Say hello to your new favorite everyday layer—the Easy Essential Tee Crochet Pattern. Designed with comfort, simplicity, and style in mind, this beginner-friendly crochet pattern is the perfect blend of relaxed fit and modern silhouette. Whether you’re dressing it up or keeping it casual, this lightweight tee is the kind of piece you’ll reach for again and again. Easy to make, easy to wear—because essential should never mean boring. This tee is no seam and no sew! And I used one of my favorite new (to me) stitches, extended single crochet. This tee is worked in the round without joining. The Easy Essential Tee Crochet Pattern is just that… EASY! And a spring closet essential!
Choosing Your Yarn
I used Lion Brand Coboo yarn for this top. Lion Brand Coboo is a dreamy blend of cotton and bamboo that’s perfect for warm-weather projects. It’s incredibly soft with a silky feel and beautiful drape, making it ideal for breathable garments and accessories. The lightweight, DK yarn glides smoothly on the hook and creates a polished, high-end finish—perfect for tees, tanks, and baby items alike.
Some great substitutions are:
1. Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
- Weight: DK
- Fiber: 100% Cotton
- Notes: Matte finish, wide color range, great for summer garments and accessories.
2. WeCrochet CotLin
- Weight: DK
- Fiber: 70% Tangis cotton/30% Linen
- Notes: Durable and softens with washing, great stitch definition.
3. Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK
- Weight: DK
- Fiber: 100% Cotton
- Notes: Smooth finish, good for garments and home projects.
4. Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK
- Weight: DK
- Fiber: 100% Cotton
- Price Range: Mid-budget, still affordable
- Notes: Soft and smooth, popular in Europe and great for clothing.
Extended Single Crochet
Extended single crochet (esc) is a great stitch choice for garments because it adds just a bit more height and stretch than a regular single crochet, creating a fabric that’s flexible, breathable, and less stiff. It works up with a smooth, slightly open texture that drapes nicely—perfect for lightweight tops and comfy summer wear.
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Easy Essential Tee Crochet Pattern
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Materials
Lion Brand Coboo in Pink, Silver, and Denim (2 skeins each for S/M, 3 skeins each for L/XL) – or any DK weight yarn
G/4.0 mm hook
yarn needle
scissors
stitch marker
Level
Easy -you must be very familiar with basic crochet stitches
Pattern notes & stitches to know
ch – chain
foundation sc (video below)
esc – extended single crochet (insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
Approximate Finished Size:
Bust: S (32”) M (35”) L (38”) XL (41”)
Width across the back: S (16”) M (17.5”) L (19”) XL (20.5)
Length: S (21”) M (22.75”) L (24.5”) XL (26.25”)
Armhole: S (6.5”) M (7.25”) L (8”) XL (8.75”)
Gauge: 15 esc x 15 rows = 4” x 4”
Written in US terms
Video Tutorial for the Foundation SC Stitch:
EASY ESSENTIAL TEE CROCHET PATTERN
Pattern written in S, M noted in ( ), L noted in [ ], XL noted in { }
Row 1: ch 2, starting in 2nd ch from the hook, foundation sc 74 (or you can ch 75 (83) [91] {99} and sc in 2nd ch from the hook and across) (74 (82) [90] {98} sc)
This tee is worked in the round without joining. Do not join to the first stitch, but begin round 2 by working into the first stitch. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of round 2. Continue to move the marker to the first stitch of each round as you go.
Round 2: esc in each stitch around (74 (82) [90] {98} esc)
Round 3: esc in 10 (11) [12] {13} stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in 13 (15) [17] {19} stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in 20 (22) [24] {26} stitches, 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in 13 (15) [17] {19} , 2 esc in next, ch 2, 2 esc in next, esc in remaining stitches (82 (90) [98] {106} esc)
Round 4: *esc in each stitch to the ch 2 space, (esc, ch 2, esc) in ch 2 space,* repeat from * to * around, esc in remaining stitches (90 (98) [106] {114} esc)
Repeat round 4 to Round 19 (21) [23] {25} (210 (234) [258] {282} esc)
The sleeves are created in the next round
Round 20 (22) [24] {26}: esc in each stitch to the ch 2 space, esc in ch 2 space, ch 3, esc in next ch 2 space (skipping an entire side, this will be the first sleeve), esc in each stitch to next ch 2 space, ch 3, esc in next ch 2 space (this is the second sleeve), esc in remaining stitches (112 (124) [136] {148} esc)
Round 21 (23) [25] {27}: esc in each stitch and ch around (118 (130) [142] {154} esc)
Round 22 (24) [26] {28}: esc in each stitch around (118 (130) [142] {154} esc)
(look below for color block pattern)
Repeat previous round to Round 84 (90) [96] {102} (118 (130) [142] {154} esc)
sc in 2 stitches, sl st in 2 stitches. Fasten off, weave in the ends. When weaving in the first end, sew the little gap closed to even out the neckline.
