Crochet Summer Capsule Wardrobe [PART 2]: Final results and Lookbook

As I write this, I’m about nine months into my crochet journey… long enough to grow a baby! This project kind of is my baby: hours upon hours of choosing patterns, curating a colour palette, and building the skills I needed to bring my dream summer capsule to life. I have made so many pieces in the process, and it’s been such a satisfying challenge: creatively, technically, and emotionally.

Let’s get into it.

The Plan (spoiler: I went a little overboard…)

Originally, I set out to make two dresses, a bikini, a top, and a pair of shorts. I’m super excited to report I made all of that and more.

Read more about the original plan in PART 1.

As always, I got carried away. Using leftover yarn to keep the capsule cohesive, I ended up adding:

• A hat

• A scrunchie

• Two bags

• A scrap sweater

• A striped bikini top

For each item below, I have included photos, pattern notes and thoughts.

All the patterns are listed in part 1.

And yes, there will be a lookbook video on my Instagram for the full 'in motion' experience. I couldn't resist the opportunity to play a bit more with video formats. This will be linked here as soon as it is out.

A big thank you to my beautiful friends for modeling the capsule. They make it shine!

The Basic Bikini

This was the very first piece I made and the one that sparked the whole idea. I love how the gold pops against the stitch pattern. I even wore it to surf in Portugal (far from glamorous as I nearly drowned in shame). That said, it held up! Just got a bit heavy when wet.

If I make more, I’ll look into swim-specific yarn or add elastic to help with support. It’s perfect as a tanning/lounge bikini and looks amazing under a linen shirt.

Beginner friendly. Great first wearable.

Pattern recommendations:

Fille Sophie’s The Classic Bikini

The Striped Bikini

I really enjoyed making the basic bikini and thought since it uses so little yarn I could probably use some leftovers. I ended up using cotton: a soft green I used for the Monkey toy I made earlier this year (see here) and the off white I used for the shorts.

Much like the Basic Bikini, this is super beginner friendly and would be a nice first wearable.

Pattern recommendations:

• Urthbymorg’s Classic Bikini

Drying the day after watching the sunset in a jacuzzi by a windmill.

The Island Dress

Riding high from my bikini success, I ambitiously dove into a full-length dress and made it in time for a Portugal trip! (Photos on Insta.)

The pattern is super clear. Yes, it’s labour intensive, but once you grasp the stitch pattern, you’re golden. It has this subtle cottagecore vibe that feels timeless not too cutesy, not too trendy.

This dress makes me want to pick berries barefoot with a straw basket. I also made a matching scrunchie from leftover yarn (see accessories).

Perfect for confident - or delusionally confident - beginners.

Tip: Wear with a nude slip, shapewear romper, or shorts + bandeau if not using it as a beach cover-up.

The Allegra Top

This was so much fun. The elastic gives it a beautiful fit. I wore it in Malta for a bachelorette (yes, it conveniently matched the theme). Paired it with white jeans and sandals: perfection.

I even made a matching baby blue bag (see accessories). I wouldn’t recommend it as a first garment, but totally doable if you’ve made a top or dress before.

Opaque enough to wear alone. Add nipple covers, a bandeau, or sew in soft (or even crochet) cups if you prefer.

The Shorts

These were tricky. Originally I wanted skirt-like shorts, but I already had a cream pleated skirt, so I switched direction mid-project.

I went with a more fitted, poolside-lounge silhouette and used a shorts adaptation of Mati’s Alma Pants pattern. Super comfy ribbed texture. The crotch assembly confused me (as always, it's the same with sewing), but I managed.

Intermediate level. Still wearable, even if I suspect I did the crotch a bit wrong. I still kind of want to try a more flowy silhouette. I would keep these for lounging or very casual beach settings.

The Belle Dress

This teal colour? Still obsessed. It’s rare and so elegant. This dress is the definition of understated beauty.

It’s all double crochets, very beginner friendly, but the construction is more intermediate. I made it a bit snug, knowing cotton stretches, and it fits like a dream. I did rework the neckline a bit after I was done as it needed to be a bit more modest for me to feel comfortable wearing it out and about.

Just add a silk scarf and it’s a complete look.

Extras / Accessories

Because I had leftover yarn and an urge to make everything.

Pistachio Yarn Scrunchie

Using yarn from the Island Dress, I made a Scrunchie: Crocheted around a hair elastic in the round using half double crochets in the back + third loop. Love the texture!

Baby Blue Bag

Used t-shirt yarn and the Messenger Bag pattern by ByGalk. Made it in an evening before my Malta trip. I added pressure buttons to keep it closed: easy and practical. It's not the most exciting of her patterns but it's so versatile and very beginner friendly, I really recommend it.

Scrap Sweater

When the main capsule was done, I still had a little of each yarn left, one skein here, half a skein there, and since all the colours played nicely together (yes, on purpose), I decided to turn the leftovers into a light, casual sweater for travel days or chilly nights.

I pictured it immediately: lighter shades at the top, fading into darker tones at the hem; a slash neck, cropped length, and ¾ sleeves. The construction couldn’t be simpler: two identical panels for the body, two flat rectangles for the sleeves (folded and seamed), all in a breezy treble crochet. For a finishing touch, I added a row of single crochet at the neckline in teal for both structure and a pop of colour.

Don’t let the basic shape fool you: fingering-weight yarn meant it took its sweet time to grow. But the payoff was worth it: soft, comfortable, and cute. I wore it everywhere, planes, boats, and cars across France and Italy. It's the perfect stash-buster.

White Flower Bag

Made during my “bag era” (see more bags I made here). The stitch is lovely but the handle felt off. Swapped it for bamboo handles and it completely changed the vibe : vintage, casual, and refined. It's like a straw basket but better. I adore this bag and I have worn it a ton. It's making me want to make more and experiment. Maybe trying to make a small collection?

In the valley of temples, Sicily.

Raffia Hat

Summer hit us unexpectedly (30°C in the UK??) and I panicked. I wanted versatile, neutral-toned hats that felt vintage and cute. It's perfect and incredibly flattering. I wore it non-stop in Sicily. It may have saved my life in Agrigento.

Patterns used:

• Sun Hat by HayHay Crochet (free tutorial)

see me wearing it here or on my friend in the first section 'classic bikini' picture of this article.

Reflections & What’s Next

What I have learned from crocheting my wardrobe:

• It forces you to think, hard, about what you’ll actually wear. Nobody wants to spend 30+ hours on a one-hit wonder.

• It’s relaxing and wildly satisfying.

• It made shopping feel unnecessary. Everything in stores felt cheap or not-quite-right.

• Tailoring to your taste is chef’s kiss. You start to believe you can make anything.

Next challenge? A Fall/Winter capsule, of course. Maybe I'll try making my own patterns?

Thanks for following this journey. If you're starting yours, I promise it's worth it. More updates coming soon, including a lookbook video!

Bonus: Styling My Crochet Capsule

The goal was never to wear only crochet, but to create handmade pieces that fit seamlessly into my real wardrobe. I paired my capsule with a few key summer staples like circle skirts, silk trousers, and a linen shirt, so each piece felt versatile and wearable.

Wearing what I made throughout my holidays in Sicily and on my road trip through the south of France was incredibly satisfying. Every outfit reminded me of the joy I felt showing off my latest drawing as a child. A simple silk scarf, my handmade hat, and a swipe of red lipstick pulled it all together for a summer I will definitely remember.

Lookbook video coming end of August, see the capsule in motion!