How to Crochet a Plus Size Top: Free Patterns and Video Tutorials for Every Skill Level

Crocheting your own clothing is one of the most rewarding skills you can develop as a fiber artist. When it comes to making a top that fits your body perfectly, the ability to crochet opens doors that ready-to-wear fashion simply cannot. Plus size crochet tops have grown enormously in popularity, and with good reason — you get to choose your yarn, your colors, your length, your neckline, and most importantly, your fit. Whether you are a beginner picking up a hook for the first time or an experienced crocheter looking for something new to challenge yourself, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to crochet a plus size top, including free patterns and video tutorials to help you along the way.

Why Crochet Your Own Plus Size Top?

Before we dive into the techniques and patterns, let’s talk about why so many people are choosing to make their own plus size tops rather than buying them. The fashion industry has historically been slow to offer stylish, well-fitting options for plus size bodies, and even when those options exist, they often come at a higher price point with a narrower range of styles. When you crochet your own top, you are in complete control.

You can customize the bust, waist, hip, and length measurements to match your exact body. You can add or remove length in the torso. You can widen the sleeves or make them shorter. You can choose a breathable cotton yarn for summer or a cozy acrylic blend for cooler months. And perhaps most importantly, you can make something that reflects your personal style in a way that no store-bought garment ever could.

There is also something deeply satisfying about wearing a piece of clothing you made with your own hands. Every stitch is yours, and that sense of craftsmanship adds a layer of meaning to every wear.

Understanding Gauge and Sizing in Plus Size Crochet

One of the most common mistakes new crocheters make when attempting garments is skipping the gauge swatch. This is especially important for plus size crochet tops because even a small difference in gauge can result in a top that is several inches too small or too large. Gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows per inch that you produce with a given yarn and hook size.

Before starting any pattern, take the time to crochet a swatch of at least four by four inches, then measure it carefully. If your stitch count is higher than the pattern calls for, try going up a hook size. If your stitch count is lower, try going down a hook size. Do not assume that using the hook size listed on the yarn label will automatically give you the correct gauge, because everyone crochets with different tension.

When reading a plus size crochet pattern, you will often see sizing listed as a range, such as 1X through 5X, or given in specific finished bust measurements like 48 inches, 52 inches, or 56 inches. Always compare the finished garment measurements to your actual body measurements, and choose a size that gives you a comfortable amount of ease. Ease refers to the extra inches of room beyond your actual measurements. For a relaxed, flowy top, you might want four to six inches of positive ease. For a more fitted silhouette, two to three inches of ease may work better.

Essential Skills Before You Start

If you are relatively new to crochet, there are a handful of foundational skills that will help you complete most plus size top patterns with confidence.

You should be comfortable with the basic stitches: chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet. You should also understand how to work in rows versus working in the round, since many tops use a combination of both. Working into a foundation chain and turning your work correctly at the end of each row is essential for flat construction methods, while crocheting in the round continuously is common for yoke-style and seamless tops.

Understanding how to increase and decrease stitches is also critical for shaping a garment to fit a body with curves. Increases add stitches to make a section wider, while decreases remove stitches to bring a section in. Many plus size top patterns will guide you through increases at the bust and hips and decreases at the waist if you want a more defined silhouette.

Finally, reading a crochet pattern confidently will help you work efficiently. Patterns use standardized abbreviations like ch for chain, sc for single crochet, dc for double crochet, and so on. Most free patterns available online include a key to these abbreviations, and after working through a few patterns, you will recognize them immediately.

Best Yarn Choices for Plus Size Crochet Tops

The yarn you choose will dramatically affect how your finished top looks, feels, and drapes on your body. For warm-weather tops, natural fibers like cotton, linen, and bamboo are ideal choices. They are breathable, have a beautiful drape, and get softer with every wash. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK Cotton, and Paintbox Simply Chunky Cotton are all popular choices among crocheters who make garments.

For year-round wearability, a cotton-acrylic blend is a great option. These blends tend to be more affordable than pure natural fibers while still offering good drape and breathability. They are also more forgiving in terms of care, since many blends are machine washable.

If you are making a cozy fall or winter top, you might reach for a light merino wool or an acrylic yarn with a bit of stretch. Look for something with a smooth finish rather than a fuzzy or hairy texture, since those textures can obscure your stitches and make it harder to see any patterning or lace work in your design.

For a lacy or open-work crochet top, a lighter weight yarn such as a fingering or sport weight will give your work a delicate, airy appearance. For a more structured top, a worsted or bulky weight yarn will create a denser fabric with excellent stitch definition.

Free Plus Size Crochet Top Patterns to Try

There are wonderful free patterns available online that are designed specifically with plus size bodies in mind, or that include extended sizing up to 5X or larger. Here are some styles and places to look.

Relaxed Crop Tops and Bralette Overlays

Crochet crop tops have had a major moment in recent years, and plenty of designers have created versions with generous sizing. These often feature simple stitch patterns like granny squares, shell stitches, or rows of double crochet with a picot edging. They are usually quick to complete and make excellent practice projects for newer crocheters. You can find free versions on Ravelry by filtering your search to include plus sizes or XL through 5X. Websites like Moogly, Make and Do Crew, and Daisy Farm Crafts regularly publish free garment patterns with inclusive sizing.

Boho Tank and Summer Tops

Boho-style crochet tanks are a summer staple. They often feature open mesh stitches, fringe details, or geometric motifs like hexagons and diamonds. The openwork nature of these designs means they work up quickly and are especially flattering since the drape of the fabric is forgiving and flowy. Many free patterns for boho tanks include sizing guidance through 3X or 4X, and some even walk you through how to customize the stitch count for any size.

