Kid’s Basic Tee Crochet Pattern
Looking for an easy crochet shirt pattern for kids? The Kid’s Basic Tee is a simple, beginner-friendly crochet top made with classic double crochet stitches and easy construction. Designed as the kid-sized version of the popular adult Basic Tee, this pattern is written in sizes 2 through 12 so you can make comfortable handmade tees for little ones of all ages.
Get the adult version of this crochet pattern HERE
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF for easy printing.
About the Pattern
This easy crochet tee is designed with comfort and simplicity in mind. The top-down construction means you can easily check the fit as you go, and there’s no sewing required.
The Kid’s Basic Tee is great for:
- Everyday handmade wardrobes
- Matching mommy-and-me crochet outfits
- Beginner garment makers
- Stash-busting projects
- Custom color combinations
Pattern Details
- Sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12
- Skill Level: Easy
- Construction: Top-down circular yoke
- Stitch Pattern: Double crochet
- Yarn Weight: Worsted weight yarn
- Crochet Hook: H/5.0 mm
- Fit: Relaxed and comfortable
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
One of the best things about this crochet tee pattern is how customizable it is. Since it’s worked from the top down, you can easily adjust the body length or sleeve length to create a cropped tee, tunic, or even a lightweight sweater.
The simple double crochet fabric works up quickly, making this a great last-minute handmade gift for birthdays, holidays, or back-to-school season.
Yarn Suggestions
This pattern works beautifully with a variety of worsted weight yarns. Depending on the look you want, you can use:
- Cotton yarn for a breathable summer tee
- Acrylic yarn for an everyday washable top
- Cotton blends for softness and drape
Some great yarn options include:
- Caron Cotton Cakes
- Lion Brand Heartland
- WeCrochet Brava Worsted
- Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn
Ready to Crochet?
Grab your favorite worsted weight yarn and crochet hook, and make a simple handmade tee your little one will love wearing all year long!
Making the Kid’s Basic Tee Crochet Pattern
Get the full free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF
Materials
Worsted weight yarn- approx 200g for 2, 4, 6, & 8; 300g for 10 &12
H/5.0 mm hook
yarn needle
scissors
Level
easy
Pattern notes
Stitches & Abbreviations – US terms
ch – chain
foundation sc (video tutorial HERE)
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
· ch 1 does not count as sc
· ch 2 does not count as dc
· The pattern is worked from the top down (raglan style) in turned rounds.
Gauge: 14 dc x 8 rows = 4” x 4”
Sizes:
Kids 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 – The pattern is written in these sizes consecutively. Example, when the pattern gives the end of the row count as (56, 56, 64, 64, 72, 72 sc), the first 56 is for size 2, the next 56 is 4, the first 64 is 6, the next 64 is 8, the first 72 is 10, the next 72 is 12.
This tee is a classic fit with some positive ease.
Approximate Finished Size:
Chest: 2 (21” ) 4 (22”) 6 (25”) 8 (27”) 10 (31”) 12 (32”)
Width across the back: 2 (10.5”) 4 (11”) 6 (12.5”) 8 (13.5”) 10 (15.5”) 12 (16”)
Length: 2 (13”) 4 (14”) 6 (15”) 8 (16”) 10 (17”) 12 (18”)
Armhole Depth: 2 (4.5”) 4 (5.5”) 6 (5.5”) 8 (6.5”) 10 (6.5”) 12 (7.5”)
Size 8 pictured.
Watch the Tutorial
See how it’s done! This easy-to-follow video tutorial will walk you through each step of the pattern.
Pattern Support
Looking for pattern support or want to share your progress? Join our Crochet Community Facebook Group! It’s the perfect place to ask questions, get help, and connect with fellow makers.
CROCHET PATTERN WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1: ch 2, starting in 2nd ch from the hook, foundation sc 56, 56, 64, 64, 72, 72, join to first sc with sl st (56, 56, 64, 64, 72, 72 sc)
The remainder of the tee is worked in turned rounds.
Round 2: ch 1, turn sc in each stitch around, join to first sc with sl st (56, 56, 64, 64, 72, 72 sc)
Round 3: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st (56, 56, 64, 64, 72, 72 dc)
Round 4: ch 2, turn, *dc in 7 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (63, 63, 72, 72, 81, 81 dc)
Round 5: ch 2, turn, *dc in 8 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (70, 70, 80, 80, 90, 90 dc)
Round 6: ch 2, turn, *dc in 9 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (77, 77, 88, 88, 99, 99 dc)
Round 7: ch 2, turn, *dc in 10 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (84, 84, 96, 96, 108, 108 dc)
Round 8: ch 2, turn, *dc in 11 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (91, 91, 104, 104, 117, 117 dc)
Round 9: ch 2, turn, *dc in 12 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (98, 98, 112, 112, 126, 126 dc)
Round 10: ch 2, turn, *dc in 13 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (105, 105, 120, 120, 135, 135 dc)
Round 11: ch 2, turn, *dc in 14 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (112, 112, 128, 128, 144, 144 dc)
Round 12: ch 2, turn, *dc in 15 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (119, 119, 136, 136, 153, 153 dc)
Round 13: ch 2, turn, *dc in 16 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (126, 126, 144, 144, 162, 162 dc)
Size 2, skip down to SLEEVES
Round 14: ch 2, turn, *dc in 17 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (Starting with size 4: 133, 152, 152, 171, 171 dc)
Sizes 4 & 6, skip down to SLEEVES
Round 15: ch 2, turn, *dc in 18 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (Starting with size 8: 160, 180, 180 dc)
Sizes 8 & 10, skip down to SLEEVES
Round 16: ch 2, turn, *dc in 19 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (Size 12: 189 dc)
SLEEVES
Continue next round for all sizes.
