Terracotta Sunset Floral Crochet Blouse Free Pattern

This gorgeous terracotta blouse has been living in my head since I first saw it, and I just had to share it with you! Picture a warm evening, golden light, and a cozy off-shoulder top with dramatic bell sleeves and a cascade of handmade roses tumbling across your shoulder. That is exactly what we are making today.

It looks intimidating, I know. Those lace bell sleeves, the 3D flowers, the delicate straps. But here is the truth: if you can single crochet and double crochet, you can absolutely make this top, because we break it down piece by piece. We have a solid, sturdy bodice in simple stitches, sleeves that open into dramatic lace, and floral appliques that add all the texture without complicating the garment construction.

This pattern is written for size Small/Medium with a finished bust of approximately 36-38 inches and a relaxed fit with 2-4 inches of positive ease. Finished length from shoulder to hem is 16 inches, and sleeve length is 18 inches from the underarm.

Materials

• About 400-500g DK weight cotton or cotton blend yarn in terracotta/rust, approximately 900-1100 yards (Main Colour)
• Small amounts, 25-50g each, in cream, mustard gold, deep burgundy and forest green for the flowers and leaves
• 4.0mm (US G/6) crochet hook for the main body
• 3.5mm (US E/4) crochet hook for flowers and leaves, optional, for tighter petals
• Tapestry needle for weaving ends
• At least 4 stitch markers
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Rust-proof pins for blocking

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet

Special Stitches

• Shell stitch: multiple dc stitches worked into the same stitch or space.
• Cluster: multiple incomplete dc stitches joined at the top.

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: Small/Medium, bust 36-38 inches, length (shoulder to hem) 16 inches, sleeve length 18 inches from underarm, with 2-4 inches of positive ease
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with 4.0mm hook
• Construction: front and back bodice panels worked flat and joined at the sides, bell sleeves worked in joined rounds and sewn in, straps and 3D floral appliques added at the end
• Skill level: Intermediate
• Techniques: working in joined rounds, scallop edging, 3D flower construction, lace motif joining

Bodice Pattern

We start with the front bodice, worked flat in rows from the bottom up. With Main Colour and the 4.0mm hook, ch 82.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (81 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st throughout), sc in each st across. Turn. (81 sc)

Rows 3-40: Repeat Row 2. (81 sc)

Your panel should measure approximately 18 inches wide and 8 inches tall.

Row 41: Ch 1, sc in first 20 sts, hdc in next 41 sts, sc in last 20 sts. Turn. (81 sts)

Row 42: Ch 1, skip first st, sc in next 19 sts, hdc in next 41 sts, sc in next 19 sts, skip last st. Turn. (79 sts)

Row 43: Ch 1, skip first st, sc in next 18 sts, hdc in next 41 sts, sc in next 18 sts, skip last st. Turn. (77 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Work the back bodice panel exactly as the front bodice panel.

Place the front and back panels with wrong sides together. Using Main Colour, join with sl st at a bottom corner. Working through both layers, sl st evenly up the side edge for approximately 6-7 inches, leaving 4-5 inches open at the top for the armholes. Repeat on the other side.

Bell Sleeves Pattern

Make 2 sleeves. This is where the drama happens, so take your time here.

Cuff Foundation: With Main Colour, ch 48, join with sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each ch around, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (48 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, (skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st for a shell, skip 2 sts, dc in next st) repeat around, ending with 5 dc in last st before join, join with sl st. (8 shells)

Round 3: Ch 3, (5 dc in center dc of shell, dc in dc between shells) repeat around, join. (8 shells)

Rounds 4-8: Repeat Round 3.

Round 9 (Increase Round): Ch 3, dc in same st, (5 dc in center of shell, 2 dc in dc between shells) repeat around, join. (8 shells, 16 dc between)

Rounds 10-14: Ch 3, (5 dc in center of each shell, dc in each dc between) repeat around, join.

Round 15 (Increase Round): Ch 3, dc in same st, (7 dc in center of shell for a larger shell, 2 dc in next dc, dc in each dc to next shell) repeat around, join.

