Cottage Post-Rib Pocket Tee Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This cropped tee is the perfect little project for an advanced beginner who wants to try textured stitches without a complicated shape. The whole body is worked in post-stitch ribbing, which gives it a soft, vertical ribbed look and a lovely drape in bamboo cotton. It is boxy and relaxed with a wide round neck and short sleeves, so it slips on easily and feels light against the skin. A single plum patch pocket adds a sweet cottagecore touch, and it makes a wonderful early Christmas gift for someone you love.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4) bamboo cotton, 500-600 yards total. About 400-500 yards mauve (MC) and 100 yards plum (CC).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, and rust-proof pins for seaming and blocking.
• Finished size: Chest circumference 40 inches, length 18 inches, sleeve length 4 inches, neck width 10 inches.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• fpdc – front post double crochet (work the double crochet around the post of the stitch in front, from the front side)
• bpdc – back post double crochet (work the double crochet around the post of the stitch behind, from the back side)
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rep – repeat

Gauge

16 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in post-stitch ribbing pattern. Work a small swatch in the ribbing pattern and measure it flat without stretching; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Post stitches pull the fabric in slightly, so always measure your gauge in the ribbing pattern itself rather than in plain double crochet.
• Keep your turning chains loose so the side edges stay soft and easy to seam.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row; the front-post and back-post stitches alternate, and a missed post will throw off the whole ribbing line.
• Work the pocket in a slightly tighter tension than the body so it sits flat and does not curl at the corners.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back and Front (make 2, worked alike)

Row 1: With MC, ch 80. Dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across (78 dc). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st; rep from * across, ending with bpdc. Turn (78 sts).

Row 3: Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st; rep from * across, ending with fpdc. Turn (78 sts).

Rows 4-30: Rep Rows 2-3, maintaining pattern (78 sts). Fasten off.

Sleeves (make 2)

Row 1: With MC, ch 40. Dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across (38 dc). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st; rep from * across, ending with bpdc. Turn (38 sts).

Row 3: Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st; rep from * across, ending with fpdc. Turn (38 sts).

Rows 4-8: Rep Rows 2-3, maintaining pattern (38 sts). Fasten off.

Pocket

Row 1: With CC, ch 13. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (12 sc). Turn.

Rows 2-12: Ch 1, sc in each st across (12 sc). Turn. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Place the front and back panels together with right sides facing. Sew the shoulders together, leaving the center 30 stitches open for the neck. Sew the sleeves into the armholes. Sew the side seams and the sleeve seams.

Neck Edging

Rnd 1: With MC, join yarn at the back neck. Ch 1, sc evenly around the neck opening, join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st. Fasten off.

Sleeve Edging

Rnd 1: With MC, join yarn at the underarm. Ch 1, sc evenly around the sleeve opening, join with sl st. Fasten off. Rep for the other sleeve.

Pocket Placement

Pin the pocket to the left chest, 2 inches below the neckline and 2 inches from the center. Sew in place using the CC tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew all seams with a simple whipstitch or mattress stitch, working from the wrong side so the seams stay neat and flat. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading through a few stitches before trimming. Block the finished tee by misting it lightly and pinning it to the finished measurements (40-inch chest, 18-inch length); let it dry completely flat before wearing or gifting.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the plum pocket for a contrasting stripe of CC across the lower body for a bolder look.
• Add a few extra rows to the body for a longer tunic version, or shorten the sleeves for a cap-sleeve tee.
• Try a cotton-linen blend for a crisper, more structured ribbing that holds its shape beautifully.