Jul 8

Jul 8 The Harlee Tee- Free Crochet Pattern

Get ready for the cutest, most flattering Summer top you ever will crochet. The Harlee Tee is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe this season. Available in sizes XS-5X and three different lengths you’ll be making one in every color of the rainbow. Find the free pattern below or grab a digital PDF in my shop.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has experienced this. You’re working on a project and fall in love with a particular yarn and color. Then you just HAVE to get more and make something new and fabulous. That’s exactly what happened with the Harlee Tee. I was busy working up my Darby Carry All pattern using some new to me We Crochet Yarns. They had sent over two skeins of their Comfy Color Mist yarns and it was love at first sight. I used one to make my color block Darby, but knew instantly I needed to get more of the Foggy Beach colorway because it would make the most amazing Summer top.

I had to wait a few weeks before that color came back in, but it was totally worth it! The subtle grey speckles throughout this ultra soft cotton works up into the most incredible fabric. The combination of extended half double crochet and slip stitches create an almost braided look to the material. This stitch combo and yarn were a match made in heaven. Special thanks to We Crochet for providing the yarn for this project. The Harlee has quickly become my new favorite thing to wear.

Now that I’ve got a few pull over top designs under my belt I’ve discovered that I tend to make my pieces a bit on the long side. I know not everyone likes their tees to come so far below the waist so I decided to give a few options in this pattern. You’ll be able to select if you want your tee to be cropped, regular length or tall. This way you can get the perfect fit for your torso. The pattern also includes a bit of positive ease to give a relaxed fit to it. There is some neckline shaping in the front and back, as well as some slight shoulder shaping to help keep it from getting too boxy. All of these features truly make this the most flattering tee on all shapes and sizes. Check out some of my pattern tester photos below. They blew me away with their hard work and everyone looks stunning in their new Harlee Tees.

Check out my amazing testers on Instagram!
Top Row: @knots_and_drops, @serenityknots, @unraveling_alli, @modernandhandmade
Bottom Row: @coastaldreamscrochet, @icrochetsohard, @boymomapproved, @twocopperscrochet

Before you start the pattern there are a few stitches you will need to be familiar with. I’ve included a video and photo tutorial below in case you need a bit of help or a refresher.

Stitch Tutorial:

Extended Half Double Crochet (ehdc): yarn over, insert hook into designated st, yo and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and draw through 1st loop on hook (3 loops on hook), then yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook to complete the stitch.

Extended Half Double Crochet Two Together (ehdc2tog): yarn over, insert hook into designated st, yo and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and draw through 1st loop on hook (3 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, yo and draw up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook to complete the stitch.

The Harlee Tee Crochet Pattern

Materials:

580-1400 yards of We Crochet Comfy Color Mist cotton yarn in Foggy Beach or similar worsted weight yarn.

Crochet hook size I(5.5mm)

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Abbreviations:

ch(s)- chain(s)

st(s)- stitch(es)

RS- right side

WS- wrong side

sl st- slip stitch

yo- yarn over

ehdc- extended half double crochet (see stitch tutorial)

ehdc2tog- extended half double crochet two together (see stitch tutorial)

FLO- front loop only

BLO- back loop only

Notes:

1.Pattern is worked bottom up in two panels. The back and front panels are seamed at the shoulders. Sides are then seamed leaving room for the arm holes. The sleeves are worked directly into the arm holes.

2.Pattern is made with 6-8” of positive ease. See size chart on page 3 for help determining the size you need to make.

3.Pattern is written for XS with other sizes in parentheses. Ex. XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

4.Chs at the beginning of rounds and rows do not count as a stitch.

5.Sleeves are made in turned rounds.

6.Neckline is made in continuous rounds without joining.

7.Three length options are included. Adjust the amount of rows for the front and back panel as needed to get the perfect fit.

8.Model is 5’9” and is wearing the tall 2X.

Gauge:

12 sts and 10 rows in pattern repeat = 3.5” wide and 3.75” tall swatch.

(Ch 18 and then work rows 1-12 of back panel for gauge. Measure 12 sts and 10 rows to determine if you have met gauge (unblocked).)

Pattern:

Back:

Ch 65(69, 76, 86, 93, 100, 107, 113, 120)

Row 1(RS): starting in the 3rd ch from the hook, ehdc in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (63(67, 74, 84, 91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Row 2(WS): sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (63(67, 74, 84, 91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Row 3: ehdc FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (63(67, 74, 84, 91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Row 4: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (63(67, 74, 84, 91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Repeat Rows 3&4 for a total of:

Crop: 48(48, 48, 48, 50, 50, 52, 52, 52) rows.

Regular: 56(56, 56, 56, 58, 58, 60, 60, 60) rows.

Tall: 66(66, 66, 66, 68, 68, 70, 70, 70) rows.

Move on to back neckline shaping.

Back Neckline Shaping:

Right side:

Row 1: ehdc FLO 18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42), ehdc2tog, ch 1, turn. (19(20, 23, 28, 31, 34, 38, 40, 43)

Row 2: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (19(20, 23, 28, 31, 34, 38, 40, 43)

Row 3: ehdc FLO until 2 sts remain, ehdc2tog, ch 1, turn. (18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42)

Row 4: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42)

Row 5: sl st FLO 7(8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19), sc FLO 4, ehdc FLO until 2 sts remain, ehdc2tog, ch 1, turn. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Row 6: sl st FLO in each st across. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for seaming.

