by 💛 Gorgeous Lace Piece — Runner, Shawl, Edge & Intermediate Lace Pattern (step-by-step)
Here’s a clear, beginner-friendly step-by-step text tutorial inspired by the “Gorgeous Design — Runner, Shawl, Edge and Intermediate Lace” style. It gives a single versatile motif plus two ways to use it: (A) join motifs into a runner or shawl panel, and (B) use the same stitch language as a continuous lace edge. Exact stitch counts, checks after each round, blocking, finishing, joining and quick variations included so you can crochet right away.
Summary / What you’ll make
- A lacy floral-medallion motif that joins into panels (good for runners, shawls, blouses).
- A continuous edge pattern (use it to trim garments, table linens, blankets).
- Finished motif (blocked): ≈ 10–13 cm / 4–5 in with DK yarn + 4.0 mm hook (adjust hook/yarn to change size).
Materials & tools
- Yarn: DK / sport (cotton for crisp lace, wool/blend for drape).
- Hook: 3.0–4.5 mm depending on yarn & desired drape.
- Notions: tapestry needle, blocking pins, measuring tape, stitch markers (optional).
- Gauge: 1 motif ≈ 10–13 cm blocked (make 1 test motif).
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
- pic = picot (ch 3, sl st into base)
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
- (…) = repeat between asterisks
PART 1 — Motif: “Gorgeous Lace Medallion”
Work in rounds. Counts given so you can check as you go.
Round 0 — Foundation
Make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form ring).
Round 1 — Center
- ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 15 dc into ring. (ch-3 + 15 dc = 16 dc total.)
- Pull tight, sl st to top of ch-3 to join. Check: 16 dc.
Round 2 — Chain loop bases (petal scaffolding)
- ch 4, skip next dc, sc in next dc — rep around.
- You’ll get 8 ch-4 loops and 8 sc. Join with sl st. Check: 8 loops.
Round 3 — Puff petals
- In each ch-4 loop work: (sc, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, sc) — all into the same ch-4 sp (one petal).
- Sl st to next loop and repeat. After 8 petals join. Check: 8 petals.
Round 4 — Base tidy round
- Rejoin between any petals. Work sc evenly around to make the outer boundary round and flat. Aim for ~10 sc per petal area (adjust ±1–2 so motif sits flat). Join with sl st. Check: smooth circle.
Round 5 — Lacy arches (frame)
- From petal tops: sl st to top → ch 7 → anchor into the sc round between next petals with (tr, ch 2, tr, ch 2, tr) worked into that sc → sl st to next petal top.
- Repeat all around to create 8 large arches. (If ch-7 looks wrong for your yarn, use ch-6 or ch-8.) Join. Check: 8 arches.
Round 6 — Arch ribs (decoration)
- Into each ch-7 arch work decorative ribs: sl st to arch base → ch 3 → dc into top of first tr → ch 1 → dc into top of middle tr → ch 1 → dc into top of last tr → ch 3 → sl st into arch base.
- Repeat for all 8 arches and join. Check: 3 ribs per arch (or substituted 3 dc separated by ch-1).
Round 7 — Side loops & corner shaping (make motif joinable)
- Mark quarter points (every 2 petals). Rejoin at a quarter.
- Along each side between corners make repeated sc, ch 4, sc motifs and ch 6 at corners to form a corner loop. Distribute sc evenly so each side has the same stitch/loop count. Join and fasten off. Check: 4 corner loops and evenly spaced side loops for joins.
Round 8 — Outer scallop & picot finish
- Rejoin and work a scalloped edge: sc 3, (pic: ch 3, sl st into same st), sc 4 — adjust counts so the edge lies flat. Place picots uniformly (one per scallop). Join, fasten off, weave ends. Check: scallop even and flat.
