Celestial Filet Lace Crop Top

An advanced loose-fitting lace crochet crop top worked in multi-density filet mesh. A full moon motif sits at the center front, shaded with five distinct fill densities. Sleeves feature assorted star shapes and flare gracefully from armhole to cuff.

Materials

• Lace-weight yarn (e.g., merino/silk or cotton lace), approximately 980 (1100, 1250, 1400) yd / 900 (1000, 1140, 1280) m
• Steel crochet hook 1.75 mm (US 4) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Blocking wires or pins and rust-proof T-pins
• Optional: fine beads for moon highlight (size 8/0), beading needle

Gauge

10 filet mesh (open or solid) and 10 rows = 4" (10 cm) blocked, measured over Open Mesh pattern.
Work a 20-mesh swatch, wet-block, and measure carefully—lace gauge changes dramatically after blocking.

Sizes

S (M, L, XL)
Finished bust circumference (with 4–6" positive ease): 38 (42, 46, 50)" / 96.5 (106.5, 117, 127) cm
Finished length (shoulder to hem): 16.5" / 42 cm
Sleeve length (armhole to cuff): 16" / 40.5 cm
Cuff circumference (flared): 19 (21, 22.5, 24)" / 48 (53.5, 57, 61) cm

Shown in size M. Choose size based on desired bust ease.

Abbreviations (US terms)

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
sk – skip
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
rep – repeat
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
PM – place marker
OM – Open Mesh
SM – Solid Mesh
LM – Lacet Mesh
BM – Bar Mesh
DM – Dense Mesh
inc – increase

Special Stitches & Filet Fills (for shading)

All mesh units occupy the width of 3 foundation stitches (or previous mesh). Turning ch-3 counts as first dc of row unless otherwise stated.

• Open Mesh (OM) – dc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 sts (or sk next ch-2 sp).
• Solid Mesh (SM) – dc in next 3 sts (or 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc).
• Lacet Mesh (LM) – dc in next st, ch 3, sc in next ch-2 sp (or center st), ch 3, sk remaining sts of mesh. (Creates open lace shading.)
• Bar Mesh (BM) – dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st (or dc, ch 1, dc over ch-2 sp). (Half-density bar for mid-tone shading.)
• Dense Mesh (DM) – sc in next st, sc in next ch-2 sp (or st), sc in next st; on following row work 3 dc into the 3 sc. (Maximum fill for deep shadow/craters.)

Moon shading key (see Attached Stitch Chart):
OM = brightest highlight
LM = high light
BM = mid-tone
SM = shadow
DM = darkest crater/shadow

Star charts use primarily OM + SM with occasional LM for sparkle.

Pattern Notes

• Worked flat in rows. Seam after blocking.
• Turning ch-3 counts as 1 dc throughout.
• Always work first mesh into top of turning ch of previous row.
• Chart rows are read right-to-left on RS rows, left-to-right on WS rows.
• Stitch count is given as number of mesh units at end of every row.
• Keep tension even; laceweight yarn is unforgiving of tight chains.
• Wet-block all pieces to finished measurements before seaming—filet opens dramatically.
• Advanced techniques: multi-fill filet reading, simultaneous shaping + chart, precise seaming of openwork.

Attached Stitch Chart

Use the separate attached chart panel (supplied with this pattern) for all visual grids.
Placement: The chart panel contains three labeled charts — Chart A (Full Moon, 36 mesh wide × 36 rows high), Chart B (Assorted Stars – sleeve upper), Chart C (Assorted Stars – sleeve lower/flare).

How to read:

• Each square = one mesh unit.
• Follow the fill symbol key printed on the chart (OM, SM, LM, BM, DM).
• RS rows (odd numbers): read right to left.
• WS rows (even numbers): read left to right.
• No color changes; shading is achieved solely by fill type.
• When a chart row is worked, the remaining meshes on either side of the chart are worked in OM unless instructed otherwise.

Integration math:

• Front: 48 (53, 58, 63) total mesh. Moon Chart A is 36 mesh wide; begin Chart A after 6 (8.5, 11, 13.5) mesh. (Size M/L/XL half-meshes are worked as BM to keep centering perfect.)
• Sleeves: Chart B centered on starting 28 mesh; Chart C expands with the flare increases—always keep star motifs clear of the increase points by working increases in OM side panels only.

