The Celeste Set Crochet Pattern & Guide | Terracotta Boho Two-Piece Skirt Set
There is something quietly magical about a handmade wardrobe piece. You pick up your hook, choose your yarn with intention, and stitch by stitch a wearable piece of art begins to take shape. The Celeste Set is exactly that kind of project — a flowing, earthy terracotta two-piece crochet skirt set that channels bohemian summer energy from the first chain stitch to the final tassel. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for your next statement garment or an adventurous intermediate maker ready to level up, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create the Celeste Set from scratch.
Inspired by sun-baked adobe walls, terracotta pottery, and the warm, layered aesthetic of boho style, the Celeste Set consists of a bralette-style crop top and a coordinating midi or maxi skirt. Together they create a stunning two-piece look that transitions beautifully from a beach day to an evening gathering, depending on how you style it. The color palette leans into that signature earthy terracotta tone — warm, rusty orange-red — though you will find suggestions throughout this guide for alternative colorways if you want to personalize the set for your own wardrobe.
Let us dive in.
What Is the Celeste Set?
The Celeste Set is a boho-inspired crochet two-piece that pairs a fitted or semi-fitted crochet top with a flowing skirt. The design relies heavily on open stitch work, strategic shaping, and the natural drape that comes from choosing the right fiber. The resulting look is airy, romantic, and incredibly wearable. You can layer it over a swimsuit for a festival or market day, wear the skirt on its own with a linen blouse, or pair the top with high-waisted jeans for a totally different vibe.
The name Celeste was chosen because it evokes something celestial and romantic — a set meant to make you feel beautiful in the way only something made with your own hands can.
Materials You Will Need
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything ready before you start will make the process much smoother.
Yarn: You will want a lightweight cotton or cotton-blend yarn for this project. Cotton is ideal for wearable crochet because it has little stretch, holds its shape beautifully, and is breathable enough to wear in warm weather. Look for a DK weight (light #3) or worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn in your chosen terracotta colorway. Some popular yarn options include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, or Drops Paris. For the full two-piece set in a size medium, you will typically need around 1,200 to 1,600 yards, depending on your gauge and the length of the skirt. Add extra yardage if you are making a maxi-length skirt.
Hook: A 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm crochet hook works well for DK weight cotton. If you are using worsted weight, step up to a 5.0 mm or 5.5 mm hook. Always make a gauge swatch first — garments live and die by gauge.
Notions: You will also need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, scissors, and measuring tape. If you plan to add a waistband with a drawstring, a bodkin or large safety pin will help you thread it through. Optional but lovely: a few tassel or fringe elements made from the same yarn to add at the hem or ties of the top.
Understanding Gauge
Gauge is the single most important thing you can do before beginning any crochet garment, and it is also the step that most people skip. Please do not skip it. Even a slight difference in gauge can mean the difference between a skirt that fits and one that will not budge past your hips.
For the Celeste Set using DK weight cotton and a 4.0 mm hook, aim for approximately 16 stitches and 10 rows equal to 4 inches in half double crochet. Wash and block your gauge swatch before measuring it, because cotton can relax and grow slightly after wet blocking.
If your gauge is too tight (more stitches per inch than specified), try going up one hook size. If it is too loose (fewer stitches per inch), go down one hook size. Adjust until your gauge matches, then proceed with confidence.
Sizing Guide
The Celeste Set pattern is written to accommodate a range of sizes. Below are the general size guidelines. When choosing your size, measure your bust (for the top), your waist (for the skirt waistband), and your hip measurement. For garments with ease, you may want to size up if you prefer a looser, more relaxed fit.
For the crop top, the sizes generally correspond to the following finished bust measurements: XS (30–32 inches), S (33–35 inches), M (36–38 inches), L (39–41 inches), XL (42–44 inches), and 2XL (45–47 inches). The skirt is typically designed with more ease and a drawstring waist, making it naturally more forgiving across a range of sizes.
Stitch Guide
The Celeste Set uses a handful of basic and intermediate crochet stitches. Here is a quick reference so you are not flipping back and forth to a dictionary while you work.
