(Mother’s Day Gift)
Crochet Pattern
By: Amal Saleh
Aka: Purpleneedle
This pattern is worked in the round using G hook and Crochet Thread Size 3. Please do not let the stunning twirling shells intimidate you. It’s easier than what you expect. Photo tutorial included for beginners.
Measurements: The finished piece measures about 10 to 10 1/2 inches.
Skill Level: Easy
Supplies:
Size G hook (4.00mm).
One ball of Red Heart Fashion Crochet Thread
Or 125 yards of crochet thread.
Gauge (unwashed/unblocked): 2 Rounds = 1 Inch
(Stitch width changes from one round to another)
Stitches & Abbreviations:
| Bpdc | Back Post Double Crochet |
| Ch | Chain |
| 3-Ch | 3 Chain Stitch |
| Dc | Double Crochet |
| Dc in Sp | Work Double Crochet in the space adjacent to the stitch you just finished |
| Fpdc | Front Post Double Crochet |
| Join | Slip Stitch Into V-Stitch between 3-Ch & next Stitch |
| Rep | Repeat stitches between brackets [ ] |
| Rnd | Round |
| Sc | Single Crochet |
| Sk | Skip |
| Sl St | Slip Stitch |
| Sp(s) | Space(s) |
| St(s) | Stitch(s) |
Notes:
- 3-Ch Stitch is Not counted as a stitch in this pattern.
- All the original 20 Dc worked in first round, become Fpdc.
- All Dc stitches worked in Space, become Shells.
- Each Shell (or repeat) is made of 1Fpdc + 2 or more Dc.
- You’ll not be crocheting in the top of any Dc stitch as usual. You’ll be either working Fpdc in the Fpdc of previous round, or the double crochet Shell in the space between the Fpdc and the space next to it.
- From the original 20 Dc stems 20 Shells. As a result, the lace repeat count does not change from one round to another. What makes the doily grow in size, is the increase in stitch numbers within each shell. When counting stitches, make sure you have 20 shells in each round then count the number of Dc in each shell.
- After steaming the finished piece I was able to stretch it by hand to 10 1/2 inches in diameter.
Instructions & Photo Tutorial:
Ch5, Join to form Ring
Rnd 1:
Ch3, 20Dc in Ring, Join
Total = 20 Dc
Rnd 2:
Step 1 – Ch3, Fpdc in first Dc of previous Rnd
Step 2 – Dc in Sp
Step 3 – [Fpdc in next Dc of previous Rnd, Dc in Sp], Rep, Join
20 Fpdc + 20 Dc in space = 40 Stitches
Rnd 3 & 4:
20 Repeats x (2 Dc + 1 Fpdc) = 60 Stitches
Step 1 – Ch3, Fpdc in Fpdc of previous Rnd
Step 2 – 2Dc in Sp
Step 3 – [Fpdc in next Fpdc of previous Rnd, 2Dc in Sp], Rep, Join
Rnd 5, 6 & 7:
20 repeats x (3Dc + 1 Fpdc) = 80 Stitches
Step 1 – Ch3, Fpdc in Fpdc of previous Rnd
Step 2 – 3Dc in Sp
Step 3 – [Fpdc in next Fpdc of previous Rnd, 3Dc in Sp], Rep, Join
Rnd 8, 9 & 10:
20 repeats x (4 Dc + 1 Fpdc) = 100 Stitches
Step 1 – Ch3, Fpdc in Fpdc of previous round
Step 2 – 4Dc in Sp
Step 3 – [Fpdc in next Fpdc of previous Rnd, 4Dc in Sp], Rep, Join
Rnd 11:
20 repeats x (5Dc + 1Fpdc) = 120 Stitches
Step 1 – Ch3, Fpdc in Fpdc of previous Rnd
Step 2 – 5Dc in Sp
Step 3 – [Fpdc in next Fpdc of previous Rnd, 5Dc in Sp], Rep, Join
Edging:
Finish with Crab Stitch which is reverse (backwards) Sc in Sp
How To Avoid Mistakes:
- Pay extra attention to first Fpdc. Make sure you work that stitch in the first Fpdc of the previous round. First Fpdc can be easily missed as it blends with the 3-ch stitch and the first shell stitch of the round below.
