Wren Rattan Crochet Top – FREE PATTERN
There is something quietly magical about a top that looks like it belongs on a boardwalk boutique rack but was made entirely by hand, stitch by stitch, with yarn you probably already have in your basket. The Wren Rattan Crochet Top is exactly that kind of project. It has the breezy, textured elegance of expensive resort wear, but it comes together through a pattern that is genuinely approachable — even if you have only recently moved past the basics. Whether you are planning your summer wardrobe, looking for a satisfying weekend project, or simply want to add something handmade and beautiful to your closet, this free crochet pattern from Lakeside Loops is here for all of it.
In this post, you will find everything you need to get started: a full materials list, sizing guidance, stitch notes, and the complete step-by-step pattern instructions. Grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s talk about the Wren.
What Makes the Wren Rattan Crochet Top Special
The name says it all, really. “Rattan” is not just a nod to the aesthetic — it describes the look of the fabric itself. The combination of stitches used in this pattern creates an open, woven texture that mimics the beautiful interlaced quality of rattan furniture and décor. It is airy without being flimsy, structured without being stiff, and it drapes in a way that is incredibly flattering across a wide range of body types.
The Wren is designed as a relaxed-fit top with a subtle square silhouette, making it easy to wear over a swimsuit at the beach, tucked loosely into high-waisted trousers for brunch, or layered over a fitted tank for a casual evening out. The straps are adjustable, the neckline is gently open without being overly revealing, and the hem sits at a comfortable length — long enough to wear on its own but short enough to keep things looking intentional.
One of the things that makes this pattern so enjoyable to work is the repetition. Once you have the stitch pattern locked in after the first few rows, your hands will begin to move on their own. It becomes meditative in the best possible way. You can watch a movie, listen to a podcast, or simply sit in the garden and enjoy the rhythm of the hook moving through the yarn.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on — or rather, before you make your foundation chain — let’s make sure you have everything you need.
Yarn: The Wren Rattan Crochet Top works best in a lightweight cotton or cotton-blend yarn. You are looking for something in the DK or light worsted weight range (CYCA weight 3). Cotton is the ideal fiber choice because it holds its structure well, breathes beautifully in warm weather, and creates that crisp, rattan-like texture when worked in the stitch pattern used here. You will need approximately 400 to 700 yards depending on your size, with smaller sizes using closer to 400 yards and larger sizes closer to 700 yards.
Some yarn options that work beautifully for this pattern include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, We Are Knitters The Cotton, and Scheepjes Cahlista. Any smooth, tightly plied cotton will give you excellent stitch definition and that satisfying crisp look.
Hook: A 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook is recommended as a starting point. However, always, always swatch. Everyone crochets with a slightly different tension, and getting gauge right on a garment pattern is the difference between a top that fits beautifully and one that sits in a drawer feeling like a missed opportunity.
Notions: You will also need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (locking style are particularly helpful here), a measuring tape, and optionally a row counter to keep track of your progress.
Gauge
Gauge: 16 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in the rattan stitch pattern, blocked.
Blocking cotton makes a significant difference. Even if your swatch looks a little uneven or slightly off before blocking, a good wet block will open up the stitches, even out your tension, and give the fabric that beautiful, professional finish. Please do not skip blocking on this one — it genuinely transforms the piece.
Sizing
The Wren Rattan Crochet Top is written in sizes XS through 3XL to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy making and wearing it.
Finished bust measurements:
XS: 32 inches | S: 36 inches | M: 40 inches | L: 44 inches | XL: 48 inches | 2XL: 52 inches | 3XL: 56 inches
This top is designed with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment is meant to be slightly larger than your actual bust measurement for that relaxed, breezy fit. To choose your size, measure your bust at the fullest point, then select the size that gives you your preferred amount of ease. If you like a more fitted look, go down a size. If you love an oversized, laid-back silhouette, you might even go up one.
