Boho Bloom Lace Camisole

A Relaxed, Hip-Length Openwork Tank with Square Neckline, Drawstring Bow & Picot Hem

A breezy, slightly oversized boho camisole worked in a delicate floral-and-geometric openwork lace. Two simple rectangular panels are seamed at the sides, topped with an elasticized drawstring channel that gathers into a square neckline and centered tie bow, and finished with dainty picot edging along the hem. Beginner-friendly: no complicated body shaping — the lace and the gathered neckline do all the styling work.

Note on yarn: You requested DK / Category 3 cotton, so this pattern is written and calculated for DK-weight cotton. (If you prefer a more sheer, drapey result, you can substitute a lace/fingering cotton held with a smaller hook, but the gauge and yardage below are for DK.)

SKILL LEVEL

Easy — repetitive 4-row lace, straight panels, minimal shaping.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Garment is designed with 3–5" (7.5–12.5 cm) positive ease for a relaxed fit. Choose the size closest to your actual bust + desired ease.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: DK-weight (Category 3), 100% cotton (or cotton blend). Approx. 218 yds/100 g per skein.
  • Yardage by size (total):

    Size	Yardage	Skeins (100 g)
    XS	750 yd	4
    S	820 yd	4
    M	900 yd	5
    L	980 yd	5
    XL	1060 yd	5
    2XL	1150 yd	6
    3XL	1240 yd	6
    4XL	1330 yd	7
    5XL	1420 yd	7

• Hook: US H-8 / 5.0 mm (main fabric) + US G-6 / 4.0 mm (edging & straps, for firmer finish).
• Notions:
  • Tapestry needle
  • 1/4" (6 mm) wide flat elastic — approx. 1 yd (0.9 m)
  • Stitch markers (6–8)
  • Cotton cord or ribbon for tie bow — approx. 2 yd (1.8 m)
  • Small safety pin (for threading elastic/cord)
  • Scissors, blocking mat + rustproof pins

GAUGE

In lace pattern, blocked, using 5.0 mm hook:

• 22 sts × 12 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Check: 5.5 sts per inch. One lace repeat (8 sts) = 1.45" (3.7 cm) wide.

Gauge is essential for fit. Work a swatch of at least 26 sts (3 repeats + 2) × 16 rows, block it, then measure. Adjust hook size to match.

ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• rep – repeat
• RS/WS – right side / wrong side
• ch-sp – chain space
• picot – ch 3, sl st in first ch

SPECIAL STITCHES

• V-st (V-stitch): (dc, ch 1, dc) all in the same st or sp.
• Shell: 5 dc in the same st or sp.
• Picot: ch 3, sl st into the top of the last dc made (or as directed).

STITCH PATTERN — "Boho Bloom Lace"

Multiple: 8 sts + 2 (plus turning chain). Turning ch-3 counts as the first dc throughout.

Foundation: Ch a multiple of 8 + 2, then + 3 more for the turning ch (so total ch = 8n + 5).

Row 1 (RS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts turning ch as dc), dc in each ch across. Turn. (8n + 2 sts)

Row 2 (WS) – Geometric mesh: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk 1 st, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st; rep from * across. Turn. (mesh row: dc + ch-1 sps)

Row 3 (RS) – Floral shells: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in first ch-1 sp, *sk next ch-1 sp, shell (5 dc) in next ch-1 sp, sk next ch-1 sp, V-st in next ch-1 sp; rep from *, ending with dc in last ch-1 sp, dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

Row 4 (RS→WS) – Bloom centers: Ch 3 (counts as dc), *V-st in center dc of next shell (the “flower center”), dc in ch-1 sp of next V-st; rep from * across, dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), *dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; rep from * across to last st, dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

Rep Rows 2–5 for pattern. Each 4-row repeat maintains the 8n + 2 stitch count.

