Crochet Bell Sleeve Crop Top Pattern PDF | Boho Summer Top Crochet Tutorial | Instant Download
There is something undeniably magical about wearing a garment you made with your own hands. A boho crochet crop top with flowing bell sleeves is one of those pieces that turns heads at farmers markets, beach bonfires, and summer festivals alike. It looks intricate, intentional, and utterly free-spirited — and once you know the stitches, it comes together more quickly than you might expect. This tutorial walks you through everything you need to know to create your own bell sleeve crop top, from the yarn you choose to the finishing touches that make it look professionally crafted.
Whether you are a beginner who has just mastered the basic stitches or an intermediate crocheter looking for a rewarding summer project, this pattern has been designed with clarity and flexibility in mind. You will find stitch counts, sizing guidance, construction notes, and styling tips all in one place. Let’s get into it.
Why You Will Love This Pattern
Bell sleeves are one of those timeless boho details that never really go out of style. They elongate the arm, add a romantic silhouette, and catch the breeze in the most satisfying way on a warm afternoon. Paired with high-waisted linen shorts, a flowy maxi skirt, or even tucked loosely into wide-leg jeans, this crop top works across so many looks.
Beyond the aesthetic, this is a pattern that teaches you something. If you are newer to garment construction, you will learn how to crochet a body panel, join seams, and add sleeves that flow rather than constrict. If you are more experienced, the stitch combination used here — a mix of double crochet, shell stitches, and open mesh sections — gives you plenty of texture to keep your hands engaged from start to finish.
The construction method is flat-panel, meaning you crochet the front and back separately and then seam them together. This approach makes it easy to try the piece on as you go and adjust length or width without having to rip back an entire round.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on a single chain, gather everything on this list. Having your materials ready from the start prevents the mid-project scramble that throws off your tension and momentum.
Yarn: You will want approximately 400 to 600 yards of a lightweight yarn, depending on your size. DK weight cotton or a cotton-blend works beautifully for this project. Cotton drapes well, breathes in warm weather, and holds stitch definition cleanly. Some popular choices among crocheters for this style of top include Paintbox Cotton DK, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, and WeCrochet Dishie. If you want a slightly more elevated look, a linen-cotton blend adds a natural texture that lends itself perfectly to the boho aesthetic. For a single-color garment in a small or medium size, start with 400 yards. For a larger size or if you want a more open mesh body, pick up 500 to 600 yards.
Hook: A 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm crochet hook works well for most DK cotton yarns at the gauge listed below. Always check your gauge before beginning the body of the top.
Notions: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, stitch markers, and a measuring tape. A row counter app or a simple tally system helps you keep track of pattern repeats.
Optional: If you want to add a tie or drawstring at the hem or neckline, pick up a yard of satin ribbon or an extra small amount of coordinating yarn.
Gauge
Gauge matters in garment crochet. A small difference in your tension means a significant difference in how the finished top fits.
The target gauge for this pattern is 16 stitches and 8 rows equal 4 inches in the main stitch pattern using a 4.5 mm hook. Work a swatch of at least 6 by 6 inches, wash and dry it the way you plan to launder the finished top, then measure. Adjust your hook size up or down as needed to match the gauge.
If you are slightly looser, go down a hook size. If you are slightly tighter, go up. Do not skip this step — it takes fifteen minutes and saves hours of frustration.
Sizing
This pattern is written for sizes XS through XL. The finished measurements are as follows:
XS: Bust 30–32 inches, finished garment circumference 32 inches
S: Bust 34–36 inches, finished garment circumference 36 inches
M: Bust 38–40 inches, finished garment circumference 40 inches
L: Bust 42–44 inches, finished garment circumference 44 inches
XL: Bust 46–48 inches, finished garment circumference 48 inches
This top is designed with approximately 1 to 2 inches of positive ease, meaning it will fit slightly loosely for a relaxed, boho feel. If you prefer a snugger fit, size down. If you want a more drapey, oversized look, size up.
