Lilac Moonchild Crop-Top
When rebellion meets grace — and finally feels at home in her own skin.
This blog post offers a free tutorial for a crochet crop top.
The Crop-Top I Almost Didn’t Make
I’ve been seeing these kinds of crochet crop top ideas for years — light, summery, a bit daring — and I always thought: One day, I’ll make one for myself. But that day never seemed to come. Something always held me back. Maybe the idea that such a revealing piece doesn’t really “suit” a woman of 48. Perhaps my own quiet nature, the part of me that prefers to blend in rather than stand out. Or could it be a bit of both?
However, this year, something shifted.
One Decision, Two Tops
I made not one, but two. One in soft lilac, and one in white. And to my surprise — they didn’t feel inappropriate or flashy. Styled right, they felt just right. When I paired the crochet lilac crop top with a long, flowing skirt, a bold necklace, and a touch of lipstick, it wasn’t revealing — it was radiant. It didn’t feel like a cry for attention — it felt like a whisper of confidence.
How Styling Changed Everything
While I decided to style the Lilac Moonchild in rock-punk style, with black and silver details, the white top seemed more like a boho-romantic version to me. Therefore, it was best combined with natural materials of the jewelry, such as mother of pearl, leather and wood. Although I paired both tops with the same plain black skirt, and even the same hairstyle, the jewelry I used for these two versions gave off completely different vibes to my two outfits.
That’s the thing with fashion — it’s not about what you wear, but how you wear it. I always believed that, but this crop-top really tested that idea for me. And it proved itself true once again. A piece that once felt “too much” became something that made me feel more me.
I named this crochet crop top Moonchild because that’s who I am, deep down — a bit of a night owl, a bit of a rebel, a bit restless. Someone who loves the quiet mystery of dusk and feels most alive when everything else quiets down. I don’t like being told what I should wear, or how I should behave. Nonetheless, I also know how deeply tradition has shaped me. That tension rarely leaves my side — and maybe, just maybe, this top helped me make peace with the imposed conservative norms on the one, and my genuine nature on the other hand.
level
To crochet the Lilac Moonchild crop top you will need beginner to lower intermediate knowledge of crocheting skills. Stitches used in this pattern are chain, single and double crochet
material
Moonchild crop top is made from 100% cotton sport yarn, and you use a 3 mm hook to crochet with. It takes about 100-200 gr of yarn, depending on your size. The yarn is soft, breathable, and almost weightless — you truly forget you’re wearing anything. I added crochet bra pads to make it feel secure and hold everything in place, which was important to me. This is the reason why the top is not transparent — another concern I had — so it really does feel like the perfect mix of freedom and structure.
size
The top is suitable for any size, and the pattern is written for sizes S-M-L-XL-2XL-3XL.
How It’s Made – Step by Step, With Love
You’ll crochet this top in several stages. Firstly, you make the left and right cups separately. Secondly, you crochet the underbust part directly onto the bottom edges of the cups, connecting them at the back with a simple chain. The chain will be a foundation for the back. Once that’s done, you edge the entire piece with single crochet stitches and delicate picots for a soft, romantic finish.
Next, you create the front fastening: one placket with buttons, the other with button holes. After that, you crochet the bra pads separately and sew them onto the inside of the cups to give extra support and structure. Finally, you make a long strap from a chain and half double crochets. Thread the strap through the back, crisscross it, then pull through the top corners of the cups, and tie it around your neck for a secure fit.
Buttons & Optional Corset Drawstring
The top closes at the front with buttons, giving it a charming, vintage feel. And if the cleavage feels too deep for your comfort, you can easily adjust it. Crochet a drawstring just like the straps — a chain with half double crochets — and lace it through the chain spaces at the bottom of the cups, just above the buttons. This simple addition works like a corset and lets you open or close the neckline depending on your mood or outfit.
The Pattern in a nutshell
PDF Pattern
And now the best part! You can make one too. The Lilac Moonchild Crop-Top PDF pattern is available here on my blog, as well as on Ravelry and LoveCrafts. It’s simple, stylish, and endlessly adaptable — whether you’re a Moonchild yourself, or just curious to find out.
P.S. If you’ve ever hesitated to wear something because you thought it “wasn’t for someone like you” — maybe it’s time to reconsider. You just might surprise yourself. 🌙💜
This design comes with my newly released premium instructions — a carefully prepared pattern booklet that goes beyond the basics. Inside, you’ll find clear step-by-step directions, detailed diagrams, and thoughtfully styled pages that make the process both easy to follow and a pleasure to read. To give you a glimpse of the quality, I’ve included a preview below in a 3D format — flip through the sample pages and see exactly what awaits you in the full version. And all that for FREE!
The same but different
Photos below show the white variation of the same top, with a couple of changes:
- The white top is a bit shorter in the under-bust area comparing to the lilac one. I made it from heavier acrylic yarn but which feels like cotton. The underbust area has a bit different stitch combination – instead of dc stitches separated by chain 1, the white top has a lacy pattern of ch3 with skipping 1st of the previous row.
- The border around the cups is in the same lacy pattern like the underbust part. On the other hand, the lavender top has picots as a border.
- Instead of buttons, this white top is fastened only by using a twisted cord. You lace it up like you would do with a corset.
- The straps are not crocheted but made by twisting a piece of yarn folded in half, which was about 7-8 meters long (7.5-9 yrds). A well twisted cord was again folded in half and secured with a knot at each end. In the lilac piece both the straps and the lacing-up ribbon are crocheted using hdc stitches.
Brief Edit
About 2-3 days after completing the white top and publishing this post, I decided to sew buttons onto the white variation as well, instead of lacing up the front. Buttons are definitely more practical and you put on the top much faster. Additionally, with their light wooden hue, they gently broke the starkness of white, bringing a subtle sense of nature into the blend of materials – wood and cotton. As a final touch to complete the Moonchild’s look, I added three wooden beads to each strap, like tiny echoes of the natural world.
Which top variation and which style do you like best? Have you crocheted any of these tops or similar ones so far? Write about your impressions and experiences in the comments, because I always love to hear your thoughts.
💛Need more crochet inspiration?
This piece is just the beginning. Discover the full story in the Moonchild Collection.
Donate If You Can
If my handmade items and designs have brought you inspiration and joy, consider making a small donation to support my work. Your generosity helps me continue crafting beauty, one stitch at a time. Even the smallest amount can go a long way.
Thank you for being a part of art and beauty in handicraft.
Savage Daughter
This extraordinary song seemed like the perfect illustration of this whole blog post. Enjoy!