Crochet Mesh Checkered Tube Top — Free Tutorial Coming to YouTube Soon!

If you’ve been looking for your next summer crochet project, this is the one. The mesh checkered tube top is everything: breezy, stylish, customizable, and surprisingly beginner-friendly once you understand the structure. I’ve been working on this design for a while now, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you — and even more excited to tell you that a full free video tutorial is dropping on my YouTube channel soon!

In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about this design before the tutorial goes live: the yarn and hook choices, the stitch pattern breakdown, how to size it for your body, tips for getting that clean checkered look, and how to style it once it’s done. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or someone who just picked up a hook a few months ago, I want this to feel completely achievable for you.

So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s talk all things crochet mesh checkered tube top.

What Is a Crochet Mesh Tube Top?

A tube top, at its core, is a simple cylindrical garment — no straps, no sleeves, just a snug band of fabric that sits across the chest. In crochet, this shape is incredibly satisfying to make because you work in the round from the bottom up (or top down, depending on your preference), and you never have to seam the body together. That alone makes it a much less intimidating garment than, say, a cardigan or a fitted crop top with armhole shaping.

When you add a mesh structure to that tube, you get a garment that’s lightweight, stretchy, and perfect for warm weather. Mesh in crochet typically refers to an open, grid-like fabric created by alternating chain spaces with single crochets, double crochets, or slip stitches. The result is a fabric with deliberate holes that give it that airy, net-like appearance.

Now take that mesh and add a checkered pattern — alternating filled squares and open squares in a structured, repeating grid — and suddenly you have something that looks incredibly polished and fashion-forward. The checkered texture gives the top visual interest without adding a lot of weight or complexity to the stitching process. Once you get the rhythm of the repeat, it practically flies off the hook.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

There are a lot of crochet top patterns out there, so let me tell you exactly why this one deserves a spot in your queue.

First, the checkered mesh pattern is timeless. Checkered prints have cycled in and out of fashion for decades, but the crochet version feels especially relevant right now. You see it on runways, in boutiques, and all over social media — and the handmade version always looks more special than anything you could buy off a rack.

Second, the tube top silhouette is incredibly versatile. You can wear it as a standalone top with high-waisted jeans or a maxi skirt, layer it over a bandeau or bralette for a more covered look, or wear it as a swimsuit cover-up over a bikini top. One pattern, countless outfits.

Third, this project works up quickly. Because you’re working in the round and the stitch pattern is repetitive once you learn it, you can realistically finish this top in a weekend. It’s the kind of project that keeps you engaged without burning you out, and the progress feels visible and satisfying the whole way through.

And fourth — it’s free. The full tutorial is coming to my YouTube channel at no cost to you. I genuinely believe that beautiful, quality crochet patterns should be accessible to everyone, and I’m committed to making that happen with this one.

Materials You’ll Need

Before the tutorial drops, let’s talk about what you’ll want to have on hand so you’re ready to cast on the moment the video goes live.

Yarn: For a warm-weather top like this, you want a lightweight, smooth yarn. Cotton and cotton-blend yarns are the gold standard for crochet garments because they have minimal stretch, hold their shape well, and are breathable against your skin. I love using a DK weight or light worsted cotton for this project — it gives the mesh squares enough definition to really show off the checkered pattern without making the fabric feel too stiff. Some of my favorite yarns for this type of project include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, and Drops Paris. If you want a slightly more elevated look, a linen-cotton blend like We Are Knitters’ The Cotton or Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK adds beautiful texture and a subtle sheen.

Avoid super stretchy yarns like acrylic blends with a lot of elasticity — they can distort the mesh squares and make the checkered pattern look uneven. If you do want to use acrylic (totally valid, especially for budget reasons), go for one that’s on the stiffer side and has minimal give.

Hook: Match your hook size to your yarn’s recommendation, but go up one or two sizes from what the label suggests. Crochet garments, especially mesh ones, benefit from a looser tension that gives the fabric drape and flexibility. If the label says 4mm, try a 5mm or 5.5mm. Always, always swatch.

Other supplies: You’ll need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers to keep track of your round beginnings (especially important when working in the round), a measuring tape, and scissors. If you’re planning to add a lining or wear the top without a layer underneath, you might also want a jersey knit fabric or a lining tube top to sew inside — more on that later.

Understanding the Checkered Mesh Stitch

The magic of this top is in the stitch pattern, so let me explain it before you see it in action on video.

A basic checkered mesh in crochet works by creating a grid of alternating filled and open squares. In the most classic version, one square is made with double crochets (or treble crochets, depending on the scale you want), and the adjacent square is made with chain spaces of the same size. When you work the next row or round, the filled squares land over the open ones and vice versa — just like a checkerboard.

So if you imagine a standard 8×8 checkerboard, each dark square represents a cluster of double crochets, and each light square represents an open chain space. Round by round, these alternate to create that classic graphic pattern.

The beauty of this structure is that each “square” in the pattern is exactly the same size — it’s just that half of them are filled and half are empty. This regularity makes the stitch very predictable once you’ve done a few rounds. Your hands start to memorize the rhythm, and you can work on it while watching TV or catching up on a podcast without losing your place.

For the tube top, we work this pattern in the round continuously, which means the checkered blocks line up perfectly without any seaming. The cylinder shape grows naturally as you add rounds, and you can stop whenever the tube reaches your desired height.