The cropped length as written hits approximately 13 to 14 inches from the shoulder down, which lands just above the natural waist for most people. Instructions for adjusting the length are included in the notes throughout the pattern.
Abbreviations and Stitch Key
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
hdc — half double crochet
sk — skip
sp — space
st — stitch
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
Shell st — (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in the same stitch or space
Special Stitch: Shell Stitch
The shell stitch is the heart of this pattern. It creates a fan-like texture that reads as elegant and organic at the same time, and it forms the basis of the bell sleeve flare.
To make a shell stitch: work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all into the same stitch or chain space. When you return on the following row, you will work your next shell stitch into the ch-2 space at the center of the previous shell. This creates a vertical alignment of shells that builds up beautifully.
Pattern Instructions
Foundation and Body Front Panel
Begin by chaining a foundation chain. The number of chains you start with depends on your size. For reference, each pattern repeat is 6 chains wide, and you want a number that is a multiple of 6, plus 2 for turning.
XS: Chain 68
S: Chain 80
M: Chain 92
L: Chain 104
XL: Chain 116
Row 1 (WS): Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, sk 2 ch, shell st in next ch; repeat from across, ending with sk 2 ch, sc in last ch. Turn.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, 2 dc in same st (half shell made at edge), sc in ch-2 sp of shell below, shell st in sc below; repeat from across, ending with sc in ch-2 sp of last shell, 3 dc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, shell st in sc below, sc in ch-2 sp of shell; repeat from across, ending with sc in top of turning ch. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the front panel measures approximately 13 inches from the foundation chain, or your desired crop length. End on a Row 3 for a clean finish.
Fasten off and set aside.
Back Panel: Work the back panel exactly as the front panel. The back and front are identical, which keeps the construction simple.
Seaming the Body
Lay your front and back panels flat with right sides facing each other. Using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, whip stitch or mattress stitch the side seams together, leaving approximately 7 to 8 inches open at the top on each side for the armholes. The armhole opening should be roughly 7 inches deep, but try the top on (carefully, so you do not stretch the wet or working yarn) and adjust before fully seaming.
Once your side seams are joined, turn the top right-side out. You should now have a tube-shaped body with two armhole openings and an open neckline.
Neckline Finishing
Work 1 round of sc around the entire neckline edge, joining with a sl st to the first sc. This stabilizes the edge and keeps it from stretching or curling. If you want a slightly more decorative neckline, work a second round in reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch) for a twisted cord edge that frames the neckline beautifully.
If you want a tie-neck option, chain 60 at the beginning of your neckline round, skip the first few stitches of the neckline, work your sc edging across, then chain 60 at the end before joining. These long chains form the tie that wraps around and knots at the front or back.
Bell Sleeves
The bell sleeves are worked from the armhole downward, which means you will be picking up stitches around the armhole opening and then increasing steadily to create the flare.
Setup Round: With RS facing, join yarn at the underarm seam point. Work sc evenly around the entire armhole opening. The number of stitches you pick up will depend on your size, but aim for an even count that is a multiple of 6.
XS: Approximately 48 sc around
S: Approximately 54 sc around
M: Approximately 60 sc around
L: Approximately 66 sc around
XL: Approximately 72 sc around
Join with sl st and chain 3 to begin working in rounds.
Rounds 1–2: Work 1 dc in each sc around. Join, ch 3.
Round 3 (Increase Round): Dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from around. Join, ch 3. You have increased by one-third of your original stitch count.
Rounds 4–5: Dc in each st around. Join, ch 3.
Round 6 (Increase Round): Dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from around. Join, ch 3. You have increased again.
Rounds 7–8: Dc in each st around. Join, ch 3.
Round 9 (Bell Flare Begin): Begin working shell stitches into every third stitch. Sk 2 sts, shell st in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from around. Join with sl st to first sc, ch 1.
Round 10: Shell st in sc from previous round, sc in ch-2 sp of shell from previous round; repeat from around. Join.
Rounds 11–13: Repeat Round 10.