Left Side:

With RS facing you, attach yarn to the 20th(21st, 24th, 29th, 32nd, 35th, 39th, 41st, 44th) st from the left edge of the top.

Ch 2

Row 1(RS): ehdc2tog FLO in same st as join and next st, ehdc FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (19(20, 23, 28, 31, 34, 38, 40, 43))

Row 2(WS): sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (19(20, 23, 28, 31, 34, 38, 40, 43)

Row 3: ehdc2tog FLO, ehdc FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42)

Row 4: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42)

Row 5: ehdc2tog FLO, ehdc FLO 5(5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17), sc FLO 4, sl st FLO across, ch 1, turn. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Row 6: sl st FLO in each st across. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Fasten off.

Front:

Ch 65(69, 76, 86, 93, 100, 107, 113, 120)

Row 1(RS): starting in the 3rd ch from the hook, ehdc in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (63(67, 74, 84,91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Row 2(WS): sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (63(67, 74, 84,91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Row 3: ehdc FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (63(67, 74, 84,91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Row 4: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (63(67, 74, 84,91, 98, 105, 111, 118)

Repeat Rows 3&4 for a total of:

Crop: 38(36, 36, 36, 38, 38, 40, 38, 38) rows.

Regular: 46(44, 44, 44, 46, 46, 48, 46, 46) rows.

Tall: 56(54, 54, 54, 56, 56, 58, 56, 56) rows.

Move on to front neckline shaping.

Front Neckline Shaping:

Left side:

Ch 2

Row 1: ehdc FLO 23(25, 28, 33, 36, 39, 43, 46, 49), ehdc2tog, ch 1, turn. (24(26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 44, 47, 50)

Row 2: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (24(26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 44, 47, 50)

Row 3: ehdc FLO until 2 sts remain, ehdc2tog, ch 1, turn. (23(25, 28, 33, 36, 39, 43, 46, 49)

Row 4: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (23(25, 28, 33, 36, 39, 43, 46, 49)

Repeat Rows 3&4 until you have a total of 14(16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18) rows.

You will have 18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42) sts.

Row 15(17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 19, 19): sl st FLO 7(8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19), sc FLO 4, ehdc FLO until 2 sts remain, ehdc2tog, ch 1, turn. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Row 16(18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20): sl st FLO in each st across. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Fasten off leaving a long tail for seaming.

Right Side:

With RS facing you, attach yarn to the 25th(27th, 30th, 35th, 38th, 41st, 45th, 48th, 51st) st from the left edge of top.

Ch 2

Row 1(RS): ehdc2tog FLO in same st as join and next st, ehdc FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (24(26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 44, 47, 50)

Row 2(WS): sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (24(26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 44, 47, 50)

Row 3: ehdc2tog FLO, ehdc FLO in each st across, ch 1, turn. (23(25, 28, 33, 36, 39, 43, 46, 49)

Row 4: sl st FLO in each st across, ch 2, turn. (23(25, 28, 33, 36, 39, 43, 46, 49)

Repeat Rows 3&4 until you have a total of 14(16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18) rows.

You will have 18(19, 22, 27, 30, 33, 37, 39, 42) sts.

Row 15(17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 19, 19): ehdc2tog FLO, ehdc FLO 5(5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17), sc FLO 4, sl st FLO across, ch 1, turn. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Row 16(18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20): sl st FLO in each st across. (17(18, 21, 26, 29, 32, 36, 38, 41)

Fasten off.

Seaming:

Lay front and back panel together with RS facing. Using your preferred method of seaming, seam shoulders together along the top. Then starting from the bottom, seam sides together leaving 7.5”(7.5”, 7.5”, 8.5”, 8.5”, 9.5”, 9.5”, 10.5”, 10.5”) for the arm holes.

Sleeves:

With RS facing you, attach yarn to side seam of one of the arm holes.

Ch 2,

Round 1: ehdc in same spot as join and evenly around the arm hole working approx. 3 sts for every 2 rows, sl st to 1st st to join, ch 1, turn. (60(60, 60, 64, 64, 72, 72, 80, 80)

Round 2: sl st FLO in each st around, sl st to 1st st to join, ch 2, turn. (60(60, 60, 64, 64, 72, 72, 80, 80)

Round 3: ehdc FLO in each st around, sl st to 1st st to join, ch 1, turn. (60(60, 60, 64, 64, 72, 72, 80, 80)

Round 4: sl st FLO in each st around, sl st to 1st st to join, ch 2, turn. (60(60, 60, 64, 64, 72, 72, 80, 80)

Repeat Rounds 3&4 for a total of 10(10, 10, 10, 10, 8, 8, 8, 8) rounds.

Round 11(11, 11, 11, 11, 9, 9, 9, 9): sl st FLO in each st around, sl st to 1st st to join. (60(60, 60, 64, 64, 72, 72, 80, 80)

Repeat on second arm hole.

Fasten off.

Neckline:

With RS facing you, attach yarn to one of the shoulder seams around the neckline.

Ch1,

Round 1: sl st in same spot as join and evenly around neckline, working 2 sl st into every ehdc row and 1 sl st into every sl st row, do not join. Approx. (85(94, 97, 97, 98, 100, 98, 106, 108)

Round 2: sl st BLO in each st around, do not join. Approx. (85(94, 97, 97, 98, 100, 98, 106, 108)

Rounds 3 & 4: repeat Round 2.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Steam block if needed.