- Around the middle of each round go back and check all the shell stitches and make sure they’re the correct number of Dc. Sometimes one could easily slip into pilot crochet and work for example 3Dc stitch where there should be 4Dc stitch.
How To Customize The Size Of Your Doily:
To decrease the circumference of your doily, do the following:
- Omit one of the rounds. Each round in shells equals 1/2 inch in circumference.
To increase the circumference of your doily, do the following:
- Increase the number of Dc in first round. Each added Dc stitch will change the circumference by one inch.
Purpleneedle 
Really pretty! 🙂 ❤ Jackie@KWH
Thank you Jackie
I am trying this pattern, it looks lovely, except when I do it 😕
My rounds are exceptionally wavey. I am on round 3 and 4 currently. I have taken it apart once but am winding up with the same results. I have tried a second tome and am still getting the same result. Any suggestions?
It is normal to get wavy fabric at the beginning. Just proceed and it will flatten itself.
Was wondering if you have a stitch count after every round? That would really help.
Thank you, Linda
Hi Linda. Thanks for your question.
When working with lace it’s better to count the lace repeats instead of counting the number of stitches especially in this project. In this doily the lace repeat does not change. What makes the doily grow is the number of stitches within each repeat. In the First Round, I mentioned that you should have 20 double crochet stitches. These original 20 stitches and the spaces between them, are the ones from which the shells grow. If you look at your sample or the one in photos you’ll notice that there are 20 repeats in each round. To make sure you have the correct number of stitches in each round, you’ll have to count the stitches within each shell and make sure it’s the correct number recommended in pattern. I hope that helps.
Note: I’ll include round numbers in pattern. Thanks.
I have done it using heavier yarn and it still buckles. I have been stretching it and that helps a bit. I will steam it tomorrow to see if that helps.
Hi Tammy Tubb,
It’s normal for this stitch to buckle up with most yarn fibers, just proceed and it will flatten as you add more rounds especially when you apply the edging (backward single crochet). Steaming with help flatten and stretch out your doily but be careful if your yarn has synthetic fibers because steaming may cause permanent changes to your project. In other words, do not steam until you’re happy with the end results and not planning to frog and re crochet any rounds.
I hope that worked for you.
I have just tried this pattern but it is wavy not flat all, I have done it three time now and have gone over the pattern several times, such a shame as it looks beautiful
Hi Mandy.
Have you finished the whole doily and was still wavy or just at the first few rounds?
Perhapse you crochet loosely. You can use a crochet one size smaller or you can finish the doily and there is a great chance it will straighten itself and if it was still wavy at the end, you can steam-block it or wash it and wet-block it.
Please let me know if these tips worked. Thx
Love this pattern, thank you! Very easy to follow and it turned out lovely. Question: Is there a way to adjust the pattern to make this into a circular baby blanket? I tried just continuing on with more rows, but the edges start to curl after rd 13 or so. Thanks!
Hi Kate S. I’m glad you like it and it turned out lovely. It would be nice if you could share a photo.
I’ve thought about your question and not sure what you meant by circular baby blanket. I’ve seen many crochet circular baby blanket and very few knitted ones. I’ll keep thinking about your question and if I come up with something I’ll post it. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Kate S., I’m glad you like this pattern and I’d love to see your project. Try to share a photo in the next comment. Unfortunately, this stitch is limited as you have discovered. I’m not fan of circular blankets, and I do not recommend using this pattern for a blanket but if you like to increase the size of your doily you can increase the hook sizes every time the project starts to curl but you’ll have to stop at some point because the stitches will start to lose their form. I hope that helps 🙂