This Crochet Flower Duster is the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Wear it with a dress, a pair of jeans or even to the beach!
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Inspiration and Design
For a while now I have been meaning to design a long cardigan that I would we able to use in the tropical weather I live in. Because of this, I knew I wanted to use a cotton/cotton blend yarn. It wasn’t until I revisited the Shieldmaiden Top that I was struck with the idea of using the Flower Stitch to crochet a long cardigan. Long Cardigans are also known as dusters, a much more retro name.
Following this idea, the more I looked at the stitch the more of the design I was able to visualize. For example, I knew I wanted the duster to be crocheted bottom-up and be as seamless as possible. The square nature of this stitch paired with the bottom-up construction brought to mind a Kimono style.
Having decided on some inspiration for my Crochet Flower Duster, I delved into the world of fashion research. However, everything was not smooth sailing with this design. I started the a total of 6 times before I was satisfied with the fit.
The Historical inspiration
Although my crochet design is not a Kimono, the bottom up construction was inspired by the silhouette created with the Straight-line-method. The floral fillet stitch I chose was also influenced by the nature-inspired motifs often seen in traditional kimonos.
The Kimono is the national dress of Japan (Nihon). The Kimono as we know it today, originated in the Heian period with the straight-line-cut method. As the name suggests, this method involved cutting the pieces of fabric in straight lines and then sewing them together. With this technique, the maker did not have to take into account the different body shapes. Thus making sewing easier.
Because of the straight-cut-method, the Kimono is of very simple construction. The intricacy of it lies in the colors, and the motifs chosen to create the fabric as well as the Obi. Often the colors and motifs selected had very specific symbolism and were inspired by nature. The V&A has a very interesting article of the symbolism behind the colors of a Kimono.
If you want to fall deeper down the historical fashion rabbit hole, another good read is: Orientalism: Visions of the East in Western Dress (it’s a free museum catalogue! )
References:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/orie/hd_orie.htm
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/kimono
https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/kimono/kimono01.html
The Yarn
Because of the Fillet type stitch, that would make up the crochet Flower Duster I wanted a yarn with a lot of structure. Combined with the fact that I live in Florida, I went for a cotton blend yarn.
I crocheted the flower duster with Premier Rodeo, a cotton/polyester worsted blend yarn that I had in my stash. Unfortunately, this yarn has been discontinued. However, there are many companies with similar yarn blends available. The important thing to keep in mind is the yardage.
Can I make this Crochet Flower Duster?
Yes! You most certainly can! The Flower Duster is crocheted entirely in the Flower stitch. Then you separate for the sleeves and continue working the back part of the Flower Duster. Once the back is complete, we crochet the front panels and attach these to the back at the shoulder seams. After the body is complete, we crochet the sleeves and attach these at the sleeve opening. Simple, right?
Description
This gorgeous crochet Flower Duster is flattering on all body types and it’s the perfect way to dress up any outfit. It comes in two sizes, s/m and L/XL. Perhaps I am tooting my own horn, but I’m slightly obsessed with this Flower Duster.
Crochet Flower Duster
Materials
4(5) skeins of a 85/15 cotton, polyester blend. 265 yds (243m) in 150g. Medium weight yarn. The sample is worked with Premier Rodeo Yarn in the Natural Color.
4.5mm hook for s/m
5mm hook for the large
measuring tape
Pattern Notes:
Model is wearing size small/medium. For reference, the model is 5”7, with a true bust measurement of 33” and a 28” waist.
ch3 at the beginning of the row counts as a dc
Follow the same Instructions for size s/m and L/XL.
If you wish to make the Duster Longer, simply add more pattern repeats before splitting for the sleeves. In doing so, you will need more yarn that that specified in the pattern.