Yoke-Style Seamless Tops

The yoke construction method is beloved by knitters and increasingly popular in crochet as well. A yoke-style top starts at the neckline and works down, with increases placed strategically to shape the garment over the shoulders and bust before separating for the body and optional sleeves. This construction eliminates the need for seaming and produces a beautifully fitted garment. Because you are increasing for your own bust measurement, yoke construction is naturally adaptable for plus sizes. Patterns by designers like Joanne Scrace (aka Crochet Architect) and Elena Fedotova (aka Dendennis) offer accessible free patterns with detailed sizing instructions.

Loose Pullover and Oversized Tops

An oversized pullover in crochet is one of the most achievable garments for a beginner. Many of these are worked entirely flat in wide rectangular panels that are seamed together, which means the construction is essentially just rows of your chosen stitch. The loose, boxy silhouette of these tops means sizing is more forgiving, and a single pattern can often accommodate a wide range of body sizes with minor adjustments. Websites like Yarnspirations (the free pattern hub for Lion Brand and Caron yarns) offer a large library of free pullover patterns with plus size options.

Granny Square and Motif Tops

Garments made from individual motifs like granny squares, hexagons, or flower motifs have a rich history in crochet fashion and are seeing a genuine revival. Each motif is worked separately and then joined together, making them perfect travel projects. You can arrange the motifs to create a customized fit for your body, adding extra squares to widen sections or extend length. Joining-as-you-go techniques make the assembly process much smoother. Ravelry and Pinterest are treasure troves of free motif-based top patterns.

How to Find and Follow Video Tutorials

If you are a visual learner, written patterns alone may not be enough to get you started with confidence. Video tutorials can be transformative, especially for techniques like seamless construction, colorwork, or specific fancy stitches.

YouTube is the single best resource for free crochet video tutorials. A few channels that regularly feature plus size garment tutorials and have earned strong followings include Bella Coco Crochet, T.L. Yarn Crafts (known for thoughtful, inclusive patterns), Crochet with Carrie, and Moogly. When searching for a tutorial, try search terms like “how to crochet a plus size top tutorial,” “crochet tank top all sizes,” or “crochet boho top plus size.” You can also look for tutorials attached specifically to free patterns by searching the pattern name alongside “crochet tutorial.”

When watching a video tutorial, keep your yarn and hook nearby so you can pause and practice each step as you go. Do not try to watch all the way through first and then start crocheting from memory. Work stitch by stitch alongside the video, pausing whenever you need to catch up. Most tutorial videos also include timestamps in the description that let you jump directly to the section you need to revisit.

Many designers who publish free patterns on their blogs also create companion YouTube videos, which means you can follow along visually while referring to the written pattern. This combination is often the most effective way to learn a new technique.

Customizing Any Pattern to Fit Your Body

Even when a free pattern includes plus size options, you may find that you need to make further adjustments to get the fit that works for your unique measurements. Here is a simplified approach to customizing sizing.

Start by writing down your actual body measurements: bust, waist, hips, and the length from shoulder to hem that you want. Add your desired ease to the bust and hip measurements to get your target finished garment measurements.

Then, using the gauge you established from your swatch, calculate how many stitches you will need for each section of the garment. For example, if your gauge is four stitches per inch and you want a finished bust of 56 inches, you will need 224 stitches across the front and back panels combined, or 112 stitches per panel.

If the pattern gives you a foundation chain count for a smaller size, simply adjust the starting chain to produce the stitch count you need. For tops worked in the round, adjust your starting stitch count to match your calculation. As long as you maintain the stitch pattern correctly (which may require that your stitch count be a multiple of a certain number for pattern repeats to work out evenly), you can adapt most patterns to your size.

For shaping, use the same gauge math to calculate where and how many increases and decreases you need for your specific measurements. Many plus size crocheters find that the key areas to adjust are the bust increase (many standard patterns don’t account for the fact that a large bust requires more rows of shaping than a small bust) and the hip width.

Tips for Success as You Work

Keep a notepad or use a notes app on your phone to track your row counts and any modifications you make as you go. There is nothing more frustrating than finishing a beautiful crochet top, realizing you need to make a second one, and being unable to remember what you changed from the original pattern.

Block your finished top before wearing or seaming. Blocking means wetting the fabric, shaping it to the correct measurements, and allowing it to dry flat. For natural fiber yarns especially, blocking can transform a piece that looks slightly stiff and uneven into something smooth, drapey, and professional. Even acrylic yarns can benefit from steam blocking with a garment steamer.

Do not be discouraged if your first garment is not perfect. Almost every experienced crochet fashion designer has a pile of garments that did not turn out quite as planned. Every imperfect project is a lesson that makes the next one better.

Final Thoughts

Crocheting a plus size top is absolutely within your reach, no matter where you are in your crochet journey. The combination of free patterns, detailed written instructions, and video tutorials available today makes this the best possible time to start making your own wardrobe. You do not have to settle for poor fit or limited options in the ready-to-wear market. With a hook, some yarn, a free pattern, and a little patience, you can create a top that fits your body exactly the way you want it to, in exactly the style and color you love.

Start with a simple construction, take the time to swatch and check your gauge, and follow along with a video tutorial if the written instructions feel overwhelming. Before long, you will not just be crocheting plus size tops from free patterns — you will be adapting them, combining elements from different designs, and eventually creating your own. That is the beautiful progression that crochet offers to anyone willing to give it time and dedication.

Now pick up your hook, choose a pattern that excites you, and start making something wonderful.