Designing Crochet Beach Coverup, From Sketch to Finish

Hi friends!

I’m so excited to share the full story behind my latest summer crochet project — a lacy beach or swim coverup that I designed and made from scratch. 

This piece took me on a real creative journey: it started with a simple sketch, turned into a full-on design challenge.

I used Herrschners Self-Striping Cotton Cake yarn for this coverup — it’s 100% cotton and perfect for summer wear. 

Partway through the project, I ran out of yarn in my original colorway, so I ended up combining it with a second colorway. 

The stitch I used is light, lacy, and super breathable — ideal for summer layers. 

I walk through the entire process in my video, from the rough sketch and design decisions to yarn substitutions and the moments where I had to fix things and keep going.

Watch the full video here!

Curious about the stitch I used? You can learn it in my tutorial here:

If you’d like to support my work or browse more of my summer crochet patterns, you can find them here:

Ravelry

Etsy

This project definitely tested my patience (especially during the yarn shortage moment!), but I’m so glad I stuck with it. 

If you’ve ever hit a wall in a project or had to get creative to finish something — you’ll definitely relate. And I hope this encourages you to keep going when your project doesn’t go exactly as planned… 

Thanks so much for reading and watching — and happy summer crocheting! 🌸

How to Crochet a Lavender Bookmark. Pattern + Video Tutorial

Hi friends!

I’m excited to share a lovely little project I recently designed — a crochet lavender bookmark that’s as quick and fun to make as it is pretty. 

Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful handmade gift or just want to add a bit of charm to your summer reading, this bookmark is a joy to crochet.

The design is inspired by the soft, calming beauty of lavender stems. It’s worked using a small amount of 100% mercerized cotton yarn — I used YarnArt Begonia — and a 3.25 mm (D) hook. You can also use size 3 mercerized cotton thread if you prefer a more delicate look.

The finished size is about 12 inches long with the tassel, or 10 inches without, and about 1 inch wide at the widest part of the flower. It works up quickly, making it a great stash-busting project or a last-minute gift idea. 

I love it tucked inside a book or used as a little decoration on a wrapped present — you can even add it to sachets, cards, or other handmade items for an extra special touch.

This pattern is beginner-friendly and includes both a written pattern and a video tutorial to help guide you through the process.

✨ The pattern and full video tutorial are now available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops, as well as for my Patreon supporters.

📌 You’ll find all the links below — thank you so much for supporting my work and helping me keep designing and sharing beautiful crochet projects like this one!

Etsy

Ravelry

Patreon

Happy crocheting, and I hope you enjoy making this little lavender sprig as much as I did!

Easy Crochet Leaf Bookmark — Perfect Stash Buster Idea, Crochet Pattern and Video Tutorial

Hi friends! I’m excited to share my newest crochet pattern with you — a simple leaf bookmark that’s quick, fun, and perfect for using up small amounts of yarn.

I designed this project to be easy and relaxing — the kind of thing you can make in an afternoon. It’s also a great choice for a last-minute crochet gift. 

If you sell at craft fairs or markets, this is a perfect little item to make in batches — it works up fast, costs very little to make, and really catches the eye of shoppers. 

And of course, you can always make one (or a few!) just for yourself — sometimes it’s fun to crochet something cute and whimsical, no special occasion required!

The pattern is worked with a size D (3.25 mm) hook and 100% mercerized cotton yarn in category 2. 

I used YarnArt Begonia, but you can also use 100% mercerized cotton thread size 3.

What I love most about this little project is its versatility. You can use it as a bookmark, of course — but also as a decorative leaf or an appliqué for other projects. Think little girls’ summer hats, dresses, cushion covers, gift tags, cards, and more. The possibilities are endless!

I’ve included both a written pattern and a video tutorial to guide you through the process — perfect for all skill levels.

If you’d like to try this project, you can find the pattern in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

Inspired by Angelina Jolie’s Crochet Robe in Maria — Here’s the Vintage Pattern I Found

Hi friends, I just had to share this!

I recently watched the movie Maria, starring Angelina Jolie — and completely fell in love with the crochet robe she wears in the film. The rich texture, the bobbles, and the dramatic godets give the robe such a striking and elegant look — it caught my eye immediately.

After looking closely and doing some research, I believe I found the vintage pattern from which the robe Angelina wore in the movie was created. 

In the film version, the robe was worked in a thicker yarn, giving the fabric a chunkier and more sculptural feel. The bobbles stand out more prominently, and the overall drape is heavier and more dramatic.

Another difference I noticed: in the original pattern, the godets (triangular inserts) on the sleeves are placed on the back of the sleeves, starting from the elbow and flowing downward. 

In Maria’s robe, the godets are inserted on the front of the sleeves, which changes the silhouette. The sleeves in the movie version are also longer than those in the original design.