Abbreviations and Stitch Notes
This pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout.
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sp – space
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat
sk – skip
yo – yarn over
beg – beginning
rem – remaining
The Rattan Stitch: The main body of this top is worked in a variation of the rattan stitch, which is created by working a combination of double crochet clusters and chain spaces in a repeating pattern. The result is a mesh-like fabric with a diagonal, interlaced look. It is entirely made up of chains and double crochets, so if you are comfortable with those two stitches, you have everything you need.
Rattan Stitch Pattern (worked flat, multiple of 4 + 2):
Foundation chain: Chain a multiple of 4, plus 2 for the turning chain.
Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (the skipped chains count as dc), ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch, rep from to across, turn.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp, rep from to across to last sp, ch 1, dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, rep from to across, dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Rows 2 and 3 form the pattern repeat. Continue alternating these two rows for the body of the top.
Pattern Instructions
The Body
The Wren Rattan Crochet Top is worked in two identical panels — a front and a back — which are then seamed at the sides and shoulders. The straps are added last.
This construction method makes the pattern very straightforward and also gives you flexibility. If you want to adjust the length of the top, you simply add or subtract rows before beginning the armhole shaping. Easy.
Foundation Chain:
For your size, chain the following number of stitches:
XS: 66 ch | S: 74 ch | M: 82 ch | L: 90 ch | XL: 98 ch | 2XL: 106 ch | 3XL: 114 ch
Work Rows 1 through 3 of the rattan stitch pattern as established above to set up your foundation rows, then continue in the rattan stitch pattern repeat (alternating Rows 2 and 3) until your piece measures 13 inches from the foundation chain for a cropped length, or 15 inches for a slightly longer fit. End having just completed a WS row and do not turn at the end of this row.
Armhole Shaping:
Sl st across the first 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14) stitches and spaces, ch 3, then continue in the rattan stitch pattern across until 8 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 14) stitches and spaces remain. Turn, leaving those remaining stitches unworked. This creates the armhole opening on both sides simultaneously.
Continue in the rattan stitch pattern on the remaining center stitches until the armhole measures 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Make a second panel identical to the first.
Assembly
Lay your two panels flat with right sides facing each other and block them if you have not already. Pin the side seams together and use a yarn needle with your working yarn to seam using a whip stitch or mattress stitch through corresponding rows along each side. Leave the armholes open, of course.
For the shoulder seams: You will leave the center portion open as the neckline. For each shoulder, seam approximately 2 to 3 inches in from the outer armhole edge, leaving the center 10 to 14 inches open as the neck opening. The exact width of your shoulder seam will depend on your preferred neckline depth — a wider open neck has a relaxed, off-shoulder feel, while seaming further across creates a more defined neckline.
Neckline Finishing
With RS facing, attach your yarn at one shoulder seam and work a single round of single crochet evenly around the entire neckline opening. Join with a sl st, fasten off, and weave in ends. This clean edge keeps the neckline lying flat and gives it a polished finish without adding bulk.
Armhole Finishing
Work a single round of single crochet around each armhole opening in the same manner. This finishes the edges and also creates anchor points for attaching the straps.
Straps
The straps on the Wren are simple crocheted chains worked to your preferred length, giving you full control over how the top sits on your shoulders.
For each strap, attach your yarn at the front armhole edge at the shoulder point. Chain 60 (or more or fewer to suit your fit — try the top on and adjust as needed). Join the chain to the corresponding point on the back panel, then work 2 rows of single crochet back and forth across the strap to give it body and a finished look. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Alternatively, if you prefer a thicker, more substantial strap, you can work the strap as a narrow rectangle: chain 6, then work single crochet back and forth for the desired length, then attach to the back. Either approach works beautifully.
Finishing and Blocking
Once your top is fully assembled and all ends are woven in, it is time for the final blocking. Fill a clean basin with cool water and submerge the top completely, gently pressing out any air bubbles. Let it soak for about 20 minutes so the fibers are thoroughly saturated, then carefully lift it out — do not wring or twist — and press it gently against the side of the basin to remove excess water.