PART 2 — Join motifs into projects
Joining methods (choose one)
A) Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) — recommended for flat seams
- Make first motif completely. For each new motif work Rounds 1–7. On Round 8 (outer scallop) when you reach a point that meets an adjacent finished motif, replace that edge sl st/picot with a sl st into the corresponding stitch on the finished motif to join. Attach at side loops and corner loops for solid flat joins without sewing.
B) Sew-after (traditional)
- Make and block motifs. Layout the design. Use a tapestry needle & yarn to mattress-stitch/whipstitch through the outer sc round or side loops. Useful if you want to reposition motifs before joining.
Layout ideas
- Runner: join motifs in a single or double row. Example runner 1×8 (narrow) or 2×10 (wider).
- Shawl (rectangular): join into rectangle (e.g., 6 × 10 motifs). Add border.
- Shawl (triangular): build rows: 1, 2, 3, … or join rectangular piece and block into triangle if you prefer.
- Blouse: join into two panels (front/back) or make one continuous sheet and leave neckline/armholes unjoined (use JAYG to shape).
PART 3 — Alternate: Continuous Lace Edge (no motifs)
If you want to use the visual language of the motif as a repeating edge (for hems, tablecloths, scarves), here’s a continuous pattern that echoes the arches & picots.
Edge pattern (work along existing fabric edge)
Repeat the bracketed sequence along the edge.
- Attach yarn to edge. scintoedge3sts,ch6(smallarch),slstbackintoedgetoformpocketanchoringthearch,sc3alongedge,ch4,scintosamebasesc into edge 3 sts, ch 6 (small arch), sl st back into edge to form pocket anchoring the arch, sc 3 along edge, ch 4, sc into same basescintoedge3sts,ch6(smallarch),slstbackintoedgetoformpocketanchoringthearch,sc3alongedge,ch4,scintosamebase — repeat around.
- On the next round, decorate each ch-6 arch with: sl st into arch base → ch 3 → dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc → ch 3 → sl st back to arch base.
- Finish with 1 round sc around and a picot scallop: sc 3, (pic: ch 3 sl st into same st), sc 4 across, adjusting count to lie flat.
This produces a running series of arches + ribs + picots that mirror the motif’s look.
PART 4 — Blocking, Finishing & Tips
Blocking
- Pin motifs/finished piece to blocking board or towel. Pull corners/sides into shape to match intended geometry. Pin picots and scallops to crisp points. Spray lightly with water or steam and leave to dry completely. Blocking is essential for lace clarity and joining accuracy.
Finishing
- Weave ends into wrong side. For shawls/runners consider a round of dc for weight at hem if you want it to drape heavier. For table runners, starched finish optional.
Troubleshooting
- Cupping (edges curl up): loosen tension or use a larger hook for the petals/arches rounds.
- Ruffling (ripples): shorten arch chains by 1 (ch-7 → ch-6) or remove some sc from the tidy base round.
- Gapping joins: add extra join slip stitches at join points or block motifs more firmly.
- Motif too small/large: change yarn weight or hook; for bigger motif increase petal dc (7 → 9) and arch chain (ch-7 → ch-9).
PART 5 — Variations & Styling ideas
- Two-color: change color after Round 3 (petals) so petals contrast the frame.
- Denser runner: replace ch-7 arches with ch-5 and substitute dc ribs with hdc for less openness.
- Open airy shawl: use a softer yarn and go up one hook size for drape.
- Crisp runner/table decor: use cotton or linen and size down hook for firm lace.
- Border boost: after joining, work 2 rounds sc + 1 round shell (5 dc in shell) for a classic finish.
Quick project suggestions (motif counts estimate)
(Assume 1 motif ≈ 12 cm blocked)
- Narrow runner 12 × 1 motifs ≈ 144 cm long.
- Medium runner 10 × 2 motifs ≈ 120 × 24 cm.
- Shawl rectangular 6 × 10 motifs ≈ 72 × 120 cm (wrap).
- Blouse front panel (S) ≈ 4 × 3 motifs (adjust with exact motif width).
Measure one blocked motif to calculate exact counts for your size.
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