The Lilith Top: A Romantic Crochet Corset Tutorial for All Sizes
Welcome to the Lilith Top Crochet-Along
Hello again, lovely friends, and welcome back! I am absolutely bursting with excitement to share my first design of 2024 with you. When I finished this piece, I knew it needed a name that captured its soul – something that embodied the romantic, dark, ethereal vibe it was giving off.
You all came through on my Instagram with so many wonderful suggestions, and over 1,300 of you voted on the final name. So, with deep gratitude, let me introduce you to the Lilith Top
Isn’t that name just perfect? This design is definitely giving romantic vampire meets romantic forest fairy – that beautiful, moody, feminine energy that makes you feel like you’ve stepped right out of a storybook. Whether you wear it to a Renaissance faire, a summer festival, or just around your house feeling gorgeous, the Lilith top is designed to make you feel magical.
The best part? This pattern is fully customizable to your body. We’ll be taking your actual underbust and bust measurements, working with a multiple-of-eight foundation chain, and creating a piece that fits you perfectly. So grab your yarn, your stitch markers, and let’s bring a little romance into our handmade wardrobes!
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Any worsted weight or DK yarn (Loops & Threads is shown in the tutorial). Choose a color that makes your heart sing – deep burgundy, forest green, classic black, or soft cream all work beautifully!
- Crochet Hook: Appropriate size for your yarn (check your yarn label)
- 5 Stitch Markers (3 in one color, 2 in another – this is important for visual organization later!)
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle (for weaving in ends)
- Measuring Tape
Before You Begin: Take Your Measurements
You’ll need two key measurements before we start crocheting:
- Underbust Measurement: Wrap the measuring tape around your ribcage, right under your bust. (Example: 30 inches)
- Widest Bust Measurement: Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust, making sure everything is even. (Example: 35 inches)
Write these down – we’ll use them throughout the pattern!
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- ch – chain
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- BLO – back loop only
Part 1: The Underbust Foundation
The Double Crochet Foundation Chain
We’re using a double crochet foundation chain instead of regular chains because it has way more elasticity – perfect for a top that needs to stretch over your bust while staying snug at the underbust.
Important: Your foundation row MUST be a multiple of 8 for the lace pattern to work!
| Multiples of 8 | Possible Stitch Counts |
|---|---|
| 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144, 152, 160 |
Choose a number that is close to your underbust measurement (unstretched) but remember – it needs to stretch to your widest bust measurement!
*For the tutorial example: Underbust = 30 inches, Bust = 35 inches, Stitch count = 80*
