Quick facts

• Skill: Beginner → easy
• Terms: US crochet terms
• Repeat: multiple of 8 + 1 (easy to remember)
• Basic idea: alternating rows of fans/shells (the “leaf”) and chain/V-st spacer rows that align leaves vertically

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Materials

• Yarn: fingering/sport for delicate shawl or blouse; DK for a sturdier blouse. (Cotton blends look crisp; wool blends drape more.)
• Hook: choose to match yarn — sample uses 3.5 mm (for DK) / 3.0 mm (for sport).
• Tapestry needle, scissors, blocking pins/mat, measuring tape.
• Abbreviations: ch, sc, dc, hdc, tr (treble), sl st, sp, st, rep.

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Stitch multiple

• Multiple of 8 + 1 (example working chain: ch 49 = 8×6 + 1).
• If you need to make the panel wider, change the multiple (8×N + 1).

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Swatch / gauge (recommended)

Make a small swatch (multiple 8 + 1) about 10 × 10 cm and block it to see drape. This will help you calculate finished width/length.

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The pattern — full step-by-step

Foundation

Chain a multiple of 8 + 1. Example for the sample swatch: ch 49.

Optional tidy base: Row 0 — dc across the chain to stabilize edges: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each chain across. Turn.

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Row 1 — Leaf / Fan row (establish leaves)

1. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in next dc (so you begin with 2 dc to anchor the edge).
2. Skip next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st (this is the fan = the leaf), skip next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts.
3. Repeat * across the row. End with dc in the top of the turning ch. Turn.

Notes: the 5-dc shell is the “leaf” body. You’ll place V-sts into the center of these shells on the next row so leaves stack vertically.

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Row 2 — Arch + V-st spacer row (sets leaves apart)

1. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next dc.
2. Ch 3, V-st (dc, ch 1, dc) into the center (3rd dc) of the 5-dc shell below, ch 3, dc in next 2 dc.
3. Repeat * to the row end. End with dc in the top of turning ch. Turn.

Notes: V-st into the center dc of the fan anchors the vertical leaf column and the chain-3 arches give the lace its airy look.

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Repeat

Work Rows 1–2 repeatedly until your panel reaches the desired length.

So the repeat is:

Row 1: Fan row (5-dc shells)
Row 2: Arch + V-st row
Repeat.

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Worked sample (explicit) — make a small panel

1. ch 49.
2. Row 0 (optional): ch 3, dc in each ch across; turn.
3. Row 1: ch 3, dc in next dc; sk 2, 5 dc in next st, sk 2, dc in next 2 dc rep across; end last dc; turn.
4. Row 2: ch 3, dc in next dc; ch 3, V-st (dc,ch1,dc) into center of 5-dc shell below, ch 3, dc in next 2 dc rep; end dc; turn.
5. Repeat Rows 1–2 until desired length. Block.

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Adjusting the look

• Airier leaves: change ch-3 arches to ch-4 on Row 2.
• Smaller leaves: make 3-dc shells instead of 5-dc on Row 1 (then place V-st into the center dc).
• Taller leaves: use 7-dc shells for a bolder look. You’ll still place the V-st into the center of the shell.
• Denser fabric: substitute hdc for edge dcs if you want less drape.

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Turning the same panel into a SHAWL

Option 1 — large rectangular shawl:

• Work a wide panel (for example 60–70 cm width) and length about 170–200 cm. Add a scalloped border (see below). Block well to open the lace.

Option 2 — triangular shawl from rectangle:

• Make a long narrow rectangle and fold in half diagonally; seam or pick up along the diagonal and add fringe.

Option 3 — triangle built from center:

• Make a small central triangle motif by increasing repeats each row — (more advanced; I recommend option 1 for simplicity).

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Turning the panel into a BLOUSE

Method A — simple two-panel blouse (easiest)

1. Make two identical rectangular panels (front & back) of the same width and length. For chest measurement, use your blocked swatch to convert cm to stitches.
2. Join the panels at the shoulders: measure and leave a comfortable neck opening (e.g., leave 18–22 cm or 2–3 pattern repeats centered).
3. Seam sides from hem up to desired armhole depth (leave the rest open for armhole).
4. Finish neck & armholes: pick up stitches and work 1–2 rounds sc, then a decorative shell round if desired. Optionally add short sleeves by picking up around the armhole and working the pattern in the round or adding a short motif strip sewn in.

Method B — open-front blouse (cardigan style)

1. Make a single wide rectangle long enough to wrap; fold and seam sides leaving armholes; add a front band (sc rounds) and optional buttons or tie.

Sizing notes:

• Use swatch to compute stitches per cm: sts_per_cm = (stitches in 10 cm) / 10.
• To get the starting chain for half bust: half_bust_cm × sts_per_cm, then round to nearest multiple of 8 and add +1.

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Edging suggestions (neat finish)

Simple sc border (stabilizer)

• Work 1 round sc evenly around the edges (3 sc in each corner). This stabilizes the lace before decorative edging.

Scallop shell border (classic)

• After sc round: skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc — repeat around for a scalloped finish.

Picot edge (delicate)

• After sc round: (sc, ch 3, sl st into same sc) every 3–6 sts to make tiny picots.

Fringe/tassels (shawl only)

• Attach tassels on short edges or at shell peaks for a boho look.

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Blocking & finishing

• Wet-block or steam block your finished piece pinned to the exact dimensions. The blocking opens the leaf shapes and evens stitch placement.
• Weave in ends on the wrong side. If blouse, sew any seams with mattress stitch for invisibility.

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Troubleshooting & tips

• Leaves don’t line up vertically: make sure you place the V-st into the center (3rd) dc of the 5-dc shell — that anchors the vertical line. If you shifted, count dc in shell and place V-st into the middle one.
• Edges ripple: add Row 0 (a dc tidy base) and/or add one sc round before shell border.
• Fabric too open/floppy: go down one hook size or use 3-dc shells rather than 5-dc.
• Fabric too stiff: use a larger hook or a softer yarn for more drape.
• Stitch counts drifting: keep the multiple (8 + 1) consistent; count shells occasionally.

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Variations & little design ideas

• Stripe leaf shawl: change color every 6–8 rows. Leaves on each stripe appear as bands.
• Leaf and lace panels: alternate leaf panels with a simple mesh panel (ch3, skip, dc) for contrast.
• Centered leaf column blouse: work narrower panels and place leaf columns as vertical decorative panels on a plain background.
• Beaded accent (optional): if you want sparkle, slide a small bead onto the yarn and seat it on the V-st when making the anchor dc — but this is optional and not necessary for the basic pattern.

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Quick cheat-sheet (for printing)

• Foundation: ch (multiple 8 + 1).
• Row 1 (leaf row): ch3, dc in next dc; sk 2, 5 dc in next st, sk 2, dc in next 2 rep. Turn.
• Row 2 (spacer row): ch3, dc in next dc; ch3, V-st (dc,ch1,dc) into center dc of shell below, ch3, dc in next 2 dc rep. Turn.
• Repeat Rows 1–2. Block. Edging: sc round → scallop round if desired.

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