Chain (ch): The foundational stitch used to start your work and to create turning chains.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds and to create neat seams.
Single Crochet (sc): The tightest of the basic stitches, used for structure around waistbands and edges.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): The workhorse stitch of this pattern. It is taller than single crochet and has a lovely drape, especially in cotton. Most of the body fabric in the Celeste Set uses this stitch.
Double Crochet (dc): Used in the open-work sections of the skirt to create that airy, lattice-like texture.
Shell Stitch: A cluster of double crochets worked into the same stitch or space, creating a scalloped or fan-like motif. The shell stitch appears in the hem of the skirt and optionally around the bust of the top for decoration.
V-Stitch (V-st): Two double crochets worked into the same stitch with a chain in between, creating a v-shaped pair. This is used in the open-work sections of the skirt.
Magic Ring: Used to begin working in the round. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, practice it a few times before beginning — it creates a seamless, closeable center for round work.
The Celeste Crop Top: Pattern Instructions
The top is worked from the bottom up in joined rounds, with shaping added at the bust and armhole areas. The tie straps are crocheted separately and attached, giving a customizable fit.
Foundation: Begin by chaining your foundation chain to your desired bottom band circumference. For a size medium, this is approximately 72 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring, being careful not to twist your chain.
Rounds 1–4 (Bottom Band): Work in single crochet around the entire ring for four rounds. This creates a firm, tidy edge at the base of the top. At the end of round four, slip stitch to join.
Rounds 5–15 (Body): Switch to half double crochet. Work even rounds — meaning no increases or decreases — for eleven rounds. This section creates the main body of the top between the hem and the bust shaping. For a longer top that covers more of the torso, you can add more rounds here.
Rounds 16–18 (Bust Shaping): This is where the pattern splits to work the front and back separately. Count out your stitches and mark the center front and center back. Work only across the front panel for three rows, decreasing one stitch at each armhole edge per row. This pulls in slightly at the sides for a fitted look. Repeat for the back panel.
Shell Stitch Edging: After completing the bust shaping, work one round of shell stitches along the top edge of the front panel for a decorative finish. A basic shell in this context is five double crochets in one stitch, skip two stitches, slip stitch into the next stitch. Alternate shells with a slip stitch connector across the top edge.
Straps: Chain 60 stitches (or adjust for length). Work one row of single crochet across. Fold in half lengthwise and slip stitch closed to create a thin, double-layered strap. Make four straps: two halter-style ties that go up and behind the neck, and two side ties that wrap around the torso to secure the top. Attach them at the marked positions on the top edge and side edges.
Weave in all ends. Try on the top and adjust the tie placement before securing the straps permanently.
The Celeste Skirt: Pattern Instructions
The skirt is worked from the waistband down, with A-line shaping achieved through gradual increase rounds. The open-work section begins partway down the body and grows into a gorgeous, drapey hem.
Waistband: Chain the number of stitches needed to fit your waist measurement with slight negative ease — you want the waistband to be snug since the drawstring will pull it in. For a 30-inch waist, chain approximately 100 stitches. Join.
Rounds 1–4 (Waistband Channel): Work four rounds of single crochet. On round two, create a drawstring channel by chaining over several stitches at even intervals and then working into those chain spaces on the next round, leaving a series of small eyelets. Thread a length of yarn, a fabric ribbon, or a macramé cord through these eyelets for the drawstring tie.
Rounds 5–12 (Hip Section): Switch to half double crochet. Work increase rounds every other round to add ease at the hips. A standard increase formula is to add one stitch on each side every two rounds, working the increases evenly spaced around the round. By round twelve, you should have approximately 20–30 more stitches than your starting count, depending on your size.
Rounds 13–22 (Open Work Transition): Begin introducing the V-stitch pattern. Work V-stitches spaced evenly across each round, with solid hdc sections between them. As you progress down the rounds, gradually increase the proportion of V-stitches to solid stitches. By round 22, the fabric should look more open and lacy, with a beautiful fall of light through the stitches.
