Mauve Cloud Yoke Toddler Tee Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This sweet little tee is made for toddlers who deserve something soft, kawaii, and easy to wear. It pairs a simple boxy plum body with a wide mauve scalloped yoke that looks just like a fluffy cloud floating across the shoulders. The half double crochet body works up quickly and feels smooth and breathable in cotton, while the shell-stitch yoke adds a playful, airy texture. It is a wonderful first garment project for beginners, since every piece is a straight rectangle with no shaping.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Sport weight (2) yarn, 100% cotton, 200 yds (183 m) per 50 g skein.
  • Color A (Plum): 2 skeins (approx. 300 yds)
  • Color B (Mauve): 1 skein (approx. 150 yds)
• Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape
• Finished size: Chest circumference 22 inches (56 cm); length from shoulder to hem 14 inches (35.5 cm); yoke depth 4 inches (10 cm)

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc — half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sk — skip: leave the next stitch unworked.
• sp — space: the gap made by a chain (for example, a ch-3 sp).
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• rep — repeat

Gauge

20 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in half double crochet after blocking. Work a small swatch in hdc, block it, and measure a 4-inch section to confirm your stitch count before starting.

Tips Before You Start

• Make both body rectangles first and lay them side by side to check they match in width and length before seaming.
• Count your ch-3 spaces on the yoke Row 2 — you should always have 11 before moving on to the shells.
• Cotton has little stretch, so keep your hdc tension relaxed and even rather than tight.
• Use stitch markers at the 5-inch armhole point and the 4-inch neck opening so your seams stay symmetrical.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (make 2, Color A)

Row 1: Ch 56, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across (54 hdc).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across (54 hdc).

Rows 3-40: Repeat Row 2 (54 hdc).

Fasten off. Make a second identical piece.

Yoke (Color B)

Row 1: Ch 56, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (55 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 2 sc, *ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * to last 3 sc, ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in last sc (11 ch-3 sps).

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *5 dc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc; rep from * across (11 shells).

Fasten off.

Edging (Color A)

With Color A, sc evenly around the neck opening and around each armhole. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Place the front and back body rectangles with right sides together. Sew the side seams from the bottom up to 5 inches from the top, leaving the armholes open. Sew the shoulder seams, leaving a 4-inch opening at the center for the neck. Sew the yoke to the top edge of the body, aligning the scallops with the armholes and neck opening. Work the edging as described above, then weave in all ends. Block gently to the finished measurements and let dry flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the plum and mauve for any two contrasting colors to make the cloud yoke pop.
• Add a second yoke row of shells for a deeper, fluffier cloud effect on larger sizes.
• Work the body in stripes of both colors for a playful, scrappy look.