For this post, I am presenting the vintage pattern exactly as it was originally written. 

A quick note: the pattern is written in UK crochet terms — so "double crochet" means single crochet, and "treble" means double crochet in US terms. Keep that in mind!

To fit a 32 [34, 36, 38] in. bust. Instructions for larger sizes are given in square brackets. 

Materials 

31 [32, 33, 34] (50g) balls of Jaeger Spiral-spun. 

No. 3.50 (9) and No. 3.00 mm (11) crochet hooks. 12 small buttons. 

Measurements

Length from top of shoulders (approx.) 52 [52, 52 1/2, 52 1/2] in.; sleeve seam, 16 1/2 in. all sizes. 

Tension 

1 repeat of pattern measures 1 in. across.

Note

Test tension before starting garment and change to a larger or smaller size hook if necessary. 

Abbreviations 

ch. = chain; d.c. = double crochet; tr. = treble; s.s. = slip stitch; st. = stitch; rep. = repeat, patt. = pattern; in. = inches. 

RIGHT FRONT

(Worked in two pieces up to top of godet.)

SIDE PANEL

With No. 3.50 hook, make 25 [30, 30, 30] ch. and work in patt. as follows: -

**1st row - (Right side), 1 tr. in 4th ch. from hook, 1 tr. in next ch., *3 ch., miss 2 ch., 1 tr. in each of next 3 ch., rep. from *to end. 

2nd row - 3 ch., *miss 3 tr. and 1 ch., 7 tr in next ch., miss 1 ch., rep. from * to last 3 sts., miss 2 sts., 1 tr. in top of turning ch. 

3rd row - 3 ch., 1 tr. in each of first 2 tr., * 3 ch., miss 4 tr., in each of next 3 tr., rep from *working last tr. in top of turning ch. 2nd and 3rd rows from patt. ***

Continue straight in patt. until work measures 37 in., ending with a 2nd row.**

Fasten off. 

CENTRE FRONT PANEL

With No. 3.50 hook, make 25 [25, 25, 30] ch. and work as for Right Front Side Panel from ** to **. 

Do not fasten off. 

***Join panels as follows: - 

Next row - (Right side facing), work as 3rd patt. row to last 6 tr. and turning ch., 3 ch., miss 5 tr., 1 tr. in next tr., 1 tr. in turning ch., miss first tr. of side panel, 1 tr. in next tr., 3 ch., miss 4 tr., 1 tr. in each of next 3 tr., patt. to end. 

Continue straight in patt. until work measures approx. 45 in., ending with wrong side facing for next row.***

Shape square armhole as follows: - 

Next row - S.s. across 12 [12, 12, 18] tr. and ch. (each ch. counts as 1 st.), then into next tr., 3 ch., patt. to end.

Continue straight until Front measures approx. 49 1/2 in., ending with wrong side facing for next row. 

Shape neck as follows: - 

Next row - Patt. up to last 15 sts., miss next 2 tr., 1 tr. in next tr., turn. 

Next row - 5 ch., miss 6 tr., 3 tr. in next 3 tr., patt. to end. 

Next row - Patt. to last 3 tr. and 5 ch., miss 3 tr. and 1 ch., 4 tr. in next ch., turn. 

Next row - Miss first tr., s.s. in next tr., 3 ch., (miss next tr., 1 tr. in next tr.) twice, patt. to end. 

Continue straight in patt. until Front measures approx. 52 [52. 52 1/2, 52 1/2] in., ending with a 3rd patt. row.

Fasten off. 

LEFT FRONT 

Centre Front Panel 

With No. 3.50 hook, make 25 [25, 25, 30] ch. and work as for Right Front Side Panel from ** to **. 

Fasten off. 

Side Panel

With No. 3.5 hook, make 25 [30, 30, 30] ch. and work as for Right Front Side Panel from ** to **. 

Do not fasten off. 

Work as Right Front from *** to *** noting that centre panel will be worked across in place of Side Panel. 

Shape square armhole as follows: - 

Next row - Patt. to last 12 [12, 12, 18] tr. and ch., turn. 

Continue straight until work measures same as Right Front up to neck shaping, ending with wrong side facing for next row. 

Shape neck as follows: - 

Next row - S.s. across 12 tr. and ch., then into next tr., 3 ch., patt. to end. 

Next row - Patt. up to last 6 tr. and turning ch., 2 ch., 1 tr. in top of turning ch., turn. 

Complete to match Right Front, reversing shapings. 

BACK

(Worked in 3 pieces up to top of godets.)

Left Side Panel

With No. 3.50 hook, make 25 [30, 30, 30] ch. and work as Right Front Side Panel from ** to **. 

Fasten off. 

Centre Back Panel

With No. 3.50 hook, make 45 [40, 45, 50] ch. and work as Right Front Side Panel from ** to **.

