Julie Diana

Crochet Your Own Modest Clothes (or Look Like You Did)

Updated: Apr 2

Scarf: Iristide / Earrings: Amazon Collection / Necklace: similar here / Gray dress: Amazon

Crochet is a fiber art that never fails to dazzle. It's steeped in history, yet meets modern demands for style and durability.

A younger sister of knitting, modern crochet developed in nineteenth century Europe. The outfits in this article were inspired by European tastemakers. Many were made with the continent's yarns.

However, I aimed to crochet the clothes with the contemporary, modest American woman in mind.

Crochet Modest Clothes

Keep reading to discover 6 crochet ensembles. Find links to the patterns and yarns. You'll also find similar, ready-made garments.

Let's start with the styling video.

The crocheted coatigan

Scarf: Amazon / Dress: Eliza J / Belt buckle: Etsy / Shoes: Calvin Klein

This coatigan was inspired by fabulous longline jackets and coatdresses worn by Britain's Kate Middleton and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. (You can discover Maxima's stunning outfits in my article Get Queen Maxima's Spring-Summer Modest Style).

A coatigan is a cross between a coat and a cardigan. It's one of my favorite outerwear pieces for fall and spring, or even a mild winter day. The comfort and coziness are irresistible.

I crocheted this coatigan with love and endless determination. Oh, and Uptown super bulky acrylic by Universal Yarn. Since Uptown is discontinued, I recommend this similarly durable, affordable #6 yarn by North Carolina brand Premier Yarns.

The crochet patterns here, here, and here will yield similar coatigans.

For ease of wear, I added belt loops for the belt. I ordered the brass buckle from this Italy-based Etsy shop. The oversize snap closures keep the front closed while I haul groceries and library books.

To further suit my practical American sensibilities, I whipped up a patch pocket that fits car keys, a phone, and credit card.

You can find a similar, ready-made coatigan here (sizes 4-18).

The duster sweater

Scarf: Iristide / Earrings: Amazon Collection / Necklace: similar here / Gray dress: Amazon / Shoes: Calvin Klein

Inspired by Kate Middleton's European royal style, this duster sweater has a wide Peter Pan collar and a slight fit-and flare silhouette.

The duster is made of a cotton-linen blend by Fibra Natura. You can find a similar, 100% linen #4 worsted Fibra Natura yarn here.

I loosely based this coatdress on the Magdalena Jacket pattern by British pattern shop The Moule Hole.

For an easier crochet experience, consider following this pattern, as it's more like the finished project above. This pattern is also similar, and includes free instructions for a popcorn stitch cloche hat.

You can find a ready-made green crocheted duster here.

The longline vest

Scarf: Melifluous / Yarn: Premier / Dress: Walmart, similar here XS-3X / Shoes: Calvin Klein

Yes, I know what you're thinking--that's not crocheted. Indeed, it's knitted.

I made this vest with a hand-cranked circular knitting machine. I have the inexpensive Sentro machine and the high-end German 46-needle Addi. I love them both.

I think of this garment as a knitting project that's accessible to crocheters. No knitting skills are required. I finished the armhole edges with single crochet stitches.

This vest is made of Premier Anti-Pilling worsted weight yarn in the color 'fawn.' You can find a video tutorial on making it here.

If you'd prefer a ready-made garment, consider this, this, and this.

Matching lacy separates

Is there any cuter color for a young girl than hot pink?

I let my daughter pick the yarn color, so I knew she'd actually wear the finished project.

Then when I saw this lacy cardigan pattern, I couldn't resist. Rows of shell stitches and a peplum hem create an impressive effect.

This shell stitch skirt pattern, another triumph by UK-based The Moule Hole, will help you create a coordinating skirt.

I made both the sweater and skirt with Fibra Natura Lina in the color 'bright dahlia.' It's a cotton-linen blend in a #2 sport weight. Danish yarn supplier Hobbii has a similar yarn here.

This ready-made, similar hand-crocheted girls' sweater would look cute worn over this (ready-made) affordable crocheted dress. You can find a layering skirt for the outfit here.

Matching shawl and beret

Shawl pin: Etsy / Beret & scarf yarn: Mayflower / Similar brooch here

The wraparound shawl pictured above was inspired by the iconic Claire Fraser. She is the heroine from the book series Outlander, set during the American Revolution. She wears this versatile wrap when traveling between the American colonies and the Scottish Highlands.

My handmade version of Claire Fraser's iconic outfits

I made both the shawl and beret with Easy Care Merino Classic by Danish yarn company Mayflower. The yarn is a light worsted/DK weight.

You can find the shawl's written crochet tutorial here, and a video tutorial for a similar shawl here. This pattern will help you create a similar beret.

A hammered brass shawl pin secures the neckline. It was handcrafted by this New York artisan (and ships for free!). The pin will keep the layers in place while you harvest the kitchen garden.

You can order a similar, ready-to-wear shawl on Etsy here.

Brooch: Etsy, similar here / Earrings: Amazon / Ring: Swarovski, similar here

The neck scarf and wrist warmers above were crocheted with Tunisian knit stitch. The wrist warmers were made with this Knit Picks' worsted wool yarn in shade 'larch heather.'

You can order ready-to-wear, hand-crocheted wrist warmers here.

Matching beret and neck scarf

I made both the beret and neck scarf above with Paton's Grace yarn in the colorway 'navy.' It's 100% cotton, with a pleasant sheen from its mercerized spin.

The beret is made entirely of single crochet stitches. I recommend the yarn-over/yarn-under technique used in amigurumi. It adds gentle structure that looks flattering in headwear.

This video tutorial explains the technique. You can find an easy beret patterns here and here.

I made the neck scarf with Tunisian crochet knit stitch.

This similar crocheted hat and scarf set is ready-made from Etsy.