PATTERN NOTES

• Worked in two flat rectangular panels (Front + Back), seamed at the sides. Straps are worked separately and sewn on. This keeps the lace uninterrupted and is the easiest construction.
• Both panels are identical except for neckline strap placement (both have the same square neckline — front and back are the same shape for a reversible boho look).
• Ch-3 at the start of a dc row counts as a stitch.
• Stitch counts are given at the end of key rows.
• Work loosely for drape; block firmly to open the lace.

PANEL STITCH COUNTS (Front and Back — make 2 of each = 4 panels? No: make 2 total)

Make 2 panels total (1 Front, 1 Back). Each panel = half the finished bust.

Foundation chain and starting stitch counts per size (multiple of 8 + 2):

Math check (XS): 90 sts ÷ 5.5 sts/in = 16.36" → round 16.4". Two panels = 32.7" bust ✓ (matches table). Foundation ch (XS): 8(11) + 2 + 3 (turning) = 93 ch. Row 1 yields 90 sts ✓.

INSTRUCTIONS

BODY PANELS (Make 2)

Use 5.0 mm hook.

Set-up: Ch (starting sts + 3) per your size. (XS: ch 93)

Row 1 (RS): Work Row 1 of Boho Bloom Lace. (Starting sts — e.g. XS 90)

Rows 2 onward: Work Rows 2–5 of the lace pattern in repeat.

Continue in pattern until the panel measures:

End having completed a Row 5 (mesh row), so the top edge is an even ch-1 mesh — ideal for the drawstring channel.

Row count check (XS): 18" × 3 rows/in (12 rows ÷ 4") = 54 rows. 54 = Row 1 + 53 pattern rows; ending on a Row 5 works out to completing the 13th repeat + Row 2–5. Simply stop on a Row 5 nearest to 18". ✓

Fasten off Panel 1. Repeat for Panel 2.

ASSEMBLY

1. Side seams: Lay panels with WS together, RS facing out. Using tapestry needle and yarn, seam the side edges from the hem upward, leaving the top 7" (18 cm) open on each side for the armholes.

• Seam length = (panel length − 7"). (XS: 18" − 7" = 11" seamed each side.)

Repeat on the opposite side. You now have a tube with two 7" armhole openings at the top.

DRAWSTRING CHANNEL (Top Edge / Square Neckline)

Switch to 4.0 mm hook. Work around the entire top edge (front + back) as one round.

Round 1 (RS): Join yarn at one side/underarm. Sc evenly around the top edge, working 1 sc in each st and 1 sc in each ch-1 sp across the front top, then across the back top. Aim for a stitch count that is a multiple of 2. Join with sl st to first sc.

• Target sc count (XS): front 90 + back 90 = 180 sc. ✓ (multiple of 2)

Round 2 (channel eyelets): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk 1 sc, *dc in next sc, ch 1, sk 1 sc; rep from * around. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.

• (XS: 90 dc + 90 ch-1 sps = channel with 90 eyelets.)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

• (XS: 180 sc.)

This creates a 1-row eyelet channel all the way around the top — the elastic + drawstring run through it to gather the fabric into the gathered “square” neckline.

THREADING THE ELASTIC & DRAWSTRING

1. Cut elastic to your comfortable underbust/chest measurement minus 2" (for gentle gather). (Do not overtighten.)
2. Using a safety pin, thread the elastic through the Round-2 eyelet channel all the way around. Overlap ends 1" and sew securely. This gives the top its stretch and gather.
3. Cut the cotton cord/ribbon to 2 yd. Thread it through the same channel (or through the front eyelets only, for a front bow). Bring both ends out at the center front.
4. Adjust gathers evenly. Tie the cord ends into a centered bow at the front neckline. Trim and knot the cord ends to prevent fraying.

The elastic holds the shape; the drawstring bow is decorative + adjustable. Gathering the straight top edge creates the square, straight neckline look with soft ruching.

WIDE SHOULDER STRAPS (Make 2)

Use 4.0 mm hook. Straps are worked as flat bands, then sewn to front and back.

