Plum Shell Duster Crochet Pattern

Time to dig into that stash and pull out that gorgeous plum yarn you’ve been saving for something special. This is the project it’s been waiting for.

The Plum Shell Duster is a longline open-front cardigan that combines two distinct textures: a structured small mesh grid across the upper body and shoulders, then an airy decorative lattice that flows from bust to hem. The construction is straightforward, working three flat panels from the shoulders down, joining them, then adding bell sleeves with optional ribbed cuffs. If you’re comfortable with double crochet and chain spaces, you can absolutely tackle this one.

Fair warning: this is a larger project that takes time and yarn commitment. But the rhythm of the stitches becomes meditative, and watching those lacy diamonds form row after row is genuinely satisfying.

About This Design

This duster cardigan sits beautifully over simple outfits, adding drama without weight. The deep plum color makes it perfect for transitional seasons, and the open mesh construction means it layers comfortably without overheating.

Key design features include:

• Small-grid upper body for structure and coverage where you want it most
• Large lattice lower body that creates elegant diamond shapes and gorgeous drape
• Bell sleeves with the same lattice pattern, ending at approximately elbow length
• Optional ribbed cuffs for a gathered, romantic finish
• Shell-trimmed hem that adds a scalloped edge along the bottom

The finished cardigan provides about 102 cm of body coverage, fitting an 88 to 94 cm bust with approximately 8 to 14 cm of ease. Body length reaches about 88 cm, and sleeves measure about 28 cm including cuffs when present.

Skill Level

This pattern suits intermediate crocheters who are comfortable reading row-by-row instructions and working with two different stitch textures. You should be familiar with basic increases, working into chain spaces, and seaming flat pieces together.

The techniques themselves are not complicated. The lattice section is simply chains and single crochets worked in an offset pattern. Once you establish the rhythm, it becomes almost automatic.

Materials You’ll Need

Yarn:

• Main color (deep plum): 900 g / approximately 1980 m of smooth DK cotton blend, approximately 220 m per 100 g
• Named contrast colors (optional, for trim): 100 g / approximately 220 m total

Hooks:

• 4 mm hook for main fabric
• 3.5 mm hook for cuffs and trim
• Or sizes needed to meet gauge

Notions:

• Tapestry needle
• 8 stitch markers
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pearl version: 12 sew-on imitation pearls and strong thread

Gauge (Important!)

You need to swatch BOTH fabric types before starting.

Small mesh gauge: 16 stitch positions (8 cells) x 10 rows = 10 cm

Large lattice gauge: 4 arches x 10 rows = 10 cm, lightly blocked

Make a swatch at least 15 x 15 cm, wash and dry it as you plan to treat the finished piece, then measure the central 10 cm without stretching. Adjust your hook size up or down to match gauge. Record both width and height measurements.

All dimensions in this pattern are blocked targets. Keep in mind that cotton lace can lengthen while worn.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

• ch = chain
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet (insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through both loops)
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops)
• tr = treble crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• RS/WS = right side / wrong side
• rep = repeat
• inc = increase
• sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (a decrease)

Small Mesh (Flat)

Ch 3 (counts as first dc), [ch 1, skip next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc] to end. Work the dc into the post stitch, not the gap.

A mesh cell is one ch-1 space bounded by dc posts on each side. For flat work with C cells, you have C+1 dc posts and C chains. Total stitch positions = 2C+1.

Large Lattice Foundation

Ch 1, sc in first dc; [ch 5, skip next mesh cell and its following cell, sc in their ending dc post] across. Each arch spans 4 old stitch positions, ending on every second old dc post.

Continuing Lattice Rows

Offset row: Ch 5 (counts as edge dc + ch 2), sc in first old arch; [ch 5, sc in next old arch] to last arch; ch 2, dc in last edge sc (or third chain of prior turning ch-5). Turn.

Return row: Ch 1, sc in first dc; [ch 5, sc in next full arch] across, then ch 5, sc in last edge dc.

Count the two edge half-arches together as one arch. These two rows alternate throughout the lattice section.

Shell Trim

On a prepared sc edge with a multiple of 6 stitches: [skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 sc, sl st in next sc].

Picot Trim

[Sc in next 3 sts, ch 3, sl st into third ch from hook].

Pattern Notes

• Turning ch 3 counts as a dc
• Ch 1 does NOT count as a sc
• Join rounds with sl st unless stated otherwise
• Flat rows turn after each row
• Brackets [ ] enclose a repeat
• Do not count joining sl sts
• Sew with RS together unless directed otherwise

This document supplies one adult sample size only. Check measurements against your body before committing yarn. Altering stitch counts requires recalculating motif placement and shaping.

Construction Overview

The cardigan is built in five main parts:

1. Back panel worked top down (shoulder to hem)
2. Left front panel worked top down with neck shaping
3. Right front panel worked top down with neck shaping
4. Two sleeves worked from upper arm down
5. Optional ribbed cuffs

After completing all pieces, you’ll seam shoulders, sew side seams leaving armholes, attach sleeves, add cuffs if desired, and finish with border edging.

Instructions

Back Panel

Row 1: Ch 84; dc in sixth ch from hook, [ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch] 39 times; turn. — 40 cells; 41 dc + 40 ch-1 spaces.

Rows 2-30: Work small mesh across; turn. — 40 cells.

Row 31: Work large-lattice foundation; turn. — 20 arch equivalents (two edge halves count as one).

Rows 32-88: Continue alternating offset lattice rows and return lattice rows with plain sc anchors, turning after each row. — 20 arch equivalents throughout.

