Oh, this top is pure poetry. A fitted ribbed bodice meets the most romantic three-dimensional florals, cascading down over a single shoulder strap. The construction is clever in the loveliest way: first the scalloped hem, then the bodice rising upward in the round, and finally each rose, leaf, and blossom made separately before being gathered into that breathtaking botanical arrangement.
Yes, this one sits at advanced intermediate to advanced — but do not let that flutter your heart. If you have crocheted a few garments and played with floral motifs before, you already hold every skill this beauty asks of you.
And that dreamy horizontal ribbing? It comes from one simple, lovely trick: working single crochet through the back loop only. Those soft ridges give the bodice its structure and quiet elegance, no complicated stitch patterns required.
About This Navy Blue Crochet Top Pattern
This fitted little top is deliciously asymmetrical — sophisticated, eye-catching, and utterly feminine. The bodice skims the body with a gentle stretch from that back-loop technique, while a scallop shell border finishes the hem like lace on a love letter.
But the florals — oh, the florals are the true showstopper. Three rolled roses in graduated sizes anchor everything, with dainty daisy-style accents, elongated leaves, trailing vines, and the tiniest scattered beads filling out the arrangement. Each piece is crocheted on its own, then sewn onto the strap and bodice like a garden coming to life.
Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate to Advanced
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 to 30 hours total for a size Small/Medium. The bodice takes roughly 10 to 14 hours. Each large rose takes 45 to 60 minutes. Assembly and finishing take 2 to 4 hours.
Finished Measurements (Size Small):
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Chest circumference: 30 inches / 76 cm unstretched (fits 32 to 34 inch bust comfortably)
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Bodice height: 10 inches / 25.5 cm
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Strap length: approximately 12 inches / 30.5 cm
Materials Needed for Your Crochet Top
Yarn: DK weight (CYCA #3 Light) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in navy blue. You will need approximately 600 to 700 yards / 550 to 640 meters total.
Cotton is my heartfelt recommendation for this one — it gives the drape, the structure, and the crisp stitch definition this design needs to truly shine.
Yarn Suggestions
A few yarns that are simply made for this design:
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Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Navy (4 skeins)
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Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Royal Blue or Midnight Blue (5 to 6 skeins)
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Hobbii Twister Cotton in Navy (4 skeins)
Hooks:
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US size E-4 / 3.5 mm crochet hook (for bodice and leaves)
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US size D-3 / 3.25 mm crochet hook (for roses and small flowers)
Additional Materials:
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Stitch markers (at least 6)
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Yarn needle
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Small rhinestones or seed beads, approximately 20 to 30 pieces
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Beading needle and matching thread
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Scissors
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Measuring tape
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Blocking board and T-pins
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Spray bottle with water
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Optional: 1/4 inch wide elastic for hem stability
Gauge
Bodice gauge (E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, single crochet through back loop only):
18 stitches = 4 inches / 10 cm
20 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
Please, swatch first, lovely. On a fitted piece like this, a single stitch per 4 inches can change everything. Work your swatch in the round rather than flat, and measure it after washing and drying.
For the little applique pieces, gauge matters less — just keep your stitches snug so no gaps peek through.
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
blo = back loop only. Look at the top of your stitch and you will see two little loops — the back one is the one farthest from you. Slip your hook under just that loop.
ch = chain. Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
dc = double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain), yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops.
MC = magic circle, also called a magic ring. Make an adjustable loop, work your stitches into its center, then tug the tail to close the little hole.
sc = single crochet. Insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops.
sc2tog = single crochet two together (a decrease). Insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook in following stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all 3 loops.
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion.
st(s) = stitch(es)
Special Stitches Explained
Scallop Shell Stitch: Five double crochets nestled into one stitch, opening into a rounded fan for the hem border.
Back Loop Only Single Crochet (BLO sc): The secret behind the bodice’s lovely horizontal ribbing — working only the back loop leaves the front loop free, forming soft visible ridges.
Surface Slip Stitch: Our vine-maker. Hold the yarn behind your work, slip the hook through the fabric from front to back, catch the yarn, and draw it through to the front.
Pattern Notes
A few gentle reminders before you begin:
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The bodice is worked in the round, joining each round with a slip stitch. Chain 1 at the beginning of each round does NOT count as a stitch.
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The scallop border is worked first, then the bodice builds upward from it. This ensures the lower edge lies flat and curls outward attractively.
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When working through the back loop only, do not accidentally catch the front loop. This will disrupt your texture.
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All floral pieces are made separately and pinned in place before sewing. Use the project photos as your placement guide during assembly.
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Bead embellishments are added last, sewn individually by hand.
Section 1: Scallop Hem Border
We start with the border — the decorative lower edge of the bodice — worked as a flat strip, then joined into a ring.
With E-4 / 3.5 mm hook, chain 128.
Border Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (127 sc)
Border Row 2 (scallop row, RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, (skip next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 21 times. Do not turn. (21 shells; 127 stitches consumed)
With right sides facing, fold the strip into a ring. Align the last stitch of Border Row 2 with the first stitch. Slip stitch through both stitches to join into a round.
Checkpoint: Your border should form a scalloped ruffle ring approximately 28 to 29 inches in circumference. Each scallop shell should fan out cleanly.