The stitch pattern is also naturally stretchy in the horizontal direction because the chain spaces create flexible gaps. This makes sizing much more forgiving than a denser crochet fabric — the top can accommodate a range of body sizes without needing a perfectly precise gauge.

Sizing and Fit

Getting the right fit for a crochet tube top is mostly about two measurements: your bust circumference (or the circumference of whatever body part the tube will sit across) and the length you want the top to be.

For the width, you’ll want your finished tube to have a slight negative ease — meaning the tube’s circumference should be an inch or two smaller than your actual measurement. Because the mesh fabric stretches, a tube that measures 30 inches around when lying flat might fit a 32-34 inch bust comfortably. The stretch is your friend here.

For the length, it really depends on the look you’re going for. A shorter tube top that hits just below the bust is a bold, fashion-forward choice. A longer version that grazes the top of the hips is a bit more covered and works beautifully over swimwear. Somewhere in between — hitting at the natural waist or just above it — is a classic choice that works for most body types.

In the video tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to calculate your starting chain or foundation round based on your measurements, and I’ll give you sizing notes for XS through 3XL. I want everyone to be able to make this top, regardless of size, so I’ve put a lot of thought into making the sizing inclusive and accessible.

Tips for a Clean Checkered Pattern

The checkered look is all about consistency, so here are a few things to keep in mind as you work.

Tension is everything. If your tension changes throughout the project — tighter in some rounds, looser in others — the squares won’t all be the same size, and the checkerboard effect will look uneven. Try to stay relaxed and consistent, and if you notice your tension shifting, take a break. Fatigue really does affect how you crochet.

Count your stitches at the end of every round, especially in the first few rounds. The checkered pattern is built on a multiple (usually a multiple of 4 or 6 depending on the version we’re doing), and if you accidentally add or drop a stitch, the pattern can shift. Catching mistakes early saves so much heartache later.

Use a stitch marker at the beginning of every round. When you’re working in the round, it’s remarkably easy to lose track of where one round ends and the next begins. A simple locking stitch marker clipped into the first stitch of each round will keep you oriented.

Block your finished top. Wet blocking is especially important for cotton crochet garments. When you wet block the tube top, you’re gently stretching and shaping the fabric to its final dimensions, which evens out any slight inconsistencies in your tension and really makes those checkered squares pop. It transforms a “nice” finished object into a truly polished one.

How to Style Your Crochet Mesh Checkered Tube Top

Once you’ve finished your top, the fun really begins. Here are some of my favorite ways to wear it.

With high-waisted wide-leg trousers: This is a classic combination that feels incredibly put-together. A crochet tube top tucked slightly into the waistband of wide-leg pants is the kind of outfit that looks like you tried a lot but actually took about five minutes to throw on.

Over a bikini top at the beach: The mesh construction makes this top perfect as a beach cover-up. Layer it over a solid-color bikini top and pair with a wrap skirt or linen shorts for an effortlessly cool beach look.

With a long flowy maxi skirt: For a more bohemian vibe, pair your tube top with a printed maxi skirt and some strappy sandals. The structured checkered pattern of the top balances nicely against the loose movement of a flowy skirt.

Layered under a blazer: This might sound unexpected, but a crochet tube top under a tailored blazer is an incredibly chic combination. Keep the rest of the look simple — straight-leg jeans, loafers, minimal jewelry — and let the contrast between structured blazer and textured crochet do the work.

With biker shorts for a casual day look: Comfortable, cool, and surprisingly fashionable, a crochet tube top with high-waisted biker shorts is a great casual summer outfit. Add a chunky sneaker and a crossbody bag and you’re ready for anything.

Adding a Lining or Wearing It As-Is

One question I get a lot about crochet garments is whether you need to line them. The short answer is: it depends on your comfort level and how you plan to wear the top.

Because this is a mesh fabric with open spaces, there’s inherent sheerness. If you’re planning to wear it over a bikini or a bralette, the lining situation is already handled — what’s underneath becomes the visible layer through the mesh, and that’s actually a really gorgeous effect.

If you want to wear the top as a standalone piece without layering, you have a couple of options. You can wear a skin-tone bralette underneath, which creates the illusion of the top being its own unit. Or you can line the inside of the top with a stretch jersey fabric, sewing a tube of matching fabric to the inside top and bottom edges. This is a more advanced finishing step that I’ll cover briefly in the tutorial for anyone who wants that polished, fully lined look.

Get Ready for the Tutorial!

I’ve put so much love into this design and into the tutorial I’m creating for it. My goal, as always, is to make the video as clear and beginner-friendly as possible, with close-up shots of each stitch, a complete walkthrough of the stitch pattern, and notes on how to adjust sizing for your specific measurements.

Make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel and have notifications turned on so you don’t miss it when the tutorial goes live. This is going to be one of my favorite videos I’ve ever made, and I genuinely can’t wait to see all the versions you create once you have the pattern in your hands.

While you’re waiting for the tutorial to drop, gather your materials, do a swatch or two in the checkered mesh stitch to get comfortable with the pattern, and let me know in the comments below: what color are you planning to make your tube top? I’m currently obsessed with a dusty terracotta cotton for mine, but I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.

Happy crocheting, and I’ll see you on YouTube very soon!