Sunburst Top—FREE Crochet Pattern

I’m excited to introduce my second guest Blogger for a new summer crochet top pattern! I especially love the Sunburst Top because it incorporates one of my favorite stitches from the Desert Blossom Stitch Along—the Sunburst Stitch.

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The Sunburst Top is a light summer top made with cotton yarn. You’re sure to make a statement with sections of classic lace + bold stripes! Keep reading to hear all about the pattern details, yarn info, and more—or scroll down to get directly to the free pattern!

This pattern was designed by a blogger named Hortense from Knitting with Chopsticks. It has been so much fun working with her and seeing this top come to life! Be sure to check out her blog which has many other neat patterns (knitting AND crochet!)

As I mentioned before, this top uses the Sunburst Stitch throughout the body of the design! If you want to check out the stitch tutorial before you start the top, be sure to click HERE.

The Yarn

This top uses Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton for a light, airy summer garment! You’re sure to stay cool using this DK cotton yarn. Plus, this yarn is so affordable (only $4.99 a skein!) Be sure to check it out HERE or click below.

Have you signed up for my email list yet? There are exclusive deals, freebies, and more when you do! 👇

You can also buy an ad-free, PDF version of this pattern on Knitting with Chopsticks’ Etsy shop! Click HERE for this easily printable version!

Now that we’ve covered these details, let’s move on to the pattern!

The Sunburst Top—FREE Crochet Pattern

By Knitting With Chopsticks

• To pin this pattern to your Pinterest Boards, click HERE
• To Buy the ad-free, PDF version of this pattern, click HERE
• To add this pattern to your Ravelry queue, click HERE
• To view Hortense’s blog, click HERE

Materials

• 4.5mm hook
• Lion brand 24/7 cotton yarn:
• 4 skeins of main color (I used the jeans color) and 3 skeins of contrasting colors—I used 1 skein each of off-white, orange and light blue.
• Tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Size

The Sunburst Top is an oversize comfy top. If you want to increase / decrease the width, add or remove a multiple of 3 to the starting chain.

The blocked top has a length of 30″ at the front and a width of 26″.

Although gauge is not important for this top, my gauge in simple dc stitches is 17 stitches by 11 rows for a 4″ by 4″ square.

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

This pattern follows US notations

• st = stitch
• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet

Notes

1. Repeat instructions between * the indicated number of times or until the end of the row.

2. The turning ch1 and ch2 do not count as stitches. I use a ch2 turning chain for dc stitches as I find it gives me a neater edge.

3. When changing color, the turning ch 1, ch 2 at the end of the previous row are done with the new color. This is not repeated across the pattern for better readability.

Instructions

Both panels are nearly identical rectangles sewed together to form the Sunburst Top.

Front Panel

Using white yarn, Ch 106 + 1

Row 1: sc 106, ch 2, turn

Row 2 – 4: dc 106, ch 2, turn

Row 5: switch to light blue yarn, dc 106, ch 2, turn

Row 6: switch to orange yarn, dc 106, ch 2, turn

Row 7: dc 106, ch 1, turn

Row 8: switch to dark blue. Sc 106, ch 2, turn

Start using the sunburst stitch

Row 9: 2 hdc, skip 1, 3 hdc in the next st, * skip 2, 3 hdc in the next st * repeat until last 3 sts, skip 1, hdc in the last 2 st, ch 1, turn

Row 10: Sc in each st, ch 1, turn.

Row 11: 3 sc, * ch 3, skip 2, sc *, sc in the last st, ch 1, turn

Row 12: sc in the first 2 st, * 2 sc in the ch3 space, sc *, sc in the last 2 st, ch 2, turn

Row 13: 2 hdc, skip 1, 3 hdc in the same st, *skip 2, 3 hdc in the same st* repeat until the last 3 sts, skip 1, hdc in the last 2 st, ch 1, turn

Row 14 – 73: Repeat * row 10 to 13 * 15 times

Row 74: Repeat row 10

Switch to orange yarn

Row 75 – 76: dc across, ch 2, turn

Switch to light blue yarn

Row 77: Dc across, ch 2, turn

Switch to off-white yarn

Row 78 – 80: Dc across, ch 2, turn

Switch to orange yarn

Row 81: Dc across, ch 2, turn

Switch to light blue yarn

Row 82 – 83: Dc across, ch 2, turn

Switch to off white

Row 84: Dc across, ch 2, turn

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

I know it doesn’t look long enough but the length of the panel will increase greatly with blocking.

Back Panel

The only difference between both panels is that the back panel is a longer than the front panel.

Using white yarn, Ch 106 + 1

Repeat * rows 1 to 73 *.

Add 2 more repetitions of * rows 10 to 13 * (18 times total).

Continue with row 74 to end.

Blocking

Block both rectangles. Stretch them vertically to a maximum opening up the beautiful sunburst stitches.

Both panels should be approximately 26″ wide.

The front panel should be 27″ long while the back panel is about 30 cm long after blocking.

Sewing

Sew up the panels together. The right side of the panels are the sides where on which you started the Sunburst stitch (row 9). The bottom colored dc parts are left unsewn (picture below).

Leave a 12″ cm opening for your head and an 8″ opening for each arm.

Now you’re ready to go look fabulous in the summer sun!

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

To view all of my free patterns, click HERE. To get a special bonus straight to your inbox, sign up for my email list below:

Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel 🙂