A soft sage-green set worked entirely in an open fan-shaped lace. The cropped top has a wide, slightly draped neckline, long sleeves, and a scalloped bottom edge that stops at the waist. Both shoulders are cut away: narrow lattice straps cross over the open space, and the same diamond-shaped openings run down the outside of each sleeve to the wrist, where the cuff finishes in a scalloped ruffle. The mini skirt matches the top’s stitch pattern from hip to hem, with a snug, ribbed-looking waistband and a scalloped lower edge. Seen together, the two pieces read as a single outfit.
This post covers what the photo shows and how you could build something similar. The sizes and materials below are starting points, since the image shows the finished set and not the original instructions.
What the photo tells us about the stitch
The fabric is a classic fan or shell lace: groups of tall stitches fanned out from a single point, separated by chain spaces, stacked in staggered rows so each fan sits between two fans in the row below. That staggering creates the scalloped, wave-like texture across the whole set. It’s a stitch with a long history in crochet, and many variations exist, so you have flexibility in choosing one.
A few features are worth noting:
- Open ground. The spaces between fans are wide, so skin shows through. That’s a design choice, but it affects how you plan layering.
- Scalloped edges. The bottom of the top, the skirt hem, and the cuffs all end in the fan shapes themselves, with no separate border. That suggests the final row of the stitch pattern forms the edge naturally.
- Even tension. The fans look uniform in size, which is a sign of a stitch worked at a consistent gauge in a smooth yarn.
The cold-shoulder sleeves
The sleeves are the most distinctive part. Instead of solid lace from shoulder to wrist, the outside of each sleeve has a vertical column of diamond-shaped cutouts. At the shoulder, the cutouts widen into the open shoulder area, crossed by thin lattice bands.
Judging from the photo, there are two reasonable ways to build this:
- Worked flat in panels. Make the sleeve as a long rectangle, working a few rows of fans, then a section of larger chain spaces that form the open diamonds, then fans again. Seam the sleeve along the inner arm.
- Worked in the round. Build the sleeve in tubular rounds, with the cutout section as a column of chain loops that line up on the outer arm.
The lattice at the shoulder looks like chain-based bars worked across a gap, with small fans or clusters anchoring them to the neckline and sleeve. A similar effect could be made by working a row of long chains between anchor points, then slip stitching or single crocheting back along them for structure.
Keep the cutouts small enough that the sleeve doesn’t stretch out of shape. Long open sections tend to grow when worn, so a firm yarn and a slightly smaller hook help.
The skirt and waistband
The skirt looks like the same fan lace worked in the round from the hem upward or from the waist downward. Shaping is minimal: the silhouette is close to straight, with a slight flare toward the hem, which could come from a few extra stitches in the fan repeats or from a larger hook.
The waistband looks like a narrower strip with a vertical ribbed texture. A similar result can be made by working a band in single crochet or half double crochet through the back loops only, then joining it to the skirt, or by working it directly into the top edge of the skirt. Weaving in a length of elastic through the band helps it stay up.
If you want to make this as a true one-piece dress, work the skirt longer and connect the top and skirt at the waist, either by working the skirt directly off the top’s bottom edge or by sewing the two pieces together. Because this stitch is open, a one-piece version would need a slip or lining.
Yarn and hook suggestions
The fabric in the photo has a matte, slightly textured look with crisp stitch definition, which points to cotton or a cotton blend.
- Yarn: Cotton or cotton blend in fingering to DK weight. A sage or soft olive green will match the photo. Mercerized cotton gives sharper fans, while plain cotton gives a softer drape.
- Hook: A starting point is 2.5 to 3.5 mm. Go up a size for the skirt if you want more drape, and down a size for the sleeves and neckline if you want them firmer.
- Other supplies: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, blocking mats and pins, and elastic for the waistband.
Swatch the fan stitch and measure it after blocking. Lace opens up dramatically when it’s wet, and the dried measurement is often quite different from the freshly crocheted one.
Sizing and fit
For a garment this open, accurate measurements matter more than usual, because lace has a lot of stretch but little recovery.
- Top: Measure bust, shoulder width, sleeve length, and the length from shoulder to the point where you want the crop to end.
- Skirt: Measure waist, hips, and desired length.
- Ease: Aim for a close fit with little to no ease in the top, so the lattice shoulders stay in place. A lace skirt with a elastic waistband can be slightly negative ease.
Because the stitch has a repeat, adjust the size by adding or removing whole fan repeats. If your measurements fall between repeats, change the hook size slightly or adjust the number of fans in the sleeves instead of the body.
Blocking and care
Blocking is the step that makes lace look intentional. Pin each piece flat, spread the fans open, and let them dry fully. Scalloped edges benefit from a pin at each point.
Wash by hand in cool water and dry flat. Don’t hang the top or skirt, since the weight of wet lace will stretch it. Store folded.
Layering and styling notes
Since the fabric is open, most people will want a bralette, camisole, or slip under the top, and a lining or shorts under the skirt. The sage color works with white, cream, tan, or a contrasting underlayer in a deeper green.
Customization ideas
- Color: A white, black, or terracotta version keeps the same structure.
- Sleeves: Leave off the cutouts for a simpler top, or shorten the sleeves to three-quarter length.
- Length: Lengthen the skirt, or lengthen the top into a full tunic.
- One piece: Join the two pieces into a dress, as described above.
Frequently asked questions
Is this beginner-friendly?
The fan stitch is repetitive and easy to read once you’ve worked a few rows, but the cold-shoulder sleeves and garment sizing make it better for someone with some experience in wearables.
How much yarn will I need?
That depends on size, hook, and yarn weight. A two-piece garment in fine cotton can run to several hundred grams, so estimate from your swatch.
Can I make only the top or only the skirt?
Yes. Each piece stands alone.
Will it stretch out?
Lace can grow with wear. Blocking and a firm cotton help, and elastic in the waistband keeps the skirt in place.
