Quick overview

What you’ll make: a feminine crop blouse made of identical lacy square motifs joined into a front and back panel (plus small shoulder/sleeve motifs).
Skill: beginner → intermediate (motifs + joining).
Sample sizing (finished bust): S (34"), M (36–38"), L (40"), XL (42–44"). I provide motif counts for each. Adjust by using different yarn/hook or adding/removing motifs.

Materials

Yarn: DK/light worsted or sport (cotton or cotton blend for summer wear). Example: 150–300 g depending on size.
Hook: 3.0–4.0 mm (match to yarn and desired drape) — sample uses 3.5 mm DK.
Tapestry needle, scissors, blocking pins.
Stitch markers (optional).
Optional: small buttons, beads, or ribbon for decoration.

Gauge: make one blocked motif to measure motif size — the pattern uses motif counts rather than strict gauge so you can scale.

Abbreviations (US)

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
sp = space
st = stitch
rep = repeat
Rnd = round

Motif — lacy square (one motif)

This lacy square motif is a 9-round pineapple/fan-style square that tiles neatly. Make a test motif and block it; measure width (W) — we’ll use that to plan size.

Finished motif (sample)

With DK + 3.5 mm hook → ≈ 10–12 cm (4–4.7") square blocked. If your motif differs, use your measurement to calculate motif counts.

Motif pattern (US terms)

Rnd 1 — center ring

Magic ring. ch 3 (counts as dc), work 11 dc into ring. (12 dc total). Join with sl st to top of ch-3.

Rnd 2 — picot anchors (or sc anchors)

ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 3 — repeat around (12 sc + 12 ch-3 loops). Join.

Rnd 3 — small petals

Sl st into first ch-3 loop. In each loop work: (sc, ch1, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, ch1, sc). Repeat into all loops (12 petals). Join.

Rnd 4 — arch connectors

ch 1, sc in outer sc of petal, ch 4 — repeat around (12 ch-4 arches). Join.

Rnd 5 — larger petals

Into each ch-4 arch work: (sc, ch1, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, ch1, sc). Between larger petals make a small ch-3 connector where needed to balance spacing. Join.

Rnd 6 — tall loops

ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 7, sc in next sc — repeat (12 ch-7 loops). Join.

Rnd 7 — top fans

In each ch-7 loop work: (sc, ch2, 3 dc, ch2, sc). Join.

Rnd 8 — squareing round

ch 3 (counts dc), 3 dc in next space, 3 dc in next space, in the 3rd space of each trio work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) to make a corner — repeat to make 4 sides (group every 3 petal tops). Join.

Rnd 9 — tidy sc round

ch 1, sc evenly around; place 3 sc in each corner ch-3. Join and fasten off. Block to square.

(Optional Rnd 10: scallop shell round — skip or add a shell round if you want decorative edge.)

Motif layout & how many motifs you need

Decide your desired finished bust measurement (F). Decide how much of the bust will be covered by motifs (crop blouses are shorter; use waist-high or just below bust). Crop style: make a front panel and back panel each composed of a grid of motifs.

Common motif layouts (blocked motif ≈ 10 cm)

S (34"): chest ≈ 86 cm → front half ≈ 43 cm. Motif width 10 cm → front ≈ 4–5 motifs across. Typical layout: 4 motifs across × 3 rows for front (4×3 = 12), same for back = 24 motifs total + 2–4 extra small motifs for shoulders/sleeves = ~26 motifs.
M (36–38"): chest ≈ 92–96 cm → front half ≈ 46–48 cm → 5 motifs across × 3 rows (front 15 motifs, back 15 = 30 motifs) total ~32–34 motifs with extras.
L (40"): chest ≈ 102 cm → front half ≈ 51 cm → 5 motifs × 4 rows (front 20, back 20 = 40 motifs) total ~42–44 motifs incl extras.
XL (42–44"): scale up more motifs across or add a row.

Use your measured motif width to compute exactly:

motifs_across = round(half_chest_cm / motif_width_cm)
motifs_down = decide crop height in motifs (usually 2–4 rows depending on how cropped you want).
Multiply for front and back, add a few motifs for shoulder/sleeve details.

Making the panels

Make the required number of motifs and lightly block them to the same size.
Arrange motifs flat into two identical panels (front and back). For symmetrical patterns keep centers matching.
Join motifs using either join-as-you-go (JAYG) or seam after blocking.

Join option A — Join-As-You-Go (recommended)

On the final round (Rnd 9 tidy sc round) of a motif you can attach it to adjacent completed motifs: when you reach a sc that should line up with the neighbor, replace that sc with: sc in your motif, ch1, sl st into corresponding sc of neighbor, ch1 — continue. This creates a neat lacy seam. For corners touching two neighbors sl st into both neighbors corner spaces symmetrically. Work one side at a time and pin motifs to align.

Join option B — Sew after blocking

Block all motifs. Lay them RS up, align edges, and mattress stitch through back loops only for flatter seams. Whipstitch is fine too but a bit bulkier.

Shoulder & neck shaping

Decide how wide the neck opening will be. Typical neck opening: 18–22 cm. Which corresponds to leaving 1 – 1½ motif column(s) unseamed at top center or partially unsewn to create the scoop.
For small neck opening: when joining top row do not join the center two motifs fully — leave enough space to create neck. For larger necks, leave more motifs unjoined or remove a full motif column.

Practical approach:

Join motifs across the top row but leave center column(s) unjoined for the neck gap. After joining shoulders, add a single crochet neckline band to tidy.

Sleeves / straps

Crop blouse in video often has short cap sleeves or just motif extension.

Options:

Cap sleeve: attach 1–2 motifs on each shoulder edge and seam the outer half to create small cap sleeves.
Strap / tie: make a long chain strap or crocheted band and sew to shoulder corners.
Short sleeve panel: add one row of motifs around the armhole and seam.

Edging, bands & finishing

Neckline band: pick up stitches around neck opening and work 1–2 rounds sc then 1 round shell: skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2, sc in next sc — fasten off and weave ends.
Armhole edging: sc around each armhole or add small shells for a feminine finish.
Bottom hem (crop bottom): if motifs’ bottom edge is raw, sc around bottom or add 1 shell round to make neat edge.

Optional decorative: add small tassels at bottom corners or a narrow lace tie across front.

Weaving in, blocking & care

Weave in ends on WS neatly.
Block the assembled blouse again to flatten joins and shape neckline/sleeves.
Care: follow yarn label; cotton usually hand wash or gentle machine; reshape while damp and dry flat.

Yarn & amount estimate (approx)

If motif ≈ 10 cm and you need ~30 motifs: estimate per motif ~8–12 g (DK). 30 motifs × 10 g ≈ 300 g + 50 g for trim = ~350 g. Smaller/larger motifs change totals. Always make one motif, weigh it and multiply for accurate estimate.

Troubleshooting & tips

If motifs don’t align exactly: block them all and, if needed, add or subtract an extra outer sc round to small motifs to match size.
Neck too narrow/wide: unseam shoulders and adjust number of motifs left open.
Seams bulky: sew through back loops only or use JAYG for flat joins.
Want more coverage: add another motif row at the bottom or increase motifs across.

Quick cheat-sheet — the practical workflow

Make 1 motif, block, measure motif size.
Calculate motifs across/rows for front & back using your body measurements.
Crochet all motifs (plus a couple extras).
Block all motifs.
Join motifs into front/back panels (JAYG or sew). Leave neck gap.
Join front & back at shoulders (seam or JAYG).
Add small shoulder motifs or straps; seam sides.
Work neckline & armhole edging.
Block again; weave ends; add optional decoration.

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