Retro Sport Style: Free Crochet Japan Soccer Jersey Crop Top Pattern

Crochet Pattern: Retro Sport Style: Free Crochet Japan Soccer Jersey Crop Top Pattern

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (Size 4) in Royal Blue, Crimson Red, and Soft White
• 4.0 mm (US G/6) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Optional: Embroidered Japan flag patch, JFA crest patch, and white felt letters for ‘JAPAN’

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• MC – Main Color (Royal Blue)
• CC1 – Contrast Color 1 (Soft White)
• CC2 – Contrast Color 2 (Crimson Red)

Instructions

Note: This pattern is worked top-down using a raglan construction. Colorwork charts or carrying-yarn tapestry crochet methods are used for the decorative geometric bands on the sleeves and lower body.

Step 1: The Ribbed Neckband
Using CC2 (Red), chain 7.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in back loop only (BLO) across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2, switching colors to CC1 (White) for 2 rows, then MC (Blue) for 2 rows, creating a striped band that fits comfortably around your neck (approx. 70-80 rows). Join the ends with sl st to form a collar ring.

Step 2: The Raglan Yoke
Join MC (Blue) to the edge of the collar. You will now work in rounds to build the yoke, placing stitch markers at the 4 raglan corners.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 72 hdc evenly around the collar edge. Place stitch markers to divide the round: 24 sts for Front, 12 sts for Left Sleeve, 24 sts for Back, 12 sts for Right Sleeve.
Round 2: *Hdc in each st to marker, [hdc, ch 1, hdc] in marked st (raglan corner); repeat from * around. Join with sl st.
Repeat Round 2 to expand the yoke. Incorporate the red-and-white geometric Fair Isle pattern on the sleeve sections starting at Round 6, keeping the main front and back panels solid MC (Blue).

Step 3: Separating the Body and Sleeves
Once the yoke reaches your underarms:
Round 1: Work across the Front to the first raglan corner, ch 4 (for underarm space), skip the sleeve stitches, work across the Back to the next corner, ch 4, skip the second sleeve stitches, join with sl st to first st of Front.

Step 4: The Body
Rounds 1-15: Work in continuous rounds of hdc using MC (Blue) until the body is about 2 inches above your desired cropped length.
Rounds 16-24 (Colorwork Band): Join CC1 and CC2. Follow a tapestry grid to crochet the geometric snowflake/chevron pattern across the lower third of the body.
Rounds 25-27 (Ribbed Hem Striping): Work 1 round of hdc in CC1 (White), 1 round in CC2 (Red), and 1 round in MC (Blue).
Round 28 (Scallop/Shell Border): In MC, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sl st in next st; repeat from * around to create the scalloped bottom hem. Fasten off.

Step 5: Sleeves
Reattach MC yarn at the underarm of one sleeve opening.
Round 1: Work hdc evenly around the sleeve opening, including the underarm chains.
Rounds 2-6: Complete the geometric colorwork motif using CC1 and CC2.
Rounds 7-9: Work 1 round of CC1 (White), 1 round of CC2 (Red), and 1 round of MC (Blue) in hdc.
Fasten off and repeat for the second sleeve.

Step 6: Adding the Decorative Patches
Using a tapestry needle and embroidery thread, securely sew on your Japan flag patch, JFA crest, and the “JAPAN” text onto the front left chest of the cropped sweater. Weave in all loose yarn ends.