Color Block Pattern
S = 28 rounds each color
M = 30 rounds each color
L = 32 rounds each color
XL = 34 rounds each color
And you’re done with the Easy Essential Tee! I hope you love it!
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It would be nice if you have some thought to us plus size gals.
https://shop.alz.org/App_Themes/ALZ_Public_Responsive/docs/SizeChart.pdf
This is a U.S. sizing chart that goes up to XXL. The shirt is really simple so you could just chain to size. Happy crocheting!
A bigger hook works to make it larger as well 😉 Thank you for the awesome pattern!
Hi Breanne
I just wanted to tell you how much I love ALL your crochet patterns. The patterns are accurate and such a pleasure to use. So thank you from South Africa!!
Regards
Martha Bruton
Thank you so much!!
Just a quick question: for a small tee, the yardage is about 1400 yards?
Hi! No, I used about 2 skeins for the first color and about a skein and a third for the second 2 colors. So maybe about 1,100 yds?
Thank you! One more little question: would an acrylic yarn work well with this pattern? I’m wondering about summer comfort and drape? Thanks so much!
I think if it’s a DK weight it will work just fine 🙂
Thank you! Looking forward to making this!
I love this top. Is there anyway to make a small sleeve?
Thanks! Yes, you can join the yarn to the bottom of an armhole and work around it to create a sleeve 🙂
Normally I can follow your patterns but Round 3 for medium was very difficult – especially when you mentioned “ do 90 in the remaining stitches”. Help. This was for me he easy essential tee.
Hi! The pattern says to esc in remaining stitches – the numbers following is the end count for the round. Hope this helps!! 🙂
I’m trying to get started on this but the beginning foundation chain seems so small. It doesn’t even go halfway around my waist. Am I missing something in the pattern?
Hi! The top starts from the neckline down. It will increase in the first rounds.
I figured that out about 2 minutes after I sent the question, but it wouldn’t let me cancel the request. Thank you for answering! I love this top.
Ok 🙂
Hi Breann. My bust is larger than the medium size but otherwise I am a medium. I did the gauge sample and with the g hook I get a larger than 4′ sample. Wondering if I should still use the g hook to make it a little bigger than a medium (but using the medium pattern). Or should I use the e hook and make it a large pattern. This is the first time I have made a wearable so am a novice.
Hi Breann: I worked out my gauge for a g hook and it is too big. But if I want to make the medium tee shirt a little bigger than than measurements should I use the g hook or downsize to the e hook and make a size large?
Hi Breann,
Thank you for sharing this free pattern, I loved it. I have a question on the last paragraph after row 90 for medium size, “sc in 2 stitches, so st in 2 stitches….” where do I do this step? I thought after row 90, fasten off, then done. Or that step is applying to close the gap at row #1?
Thank you,
Tuyet
Hi…if I use fine weight yarn, would it be okay to follow the pattern? How much chains do I have to start with? Is there any multiple of chains that I need to pay attention to?
Thanks
Hi! If you use a fine weight yarn you’ll want to go up at least 2 sizes. After you make your first round I would check to see how it fits round your neck. Hope that helps!
Is there a tutorial up to the sleeves? Maybe I’m missing something but I’m really confused.
Hi Breanne,
Thank for sharing this pattern! I have a question re this part:
“This tee is worked in the round without joining. Do not join to the first stitch, but begin round 2 by working into the first stitch. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of round 2. Continue to move the marker to the first stitch of each round as you go.”
Do you begin round 2 by working a slip stitch into the first stitch?
Thank you!
Wendy
Hi! No, do not sl st to join 🙂 Just keep going around.
Thank you for this cute pattern. I do have a question. For rounds 4+ , do I Esc into the two ESC on either side or CH 2 space?
Hi! Esc in each stitch across to the ch-2 space. Then in the ch-2 space work (esc, ch 2, esc) Hope that helps!