Mini Midnight Top—FREE Crochet Pattern

I am so excited to introduce the Kid’s version of a very popular summer crochet pattern…meet the Mini Midnight Top, a free crochet pattern here on the Blog! Keep reading to hear about my inspiration, design process, yarn and more, or scroll down for the free pattern!

After designing the women’s Midnight Top and seeing the huge success that it was, I just KNEW a kid’s version was in order! It has been so much fun to see these mini tops take shape!

My favorite thing about this top is how quickly it works up. The adult version was super quick to make—but the kids is even quicker! You can whip one of these up in no time.

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The YARN

I used Lion Brand Jeans yarn for this top. I have to say, this probably my favorite worsted weight yarn I’ve ever worked with! Not only is it soft, but also stretchy and comfy! In short, perfect for summer. Even though it’s acrylic, it doesn’t get too hot either.

The Inspiration + Design

I actually designed the Midnight Top top in the car. I’d never designed a raglan before, so I had low expectations for it actually becoming a a successful pattern. So really, I stumbled upon this design by accident! However, after I made the adult version, I KNEW I couldn’t go by without making a kid’s version as well.

My testers were happy with that—look at this mommy and me set made by @coycrochet on Instagram below! ❤❤

If you’d like to get an Ad-free, printable version of this pattern, be sure to visit my Etsy shop. By buying the premium version, you go even farther in supporting my small business—so thank you in advance to all who purchase!

Also…the PDF is on sale for limited time only! Use the code MINIMIDNIGHT to get 20% off!

One last thing…this pattern is also apart of the Design, Create, Repeat collaboration! Today I’m featuring Katie from Salty Pearl Crochet’s corner-to-corner pattern! Click HERE for the free pattern!

The Mini Midnight Top

Ok, finally to the pattern!

By Desert Blossom Crafts

• To buy the ad-free, PDF pattern, click HERE
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• To add this pattern to your Ravelry queue, click HERE
• To view the adult version of this top, click HERE

Materials:

• Lion Brand Jeans Yarn: 1 (2, 2) skeins; I used colors Faded and Topstitch
• Total yardage needed: Approx. 240, 300, 380 yards worsted weight yarn
• K (6.5mm) Hook (or size to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations/Stitches Used:

Chain – ch

Foundation Single Crochet – fsc

Slip Stitch: sl st

Single crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Repeat – rep

Round – rnd

Skip – sk

Stitch(es) – st(s)

Special Stitches:

Shell (sh): (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in indicated stitch.

Sizing:

To fit chest size: 22 (25, 28)”
Finished bust size: 24 (27, 30)”

The sizes above are what the finished size of your sweater will be (as long as you obtain gauge). To leave plenty of growing room for your child, I recommend choosing a size that is 2-3” bigger than their chest measurement.

For reference, model is 4’ 2” with a chest measurement of 24”, wearing size 6-8.

Gauge:

11 dc = 4”

5 rows of dc = 3”

Notes:

1. This top’s construction is a raglan; it is worked from the top down.
2. Ch 3 at beginning of rnds counts as a stitch.
3. Ch 2 at beginning of rnds does NOT count as stitch.
4. Pattern is written in size 2-4, with sizes 6-8 and 10-12 in parentheses.

Instructions:

YOKE

Fsc (44, 56, 56). Join with a sl st to beg fsc to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in same st as sl st. Dc in next 10 (13, 13) Fsc. *Sh in next Fsc. Dc in next 10 (13,13) Fsc. Rep from * 2 times more. Complete first shell by doing 2 dc in first Fsc. Sc in beg ch 3 (counts as the ch space.) 40 (52, 52) dc, and 4 corner shells.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. Dc in next 14 (17, 17) dc. *Sh in next check sp. Dc in next 14 (17, 17) dc. Rep from * 2 times more. Complete first sh by doing 2 dc in first ch sp. Sc in beg ch 3. 56 (68, 68) dc and 4 shells.

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. **Dc in next 2 dc. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, *Sc in next dc. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, rep from * until you reach corner shell. Dc in next 2 dc of corner sh. Sh in next ch sp. Rep from ** around. Except, on last repeat, omit the last sh, and simply finish the first shell by doing 2 dc in first ch sp. Join with sc to beg ch 3. 20 (24, 24) ch sps, 16 (20, 20) sc, 16 dc, 4 sh.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. *Dc in next 2 dc. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, Sc in next ch sp. (Ch 4, Sc in next ch sp) across all ch spaces. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, dc in next 2 dc. Sh in next ch sp. Rep from * around, except on last repeat, omit final sh. 2 dc in first ch sp. join with sc to beg ch 3. 24 (28, 28) ch sps, 20 (24, 24) sc, 16 dc, 4 sh.

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. *Sk next dc, dc in next 3 dc. 2 dc in next ch sp. (3 dc in next ch sp) until 1 ch sp left. 2 dc in last ch sp. Dc in next 3 dc, Sk next dc. Sh in next ch sp. Rep from * around, except on last repeat, omit final sh. 2 dc in first ch sp. Join with sc to beg ch 3. 88 (100, 100) dc and 4 corner shells.

For Sizes 2-4 and 6-8, move on to the Body section now.

Size 10-12 ONLY

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. Dc in ea dc across to ch sp of next corner sh. *Sh in next ch sp. Dc across to ch sp of next corner sh. Rep from * around. 2 dc in first ch sp. Join with sc to beg ch 3. 116 dc and 4 corner shells.

BODY:

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. Ch 3 (4, 5) skip all the dc before next sh. 2 dc in ch sp of next sh (armhole made). Dc in all dc up to next sh. 2 dc in ch sp of next sh. Ch 3 (4, 5), skip all the dc before next sh. 2 dc in ch sp of next sh (armhole made). Dc in remaining dc. Join with a sl st to beg ch 3. 60 (66, 74) dc and 6, 8, 10 chs.  

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does NOT count as dc), dc in same st as sl st. Dc in next dc. Dc in next 3 (4, 5) chains. Dc in across all dc until next set of chains. Dc in next 3 (4, 5) chains. Dc in remaining dcs around. Join with sl st to beg dc. 66 (74, 84) dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st as sl st. Dc in ea dc around. Join with a sl st to beg dc.

Rep rnd 3 till work measures 15 (16, 17)  inches, or until top is your desired length!

Note: If you want to do color changes like I did, keep repeating Rnd 3 until you are a few rows from your desired length. Fasten off and do a rnd of dc in the contrasting color; then do a rnd of sc in the main color. Finally, do one more rnd in the contrasting color. After this, move on to the last rnd as shown below.

Last Rnd: Ch 1, sc in next st. *Ch 3, Sk next st, sc in next st. Rep from * until one st left. Ch 3, Sk last st, sl st in beg sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

FINISHING

Sleeves: With contrasting color (if desired), join yarn with a sc at the base of the armpit. Sc evenly around the armhole opening. Join with a sl st to first sc, and fasten off.

Neck: With contrasting color (if desired), join yarn with a sc at the back of the neck opening. Sc evenly around the neck opening. Join with sl st to first sc, and fasten off.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel 🙂

© 2021 All rights reserved. You may print this pattern for private use only. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern in any way for any public or commercial use. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please give credit to me and link back to my blog. For info about permission to share pictures/use this pattern in Roundups, please contact me. Thank you!