# Navy Blue Elegant One Shoulder Top Free Crochet Pattern
You know that beautiful navy yarn sitting in your stash? The one you’ve been saving for something truly special? This is the project it’s been waiting for. An elegant one-shoulder top with a fitted ribbed bodice and stunning three-dimensional floral appliques that cascade over the shoulder strap — three rolled roses in graduated sizes, daisy-style accent flowers, elongated leaves, trailing vine chains, and scattered bead embellishments.
I won’t sugarcoat it: this pattern sits firmly in the advanced intermediate to advanced range. But if you’ve made a few garments and dabbled in crochet flowers before, you absolutely have the skills to pull this off. The secret to that beautiful horizontal ribbed texture? Working single crochet through the back loop only — subtle ridges that give the bodice structure and visual interest without complicated stitch patterns.
What You’ll Need
- DK weight (CYCA #3 Light) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in navy blue, approximately 600 to 700 yards / 550 to 640 meters total (cotton is strongly recommended for drape, structure, and stitch definition)
- US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook (bodice and leaves)
- US D-3 / 3.25 mm hook (roses and small flowers)
- At least 6 stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape
- Small rhinestones or seed beads, approximately 20 to 30 pieces, with beading needle and matching thread
- Blocking board and T-pins, spray bottle with water
- Optional: 1/4 inch wide elastic for hem stability
Finished size:
- Chest circumference: 30 inches / 76 cm unstretched (fits 32 to 34 inch bust comfortably)
- Bodice height: 10 inches / 25.5 cm
- Strap length: approximately 12 inches / 30.5 cm
The Pattern
Gauge:
- Bodice gauge with the E-4 / 3.5 mm hook in single crochet through back loop only: 18 stitches = 4 inches / 10 cm
- 20 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm. For a fitted garment like this, even one stitch per 4 inches will significantly alter the fit. Swatch in the round, not flat, and measure after washing and drying your swatch
Notes: 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. The scallop border is worked first, then the bodice builds upward from it so the lower edge lies flat. All floral pieces are made separately and pinned in place before sewing.
Section 1: Scallop Hem Border
The border forms the decorative lower edge of your bodice. You’ll work it as a flat strip first, then join it into a ring.
With the 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.
Section 2: Bodice
Work upward from the top edge of your scallop border in continuous rounds of single crochet through the back loop only (sc blo).
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, with clean horizontal ridges.
Rnds 11-35: Continue working each round exactly as Rounds 1-10. (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
Finish the upper edge with one round of regular single crochet (through both loops) to create a stable, neat edge.
Join yarn with a 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 the 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 rows of regular single crochet, beginning at the upper left edge of your 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 a 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 the 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
All pieces are crocheted separately using the smaller D-3 / 3.25 mm hook (leaves use the E-4 hook).
Large Rolled Rose (make 3): 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 the smaller stitches, roll the strip tightly — the taller stitches 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): 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. This creates a small five-petal flower for filling gaps.
Elongated Leaf (make 8 to 10, 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
Pin all your floral elements to the shoulder strap and upper bodice before sewing anything permanently. Arrange the three roses as the focal point, with the largest rose at the center of the shoulder. Tuck leaves behind and around the roses. Add small flowers to fill gaps. Let vine chains trail down the upper bodice diagonally.
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, sew each piece securely using matching yarn and a yarn needle. Take your time here — the placement makes all the difference.
Bead embellishments: Using a beading needle and thread, sew rhinestones or seed beads scattered among the flowers and along the vine trails for sparkle and a polished finish.
Blocking: Wet block the finished bodice by pinning it flat on blocking mats and misting with water. Let it dry completely.
Sophie’s Tips
- Tension matters. Keep your bodice stitches consistent but not too tight — you want gentle stretch. For the applique flowers, work tightly so they hold their sculptural shape.
- Try it on as you go. Fitting is everything with garments. Check the bodice fit before finishing, and adjust the strap length before attaching.
- Don’t rush the applique arrangement. Lay everything out, step back, adjust. The cascading diagonal flow is what makes this design special.
This one is absolutely a labor of love — and the hours will pay off in a truly stunning handmade garment. Enjoy!