Instructions

Front

With lace yarn and 1.75 mm hook, ch 147 (162, 177, 192).
Foundation Row (WS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as 2 dc), dc in each ch across. Turn. (145 (160, 175, 190) dc = 48 (53, 58, 63) mesh ready)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 48 (53, 58, 63) OM across. Turn. (48 (53, 58, 63) mesh)
Rows 2–12: Continue in OM. (48 (53, 58, 63) mesh)

Begin Moon Chart A (centered)
Row 13 (RS): Ch 3, work 6 (8, 11, 13) OM, work Row 1 of Chart A (36 mesh) in the fills indicated, work 6 (9, 11, 14) OM. Turn. (48 (53, 58, 63) mesh)
Rows 14–48: Continue as established, working successive rows of Chart A in the center 36 mesh and OM on both sides.
(At end of Chart A / Row 48: 48 (53, 58, 63) mesh)

Rows 49–58: Work even in OM only. (48 (53, 58, 63) mesh)

Shape armholes
Row 59: Ch 3, work 1 SM, 1 OM, sk next mesh (armhole dec), work OM across to last 3 mesh, sk next mesh, 1 OM, 1 SM. Turn. (46 (51, 56, 61) mesh)
Row 60: Ch 3, OM across. Turn.
Rows 61–64: Rep Rows 59–60 twice more. (42 (47, 52, 57) mesh after Row 63)
Rows 65–72: Work even in OM. (42 (47, 52, 57) mesh)

Shape left neck
Row 73 (RS): Ch 3, work 14 (16, 18, 20) OM, 1 SM; leave remaining mesh unworked. Turn. (15 (17, 19, 21) mesh)
Row 74: Ch 3, sk first mesh (neck dec), OM across. Turn. (14 (16, 18, 20) mesh)
Row 75: Ch 3, OM to last 2 mesh, sk 1 mesh, 1 SM. Turn. (13 (15, 17, 19) mesh)
Row 76: Ch 3, OM across. Turn.
Rows 77–80: Rep Rows 75–76 twice. (11 (13, 15, 17) mesh)
Rows 81–84: Work even in OM. Fasten off.

Shape right neck
With RS facing, sk center 12 (13, 14, 15) mesh, join yarn in next dc.
Row 73 (RS): Ch 3, 1 SM, OM across remaining 14 (16, 18, 20) mesh. Turn. (15 (17, 19, 21) mesh)
Rows 74–84: Mirror left neck shaping (dec at neck edge). Fasten off.

Back

Work identical to Front through Row 58 (including same mesh counts).
Armhole shaping (Rows 59–72): Work exactly as Front armhole. (42 (47, 52, 57) mesh)
Rows 73–84: Work even in OM on all 42 (47, 52, 57) mesh for straight back neck (no neck shaping). Fasten off.

Sleeves (make 2)

Ch 87.
Foundation Row (WS): Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (85 dc = 28 mesh)

Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, work 28 OM. Turn. (28 mesh)
Rows 2–8: Continue in OM.

Begin Chart B (upper stars, centered)
Row 9: Ch 3, work 2 OM, work Row 1 of Chart B (24 mesh), work 2 OM. Turn. (28 mesh)
Rows 10–28: Continue Chart B with OM side panels.

Begin flare increases + Chart C
Increases are worked as “inc-mesh” = (dc, ch 2, dc) all in the same ch-2 sp or indicated st, counting as 2 mesh.
Row 29 (RS): Ch 3, 1 OM, inc-mesh, work next row of Chart C across center, inc-mesh, 1 OM. Turn. (30 mesh)
Row 30: Ch 3, OM/Chart C across (no inc). Turn.
Rows 31–68: Continue Chart C, increasing 1 mesh at each side every 4th row (i.e., on Rows 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65) by working inc-mesh inside the OM side panels only.
After final increase row: 48 (52, 56, 60) mesh for sizes S (M, L, XL).
(For M/L/XL continue the same every-4-rows cadence two/three/four extra times respectively while extending Chart C side OM panels.)

Rows 69–72: Work even in OM on 48 (52, 56, 60) mesh (cuff edge). Fasten off.

Finishing

1. Wet-block all four pieces to measurements, pinning moon and stars fully open. Use blocking wires along straight edges. Allow to dry completely.
2. Seam shoulders with mattress stitch or flat braid join, matching 11 (13, 15, 17) mesh.
3. Set in sleeves, matching armhole shaping; ease any slight difference evenly.
4. Sew side and sleeve seams in one continuous seam.
5. Optional neckline edging: Join yarn at shoulder, work 1 rnd sc evenly around neck (approx 3 sc per 2 mesh ends + 1 sc per mesh along back), join, fasten off.
6. Optional cuff/hem picot: *sc in next mesh, ch 3, sl st in first ch of ch-3, sc in same mesh; rep from * around.
7. Weave in all ends. Steam lightly if needed.

Wear loose over a camisole or bralette. The multi-density moon will shift subtly with movement and light.

Stitch-count validation examples

• Front foundation → 48 mesh (S): 145 dc ÷ 3 = 48.33 → adjusted by turning ch convention to exact 48 mesh ✓
• Armhole decs: 48 – 2 – 2 – 2 = 42 mesh ✓
• Sleeve flare S: 28 + (2 mesh × 10 inc rows) = 48 mesh ✓
• Moon centering S: 6 + 36 + 6 = 48 ✓

Happy crocheting — may your moon be luminous and your stars sharp!