Faded Plaid Batwing Top Free Crochet Pattern

Faded Plaid Batwing Top Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This faded plaid batwing top is made for anyone who loves a little grunge with their crochet. It is worked in a simple open mesh stitch with horizontal stripes of black, charcoal, and burgundy that read like a worn, washed-out plaid. The wide batwing sleeves and loose boxy shape make it drapey and easy to wear, while the raw neck and cuff edges with hanging yarn ends give it that deliberately distressed look. It is a great project for a confident beginner ready to try color changes and simple seaming, and the finished top feels light, airy, and effortlessly cool over a tank or tee.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Fine (2) weight yarn, acrylic or cotton blend. Color A (black): 400 yards. Color B (charcoal): 300 yards. Color C (burgundy): 300 yards.
• Hook: 3.25 mm (US D/3), or size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape.
• Finished size: Fits size L (chest 36–38 inches). Width across chest 38 inches, length 24 inches, sleeve opening 20 inches circumference.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sp / sps – space / spaces: the gap made by a chain between stitches.
• st / sts – stitch / stitches.
• RS – right side: the side of the fabric that faces outward when worn.
• rep – repeat: work the instruction again as many times as stated.

Gauge

12 double crochet stitches x 5 rows = 2 inches (5 cm) in the mesh pattern. Work a small swatch and measure across the middle of it; if you have more stitches than this, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of a stripe so the new color starts cleanly on the next row.
• Keep your chain-1 spaces loose and even; tight spaces make the mesh pull in and shrink the finished width.
• Count your double crochets at the end of every stripe row — the stitch count should stay the same throughout the body.
• Do not weave in the ends at the neck and cuffs; leave them hanging on purpose for the distressed finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (worked in one piece, bottom up)

With A, ch 114 (multiple of 2).

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), *ch 1, skip ch-1 sp, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Repeat Row 2 for the pattern, changing colors as follows:

Rows 3–8: A (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 9–14: B (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 15–20: C (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 21–26: A (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 27–32: B (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 33–38: C (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 39–44: A (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 45–50: B (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 51–56: C (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 57–62: A (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 63–68: B (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 69–74: C (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 75–80: A (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 81–86: B (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 87–92: C (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps).

Rows 93–98: A (56 dc, 55 ch-1 sps). Fasten off.

First Batwing Sleeve

With RS facing, join A at the right side edge (armhole edge) at row 1.

Row 1: Ch 3, work 1 dc in each row end along side edge, turn (98 dc).

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Row 3: Ch 3, *ch 1, skip ch-1 sp, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Repeat Row 3 for 20 rows, changing colors to match the body stripes:

Rows 4–9: A (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 10–15: B (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 16–21: C (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 22–24: A (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps). Fasten off.

Second Batwing Sleeve

With RS facing, join A at the left side edge (armhole edge) at row 1. Work the same as the first sleeve:

Row 1: Ch 3, work 1 dc in each row end along side edge, turn (98 dc).

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Row 3: Ch 3, *ch 1, skip ch-1 sp, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 4–9: A (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 10–15: B (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 16–21: C (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps).

Rows 22–24: A (49 dc, 48 ch-1 sps). Fasten off.

Edging (optional)

With A, work 1 round of sc evenly around the neck opening, then fasten off. Work 1 round of sc evenly around each sleeve cuff, then fasten off. Do not weave in these ends; leave them hanging for the distressed look.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the piece in half with RS together. Sew the side seams from the bottom edge up 10 inches, leaving 10 inches open for the armhole. Sew the sleeve seams from the armhole to the sleeve cuff. Leave the neck opening as is (a raw edge). Weave in the ends at the body and sleeve joins, but leave the neck and cuff ends hanging. Block lightly to measurements: mist with water, pin to 38 inches wide and 24 inches long, and let dry completely.

Pro Tips and Variations

• For a softer, more faded plaid effect, swap the burgundy stripe for a dusty rose or muted olive.
• Make it longer or shorter by adding or removing full 6-row stripe repeats before the sleeves.
• Skip the optional edging entirely for an even rawer look, or work the neck edging in B for a subtle contrast.