Granny Square Top Crochet Pattern (Free + Easy)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will see a granny square top crochet pattern.
This top is perfect for beach trips or walking around town.
Easy to adjust, you can make this top in a number of sizes.
Scroll down to view the free crochet pattern online, or grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF in my shop here.
Granny Square Top
The granny square top crochet pattern is for advanced beginners.
The garment is made from a number of granny squares seamed together.
The basic granny square pattern is created using the double crochet stitch (US term) and a 5mm/US H/8 size crochet hook.
You will make two panels sewn together with a crochet shell border added to the neck, armholes, and edges.
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Shop the printable PDF pattern…
Scroll down to view the free pattern online, or grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF in my shop here.
Grab The Ad-Free Printable Pattern Here
The stitches and techniques you need to know…
Crocheted granny squares are traditionally used to make a square blanket, table runners, cushion covers, crop tops, and rugs ranging from solid granny squares to a classic granny square pattern, as you will see below.
The stitches used in this pattern are (in US terms) single crochet and double crochet.
The granny square crochet pattern is simple, created in various color combinations from double crochet clusters.
A shell stitch edging finishes the top and creates edges on the side seams, armholes, and neck.
You might also want to make matching accessories…
You may also want to make a matching bucket hat to take with you on vacation!
View those patterns here:
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for advanced beginners.
- You should be comfortable making a slipknot (how to make a slip knot (step by step)) and creating a chain (how to start a crochet chain).
- You should know how to single crochet (SC).
- You should know how to double crochet (how to double crochet (dc) for beginners).
- You should also be comfortable reading crochet patterns (how to read crochet patterns for beginners).
- And understanding of crochet abbreviations and terms (US + UK).
Granny Square Top Crochet Pattern
Grab The Ad-Free Printable
PDF Pattern Here
Notes
- This is a simple granny square pattern.
- Cut and join colors as needed for the granny squares.
- You can make your own color combinations for the granny squares or follow my colors on page 4.
- One of the colors you will need more of is for the edging – I used natural (you can see the yarn quantities below).
- There are detailed instructions with diagrams to help you with the basic shape of your tank top.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, only link to the pattern page.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy (Advanced Beginner)
Gauge
9 double crochet sts/2 rows in 4×4 inches using the 5mm (US H/8) crochet hook and the cotton from WAK.
Each granny square is a 4-inch square.
Measurements/Sizes
- XS/S – To fit bust 34 -36 inches.
- M/L – To fit bust 38-40 inches.
- XL/2XL – To fit bust 42-44 inches.
- 3XL/4XL – To fit bust 44-46 inches.
- 5XL – To fit bust 48 inches.
How many granny squares do you need?
You will also need to adjust your yarn quantities for the number of square patterns you must make.
- XS/S – 38 (46 if you add an extra row of length on the front and back panels)
- M/L – 58 (68 if you add an extra row of length on the front and back panel)
- XL/2XL – 68 (80 if you add an extra row of length on the front and back panels)
- 3XL/4XL – 78 (84 if you add an extra row of length on the front and back panel)
- 5XL – 90 (106 – if you add an extra row of length on the front and back panels)
The supplies you need…
Yarn
- 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) x We Are Knitters – The Cotton in the color Salmon Pink
- 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) x We Are Knitters – The Cotton in the color Natural
- 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) x We Are Knitters – The Cotton in the color Mint
- This cotton is 100% Pima Cotton / 10g/3.05oz/232 yds/212m.
- Use my code – MGM4VHHAT – for 10 off on your WAK yarn order.
- This is a worsted weight yarn (cotton yarn).
- Check the yarn label (How To Read A Yarn Label (Step By Step)) for the yarn weight (Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)) and hook size.
Hook Sizes
Notions
Abbreviations
This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
You can grab a free list of US and UK crochet terms here.
- ch – chain
- ch-sp – chain space
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st – stitch
- RS – right side
- Rep – repeat
- WS – wrong side
Granny Square Top Pattern
Yarn Color Combinations
I used three different colors for my square design…
Square No 1
- Color 1 – Natural
- Color 2 – Salmon Pink
- Color 3 – Mint
Square No 2
- Color 1 – Salmon Pink
- Color 2 – Mint
- Color 3 – Natural
Square No 3
- Color 1 – Mint
- Color 2 – Natural Color
- 3 – Salmon Pink
Square No 4
- Color 1 – Mint
- Color 2 – Salmon Pink
- Color 3 – Natural
Granny Square Pattern
With the first color, ch 4, sl-st in the first chain to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in the ring, (ch 3, 3 dc in ring) 3 times, ch 3, join with a sl-st in top of first ch 3, fasten off.