Edging Round: Work 1 round of sc around the bottom edge of the sleeve, then 1 round of reverse sc for a polished finish.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Hem Finishing
Work 1 round of sc around the bottom hem edge of the body, then 1 round of reverse sc. Alternatively, for a slightly more decorative hem, work a shell stitch edging by repeating (sk 2, shell st, sk 2, sc) around the full hem.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Cotton yarn can be grippy, especially on metal hooks. If you find your stitches are catching, try a smooth bamboo or wooden hook instead. The yarn will glide more easily and your tension will naturally even out.
Block your finished top. This is genuinely one of the most transformative steps in crochet garment making, and it is one that many newer crocheters skip. Wet blocking cotton is straightforward: submerge the finished top in cool water for about fifteen minutes, gently squeeze out excess water without wringing, then lay it flat on a blocking mat and pin it to your measurements. Let it dry completely. The difference in drape, stitch definition, and overall polish is dramatic.
If your shell stitches are pulling the fabric inward rather than lying flat, your tension in the chain-2 at the center of each shell may be too tight. Try making those chains slightly looser, or go up half a hook size just for the chain portion of the shell stitch.
When picking up stitches around the armhole for the sleeves, distribute them as evenly as possible. Placing a stitch marker at the top of the armhole curve and at the underarm seam point helps you divide the opening into equal sections and work an even pickup around the full circle.
Customization Ideas
This pattern is a wonderful base for personalization. Here are a few directions you can take it.
Color: A tonal ombre effect made by transitioning through two or three shades of the same color family reads as incredibly sophisticated. Alternatively, a high-contrast stripe every four rows gives it a more graphic, modern bohemian feel.
Trim: Add fringe to the bell sleeve cuffs by cutting lengths of yarn and attaching them along the edging round. This adds movement and leans even further into the festival aesthetic.
Stitch variation: If you want more openness and less fabric, replace some of the solid double crochet rows in the body with a mesh pattern (dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc) for a lacier effect that still provides structure in the right places.
Length: Lengthen the body by eight to ten additional rows before seaming to turn this into a cropped tunic length, which looks stunning over a bikini or with wide-leg trousers.
Caring for Your Finished Top
Most cotton and cotton-blend yarns are machine washable on a gentle or delicate cycle in cool water. Check the label on your specific yarn to confirm. Lay flat to dry rather than putting this in the dryer, as heat can cause cotton to shrink and can distort the shell stitch pattern. Reshape while damp if needed.
Store your finished top folded rather than hanging. Hanging a crochet garment for extended periods can cause it to stretch lengthwise due to gravity acting on the open stitches.
About the Instant Download PDF
The full printable PDF version of this pattern includes everything in this tutorial plus a photo tutorial for the shell stitch, step-by-step sleeve setup photos, a full schematic with measurements for all five sizes, a printable stitch count reference chart, and notes on adjusting for different yarn weights. It is formatted for easy reading both on screen and printed at home on standard letter or A4 paper.
The PDF is delivered instantly to your inbox or downloads folder the moment your purchase is complete. No waiting, no shipping — just open the file and start crocheting.
A Few Final Thoughts
Crochet garments have had a genuine cultural moment over the last several years, and for good reason. There is a slow-fashion quality to making your own clothes that feels meaningful in an era of fast fashion and disposable trends. A handmade bell sleeve crop top is not just a piece of clothing — it is an afternoon (or a few) spent in your favorite chair, following a rhythm of stitches that becomes almost meditative.
This particular design sits at the intersection of wearability and craft. It is not so complex that it intimidates, but it has enough texture and construction interest that finishing it feels like an accomplishment worth celebrating. Wear it to the farmers market and watch someone stop you to ask where you got it. Tell them you made it. That moment never gets old.
If you make this top, consider sharing it online and tagging it so others in the crochet community can find the pattern. Seeing how makers interpret the same pattern in different colors, yarns, and sizes is one of the great joys of sharing patterns publicly. Happy crocheting.
