Wren Rattan Crochet Top – FREE Pattern
There is something quietly magical about a handmade top that fits just right, moves beautifully in the summer breeze, and draws compliments everywhere you wear it. The Wren Rattan Crochet Top is exactly that kind of project — a wearable piece of art that looks intricate but is built on a foundation of simple, satisfying stitches. Whether you are new to garment crochet or you have been making wearables for years, this pattern has something to offer you. The open rattan-style stitch work creates a breezy, textured fabric that is equal parts bohemian and modern, and the silhouette is flattering on a wide range of body types.
In this post, you will find the complete free pattern for the Wren Rattan Crochet Top, including materials, sizing, gauge information, stitch notes, and full written instructions. Grab your hook, pull out your favorite summer yarn, and let’s get started.
Why You’ll Love the Wren Rattan Crochet Top
Before diving into the pattern itself, let’s talk about what makes this design special. The name “Wren” was chosen because this little bird is small but spirited, unassuming at first glance but genuinely beautiful when you take a closer look — and that is exactly the energy this top carries. The “Rattan” element refers to the stitch pattern, which mimics the woven texture of rattan furniture and home décor. That open, grid-like weave creates incredible drape in a lightweight yarn while also giving the fabric a lovely structure that holds its shape without being stiff.
This top works as a standalone piece over a bralette or bandeau, or it layers effortlessly over a fitted tank or bodysuit. It is the kind of piece you reach for on a hot afternoon at a farmers market, on a vacation by the sea, or whenever you want to feel like yourself in something you actually made.
From a craft perspective, the Wren Rattan Top is also a genuinely enjoyable make. The stitch repeat is rhythmic and easy to memorize, which means that once you complete the first few rows, your hands will find a comfortable flow and you will be able to work while listening to a podcast or watching television. The construction is straightforward: the body is worked flat in two panels (front and back) and then seamed at the shoulders and sides, with finishing worked around the armholes and neckline.
Materials and Tools
To make the Wren Rattan Crochet Top, you will need the following:
Yarn: Approximately 300–600 yards of a DK or light worsted weight yarn, depending on your size. A plant-based fiber or a plant-blend yarn is highly recommended for this pattern. Cotton, linen, cotton-linen blends, and bamboo-cotton yarns all work beautifully because they have the drape and breathability that makes a summer top truly wearable. Avoid very fluffy or textured yarns for this pattern, as they will obscure the rattan stitch detail.
Suggested yarns include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, We Are Knitters The Cotton, Paintbox Simply Cotton DK, or any similar smooth DK cotton or cotton-blend yarn.
Hook: US Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or the hook size needed to achieve gauge. Crochet garments require accurate gauge, so please do not skip that step.
Notions: Yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, locking stitch markers (at least 4), measuring tape, and blocking mats and pins if you plan to block your finished top (highly recommended for plant-based fibers).
Sizing
The Wren Rattan Crochet Top is designed in six sizes to fit a range of body measurements. The top is meant to have a relaxed, slightly oversized fit through the body with a cropped-to-mid length. Choose your size based on your actual bust measurement, and refer to the finished garment measurements if you prefer more or less ease.
Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL / 2XL
To Fit Bust: 32 / 36 / 40 / 44 / 48 / 52 inches (81 / 91 / 102 / 112 / 122 / 132 cm)
Finished Bust (with ease): 36 / 40 / 44 / 48 / 52 / 56 inches (91 / 102 / 112 / 122 / 132 / 142 cm)
Finished Length (shoulder to hem): 18 / 18.5 / 19 / 19.5 / 20 / 20.5 inches (46 / 47 / 48 / 49.5 / 51 / 52 cm)
Throughout the pattern, instructions are written for the smallest size first, with larger sizes in parentheses in the order listed above. When only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.
Gauge
Gauge: 16 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the Rattan Stitch pattern, after blocking.