Checkpoint: Back length about 88 cm; width about 51 cm. Do not block lower lace wider than upper grid.

Left Front Panel

Row 1: Ch 28; dc in sixth ch from hook, [ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch] 11 times; turn. — 12 cells; 13 dc + 12 ch-1 spaces.

Mark the neck edge. For the left front, the neck edge is at the start of Row 2. Keep the opposite armhole edge straight.

Neck Shaping (Rows 2-9): Work small mesh, increasing one cell at the marked neck edge only each row.

• Row 2: 13 cells
• Row 3: 14 cells
• Row 4: 15 cells
• Row 5: 16 cells
• Row 6: 17 cells
• Row 7: 18 cells
• Row 8: 19 cells
• Row 9: 20 cells

How to increase: At row start, ch 3 then (ch 1, dc) in the first dc. At row end, add (ch 1, dc) again in the last dc.

Rows 10-30: Work small mesh across; turn. — 20 cells.

Row 31: Work large-lattice foundation; turn. — 10 arch equivalents.

Rows 32-88: Continue alternating offset and return lattice rows. — 10 arch equivalents throughout.

Checkpoint: Left front length about 88 cm; width about 26 cm.

Right Front Panel

Work exactly as Left Front, but note that the neck edge is at the END of Row 2 (opposite side). Shape neck identically, increasing on the neck-edge side only for Rows 2-9.

Checkpoint: Right front length about 88 cm; width about 26 cm.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Row 1: Ch 68; dc in sixth ch from hook, [ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch] 31 times; turn. — 32 cells.

Row 2: Work large-lattice foundation; turn. — 16 arches.

Rows 3-23: Continue alternating offset and return lattice rows. — 16 arch equivalents throughout.

Ribbed Cuffs (Make 2, Optional)

Switch to 3.5 mm hook.

Row 1: Ch 11; sc in second ch and each remaining ch; turn. — 10 sc.

Rows 2-40: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st; turn. — 10 sc.

Cuff target: about 5 cm deep x 20 cm around before joining. Adjust row count only if needed to pass comfortably over the hand. Record your actual count for matching the second cuff.

Assembly

Shoulder Seams: At each side, join outer 12 front mesh cells to outer 12 back mesh cells along foundation edge. Leave center 16 back cells unseamed. The front neck shaping remains open. — 2 shoulder seams, 12 cells each.

Side Seams: Mark 20 cm down from shoulder on back and corresponding front. Sew body sides from hem to markers. — 2 armholes, about 40 cm circumference each.

Sleeve Attachment: Sew each sleeve lengthwise first. Place sleeve seam at underarm, match sleeve-top midpoint to shoulder, and sew top edge evenly into armhole. — 2 sleeves attached.

Cuff Attachment (if using): Join cuff first and last rows into a ring. Quarter-mark both cuff and sleeve opening, then whipstitch while gathering sleeve evenly. Do not stretch cuff beyond comfortable hand circumference.

Checkpoint: Shoulders sit evenly, sleeves move comfortably, front edges remain open. Upper back width about 51 cm; each front about 26 cm.

Edgings and Details

Switch to 3.5 mm hook.

Border Round 1: Join at one lower front corner. Sc evenly around entire open-front/neck/hem outline using these rates:

• 2 sc per dc row end
• 1 sc per foundation position
• 4 sc per complete lower-lattice arch (2 per edge half-arch)
• 3 sc at each outward corner

Record total B and mark the middle corner stitches. — B sc.

Border Round 2: Sc in each st, placing 3 sc in each marked corner st. Move markers to middle corner stitches. — B + 2K sc (where K = number of corners).

Border Round 3 (broad-band versions only): Repeat Round 2. — B + 4K sc.

Shell Edging: For shell-edged versions, add shell trim along lower hem and sleeve openings using complete 6-stitch repeats. Finish any remainder in sc.

Keep front and neck edges plain to avoid curling.

Finishing

Weave every yarn end through at least 5 cm of fabric, reverse direction, and trim. No loose tails should remain.

Wet-block flat, aligning side seams and matching sleeve lengths. Pin lace sections to match the upper-panel width rather than stretching them wider.

Final measurements: Body length about 88 cm, sleeves about 28 cm including cuffs, total body coverage about 102 cm. Recheck after drying and again after a short wear, as cotton lace can relax and lengthen.

Care Instructions

Follow your yarn label. Unless it specifies otherwise, hand-wash cool with mild detergent, support the wet fabric, and dry flat away from direct heat. Do not wring, tumble dry, or iron acrylic components.

This is an adult garment. Open mesh does not provide sun protection or opaque coverage. If beads or pearls are added, attach them securely and inspect before each wear.

Tips for Success

Take your time with gauge. This project uses a lot of yarn, and being off by even half a centimeter per 10 cm can significantly affect the final fit.

Mark your pieces clearly. Use different colored markers for neck edges versus armhole edges on the front panels.

Count your arches regularly during the lattice sections. The offset pattern can be disorienting at first, but once you’ve worked 10 rows, you’ll find your rhythm.

Block before seaming if possible. It makes matching up edges much easier.

Try the body on before adding sleeves. Pin the shoulder seams temporarily and check the fit across your shoulders and the armhole placement.

This duster is a showpiece. The kind of garment that makes people stop and ask, "Did you make that?" The combination of structured upper body and flowing lace creates beautiful movement, and the deep plum color is sophisticated without being boring.

If you make this pattern, save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again easily. And please leave a comment below to share how yours turned out. Seeing your finished projects is always the best part.

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