Round 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17: ch 2, turn, dc in 18, 19, 23, 25, 27, 29 stitches, skip 26, 28, 29, 30, 35, 37 stitches (this is the first sleeve), dc in 37, 39, 47, 50, 55, 57 stitches, skip 26, 28, 29, 30, 35, 37 stitches (this is the second sleeve), dc in remaining stitches, join to first dc with sl st (74, 77, 94, 100, 110, 115 dc)
BODY
Continue working in rounds down the body portion of the tee.
Round 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 18: ch 2, turn, dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st (74, 77, 94, 100, 110, 115 dc)
Repeat previous round to Round 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 – or until desired length
Fasten off. Weave in the ends.
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I would love to try this. I see that worsted weight yarn is recommended but I’d also like to know what type of yarn.
Thank you,
Linda W
Hi! I used wool. But acrylic or cotton would work just fine, too 🙂
I’m a beginner is there a tutorial on the sleeve part
Hi! No, there isn’t a video for this pattern. What’s your question? 🙂
You could look up a tutorial on crocheting raglan sleeves on YouTube.
I can’t understand the sleeve part do you have a video to show more I’m new to crochet having a hard time to understand written patterns
I’m having the same problem with the sleeves! Could I get some help?
Sure! What problem are you having?
I have the same problem. The directions make no sense.
Round 14, 15, 15, 16, 16, 17: ch 2, turn, dc in 18, 19, 23, 25, 27, 29 stitches, skip 26, 28, 29, 30, 35, 37 stitches (this is the first sleeve), dc in 37, 39, 47, 50, 55, 57 stitches, skip 26, 28, 29, 30, 35, 37 stitches (this is the second sleeve), dc in remaining stitches, join to first dc with sl st (74, 77, 94, 100, 110, 115 dc)
I don’t understand how this works, It doesn’t seem to work. How do you skip stitches without leaving a large hole? It seems like some information is missing. Please help. I’m making this sweater for my granddaughter for Christmas.
Hi! You want to skip stitches and make a big hole, that’s the sleeve 🙂 So for a size 12 you will dc in 29 stitches, then skip 27, dc in 57 stitches, then skip 37, then dc in the remaining. Your circle will now be folded in half with two armholes.
It is beautiful and I like the colours Ana I want to try doing it in the future..thank for your beautiful work and your efforts..
I do not want to use the foundation chains–how many chains would I make for the size 12-thanks so much
Hi! ch 73 and start in the 2nd ch from the hook 🙂
Breann, thank you so much
Thank you so much
I am not understanding how to create the sleeves. Do I single crochet to 18? Or do I skip all up to 18? Why does it say to skip some and then to double crochet on the same number?
Hi! What size are you making? For example, if you’re making the smallest size, you would double crochet in 18 stitches. Then skip 26 stitches (this is going to create the first sleeve). Then double crochet in the next 37 stitches. Skip 26 stitches (this is the second sleeve. Double crochet in the remaining stitches.
Hope this helps!
Your basic tee pattern is good . I am making size 4 . Can you please explain Round 13 and 14 .
Hi! For size 4 in round 14 you will do this round: Round 14: ch 2, turn, *dc in 17 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st and end up with 133 stitches. Then skip down to the sleeves portion for the next round 🙂
What to do in round 13 for size 4
What to do in round 13 for size 4
Sorry for troubling you . I didn’t understand where you hv written Round 14 ,15,15,16 16,17 . Please explain . Thank you
Each one is for a different size. So if you are making a size 4 you will be looking at the second number in the row. After round 14, skip to the section that says SLEEVES. Then look at the second number (which is row 15 for a size 4). You will make the sleeves in round 15. Dc in 19 stitches, skip 28 stitches (this is the first sleeve), dc in next next 39 stitches, skip 28 stitches (this is the second sleeve), dc in the remaining stitches around. Now it will be folded and have 2 sleeves. It will begin to look like a top 🙂
Thank you so much for the wonderful pattern.
I’m crocheting one for one of my granddaughters, hope to make one for each of them.
I’m also having problems with the sleeve part of the pattern.
How does one skip stitches in this pattern?
Do I slip stitch across all the stitches I need to skip or do I chain the amount of stitches I need to skip for the size top I’m making?
I’ve googled skipping stitches in crocheting and they all show making a chain for the same amount of stitches skipped.
Thank you for your help
Hi! Just skip the stitches and crochet in the next. Do not chain. It will make a hole and this will be your sleeve 🙂
Hi Breann
I understand the holes for the sleeves, when you skip soooo many stitches, do you fasten off & then rejoin?
Thanks
Shirley
Hi! No 🙂 Just skip the number of stitches and keep going in the next
yall really dont see the photo, and how the sleeves are. it makes me laugh reading some of these comments.
How many grams of acrylic did use in making the tee.? I would love to try making this one
approx 200g for 2, 4, 6, & 8; 300g for 10 &12
Does the seam end up in the back? Like where you slip stitch in each row?
Hi! Yes, the seam is on the back
I am making a size 4 and im stuck on row 16 and don’t know what to do to finish the shirt. Pattern confusing.
Hi! Are you on round 15 where the sleeves starts?
You will dc in 19 stitches, skip 28 (this will make a fold in the fabric and it will be a sleeve). Then dc in 39 stitches, skip 28 (this is the second sleeve). Then dc in the remaining stitches