The Lilith Top: A Romantic Crochet Corset Tutorial for All Sizes

How to Make a Double Crochet Foundation Chain:

1. Make a slip knot and ch 3
2. Yarn over, insert hook into the very first chain you made, yarn over, pull up a loop
3. Yarn over, pull through one loop (this makes a chain)
4. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through two loops – you’ve made your first dc!
5. Now work into that chain-1 you just made:
   • Yarn over, insert hook into that chain-1, pull up a loop
   • Yarn over, pull through one (chain)
   • Yarn over, pull through two, yarn over, pull through two
6. Repeat step 5 until your foundation row reaches your desired length

Pro tip: As your foundation chain gets longer, you’ll notice the stitches forming on the side. Keep going until you reach your multiple-of-8 stitch count!

Check the Stretch!

Once you’ve finished your foundation row, gently stretch it. It should:

• Fit snugly around your underbust when relaxed
• Stretch comfortably to your widest bust measurement

Connect the Foundation Row

1. Flatten your work, making sure it’s not twisted
2. The tail where you began is the bottom of the stitch – connect on the opposite side
3. Insert your hook into the third chain (from the beginning), sl st to connect
4. Ch 1, turn your work
5. Sc all the way around – maintain your multiple of 8!
6. When you reach the end, sl st into the very first sc you made

Don’t worry about that little slit – we’ll fix it later. I promise, it’s all part of the plan!

You should now have a cute little “spaghettio” ring – not an infinity scarf!

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Part 2: The Lace Pattern (Torso Section)

Row 2: Double Crochet & Chain Spaces

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Stacked double crochet: Start in the first stitch (where you slip stitched)
   • Work 1 sc, then re-insert hook into the front loop of that sc and work another sc
   • This creates a stacked dc!
3. Ch 1, skip the next stitch, dc into the stitch after that
4. Repeat: (ch 1, skip 1, dc) all the way around
5. Connect with sl st to the top of your stacked dc

Row 3: Double Crochets Only

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Stacked dc into that same stitch
3. Dc into every chain space and every dc from the previous row
4. Your stitch count should remain consistent (still a multiple of 8!)
5. Connect with sl st to the top of your stacked dc

Row 4: Chain Spaces (The “Netting” Row)

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Leave 1 sc in that very first stitch
3. Ch 5, skip the next 3 stitches, sc into the 4th stitch
4. Repeat: (ch 5, skip 3, sc) all the way around
5. At the end with 3 stitches left, ch 5, skip them, and sl st into the very first sc of the row

Row 5: Open Shell Stitches

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Sl st into the first two chains of your ch-5 space
3. Sc into the third chain
4. Reach over to the next ch-5 space:
   • Work 3 dc into that space
   • Ch 2
   • Work 3 more dc into the same space
5. Reach over to the next ch-5 space and sc into it
6. Repeat: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in one ch-5 space, sc in next ch-5 space) all the way around
7. Connect with sl st into that first sc

Row 6: Long Chains (The “Bridge” Row)

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Sl st into the first three dc of your shell stitch
3. Sc into the ch-2 space
4. Ch 7 LOOSELY (do not chain tightly!)
5. Reach to the next open shell stitch and sc into its ch-2 space
6. Repeat: (ch 7 loosely, sc into next ch-2 space) all the way around
7. Connect with sl st into that first sc

Row 7: Double Crochets on the Chains

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Stacked dc into that same stitch
3. Dc into each chain (not just under the chain – into the chain itself!)
4. You’ll work 7 dc along each ch-7
5. Continue: (7 dc on chain, dc into the sc on top of the shell) all the way around
6. Connect with sl st to the top of your stacked dc

The Pattern Repeats

From here, we simply repeat Rows 2-7 for the desired length of your torso section:

• Row 8: Repeat Row 2 (dc & ch spaces)
• Row 9: Repeat Row 3 (dc only)
• Row 10: Repeat Row 4 (ch 5 spaces)
• Row 11: Repeat Row 5 (open shell stitches)
• Row 12: Repeat Row 6 (ch 7 loosely)
• Row 13: Repeat Row 7 (dc on chains)

For the tutorial example, the torso section ends after completing the open shell stitches one final time.

The Final Row (Special Picot Shells)

For your last row, we’re adding a beautiful picot edge

1. Ch 1, turn your work
2. Sl st into the first two chains of your ch-5 space, sc into the third chain
3. Reach to the next ch-5 space and work 4 dc into it
4. Picot stitch: Ch 3, sl st into the top of the dc you just made
5. Work 4 more dc into the same ch-5 space
6. Reach to the next ch-5 space and sc into it
7. Repeat: (4 dc, picot, 4 dc in one space, sc in next space) all the way around
8. Connect with sl st into the first sc
9. Pull up a long loop, cut your yarn, and weave in the end

Try it on! This is probably going to be a little tight – but it’s supposed to be! Make sure it can go over your bust (one shoulder at a time if needed).

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Part 3: Measuring for the Bust Section

Since our yarn is detached, we’ll use it to take a measurement:

1. Make a chain from the bottom of your bust to the highest point you want the top to stop (where your straps will sit)
2. Count how many chains this takes
3. Write this number down – we’ll call it your Bust Height Number
4. Unravel the chain

*For the tutorial example: Bust Height Number = 22 chains*

Part 4: The Bust Section & Ribbing