Lay the top flat on a blocking mat or a clean, dry towel, and pin it to your desired measurements. Pay special attention to the shoulder straps, the neckline, and the hem, making sure everything is smooth and even. Let it dry completely before unpinning and trying it on. This could take anywhere from a few hours to overnight depending on the humidity in your space.
The transformation from pre-blocked to blocked is remarkable with cotton. The stitches open up, the rattan texture becomes much more defined, the fabric softens and drapes beautifully, and the overall size of the piece becomes more predictable. It is one of those small finishing steps that makes a truly significant difference.
Tips for Success
A few notes from working through this pattern that will save you time and frustration.
Swatch generously. Work a swatch that is at least 6 by 6 inches so you can measure the center 4 inches without being affected by the edges, which tend to curl or distort slightly. Block your swatch the same way you will block the finished top, then measure.
Count your stitches at the end of every few rows, especially while you are learning the rattan stitch pattern. The stitch count should remain consistent throughout. If you notice something looks off, it is much easier to catch and fix a mistake two rows back than ten rows back.
Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of rows and the points where your armhole shaping begins. This is one of those patterns where a little extra marking at the start saves a lot of puzzling later.
If you are new to garment making, this is a wonderful first wearable project. Because it is worked in two flat panels, there is no working in the round, no complex shaping, and no confusing construction to navigate. The seaming at the end is simple and satisfying.
For yarn substitutions, stick to smooth, non-fuzzy fibers with good stitch definition. The rattan stitch is too beautiful to hide inside a fluffy or textured yarn. Cotton, bamboo, linen, and cotton-blend yarns are all excellent choices.
Customizing the Wren
One of the best things about a simple, elegant pattern like this one is how easy it is to make your own. Here are a few ideas for personalizing the Wren Rattan Crochet Top.
Add a fringe: A knotted fringe along the hem gives the top an even more bohemian, beachy feel. Cut lengths of yarn approximately 8 inches long, fold each in half, and use a crochet hook to attach them through the edge stitches along the hem.
Try a color block: Work the lower half of each panel in one color and switch to a coordinating or contrasting color for the upper half. The color change in the middle of the rattan stitch pattern is straightforward and the result is striking.
Adjust the length: For a true crop top, work fewer rows before the armhole shaping. For a longer tunic-style top, add additional rows. The rattan stitch is a consistent, predictable repeat, so adding length is simply a matter of working more rows.
Adjust the strap style: Try working your straps in a contrasting color, or use a length of ribbon threaded through the strap stitches for an unexpected, delicate touch.
Care Instructions
Because this top is most likely worked in cotton, it is wonderfully easy to care for. Machine wash on a gentle or delicate cycle in cool water, then lay flat to dry. Avoid putting cotton crochet in the dryer, as heat can cause the fibers to shrink and distort the beautiful open stitch work. With proper care, your Wren Rattan Crochet Top will last for many summers.
Sharing Your Wren
If you make this pattern, please share your finished top! Tag your photos with #WrenRattanTop and #LakesideLooops so the community can find you and celebrate your work. Seeing this top made up in all the beautiful color choices that crocheter’s around the world choose is one of the great joys of sharing a free pattern, and your version might be exactly the inspiration someone else needs to cast on.
If you have questions about the pattern, drop them in the comments below. This space is a community, and between all of us there is a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to share. Whether you are troubleshooting your gauge, unsure about a stitch instruction, or just want to share your progress, this is the place for it.
The Wren Rattan Crochet Top is the kind of pattern you will come back to again and again — once for yourself, once as a gift, once in a color you couldn’t resist at the yarn shop. It is versatile, beautiful, genuinely wearable, and made entirely by your own hands. That, more than anything else, is what makes it worth every stitch. Happy crocheting.
