by Nice day! Below is a complete, step-by-step text tutorial inspired by “GORGEOUS and DAZZLING — Crochet Shawl, Blouse, Runner and Cover Pattern / Latest Patterns” . It’s a versatile lacy medallion → joinable block you can use for a shawl, blouse, runner or cover. I give exact round counts, checks after each round, joining-as-you-go instructions for one-piece garments, blocking/finishing and a few easy variations so you can start crocheting right away.
Materials & finished size
- Yarn: DK / sport (cotton for crisp lace; cotton blend or soft acrylic for drape).
- Hook: 3.5–4.5 mm (adjust to reach the finished motif size you want).
- Notions: tapestry needle, blocking pins/mat, scissors, stitch markers (optional).
- Finished motif (blocked): ≈ 10–13 cm / 4–5 in with DK + 4.0 mm (your gauge may vary — make one 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)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- rep = repeat
Pattern overview
Worked from center outward:
- compact centre (dc round)
- chain-loop foundation for petals
- puffy petals (dc clusters)
- tidy sc round to flatten
- tall lacy arches with post clusters
- decorative ribs inside arches
- optional square-conversion side+corner loops (for neat grid joins)
- scalloped picot outer edge
Counts are provided so you can check after each major round.
Motif — round-by-round (exact)
Round 1 — center
- Make a magic ring.
- ch 3 (counts as dc), work 15 dc into ring. (ch-3 + 15 dc = 16 dc.)
- Pull ring closed; sl st to top of ch-3 to join.
Check: 16 dc.
Round 2 — loop foundation (petal bases)
- ch 4, skip next dc, sc in next dc — repeat around.
You’ll make 8 ch-4 loops and 8 sc between them. Join with sl st.
Check: 8 loops.
Round 3 — puffy petals
- In each ch-4 loop work (sc, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, sc) — all into same ch-4 sp (one cluster = petal).
- Sl st to next loop and repeat for all 8 loops. Join.
Check: 8 petals.
Variation: use 5 dc instead of 7 dc for smaller petals.
Round 4 — tidy sc round
- Rejoin between petals and work sc evenly around the petal bases to make a smooth circle. Aim ~10 sc per petal area (distribute to keep flat). Join with sl st.
Check: motif boundary is circular and lies flat.
Round 5 — tall lacy arches (frame)
- From outer petal tip: sl st to tip → ch 7 → anchor in the sc round between next petals with (tr, ch 2, tr, ch 2, tr) worked into that sc or space → sl st back to petal tip.
- Repeat to create 8 tall arches. (Adjust ch-6/7/8 to suit yarn/hook so arches sit neatly.) Join.
Check: 8 evenly spaced arches.
Round 6 — decorative ribs inside arches
- In each ch-arch work: 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 to arch base.
- Repeat for all arches and join. Simpler: 3 dc separated by ch-1 across each arch.
Check: three ribs per arch, nice layered texture.
Round 7 — optional side & corner loops (square conversion)
(Do this round if you want motifs to join in a square grid — helpful for blouses/runners.)
- Mark four quarter points (every 2 petals = 90°). Rejoin at a quarter marker.
- Along each side between corners do a repeat of sc and side loops: for example sc X → (sc, ch 4, sc) repeated Y times → sc X then ch 6 at corner for a corner loop. (Choose X/Y so all four sides have identical counts.)
- Join and fasten off.
Check: four ch-6 corner loops and evenly spaced side loops — motifs will align when joined.
Round 8 — outer scallop & picot finish
- Rejoin and work outer scallop: sc 3, (pic: ch 3, sl st into same st), sc 4 (adjust sc counts per small curve so edge sits flat).
- Place picots at regular intervals to get the dotted look. Join, fasten off, weave in ends.
Check: scallop and picots even; motif lies flat after blocking.
Blocking & shaping
- Pin motifs to blocking board/T-towel into the desired geometry (pull corner loops outward if used). Pin each picot for crisp points. Spray lightly with water or use steam; allow to dry completely. Blocking is essential to open the lace and make joins neat.
Joining motifs — two recommended methods
1) Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) — recommended for garments & flat seams
- Make the first motif completely. For the next motif, work through Round 7. On Round 8 (outer edge), when you reach a stitch that should meet an already-finished neighbor, replace that stitch / picot with a sl st into the corresponding stitch of the finished motif. Join at side loops and corner loops to produce a flat, neat seam. Continue adding motifs row by row using JAYG to build one-piece garments with minimal sewing.
2) Sew-after (traditional)
- Make all motifs and block them. Layout the design and join using a tapestry needle and matching yarn (mattress stitch or whipstitch) through outer sc round or side loops. This gives flexibility to rearrange before final joining.
Project builds — quick guides
Blouse (one-piece, JAYG)
- Measure your blocked motif width M. Decide desired chest circumference C. Half-chest ≈ C/2. Motifs across top row = round(half-chest ÷ M). Build top row (neckline row), leave center joins open for neckline as needed, then JAYG add further rows to desired body length. Leave side openings unjoined for armholes (1–3 motif heights depending on sleeve style). Finish neckline and armholes with sc rounds + picot or eyelet rows.
Shawl
- Rectangular: join motifs into a rectangle (e.g., 6 × 10 motifs). Add 2 rounds sc + scallop border.
- Triangular: start with 1 motif, then join rows 2, 3, 4… building an expanding triangle. Use partial motifs at edges or accept scalloped sides.
Runner / Cover
- Join motifs in single or multiple rows for runners; block and add weight/hem (a dc round) if necessary for lying flat. For covers (cushion/table), cut to size, finish border.
Edging ideas
- Neat finish: 2 rounds sc (one for stability, one decorative).
- Decorative: sc round → picot scallop round.
- Heavier hem: add a round of dc to add weight to garment bottoms.
Troubleshooting & tips
- If motif cups (edges pull up): loosen tension on petals/arches or use a slightly larger hook; block firmly.
- If motif ruffles/waves: shorten arch chains (ch-7 → ch-6) or reduce sc count in tidy round.
- If joints gap: add one extra sl st when joining or block motifs before joining.
- If you want more drape: use softer yarn and go up 0.5–1 mm in hook size. For crisp lace: use cotton and maybe one hook size smaller.
Variations & creative ideas
- Two-color motif: change color after Round 3 (petals) to highlight the flower.
- Bigger motif: increase petal dc (7 → 9) and arch chain length (ch-8/9).
- Smaller motif: use thinner yarn & smaller hook or decrease petal dcs (5 instead of 7).
- Dense runner: reduce chain lengths and replace dc ribs with hdc for less openness.
- Add beads: add a bead at petal center or on arch ribs for sparkle (thread bead onto yarn before making dc).
VIDEO:
