This diamond stitch crochet top pattern is one of my most-requested designs — and it looks far more complicated than it actually is. Worked seamlessly from the top down in a short sleeve raglan construction, this spring and summer crochet top creates a beautifully dainty, lacy texture using a simple double crochet repeat. No seaming required!

👉 Prefer an ad-free printable PDF?

I’ve written the pattern below as a rough guideline for 3 adult women’s sizing but can be easily adjusted to custom fit.

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Why you’ll love this pattern: 

The diamond stitch repeat sounds more complicated than it is — once you get the hang of rows 1–5, the repeat becomes automatic and almost meditative. The short sleeve raglan construction means you start at the collar and work your way down, trying the top on as you go for the perfect fit. Because it’s worked in fine weight yarn, this top has a beautiful drape and feels completely different from bulky crochet — it actually looks like something you’d find in a boutique.

What makes this different from other crochet top patterns: 

Most beginner-friendly crochet tops use bulky yarn and simple stitches. This one uses fine yarn and a diamond stitch repeat to create something that genuinely looks handcrafted and elevated. It’s a step up in skill level — but only a small step, and the result is worth it.

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Pattern Notes:

This is a top-down sweater made with a simple raglan. The pattern is worked in a round from the middle of the back panel.

Measurements:

Small: Width across bust: 19”, Length 23”

Medium: Width across bust: 21”, Length 25”

Large: Width across bust: 23”, Length 27”

Materials:

• 4mm crochet hook (G)
• Fine yarn #2 in colour of choice – I used an alpaca ombre blend that has now been discontinued so here are some additional options for you!

Alpaca Blends:

SugarBush Fine Yarn

SUGAR BUSH BLISS YARN

Cotton Bends:

RED HEART IT’S A WRAP

• Small: ~1100yds
• Medium: ~1300yds
• Large: ~1500yds

💛 Enjoying this pattern? Save it for later with the printable PDF on Etsy — no ads, no scrolling, just the pattern.

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 Gauge:

17 DC, 9 rows = 4in

Abbreviations:

Ch – chain

Sc – single crochet

Dc – double crochet

St(s) – stitch(es)

FPDC – front post dc

BPDC – back post dc

Sl st – slip stitch

Inc block –1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc

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Pattern:

This pattern is written as S (M, L).

To begin Ch 108 (108, 116), join with a sl st (making sure you haven’t twisted the ch as you worked along)

Collar band:

Round 1: Ch 3, dc around for all sizes, join with a sl st at top of last st in round

Round 2: Ch 3, *FPDC, BPDC* repeat around for all sizes, join with a sl st at top of ch 3 in beginning of round

Repeat round 2 twice more.

Begin Body:

Round 1:

For size Small & Medium only. Size Large start at Round 2

[Starts at the middle of the back panel] Ch 2 (ch 2 at the beginning of each round doesn’t count as a stitch) 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in the next 4 sts, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc in the next 9 sts, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc).

[Now begin first sleeve] *ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc* 2 times, ch 1, skip 1 work inc block,

[Now work the front]: [ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc] 3 times, ch 1 skip 1, work inc block,

[Now begin 2nd sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block,

[Complete Back]: ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 4 dc, sl st with the first dc.

At the end of round you will have 3 sets of 9 dc on back and front and 2 sets of 9 dc on sleeves.

Round 2

[Back]: Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1,skip 1, 7 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from Round 1 inc block (if size S or M).

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1,skip 1, 7 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from Round 1 inc block (if size S or M),

[Front]: ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1,skip 1, 7 dc] 3 times, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from Round 1 inc block (if size S or M),

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1,skip 1, 7 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from Round 1 inc block (if size S or M),

[Finish back]: ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 7dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc. Sl st with 1st dc.

At the end of round 2 you will have 3 sets of 7 dc on back and front and 2 sets of 7 dc on sleeves.

Round 3

[Back]: Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, 2 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1 skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block.

[Sleeve] [ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Front]: [ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc] 3 times, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Finish back]: ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 2 dc. Sl st with 1st dc.

Round 4

Ch2, 1 dc in the same st, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, Ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1 skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Front]: [ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc] 3 times, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1 skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1 skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Finish back]: Ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 3 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 5 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1dc. Sl st with first dc.

Round 5

Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, ch 1, skip 1, 7 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 7 dc, ch 1 skip 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: ch 1, skip 1 [7 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1] 2 times, 7 dc, ch 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Front]: ch 1, skip 1,[7 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1] 3 times, 7 dc, ch 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: ch 1, skip 1, [7 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1] 2 times, 7 dc, ch 1, work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Finish back]: ch 1, skip 1, 7 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 1 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 7 dc, ch 1, skip 1. Sl st with 1 st dc

Round 6 (similar to round 1)

Go back with a sl st, in the last ch 1 space, and start the round from there.

Ch 2, 1 dc in the same st, [ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc] 2 times, ch 1, skip 1 work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc] 3 times, ch 1, skip 1 work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Front]: [ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc] 3 times, ch 1, skip 1 work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Sleeve]: [ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc] 3 times, ch 1, skip 1 work inc block in the ch 2 space created from prior round inc block

[Finish back]: Ch 1, skip 1, 9 dc, ch 1, skip 1, 8 dc. Sl st. with the 1 st dc

At this point, the pattern repeats every 5 rounds (with increasing DCs).

Continue rounds 1-5 until you have achieved the desired length to begin blocking off the sleeve. This should be comfortable to gather under the armpit, where the body will begin. I made myself a size small and this was approximately 28 rounds or 12 inches.

To begin the body, continue in rounds in the pattern progression. When you get to the sleeve section, DC 2 together in that and the following ch 2 space made from the inc block in the following round (skipping the entire sleeve section and jumping right to the front panel). Work the front of the pattern and once again dc 2 together in the ch 2 space made from the prior round (skipping the entire second sleeve and jumping to the remaining back panel.

Continue in pattern rounds until you meet your desired length or 21in for small (23, 25).

Work Bottom band:

Round 1: Ch 3, dc around for all sizes, join with a sl st at top of last st in round

Round 2: Ch 3, *FPDC, BPDC* repeat around for all sizes, join with a sl st at top of ch 3 in beginning of round

Repeat round 2 twice more.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Work Sleeves (2x):

Start to work the sleeves at the arm pit. Continue to work the rounds in the pattern sequence for the sleeves only (you will not be increasing any more).

Continue with the stitch pattern for as many rounds as you want until you will get to the desired length of the sleeve.

Work Cuffs:

Round 1: [2dc in next 2 st, DC 2 tog] around

Round 2: Ch 3, dc around for all sizes, join with a sl st at top of last st in round

Round 3: Ch 3, *FPDC, BPDC* repeat around for all sizes, join with a sl st at top of ch 3 in beginning of round

Repeat round 3 twice more.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Enjoy!

Love how this turned out? 

The ad-free printable PDF version of this pattern is available in my Etsy shop — perfect for printing, saving, or gifting to a fellow crocheter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this crochet top pattern suitable for beginners? This pattern is intermediate level — you should be comfortable with basic stitches and working in the round. If you’ve made blankets and are ready for your first garment, this is a great next project.

What yarn should I use for this crochet top pattern? A fine weight (#2) yarn works best — alpaca blends like SugarBush Fine or a soft cotton blend give the best drape. Avoid stiff yarns as the diamond stitch looks best with some softness and flow.

Can I adjust the sizing? Yes — the pattern is written for S, M, L and includes notes on customizing the length by adding or removing rounds in the body and sleeve sections.

Is there a printable PDF version? Yes! The ad-free printable PDF is available in my Etsy shop — [get it here →] https://seeloveshare.etsy.com/listing/4474076201/diamond-stitch-crochet-top-pattern-short

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