Stitches Used:
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
fdc – foundation double crochet
trb – treble crochet
sk – skip
sp space
Flower stitch – rows 3 – 8 of the instructions
Gauge : Follow this tutorial for the swatch
Pre Blocking or Steaming:
1 pattern repeat (flower stitch) done in a 4.5 mm hook is 4×4”
For the L/XL – 1 pattern repeat with a 5mm hook will measure 5x5ch –
Measurements:
Crochet Flower Duster PDF(etsy)
Starting Panel:
With your 4.5 or 5mm hook and chosen yarn:
Row 1 – 149 Foundation dc. Ch3 and turn.
Row 2 – 5dc, *ch2, sk2, dc* Repeat from *to* until 6 stitches are left. 6dc. Ch3 and turn. 46 spaces
Row 3 – 5dc, *ch2, sk ch space, 13dc* (these are worked, dc in dc, 2dc in ch space until you have reached the total number) repeat from *to* stop before the last ch space, Ch2, sk ch space, 6dc. Ch3 and turn.
Row 4 – 5dc, *ch2, sk space, 4dc, ch2, sk2, trb, ch2, sk2, 4dc* Repeat from *to* stop before the last ch space, Ch2, sk ch space, 6dc. Ch3 and turn.
Row 5 – 5dc *ch2, sk ch space, 2dc, ch5, sc in trb, ch5, sk ch space & 2dc, 2dc* Repeat from *to* stop before the last ch space, Ch2, sk ch space, 6dc. Ch3 and turn.
Row 6 – 5 dc, *ch2, sk ch space, 4dc (2 in ch space, and 1 in each dc), ch2, dc in sc, ch2, 4dc* repeat from *to* stop before the last ch space, Ch2, sk ch space, 6dc. Ch3 and turn.
Row 7 – Repeat row 3
Row 8 – 5dc, *ch2, sk2, dc* Repeat from *to* until 6 stitches are left. 6dc. Ch3 and turn
Repeat Rows 3 to 8, four more times. After you have completed your repeats do not ch3 and turn.
Back Panel
Your rectangle should measure about 19”. Now we will split for the sleeves. Here you can cut your working yarn, or leave it attached to your front panel and start a new ball to continue the back panel. Whichever you choose, remember to turn your work.
Leaving dc band and 2 flower stitch repeats unworked (this now forms the front panel. Attach your yarn to the first dc right after the ch sp. This should be approximately 9-10” measuring from the dc band.
Row 1 – *13 dc, ch2, sk ch sp* Repeat from *to* leaving 2 flower stitch repeats and the dc band unworked. Make sure you have 13 dc in your last Flower square. Ch1 and turn
Row 2 – *4dc, ch2 sk2, trb, ch 2 sk2, 4dc, ch2 sk ch sp* Repeat from * to* you will end the row with 4dc, ch2 sk2, trb, ch 2 sk2, 4dc. Ch1 and turn.
Row 3 – *2dc,ch5, sc in trb, ch5, sk 2, 2dc, ch2, sk sp*. Repeat from *to* ending the row with 2dc,ch5, sc in trb, ch5, sk 2, 2dc. Ch1 and turn
Row 4 – *4dc, ch2, dc in trb, ch2, 4 dc, ch, sk sp* Repeat from *to* ending row with 4dc, ch2, dc in trb, ch2, 4 dc. Ch1 and turn.
Row 5 – *13dc, ch2, sk ch sp* Repeat from *to* ending with 13dc.ch1 and turn.
Row 6- *1dc, ch2 sk2* repeat from *to *to the end of the row. Ch1 turn.
Repeat Rows 1 – 6 once more.
Next, repeat row 1 and cut your yarn. Your Back panel should measure approximately 28.5”
Front Panels:
Attach yarn or if you left the ball attached, pick up your yarn at the dc band.
Row 1 – Ch3, continue with row 3 of the Starting Panel completing your rows on the dc before last ch2 sp. Ch1 and turn.
Row 2 – *4dc, ch2, sk2, trb, ch2, sk2, 4dc, ch2 sk ch sp*. Repeat from *to * once more. 6dc, ch1 and turn.