Please make a gauge swatch before beginning. Work at least 20 stitches by 12 rows in the Rattan Stitch, fasten off, and block your swatch the same way you plan to block your finished top. Measure after it is fully dry. Adjusting your gauge is as simple as going up or down a hook size. Getting gauge in a garment pattern is what makes the difference between a top that fits the way you intend and one that ends up too large or too small.
Stitch Abbreviations and Glossary
The following abbreviations are used throughout this pattern:
ch – chain
st(s) – stitch(es)
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
ch-sp – chain space
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sp(s) – space(s)
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat
beg – beginning
rem – remaining
approx – approximately
Special Stitch: The Rattan Stitch
The Rattan Stitch is the heart of this pattern. It creates that open, woven texture that gives the top its name and character.
Rattan Stitch (worked over a multiple of 4 sts + 2, turned rows):
Foundation Row (WS): After your starting chain, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in every ch across. Turn.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk the first 2 sts, dc in the next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in the next st; rep from across to last st, dc in last st. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in the first st, sc in the ch-1 sp, sc in the next dc; rep from across, ending with sc in the turning ch sp and sc in the 3rd ch of the turning ch. Turn.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), sk the first 3 sts, dc in the next st, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in the next st; rep from across to last st, dc in last st. Turn.
Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in the ch-2 sp, sc in next dc; rep from across, ending with 2 sc in the final ch-2 sp and sc in the 3rd ch of the turning ch. Turn.
Rows 1 through 4 form the Rattan Stitch pattern repeat. Continue repeating these four rows for the body of the top.
Pattern Instructions
Back Panel
Foundation Chain: Ch 74 (82, 90, 98, 106, 114).
Foundation Row (WS): Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in every ch across — 73 (81, 89, 97, 105, 113) sc. Turn.
Work in the Rattan Stitch pattern (Rows 1–4) until the piece measures 11 (11.5, 12, 12, 12.5, 13) inches from the foundation row, ending after a Row 4 (WS row). You should have a flat, open, textured panel in front of you. Place a locking stitch marker at each end of the last row to indicate the beginning of the armhole shaping.
Armhole Shaping:
Continue in the Rattan Stitch pattern, but at the beginning of each of the next 2 rows, sl st across 5 (5, 7, 7, 9, 9) sts and resume the pattern across, leaving the same number of sts unworked at the end of each row. You will now have 63 (71, 75, 83, 87, 95) sts.
Continue even in the Rattan Stitch pattern until the armhole depth measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.5) inches above the marked row.
Shoulder and Neck Shaping:
On the next RS row, work the first 18 (22, 23, 27, 28, 32) sts in pattern. Place remaining sts on a stitch holder or leave them hanging. Turn and work back across these 18 (22, 23, 27, 28, 32) sts for the first shoulder. Fasten off.
Return to your held sts. Skip the center 27 (27, 29, 29, 31, 31) sts for the back neck opening. Reattach yarn to the next st and work the final 18 (22, 23, 27, 28, 32) sts in pattern. Turn and work back. Fasten off.
Weave in ends. Set the Back Panel aside.
Front Panel
Work the Front Panel exactly as the Back Panel through the armhole shaping. Once your armhole depth measures 4 (4.5, 4.5, 5, 5, 5.5) inches, you will begin the front neck shaping.
Front Neck Shaping:
On the next RS row, work across the first 18 (22, 23, 27, 28, 32) sts in pattern. Place remaining sts on hold. Turn and work back across these sts. Continue on this first shoulder section for 2 (2, 2.5, 2, 2.5, 2.5) inches more. Fasten off.
Return to the held sts. Skip the center 27 (27, 29, 29, 31, 31) sts for the front neckline. Reattach yarn and work to the end of the row. Turn and work back. Continue on this second shoulder section for the same length. Fasten off.
Weave in ends on the Front Panel.