Round 2: Join 2nd color in any corner 3 ch-sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next sp, ch 3) 3 times, then join with a sl-st in top of first ch 3, fasten off.
Round 3: Join 3rd color in any corner 3 ch-sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, ch 3, (3 dc in next space between 3 dc groups, ch 3, 3dc,ch3,3dcinnext3ch-sp)3times, 3dcinnextspbetween3-dc groups, ch 3, join with a sl-st in top of first ch 3, fasten off.
Joining The Squares Together
Arrange your squares how you want them – you can see how I arranged mine in the photo below.
Seaming
The granny squares…
Weave in the loose ends from the colors of the granny squares before you begin.
With the wrong side facing you, only sew the squares together through the top loops.
This will show a neat seam on the right side of the work.
Weave in any loose ends.
Arrange your squares to make your top…
You can see how to arrange your squares for your size in the images below.
The diagrams aim to help you to arrange the squares for seaming.
Extra squares are placed on either side of one panel (the back) – these are the side panel squares, and they will be seamed to the corresponding squares on the next panel (the front).
Joining the squares for each size – diagrams
You will need to use the diagram below to arrange them into the top shape.
You can add more squares to either side to make the top wider and to each end of each piece if you want a longer length.
You may also want to add another square for the shoulders for sizes XL-5XL.
Joining The Squares Together – XS/Small Size (34-36 inch bust)
Joining The Squares Together – Medium/Large Size (38-40 inch bust)
Joining The Squares Together – XL/2XL Size (42-44 inch bust)
Joining The Squares Together – 3XL/4XL Sizes (44-46 inch bust)
Joining The Squares Together – 5XL Size (48-inch bust)
The Edging
- Starting at the bottom edge of the top…
- With the right side of the work facing you and the yarn color of your choice (I used the natural color).
- Start at the corner of a granny square – sc into every stitch around each edge of the bottom edge of the top, ch 1, rep, and sc into every st again. (You will have 2 rows of single crochet).
- Next – ch 1, sc, skip 1 st, work 5 dc’s into the 3rd st from the hook, Skip 1 st, work 1 sc into the next st, skip 1 st, work 5 dc’s into the next st.
- Rep the sequence of working 1 sc, skip 1 st, work 5 dc’s into the next st, skip 1 st, work 1 sc into the next st.
- Repeat until you get back to where you started at the beginning of the shell border, sl-st into the last st.
- Fasten off securely.
- Weave in any loose ends.
- Repeat for both armholes and the neck.
Video Tutorial
You can see a video tutorial on creating this shell stitch border on my YouTube channel here.
How Many Granny Squares Does It Take To Make A Tank Top?
The number of granny squares needed to make a tank top can vary based on several factors, including the size of the squares, the desired size of the tank top, and the specific design you’re following.
Here are some general guidelines:
- Size of Granny Squares: Granny squares can come in various sizes. Common sizes might be 4 inches, 6 inches, or 8 inches per side. The size you choose will affect the overall dimensions of your tank top.
- Desired Size of Tank Top: The size of the tank top you want to make (small, medium, large, etc.) will determine how many squares you need. Larger sizes will require more squares.
- Design and Layout: The design of your tank top and how you plan to arrange the granny squares can impact the quantity needed. For example, some patterns might use larger squares for the front and back and smaller squares for the sides. As a rough estimate, you might need anywhere from 12 to 20 or more granny squares for a simple tank top, depending on the factors mentioned above. Here’s a simplified example for a basic design: If you’re using 6-inch granny squares, and you want a tank top that’s 18 inches wide and 20 inches long, you might need approximately 3 squares for the width and 4 squares for the length, totaling 12 squares.
However, this is just a basic example, and the actual number could vary based on your specific design and measurements.
It’s recommended to use a pattern or create a swatch to determine the size of your squares and calculate how many you’ll need for your unique tank top project.
More Crochet Squares
Easy to make with scrap yarn, look at these free crochet patterns, including square variations that you may also be interested in…
Share your work with us…
If you enjoyed making the granny square top, I’d love to see yours on social media – Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.
I’d love to see your work.
Happy crocheting!
