Easy Sleeveless Shell – Free Crochet Pattern

easy sleeveless shell

I have a fantastic and free crochet pattern to share with you today – the Easy Sleeveless Shell! This top is a great staple for any wardrobe. Wear it alone, or layered!

I made mine using summer pastels, but I think it would look just as spectacular in the bold colors of fall. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn for this project, but any worsted weight yarn will work. Just remember to check your gauge!

I wanted the fit of the Easy Sleeveless Shell to be easy to wear, so I have allowed approximately 2 inches of positive ease. Just review the measurements below to find which size works best for your preferences. If you want something more close fitting, you may wish to size down.

Interested in making an Easy Crochet Vest? The free pattern is HERE!

crochet top - materials

PIN for later HERE

ADD to your Ravelry que HERE

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase something using these links a small amount of the sales price goes to me to help keep this site, and the patterns on it free. You do not pay any extra for the item you purchase.

Easy Sleeveless Shell
Materials Used:
Abbreviations:

ch(s) = chain(s)
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
hdc2tog = half double crochet two stitches together
dc = double crochet
sp = space
st(s) = stitch(es)
FSC = foundation single crochet (see description below)
American crochet terms used throughout

Special Stitch Used:
FSC (Foundation Single Crochet)
Step One:

Make a slip knot and ch 2. Insert hook in the first chain, yarn over and pull up a loop. There are 2 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through the first loop. (You have just made a chain). There are 2 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. (You have just made the first foundation single crochet stitch.)

Step Two:

Insert hook into the chain made in step one and pull up a loop. There are 2 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through the first loop. There are 2 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. (You have just made the second foundation single crochet stitch).

Repeat step two until you have achieved the desired number of foundation single crochet stitches.

Gauge:

4″ x 4″ = 12 FSC, Rows 1-12 of pattern

Width of Each Panel Laid Flat:

XS = 16″, S = 18″, M = 20″, L = 22″, XL = 24″, 2X = 26″, 3X = 28″

Sizes:

Bust measurement: XS = 32″, S = 36″, M = 40″, L = 44″, XL = 48″, 2X = 52″, 3X = 56″

Length: XS = 19.5″, S = 19.5″, M = 19.5″, L = 20.5″, XL = 20.5″, 2X = 21.5″, 3X = 21.5″

Instructions:
Front Panel:

With Robins Egg, FSC (51, 57, 63, 69, 75, 81, 87), turn.

Row 1:

Ch 1, [sc, dc] in the first st, skip the next st, *[sc, dc] in the next st, skip the next st; repeat from * across, ending with a sc in the last st, turn.

Row 2:

Repeat row 1.

Row 3:

Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

Row 4:

Repeat row 3.

Rows 5-32:

Repeat rows 1-4 seven times.

Rows 33-34:

Repeat row 1. Fasten off Robins Egg (leaving a long tail for seaming the side later on).

Row 35:

With Soft Green, ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (49, 55, 61, 67, 73, 79, 85) sts.

Row 36-40:

Repeat row 35. At the end of row 40 your stitch count will be (39, 45, 51, 57, 63, 69, 75) sts.

Ch 1, hdc in each st across for (12, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16) more rows.

Ch 1, hdc in each of first (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts. Fasten off Soft Green (leaving a long tail for seaming the shoulder later on). Skip (19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31) sts on same row. Attach Soft Green in next st, ch 1 and hdc in same st, hdc in each of last (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) sts across. Fasten off (leaving a long tail for seaming the shoulder later on).

Back Panel:

Make the same as the front panel.

easy sleeveless shell - assembly

Assembly:
Shoulder seaming:

Lay the two panels on top of one another, right sides facing in. Using the long tails of Soft Green left at the top of each panel, sew together left and right shoulders. Fasten off Soft Green.

Side seaming:

Using the long tails of Robins Egg left at the side of each panel after row 34, and working from row 34 down to the bottom of the panel, sew the sides of the panels together using your preferred seaming method. You may wish to leave a few of the bottom stitches open to leave side slits. Fasten off Robins Egg. Turn garment so that right side is facing out.

Armholes:

With right side facing out, attach Soft Green to bottom of armhole. Chain 1, hdc in same st, hdc evenly around so that you end up with an odd number of hdc’s, sl st to beginning hdc.

Ch 1, turn work, hdc in same st and in each hdc around, sl st to beginning hdc.

Ch 1, turn work, [sc, dc] in the same st, skip the next st, *[sc, dc] in the next st, skip the next st; repeat from * around, ending with a sc in the last st, sl st to beginning st. Fasten off Soft Green.

easy sleeveless shell - detail

Neck:

With right side facing out, attach Soft Green to back of neck hole. Ch 1, [sc, dc] in the same st, skip the next st, *[sc, dc] in the next st, skip the next st; repeat from * around, ending with a sc in the last st, sl st to beginning st. Fasten off Soft Green.

Weave in all ends.

Want to be notified when I post new crochet patterns?

Join Me on Social Media

If you make an Easy Sleeveless Shell of your own, I’d love to see a picture of it when you’re done. You can tag me @cashmeredandelions on Instagram!

You can also follow me on Pinterest, Instagram and Ravelry for more beautiful crochet patterns.