Fasten off. 

Right Side Panel 

Work as for Left Side Panel of Back. 

Do not fasten off. 

Join panels as follows: - 

Next row - (Right side facing), work as 3rd patt. row to last 6 tr. and turning ch., 3 ch., miss 5 tr., 1 tr. in next tr., 1 tr. in turning ch., miss first tr. of Centre Back Panel, *1 tr. in next tr., 3 ch., miss 4 tr., 1 tr. in each of next 3 tr.*, patt. to last 6 tr. and turning ch., 3 ch., miss 5 tr., 1 tr. in next tr., 1 tr. in turning ch., miss first tr. of Left Side Panel, work from * to *, patt. to end. 

Continue straight until Back matches Fronts at side edge, ending with wrong side facing for next row. 

Shape square armholes as follows: - 

Next row - S.s. across 12 [12, 12, 18] tr. and ch., then into next tr., 3 ch., patt. to last 12 [12, 12, 18] tr. and ch., turn. 

Continue straight until Back matches Fronts at armhole edge, ending with a 3rd patt. row. 

Fasten off. 

SLEEVES

1st portion - With No. 3.50 hook, make 40 [40, 45, 45] ch. and work as for Right Front Side Panel from ** to ***. 

Continue straight in patt. until work measures 10 1/2 in., ending with a 2nd row. 

Fasten off. 

2nd portion - Work as first portion but do not fasten off. 

Join portions as follows: - 

Next row - (Right side facing), work as 3rd patt. row to last 6 tr. and turning ch., 3 ch., miss 5 tr., 1 tr. in next tr., 1 tr. in turning ch., miss first tr. of 1st portion, 1 tr. in next tr., 3 ch., miss 4 tr., 1 tr. in each of next 3 tr., patt. to end. 

Continue straight in patt. until work measures 18 1/2 [18 1/2, 18 1/2, 19 1/2] in., ending with a 3rd row. 

Fasten off. 

SKIRT GODETS (4)

With No. 3.50 hook, make 3 ch. and work 1 tr. in first ch., turn. 

Next row - 3 ch., 1 tr. in first st., 1 tr. in turning ch.

Next row - 3 ch., 1 tr. in first st., 1 tr. in each of next 2 sts. (4 sts.).

Next row - 3 ch., 1 tr. in each st. to end. 

Rep. last row once more. 

Next row - 3 ch., miss first st., 2 tr. in next st., 1 tr. in each st. to last 2 sts., 2 tr. in next st., 1 tr. in turning ch. 

Rep. last 2 rows until Godet measures 37 in. down centre. 

Fasten off. 

SLEEVE GODETS

Work as Skirt Godets, but noting that final measurement should be 10 1/2 in. only.

COLLAR

With No. 3.50 hook, make 78 [83, 83, 88] ch. 

1st row - (Right side), 1 d.c. in 2nd ch. from hook, 1 d.c. in next ch., *3 ch., miss 2 ch., 1 d.c. in each of next 3 ch., rep. from * to end. 

2nd row - 3 ch., *miss 3 sts., and 2 ch., 7 tr. in next ch., miss 1 ch., rep. from * to last 3 sts., miss 2 sts., 1 tr. in turning ch. 

3rd row - 3 ch., 1 tr. in each of first 2 sts., *3 ch., miss 4 sts., 1 tr. in each of next 3 sts., rep. from * to end. 

Rep. 2nd and 3rd rows twice more. 

Place a marker at each end of last row. 

Change to No. 3.00 hook

Next row - 3 ch., miss first tr., 1 tr. in each tr., and ch. to end. 

Next row - 3 ch., miss first st., 1 tr in each st. to end. 

Rep. last row until portion from marker measures same as patt. portion.

Fasten off.

MAKE UP AND BORDER

Press Godets and tr. portion of Collar only with a warm iron and damp cloth. 

Join shoulders. 

Stitch foundation edge of Collar to neck edge. 

Fold tr. potion at markers to wrong side and slip stitch into position. 

Tack front edges of Collar together. 

Sew in Godets as in photograph. 

Front Border 

First mark position for 12 buttonloops on Right Front, one to come level with each end of three 2nd patt. rows on Collar, and 9 level with end of each 2nd patt. row below. 

With No. 3.00 hook, rejoin yarn to top of left point of Collar and taking special care not to stretch edges work 1 row d.c. along left front, lower and right front edges, turn. 

Next row - As previous row but increasing 1 st. in each of lower corners and working a buttonloop to correspond with each of 12 markers as follows: 2 ch., miss 2 d.c., 1 d.c. in next d.c. 

Join sleeve seams leaving to 2 [2, 2, 3] in. free.

Insert Sleeves, stitching portions left free to armhole shapings. 

Press seams. 

Sew on buttons.