Free Pattern
Step-by-Step
Crochet
GarmentsFloral Long Sleeve Crochet Top: Spring Garden Pattern
Crochet a floral long sleeve top with granny-square style flower motifs in cotton yarn — a breezy, feminine spring garment worked in easy rounds.
Level IntermediateTime 8-12 HoursYarn Worsted
Pattern highlights
- Chain a long base row and work a solid foundation of double crochets across it to set up the panel.
- Build the open mesh pattern by alternating clusters of double crochets with small chain-two gaps.
- Widen the largest gaps gradually over a couple of rounds so the flower centers have room to form.
- Work the petal round, adding chain-four spaces and treble crochets to create the raised flower motifs.
- Continue repeating the mesh-and-petal sequence to complete the front panel, back panel, and both sleeve panels.
- Finish each panel with a tidy row of double crochet framed by two squares on each side.
- Sew the front and back panels together at the shoulders and sides to form the body of the top.
- Attach both sleeves to the body, then seam the sleeve edges closed and add any final embellishments.
About This Pattern
This floral long sleeve top is built from a clever mesh-and-motif base that blooms into an all-over floral lattice as you work through the rounds. Starting with a simple chain and a solid row of double crochets, the piece transforms row by row into an open, feminine fabric dotted with little treble-crochet flower centers. It's the kind of pattern that feels like magic — humble beginnings that unfold into something genuinely special, perfect for anyone who loves garments with a story to tell as they stitch.
You'll lean on double crochet, treble crochet, and simple chain spaces to build the floral lattice, so if you're comfortable reading a stitch pattern and counting spaces, you're ready for this one. It's rated intermediate mainly because of the shaping and the need to keep your gaps aligned round after round, not because any single stitch is tricky. Expect to spend a solid weekend or a few relaxed evenings working the front, back, and sleeve panels before assembly.
The finished top is airy, romantic, and unmistakably springlike — a lightweight cotton garment with long sleeves and a delicate floral texture that catches the light beautifully. It drapes rather than clings, making it flattering over a camisole or worn solo on warmer days. Because it's made from breathable cotton, it transitions easily from a cool spring morning to a sunny afternoon, and it makes a thoughtful handmade gift for a fellow crocheter or a floral-loving friend.
Variations
There's something so satisfying about watching a plain row of double crochets slowly bloom into flowers, and that's exactly what happens here. Every time I work a First Petal Row, I get a little thrill seeing those treble crochet stitches pop up through the chain-four spaces like tiny buds pushing through soil. I love that the pattern uses just one skein type — cotton yarn — so there's no fussing over multiple weights or textures, just pure focus on the motif. The repeat-and-build structure means once you've nailed rounds three through six, you're basically coasting, which makes the front panel, back panel, and both sleeves come together with a rhythm that's almost meditative. And because everything is worked flat before assembly, you can genuinely see your progress laid out in front of you, panel by panel, which keeps motivation high. By the time you're sewing the sleeves and adding your own embellishments, it feels less like finishing a project and more like unveiling something you designed yourself.
Common mistakes
- Losing track of the chain-two, skip-two
- Count your stitches after every repeat of the chain-two skip-two sequence and place a stitch marker at the start of each round until the spacing feels automatic.
- Working the treble crochet
- Look for the chain-four space directly over the middle square from the previous round — the treble crochet should sit centered in that gap, not off to one side.
- Forgetting that each flower motif uses
- Always add or remove chains in multiples of 25 so your flower repeats stay evenly spaced across the front, back, and sleeve panels.
- Mismatching the sleeve panel row count
- Since rows three through six repeat to build all four panels, keep a simple tally sheet so each piece has the identical number of repeats before assembly.
- Skipping a swatch and discovering
- Work a small test swatch with your chosen cotton yarn and hook first to confirm the mesh has enough drape without being floppy or stiff.
- Rushing the assembly and misaligning
- Pin the sleeve to the body piece before sewing and match the flower motifs on the sleeve top with those at the shoulder edge for a seamless, professional finish.
Intermediate
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Materials
- Cotton yarn
Main Pattern
Crochet a sleeve panel, a back panel, and a front panel.
Repeat rows three to six to create the pattern for the front panel, back panel, and two arms.
Finish with two squares and a row of double crochet.
Chain: Start with a chain of 75. Each flower will take 25 chains.
- Round 1Begin with a full row of double crochets.
- Round 2Chain two, turn your work, and double crochet ten. Chain two, skip two, and double crochet into the third, repeating four times. Then, do 17 double crochets. Repeat the chain two, skip two, and four double crochets pattern. Continue this pattern to the end, finishing with seven double crochets.
- Round 3Chain up two, turn your work, and double crochet until three stitches away from the first gap. Chain two, double crochet into the stitch before the space, put two double crochets into the bigger gap, and double crochet after that gap. Chain two, skip two, and double crochet into the third. Double crochet to three stitches away from the first gap, ending with seven double crochets.
