Woof.

Please be respectful and do not sell or distribute this pattern in any way, especially as your own. Instead, share the original blog post link! You can sell finished products made from this pattern by giving credit to One Dog Woof as the pattern designer and linking to the blog post. If you have any questions regarding distribution or translation of this pattern, please see my Terms of Use. Thank you for your consideration!

6 Comments

  1. KD

    Disappointing to see the size discrimination by only having the small size pattern free. I am all for paying to get a pattern and supporting creators, but not equally treating people of all sizes by making some have to pay when others get it free is incredibly disrespectful.

  2. Maria

    I see this done with other patterns as well. I’m guessing she is a size small and that is what she made. Doing the math for other sizes takes a lot of time and deserves being compensated for. I don’t think there was any intention of “discrimination” here

  3. ChiWei

    Hi! I design and make my clothes first and foremost to fit my size and personal style. You are welcome to use the free instructions and grade it for your own size without purchasing the PDF. Thanks for your feedback and support!

  4. J

    Hi! Thank you for your simple, practical and beautiful patterns. Of course design motivation is foremost to fit personal style and size, but math is done in any case… The point is to PUBLISH each time another size, so there is no size discrimination. BTW, size is often one of the main reasons for crocheting or knitting…..

  5. Sonia

    Hola Chiwei. Yo no veo ningún problema en que publiques el patrón en tu talla. Si queremos otra talla basta con que hagamos los caĺculos. No sé dónde ven el problema otras personas.
    Muchas gracias por compartir el patrón. Además me parece un top bonito y divertido.
    Gracias de nuevo y un abrazo.

  6. Deborah Morgan

    How do I figure my size to fit the pattern? I have a 38 inch bust, so do I go with Large??

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