Rounds 23–35 (Skirt Body): Continue in a V-stitch and double crochet combination, working increase rounds every third round to continue flaring the skirt outward. This is where the skirt really begins to flow. If you are making a maxi-length version, you can add additional rounds here as needed, checking your length against your body as you go.
Final 3 Rounds (Shell Hem): Finish the skirt with three rounds of shell stitch edging. Work the same shell pattern used on the top — five double crochets in one stitch, skip two, slip stitch — to create a scalloped, decorative hem that mirrors the top and ties the set together visually.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Blocking the Celeste Set
Blocking is essential for crochet garments, particularly those worked in cotton. It evens out the stitches, relaxes the fabric into its final shape, and helps the open-work sections really open up and bloom.
Wet block by submerging the finished pieces in cool water. Gently squeeze out the excess water — do not wring — and then lay flat on a clean towel. Roll the towel up with the pieces inside and press gently to remove more water. Unroll and lay the pieces on a blocking mat or dry towel, pinning them to their finished measurements. Allow to dry completely before removing the pins. For the skirt, you may want to hang it from a hanger while slightly damp to encourage the length to set properly.
Styling the Celeste Set
One of the many reasons the Celeste Set has become such a beloved crochet project is its incredible versatility. Here are a few ways to style it depending on where you are headed.
For a beach or festival look, wear the full set over a terracotta or cream-colored bikini. Add leather sandals, a wide-brimmed sun hat, and a few stacked bangles. The open-work of the skirt will let the sun and breeze through while still making a striking visual statement.
For a bohemian evening look, pair the skirt alone with a flowy off-the-shoulder linen blouse tucked loosely in front. Swap the sandals for strappy heeled mules, add long earrings, and you have an effortlessly romantic outfit ready for dinner or a garden party.
For a layered autumn look, wear the skirt over a fitted turtleneck in a complementary warm tone — think burnt sienna, dusty rose, or warm cream — and add ankle boots and an oversized denim jacket. The terracotta palette reads beautifully in the fall light.
Color Variations and Customization
While terracotta is the signature colorway for the Celeste Set and it is absolutely stunning in that warm, earthy hue, the pattern works beautifully in a range of other colors.
Sage green creates a softer, more subdued boho aesthetic that pairs well with natural wood and wicker accessories. A warm, creamy off-white feels ethereal and beachy. Deep rust or burnt sienna gives a bolder autumn energy. For something unexpected and modern, a dusty lavender or soft denim blue transforms the Celeste Set into something unexpected and fashion-forward.
You can also experiment with yarn texture. A cotton-linen blend adds a slightly rustic, natural feel and a tiny bit more structure. A bamboo-cotton blend offers an extra silky drape that looks absolutely luxurious in the shell stitch sections.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced crocheters run into a few common challenges with garment projects. Here are the most frequent pitfalls with the Celeste Set and how to sidestep them.
Not making a gauge swatch is the number one mistake. It takes thirty minutes and it can save you hours of frogging. Please make the swatch.
Losing stitch count in increase rounds is easy to do when you are working long, spiraling rounds. Use stitch markers liberally — place one at the beginning of every round and additional markers every twenty stitches so you can quickly count sections rather than the whole round.
Working the open-work section too tightly will prevent the V-stitches from opening up properly. When you get to those sections, consciously relax your tension and consider going up one hook size just for the open-work rounds.
Not trying on the top during construction means you may end up with a fit issue that is hard to fix after the fact. Because the top is worked in rounds, you can try it on as a tube before separating for the front and back panels. Do this.
Final Thoughts
The Celeste Set is more than just a crochet pattern. It is an invitation to slow down, to work with your hands, and to create something that genuinely feels like you. The process of making a wearable garment — adjusting for fit, choosing your color, weaving in the final end — is deeply satisfying in a way that finished objects from a store simply cannot replicate.
When you put on a piece you made yourself and someone asks where you got it, there is a particular kind of quiet pride in saying you made it. The Celeste Set in terracotta, draped and flowing and perfectly yours, is absolutely the kind of piece that earns that moment.
Save this pattern, bookmark it, print it out and put it in your project binder. Pick up your hook and your yarn and start with that first chain. The Celeste Set is waiting to be yours.