Row 3 – 6dc, ch2, sk ch sp, *2dc, ch5, sc in trb, ch5, sk 2 dc, 2dc* ch2 sk ch sp. Repeat from *to* once more. Ch1 and turn
Row four – *4dc, ch2, dc in sc, ch2, 4dc, ch2 sk ch sp* repeat from *to* once more, 6dc. ch1 and turn
Row 5 – 6dc, *ch2 sk ch sp, 13dc* Repeat from *to* once more. ch1 and turn
Row 6 – *1dc, ch2, sk 2* Repeat from *to* until you complete last ch2 sk2, 6dc. ch1 and turn.
Repeat rows 1 – 6 once more.
Next complete row 1 once more.
Repeat instructions for remaining panel. After you have completed both panels, sew front panels together with back panel at the shoulders. Leave last ch2 space and dc band unworked.
Sleeves:Make 2
Row 1 – Fdc 78. Ch1 and turn
Row 2 – *dc, ch2, sk2* Repeat from *to* across. Ch1 and turn
Row 3 – dc, ch2, sk sp, *13dc, ch2 sk sp* Repeat from *to* end row with a dc on the last dc. Ch1 and turn
Row 4 – dc, ch2 sk sp, *4dc, ch2, sk 2, trb, ch2 sk2, 4dc, ch2 sk sp.* Repeat from *to* end row with a dc on the remaining dc. Ch1 and turn
Row 5 – dc, *ch2 sk sp, 2dc, ch5, sc in trb, ch5 sk2, 2dc* repeat from *to* end row with 1 dc in the last dc. Ch1 and turn
Row 6 – dc, *ch2 sk sp, 4dc, ch2, dc in trb, ch2 , 4dc* repeat from *to* end row with dc in last dc. Ch1 and turn
Row 7 – dc, *ch2 sk sp, 13 dc* Repeat from *to* end row with a dc in the last dc. Ch1 and turn.
Row 8 – *dc, ch2, sk 2* Repeat from *to*. Ch1 and turn.
Repeat rows 3-8 once more.
Next repeat row 3. Fasten off.
Seaming and Attaching the sleeve:
Fold the sleeve so that the right edge and left edge meet. Match stitches and use a sc to join.
Once you have seamed your sleeve. Turn your Crochet Flower Duster Inside out. With the sleeve seam at the bottom, insert the sleeve through the sleeve hole. Right side of sleeve should be facing right side of cardigan.
Pin so that the ch2 spaces of the sleeve line up with those of the main body. Attach yarn at the bottom of the sleeve and join with a sc.
Because the sleeve measures 10.5 and the sleeve opening measure 9” We must do some gathering when we reach the top part of the sleeve. We do this by working sc dec on the sleeve stitches. We insert our hook through the body stitch, and pick up 1 loop from the next two sleeve stitches.
Repeat for the remaining sleeve. Weave in ends and you have finished your Crochet Flower Duster.
I have started this pattern 3 times, I do the 149 fdc, then row 2, now row 3,4,5, never end up lining up like they are suppose to. My blocks never line up on each row. Not real sure what I am doing wrong.
Hmm, I do have a tutorial that could help, but unfortunately off the top of my head I can’t identify where the mistake might be. 6dc, ch2 then the pattern and your ch2 should always line up before and after the mid pattern of the flower stitch.
Just want to ensure the stitch count is the same for all sizes, beginning chain of 149 for sizes small to extra large. Thank you for the help.
The size 1 is a s/m and the size 2 is l/xl. Yes the stitch count is the same the hook size is different. For the size 2 the hook size is 5mm
Is row 2 of sleeve missing “end row with a dc on the last dc.”? It ends with skip 2 then chain 1
It ends in a ch1 and turn because if the repeat for the row is followed (*dc, ch2, sk2* Repeat from *to* across.) the last thing you will complete is a dc. then you will Ch1 and turn
The way I read row 2 the last thing you do is skip 2 then chain 1. No dc.
since the row is written as such – *dc, ch2, sk2* repeat from *to* to end. The dc is the first stitch in the sequence, your repeat will start with a dc, you will ch2, sk2 stitches and repeat from the start of the sequence which is the dc.
this is beautiful. thank you
Thank you Margaret!