Strap width: 2.5" (wide boho strap) = 14 sts at edging gauge (~5.5 sts/in). Set-up: Ch 16. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (15 sc) Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (15 sc) Rep Row 2 until strap measures 11" (28 cm) — or your preferred length (measure over the shoulder from front neckline to back neckline). Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Strap placement: On the front top edge, measure in from each side and mark the strap positions so the two straps sit 4" (10 cm) apart at center front (this defines the square neckline width). Sew one strap end at each front marker. Bring straps over the shoulders and sew the other ends to the matching positions on the back, keeping straps parallel.

Square neckline tip: The gap between the two straps at the front, combined with the straight gathered channel edge, forms the crisp square neckline. Keep both straps the same distance from center front and back.

PICOT / LOOP HEM EDGING

Use 4.0 mm hook. Work along the bottom (foundation) edge of the joined tube, in the round.

Round 1: Join yarn at a side seam. Sc evenly along the hem, working 1 sc in each foundation st/sp, adjusting to a multiple of 4. Join with sl st.

• (XS: 90 + 90 = 180 sc — 180 ÷ 4 = 45 ✓)

Round 2 (picot loops): Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sl st in same st (picot made), sk 1 st, sc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st; rep from * around, adjusting to end evenly. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

• This spaces a delicate picot loop roughly every 4 sts around the hem for a dainty scalloped, boho edge.

Round 2 alternative (looser loops): *Sc in next st, ch 5, sk 1 st; rep from *around for a chain-loop lace edge.

FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle.
2. Check that side seams, straps, and edgings are neat and even.
3. Re-tie and center the drawstring bow.

BLOCKING

Cotton opens beautifully with blocking — essential for lace.

1. Soak the finished top in cool water with a drop of wool wash for 15–20 minutes.
2. Gently squeeze out water (do not wring); roll in a towel to remove excess.
3. Pin flat to blocking mats to the finished measurements in the size table, opening up each lace repeat evenly.
4. Do not stretch the elastic channel while pinning — pin the body only.
5. Let dry completely before unpinning.
6. Re-thread/adjust the drawstring if needed after blocking.

PRINTABLE STITCH CHART — "Boho Bloom Lace"

Chart shows one repeat (8 sts) over 4 pattern rows (Rows 2–5). Read RS rows right→left, WS rows left→right.

Symbol Key:

• │ = dc
• ○ = ch
• T = tr
• V = V-st (dc, ch1, dc)
• ♣ = shell (5 dc)
• ∙ = sc
• ⌒ = picot (ch3, sl st)

 Repeat width = 8 sts  →→→ (read RS ←)

Row 5:  │ ○ │ ○ │ ○ │ ○      (dc, ch1 mesh)
        └──────────────┘

Row 4:  │  V  │  V  │  V      (V-st in shell centers + dc in V-sps)
        └──────────────┘

Row 3:  │ V  ♣  V  ♣  V │     (shells + V-sts = "flowers")
        └──────────────┘

Row 2:  │ ○ │ ○ │ ○ │ ○      (dc, ch1 mesh base)
        └──────────────┘

Foundation (Row 1): │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │  (dc row)

Picot Hem Chart (repeat = 4 sts):

     ⌒                    ⌒
   ∙   ∙  ∙  ∙          ∙   ∙  ∙  ∙
   (sc, picot, sc, sc, sc — rep)

QUICK REFERENCE — FIT CUSTOMIZATION

• Longer/shorter body: Add or remove complete 4-row repeats (each repeat ≈ 1.3"). Keep ending on a Row 5.
• Looser fit: Go up one panel size (still 8n+2).
• Higher neckline: Sew straps closer together at center front (< 4").
• Tighter gather: Shorten elastic by 1".

Final Math Summary (validation)

• Gauge 5.5 sts/in.
• XS panel 90 sts → 16.36" → ×2 = 32.7" bust ✓
• All panel counts are 8n + 2 ✓ (90,98,106,114,122,130,138,146,154).
• Channel eyelets, hem picots divisible correctly per size ✓.
• Straps 15 sc × 11" = wide 2.5" boho strap ✓.

Enjoy your Boho Bloom Lace Camisole! 🌸