- First Petal RowChain two, turn your work, and double crochet until three stitches away from the next square. Chain two, skip two, go into the third, and put two double crochets into the square, followed by one after. Chain four, treble crochet through the middle square, and chain four again. Double crochet into the space before the last square, two double crochets into the square, and one after. Chain two, skip two, and double crochet into the third. Repeat to the end, finishing with one double crochet after the final square.
- Middle of the FlowerChain two, turn your work, and put two double crochets into the square, followed by one after. Chain five, single crochet into the first petal, single crochet into the V of the treble, and single crochet into the other petal. Chain five, double crochet before the square, two double crochets into the square, and one after. Chain three, and double crochet into the stitch before the square. Repeat to the end.
- Largest PetalChain two, turn your work, and put two double crochets into the square, followed by one after. Chain six, single crochet into the first petal, add three more single crochets, and add a new single crochet into the last petal. Chain six, double crochet into the space before your square, and put three double crochets into this square plus a double crochet after that square. Repeat to the end.
- First Decrease RowChain two, turn your work, and place three double crochets into the first petal. Chain five, skip the first single crochet, and put a single crochet in the following three. Chain five, and three double crochets into this large petal, followed by a double crochet into the V straight after. Chain three, and double crochet right before the petal. Repeat to the end.
- Last PetalChain two, turn your work, and two double crochets into the square, as well as a double crochet after the square. Chain two, double crochet into that third stitch, which is just before your petal, followed by three double crochets into that petal. Chain four, treble crochet into the middle single crochet. Chain four again, and double crochet into the petal, another two double crochets into that petal, and a double crochet into the stitch after the petal. Chain two, double crochet into that third stitch, three double crochets into that square, and an additional double crochet in the stitch after the square. Repeat to the end.
- Three SquaresChain two, turn your work, and two double crochets into your square, followed by one double crochet after. Chain two, go into the third stitch. Put three double crochets into that petal. Chain two, put your next double crochet after your treble crochet into that next petal. Chain two, double crochet into the space just before your square, and two double crochets into that square, followed by a double crochet after that square. Double crochet all the way along, including in this square, until you are three away from your next petal. Repeat, and at the end of your row, you should have three squares.
- Two SquaresChain two, turn your work, and double crochet until one double crochet after that square. Put two double crochets into the square, followed by one double crochet after the square. Chain two, skip two, double crochet into the third, which is just before that square. Two double crochets into the square, followed by a double crochet after the square. Chain up two, skip two, go into the third, and double crochet all the way until you pass this next square. Repeat, and at the end of the row, you should have two squares.
Assembly
- Step 1Connect the front and back pieces together.
- Step 2Attach the sleeves.
- Step 3Sew the ends of the sleeves together.
- Step 4Add labels or any other desired embellishments.
Important notes
Since this pattern uses only cotton yarn, choose a mercerized cotton for extra stitch definition on the flower motifs, or a soft cotton blend for more drape and comfort against skin.
Block each panel — front, back, and both sleeves — before assembly so the mesh lattice opens up evenly and the flower motifs sit flat and symmetrical.
When repeating rows three to six for the front, back, and sleeve panels, work from written instructions rather than memory alone until you've completed at least one full repeat correctly.
Cotton yarn has little to no stretch, so try the panels against your body (or a similarly sized top) before final assembly to make sure the fit feels right.
Save a small amount of yarn for the assembly steps — sewing sleeve seams and joining the front and back pieces uses more thread than you'd expect for a project this size.
More photos
FAQ
What yarn weight works best for this floral long sleeve top?
A worsted weight cotton yarn gives the best balance of drape and stitch definition for the flower motifs. If you prefer a lighter, more airy top, a DK weight cotton also works well, just be prepared for a slightly smaller finished size.
How much yarn do I need to make the whole top?
This depends on your size and gauge, but plan for several skeins of worsted weight cotton since the front, back, and two full sleeve panels all use the same floral repeat. Buying one extra skein for assembly and embellishments is a smart safety net.
Can I make this top sleeveless or convert it to short sleeves?
Yes — simply omit the sleeve panels for a sleeveless version, finishing the armholes with a neat round of double crochet, or stop repeating rows three to six after the first sleeve panel round or two for shorter sleeves.
Why does my flower motif look uneven compared to the pattern photos?
This usually comes down to tension around the chain-four treble crochet spaces — try to keep those chains snug but not tight, and block your finished panel to help the motifs relax into a rounder, more even shape.
Do I need any special stitches beyond double and treble crochet?
No — the entire floral lattice is built from double crochet, treble crochet, and simple chain spaces. If you're comfortable with those three basics and can follow a stitch-and-space repeat, you have everything you need.