by Here’s a clear, ready-to-crochet text tutorial: a decorative floral medallion that converts to a square tile you can use for runners, blouses, shawls or trims. I give round-by-round instructions, join-as-you-go notes, blocking/finishing, sizing guidance and troubleshooting so you can crochet straight away.
Tools & finished size
- Yarn: DK / sport (cotton for crisp lace; cotton-blend or acrylic for better drape)
- Hook: 3.0–4.5 mm (adjust to get desired motif size/drape)
- Notions: tapestry needle, blocking pins/mat, scissors, stitch marker (optional)
- Finished motif (blocked): ≈ 10–13 cm / 4–5 in (varies with yarn & hook)
US crochet terms used.
Abbreviations
- 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 in base)
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rep = repeat
Pattern concept (brief)
Worked in rounds from center out:
- tight center (dc round)
- ch-loop foundation (petal bases)
- puffy petals (cluster)
- tidy sc round to even the base
- tall chain arches with post anchors
- decorative ribs inside arches
- optional side & corner loops to convert circle → square (for neat joins)
- scalloped picot outer edge (used for Join-As-You-Go)
Each major round includes a quick check so you can verify counts.
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 total.)
- Pull ring closed, sl st to top of ch-3 to join.
Check: 16 dc
Round 2 — loop foundation (petal scaffolding)
- ch 4, skip next dc, sc in next dc — repeat around.
- Result: 8 ch-4 loops + 8 sc. Join with sl st.
Check: 8 loop spaces
- Result: 8 ch-4 loops + 8 sc. Join with sl st.
Round 3 — puffy petals (8 petals)
- Into each ch-4 loop work: (sc, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, sc) — all into the same loop (one cluster = one petal).
- After each petal sl st to the next ch-4 loop and repeat. Join.
Check: 8 petals
Tip: 7 dc gives a full petal — reduce to 5 dc for a smaller petal.
Round 4 — tidy sc round
- Rejoin between petals. Work sc evenly around petal bases to flatten and even the round — aim for ~9–12 sc per petal area (distribute so motif lies flat).
- Join with sl st.
Check: smooth circular boundary (not cupped or ruffled)
Round 5 — tall lacy arches (frame)
- From a petal tip: sl st to tip → ch 7 → anchor into the sc round between the next petals with (tr, ch 2, tr, ch 2, tr) worked into that sc/space → sl st to next petal tip.
- Repeat around to form 8 large arches. (If ch-7 looks long or short for your yarn/hook, adjust to ch-6 or ch-8.) Join.
Check: 8 arches
Round 6 — ribs inside arches (decoration)
- Into each chain-arch work: sl st to arch base → ch 3 → dc in top of first tr → ch 1 → dc in top of middle tr → ch 1 → dc in top of last tr → ch 3 → sl st into arch base.
- Repeat for all arches and join. (Simpler alt: 3 dc separated by ch-1 across each arch.)
Check: 3 ribs per arch (layered look)
Round 7 — (optional) side loops & corner shaping — convert to square
Use this round if you plan to join motifs in a grid (recommended for blouses/runners).
- Mark four quarter points (every 2 petals). Rejoin at a quarter.
- Work each side between corners as a consistent pattern, for example: sc 10, (sc, ch 4, sc) × 3, sc 10, then make ch 6 for a corner loop.
- Important: use the same sc & loop counts on all four sides so tiles align when joined. Adjust numbers above to suit your motif size — the key is consistency.
- Join and fasten off (or continue).
Check: 4 corner ch-6 loops + identical side loops on each side
Round 8 — outer scallop & picot finish (join round)
- Rejoin and work the decorative outer edge: sc 3, (pic: ch 3, sl st into same st), sc 4 — adjust sc counts so each scallop lies flat across the side loops.
- Place picots at regular intervals for the dotted effect. Join, fasten off and weave in ends.
Check: scallops and picots even; motif lies flat after blocking
Blocking & finishing
- Pin motifs to blocking board/towel into the desired geometry (square if Round 7 used). Pull corner loops outward to make crisp corners; pin each picot to sharpen points. Lightly mist with water or steam and allow to dry completely. Blocking is essential for lace clarity and accurate joins.
Joining motifs
Join-As-You-Go (JAYG) — recommended
- Crochet the first motif completely. For each new motif work through Round 7. On Round 8 (outer scallop) when you reach a stitch that will meet a finished neighbor, replace that sl st or picot with a sl st into the corresponding stitch/picot of the finished motif. Join at side ch-4 loops and corner ch-6 loops. JAYG gives flat, neat seams and speeds assembly.
Sew-after
- Make and block all motifs. Lay out your design and sew together with matching yarn and tapestry needle using mattress stitch or whipstitch through the outer sc round or side loops. This allows repositioning before final joining.
Project ideas & quick counts
Measure your blocked motif width M and compute counts.
Examples (M ≈ 12 cm):
- Narrow runner 1 × 8 → ~96 cm long.
- Medium runner 2 × 8 → ~24 × 96 cm.
- Shawl rectangle 6 × 10 → ~72 × 120 cm.
- Blouse front panel (S) ≈ 3 × 3 motifs (adjust for fit).
If you tell me your blocked motif width and desired finished measurement I’ll calculate exact motif counts.
Edging & final touches
- After joining full piece, work 1–2 rounds sc for stability, then a scallop/picot round to match motifs.
- Add a dc round at hem for weight if you want better hang on garments.
- Add fringe or tassels to runners or shawls if desired.
Troubleshooting & tips
- Motif cups (edges pull up): loosen tension or go up 0.5 mm hook for petal/arch rounds; block firmly.
- Motif ripples/waves: shorten arch chains (ch-7 → ch-6) or reduce sc in Round 4.
- Join gaps: add one extra sl st at join points or tighten join stitches; JAYG works best when motifs are blocked first.
- Sides not matching: ensure Round 7 side/loop counts are identical on every motif before joining.
- Need more drape: use a softer yarn and increase hook by 0.5–1.0 mm. For crisper lace use cotton and a slightly smaller hook.
Quick variations
- Two-color motif: change color after Round 3 (petals) for a contrasting flower/frame.
- Larger motif: increase petal dc (7 → 9) and arch chain (ch-8/9). Adjust Round 7 counts proportionally.
- Smaller motif: use finer yarn/smaller hook or reduce petal dcs (7 → 5).
- Simpler beginner version: replace arch/post rounds with ch-5 loops and 3 dc across each loop for an easier lacy motif.
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