Assembly
Lay both panels flat with right sides facing each other. Align the shoulder edges and use a yarn needle and a length of your working yarn to seam the shoulders together using a mattress stitch or whip stitch, working through both layers. Each shoulder seam should be 18 (22, 23, 27, 28, 32) sts wide. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Next, align the side edges of the front and back. Pin or hold them together and seam from the lower hem upward to the armhole marker. Leave the armhole open (do not seam above the marker). Repeat for the other side seam.
Neckline Finishing
With the RS facing and beginning at one shoulder seam, join yarn at the neckline edge. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the entire neckline opening, working approximately 1 sc per row end along the sides and 1 sc per st along the straight edges. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Next round: Ch 3, dc in same st, sk 1 st, 2 dc in next st; rep from all the way around the neckline. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in end.
This creates a clean, slightly decorative edge that frames the neckline without adding bulk.
Armhole Finishing
With RS facing, join yarn at the underarm seam of one armhole. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the entire armhole opening, working approximately 1 sc per row end along the straight armhole edges. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Next round: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in end.
Repeat for the second armhole.
Hem Finishing
With RS facing, join yarn at one side seam at the bottom edge of the top. Work 1 round of sc evenly across the entire hem, working 1 sc per st across the front foundation chain and 1 sc per st across the back foundation chain. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Next round: Ch 3, dc in same st, sk 1 st, 2 dc in next st; rep from all the way around. Join with a sl st to the top of beg ch-3. Fasten off and weave in end.
This hem finishing ties the look together and echoes the neckline detail for a cohesive finished piece.
Blocking and Finishing
Blocking is especially important for plant-fiber garments. Fill a basin with cool to lukewarm water and submerge your finished top. Let it soak for at least 15–20 minutes to allow the fibers to fully absorb the water. Gently squeeze out excess water — never wring or twist. Lay the top flat on a blocking mat and use rust-proof pins to shape it to the finished measurements listed in the sizing section. Pay particular attention to opening up the rattan stitch pattern so that the open texture is visible and even.
Allow the top to dry completely before unpinning, which may take 12–24 hours depending on your climate. Once fully dry, the stitch definition and drape will be noticeably improved, and the top will hold that beautiful structure every time you wear and rewash it.
Styling the Wren Rattan Crochet Top
One of the greatest joys of making your own clothing is the ability to style it exactly the way you want. The Wren Rattan Top lends itself to a variety of looks depending on how you wear it.
For a casual, beachy feel, layer it over a printed bandeau bikini top with high-waisted linen shorts and sandals. The open stitch work lets the print underneath peek through, creating a layered effect that feels intentional and effortless at the same time.
For a more polished look, wear it over a fitted nude or black bodysuit, tucked into a midi skirt with a pair of mule heels. The rattan texture reads almost like a structured mesh in this context, and the combination feels fashion-forward rather than purely beachy.
For a bohemian aesthetic, pair it with a flowy maxi skirt in a warm earth tone and a stack of woven or beaded jewelry. A wide-brimmed hat and woven bag complete this look perfectly.
The Wren Rattan Top also looks beautiful as a festival top, a cover-up over swimwear, or even as a loungewear layer at home on warm evenings.
Tips for Success
Working from the right side and wrong side alternately in flat construction means it is easy to lose track of where you are in the stitch pattern. Using locking stitch markers to mark each Row 1 (RS) will help you stay oriented throughout the project.
If you find that your tension tightens when you are nervous or excited about a project (it happens to many crocheters), try consciously relaxing your grip on the yarn and hook. Plant-fiber yarns especially benefit from a relaxed, even tension.
When seaming, take your time with the mattress stitch. A neat, invisible seam makes an enormous difference in the finished appearance of any garment. It is worth the extra few minutes.
Finally, keep a small ball of yarn set aside from your main skein for seaming and finishing so you are not scrambling for matching yarn at the end.
A Note on Yarn Substitutions
If you cannot find one of the suggested yarns, any smooth DK or light worsted cotton or cotton-blend yarn
