If you love playful colors and bold textures, the Tutti Frutti Top is your next obsession. 🍓🍍🫐 This pattern is a throwback to retro fashion with a modern twist—think puff sleeves, square neckline, and juicy shell stitch texture. Made in three vibrant shades of cotton yarn, it’s a summer statement piece that’s lightweight, breathable, and joyfully bold.

This design came together after a deep dive into vintage fashion and color theory rabbit holes. I kept coming back to the idea of candy-colored scales—playful, a little chaotic, and perfectly summery. The stitch texture gives it a slight structure, while the construction keeps it comfy and easy to wear.

You’ll work the body flat and seam it into a tube before adding the sleeves and finishing with the cuffs and neckline. The shell stitch is meditative once you find your rhythm, and the color changes keep things fresh.

YouTube Tutorial

🧶 The full step-by-step video tutorial for size Small is now live on my YouTube channel—perfect if you’re a visual learner or just want to crochet along with me.

Written Pattern

📄 The written PDF pattern includes sizes XS to 2XL and is available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops, with detailed instructions, stitch counts, and tips to help you get the perfect fit.

Difficulty

Intermediate.

Materials

yarn

A: Drops Loves You 7, classic 8/4 cotton, yarn group A (sport weight), color 16 (red); 85 (100, 120, 150, 165, 200) g / 289 (340, 408, 510, 578, 680) m

B: Drops Loves You 7, classic 8/4 cotton, yarn group A (sport weight), color 18 (turquoise); 85 (100, 115, 150, 165, 200) g / 289 (340, 391, 510, 561, 680) m

C: Drops Loves You 7, classic 8/4 cotton, yarn group A (sport weight), color 33 (goldenrod); 80 (100, 115, 150, 165, 20) g / 272 (340, 391, 510, 561, 680) m

other

• 3 and 4  mm hook
• Yarn Needle, Scissors, Measuring Tape, Stitch Markers

Gauge

18 sts (3 shells + 3 sc) x 10 rows = 10 x 10 cm (in shell stitch)

Finished Measurements (in cm)

XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL

Bust (circumference): 59, 64, 72, 79, 87, 94

Length: 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, 59

Upper Arm: 53, 57, 60, 63, 67, 70

Cuff Circumference: 25, 26, 39, 42, 44, 46

Specialty Stitch & Technique Key

Shell Stitch

The multiple for this stitch is 6 plus 2. (i.e. 12,18,24,30,36, Plus 2. So 30 + 2 = 32 chains to start.)

Foundation row. Ch 32.

Row 1: Ch 32. Work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from, 1 sc in each st across. (31)

Note: This first row of sc is optional, however I feel like it makes the work so much neater.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work 1 sc in the 1st st, *sk 2, 5 dc in the next st, sk 2, sc in the next st* repeat from * to * across. (5 shell sts)

Row 3: Ch 2 (doesn’t count as a st), turn. Work 3 dc in the 1st st, *sk 2, 1 sc in next st, sk 2, 5 dc in next st* repeat from * to * across. (4 full shell sts and 2 half shells)

Repeat rows 2 and 3.

Stitch Key (US terminology)

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• RS = right side
• sc = single crochet
• sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together
• sk = skip
• slst = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• WS = wrong side

Notes

• You will begin by crocheting the body (worked flat), then sewing the ends together to form the top’s base. Next, you will add the sleeves directly onto the body and finish them with cuffs. Finally, you’ll finish the neckline.
• Ch 2 doesn’t count as a stitch. 
• Work with a 4 mm hook unless it says otherwise.
• Watch my YouTube video tutorial for any uncertainties.

Can’t wait to see your tutti frutti makes—tag me so i can share!

Karmen 💛