Free Crochet Côte d’Ivoire Elephant Crop Top Pattern

Crochet Pattern: Free Crochet Côte d’Ivoire Elephant Crop Top Pattern

Materials

• Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn in Orange, White, and Green
• Small amount of Black and Cream yarn for the applique
• 4.0 mm (US G/6) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO – back loop only
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• dec – decrease

Instructions

Step 1: Ribbed Bottom Band

Using Orange yarn, ch 13.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (12 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st across. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the band is long enough to fit snugly around your lower ribcage (approx. 70-80 rows for size S/M). Join the ends with sl st to form a ring, or keep flat if you prefer to sew the side seams later. Fasten off.

Step 2: Front Panel

Join yarn to the top edge of the ribbed band. We will divide the stitches into three equal sections: Orange (left), White (middle), and Green (right).

Row 1: Ch 2 (does not count as st), work dc evenly across the top edge of the ribbed band, changing colors to create the vertical tri-color stripes. Turn.

Rows 2-12: Repeat Row 1, keeping the vertical color transitions straight. Carry the unused yarn or use separate bobbins for each color.

Row 13 (Neckline shaping): Work the Orange section in dc, work the first 4 sts of the White section, ch 1, turn. Leave the remaining center White stitches unworked to create the square neck opening. Continue working the left side (shoulder strap) up for 6 more rows. Fasten off. Repeat the process for the right side (Green section + remaining White stitches) to create the opposite shoulder strap.

Step 3: Back Panel

Repeat the steps for the Front Panel, but omit the deep neckline shaping. Work the tri-color pattern straight up until it matches the height of the front panel shoulders, leaving a shallow square neck if desired.

Step 4: Assembly & Sleeves

Sew the front and back panels together at the shoulder seams and side seams using a yarn needle.

For the Cap Sleeves: Join Green yarn to the armhole. Work dc around the armhole opening for 3 rounds, changing colors to match the vertical stripe theme of the body. Fasten off.

Step 5: Neckline Border

Join Orange yarn to any stitch on the neckline. Work 1 round of sc around the entire square neckline. Change to Green yarn and work 1 more round of sc. Sl st to first st, fasten off and weave in ends.

Step 6: Elephant Applique

Using Orange yarn, crochet a flat oval for the head and a tapered strip for the trunk. Crochet two large C-shaped pieces for the ears using Orange and Cream yarn. Assemble the pieces using a yarn needle.

Using Black yarn, work surface slip stitches around the edges of the elephant to create a bold, clean outline. Embroider cream-colored tusks and black eye details. Sew the completed elephant applique securely to the center white panel of the crop top.

Step 7: Tassels

Create four small tassels using a combination of Orange, White, and Green yarn. Securely attach one tassel to each of the bottom corners of the ribbed band.