Section 2: Bodice
From the top edge of the scallop border, we rise upward in continuous rounds of single crochet through the back loop only (sc blo) — this is where that soft horizontal ribbing is born.
Setup Round: Turn the border so the foundation chain edge faces upward. Join yarn with a sl st into the first remaining loop of the foundation chain at the join point. Ch 1. Work 1 sc into each remaining foundation chain loop around the top edge. Sl st to first sc to join. (127 sc)
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch and move it up each round.
Rnds 1-10: Ch 1, sc blo in each st around, sl st to first st to join. (127 sc)
Checkpoint: Your work should measure approximately 2 inches above the scallop border. The texture should show clean horizontal ridges.
Rnds 11-35: Continue working each round exactly as Rounds 1-10. Ch 1, sc blo in each st around, sl st to first st to join. (127 sc each round)
Checkpoint: Your bodice should measure approximately 7 inches above the scallop border.
Rnds 36-37: Ch 1, sc blo in each st around, sl st to first st to join. (127 sc)
Round 37 is your final round of the bodice tube. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Section 3: Upper Edge Finishing
One round of regular single crochet (through both loops) finishes the upper edge into a stable, tidy line.
Join yarn with sl st to any stitch at the top edge.
Upper Edge Round: Ch 1, sc in each st around through both loops, sl st to first sc to join. (127 sc)
Fasten off and weave in end.
Checkpoint: Your total bodice should measure approximately 8 to 9 inches from the top of the scallop to the upper edge.
Section 4: Shoulder Strap
The strap is worked flat in simple rows of single crochet, beginning at the upper left edge of the bodice.
With the bodice laying flat and right side out, identify the left upper front edge. Count 10 stitches in from the left side seam. The strap begins here.
Strap Row 1 (RS): Join yarn with sl st to the first of these 10 stitches. Ch 1, sc in each of the next 10 sts. Turn. (10 sc)
Strap Rows 2-54 (or until desired length): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (10 sc)
Continue until the strap measures 12 inches from where it separates from the bodice, or until it reaches comfortably over your shoulder to the upper back edge. Try on the bodice to check length before fastening off.
Strap Attachment: Pin the strap end to the upper back edge, approximately 10 stitches in from the left side seam at the back. Sew securely using whip stitch or mattress stitch. Weave in all ends.
Section 5: Floral Applique Elements
Now for the garden: three large rolled roses, two small accent flowers, leaves, and vine details — each crocheted separately with your smaller D-3 / 3.25 mm hook.
Large Rolled Rose (Make 3)
Each rose begins as a flat strip of growing stitches, then rolls up and gets sewn at its base.
With D-3 hook, chain 48.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, (hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch) repeat across, ending with sc in last 2 ch. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Starting from the end with smaller stitches, roll the strip tightly. The taller stitches will naturally spiral outward, creating petal layers. Use the tail to sew through the base several times, securing the roll. Hide the tail inside the rose.
Make three roses in graduated sizes by adjusting your tension. Pull tighter for smaller roses, work more loosely for larger ones.
Small Accent Flower (Make 2)
With D-3 hook, make a magic circle.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 5 sc into the ring, sl st to first sc to join. (5 sc)
Rnd 2: (Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st, sl st in next st) 5 times. Fasten off.
A sweet little five-petal blossom, perfect for tucking into the gaps of your arrangement.
Elongated Leaf (Make 8 to 10)
With E-4 hook, chain 12.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, tr in next 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working down the opposite side of the chain, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, tr in next 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off.
Vine Chains
Chain 20 to 30 stitches, fasten off. Make several in varying lengths for trailing accents.
Section 6: Assembly and Finishing
Before a single stitch of sewing, pin every floral piece to the strap and bodice and play with the arrangement. Let the three roses be the stars, the largest resting at the center of the shoulder. Tuck leaves in behind and around them, sprinkle the small flowers into the gaps, and let the vine chains wander diagonally down the bodice. This is the artist’s moment — savor it.
When the arrangement makes your heart sing, sew each piece on securely with matching yarn and a yarn needle. Do not hurry this part, darling — the placement is everything.
Bead Embellishments: With a beading needle and thread, scatter rhinestones or seed beads among the flowers and along the vine trails — the tiniest touch of sparkle for a polished finish.
Blocking: Pin the finished bodice flat on your blocking mats, mist it with water, and let it dry completely. Your stitches will even out beautifully and the garment will hold its shape like a dream.
Tips for Success
Mind your tension, gently. Keep the bodice stitches even but relaxed so the fabric keeps its soft stretch; work the little flowers nice and tight so they hold their sculptural shape.
Try it on as you go. With garments, fit is everything — check the bodice before you finish, and settle the strap length before you sew it down.
Let the arrangement breathe. Lay it all out, step back, adjust, repeat. That cascading diagonal flow is what makes this design sing.
Final Thoughts on This Elegant Crochet Top Pattern
This navy one-shoulder top is a true labor of love, and every hour will pay you back in a garment that looks straight out of a boutique. The soft ribbing, the sculptural roses, that graceful asymmetry — together they become something you will reach for again and again, with pride.
Whether it is destined for a special evening or simply because you deserve something gorgeous — enjoy every single stitch, lovely. Happy crocheting!