Rounds 16-20: Continue the established pattern, working 7-dc shells and maintaining increases every 5th round.

Round 21: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), skip 2 sts, (dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts) repeat around, join to 3rd ch of ch-5. (Mesh round established)

Round 22: Sl st into ch-2 space, ch 3, 4 dc in same space (half shell), (ch 1, skip next ch-2 space, 5 dc in next ch-2 space for a shell) repeat around, ch 1, join.

Round 23: Sl st to center dc of shell, ch 3, 4 dc in same st, (ch 2, sc in ch-1 space, ch 2, 5 dc in center dc of next shell) repeat around, join.

Rounds 24-28: Continue the lace pattern, alternating shells with chain spaces and sc connections.

Round 29 (Scallop Edge): (Sc in center of shell, ch 3, dc in same st, ch 3, sc in same st for a picot scallop) Work a scallop in each shell around, join.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming. Pin the sleeve opening to the armhole, matching the underarm seams, and whipstitch or sl st the sleeves to the bodice with Main Colour, easing fullness evenly around the armhole.

Straps & Bottom Edging Pattern

Make 2 straps. Chain 80, or your desired length plus 10 extra chains.

Strap Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Fasten off.

Attach the straps to the inside top edge of the front bodice, approximately 3 inches from each side edge. Attach the back ends to the corresponding position on the back panel. Try on and adjust the length as needed before securing permanently.

Bottom Edging Round 1: Join Main Colour at any point along the bottom edge of the bodice. Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire bottom edge, join. (Approximately 162 sc)

Bottom Edging Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, (skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st for a shell, skip 2 sts, sc in next st) repeat around, adjusting the final repeat as needed to end evenly. Join.

Bottom Edging Round 3: (Sc in sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in center dc of shell) repeat around, join. Fasten off.

Floral Applique Pattern

Rolled rose (make 5-7 in assorted colours, using cream, mustard or burgundy yarn with the 3.5mm hook). Foundation: ch 42.

Rose Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch, (3 dc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch) repeat across. (approximately 60 dc)

Rose Row 2: Ch 3, turn, (3 dc in next st, dc in next st) repeat across.

Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail. Starting at the beginning of the strip, roll the crocheted piece tightly, allowing the natural curl of the double crochets to form petals. Use the tail to stitch through the bottom layers, securing the rose shape. Do not pull too tight, and let the petals stay fluffy.

Leaves (make 12-15, using forest green yarn with the 3.5mm hook). Foundation: ch 10.

Leaf Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, tr in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain: hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, tr in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Join with sl st to first sc.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching.

Small buds (make 3-4). Ch 4, join to form a ring.

Bud Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring, join. (8 sc)

Bud Round 2: Ch 1, (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) in each st around, join. (8 small petals)

Fasten off.

Finishing & Assembly

Lay your finished blouse flat. Position the largest roses first, creating a diagonal cascade from the left shoulder toward the right hip. Tuck medium roses between the large ones and add small buds to fill gaps. Arrange the leaves to peek out from behind and between the flowers, letting some leaves extend beyond the flower cluster for natural movement. Pin everything in place and try on the blouse to check placement. Using matching yarn colours, stitch the flowers and leaves securely to the bodice front, working from the back of the fabric when possible to hide stitches.

Wet block your finished blouse by soaking in lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water and never wring. Lay flat on blocking mats, pin the sleeves open to show the lace pattern, and allow to dry completely.

This project has many ends from colour changes. Weave each end through at least 2 inches of stitches, working along the same row to hide tails completely.

Tips

The bodice goes quickly, so do not rush the sleeves. That lace pattern requires counting, but once you establish the rhythm, it flows.

If your shells look uneven, you are probably crocheting too tightly. Relax your tension for the lace sections.

The flowers are very forgiving. No two handmade roses look identical, and that is the beauty of them. Consider making extra flowers to use as hair accessories, bag clips or brooch pins.

To size up or down, add or subtract 8 stitches (approximately 1.5 inches) to your foundation chain, and adjust the body length as desired before joining the sleeves.