February 13, 2026

Perfect Crochet Motif 🧶 Simple Wheel Pattern Tutorial

This motif pattern works in the round and forms a decorative wheel-like shape that you can use individually or join into larger projects (blankets, scarves, tops, runners, bags, etc.).


🧵 Materials

  • Light-to-medium weight yarn (e.g., DK / sport / cotton thread for a fine look)
  • Crochet hook sized to yarn (e.g., 3 mm–4.5 mm)
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry needle for weaving ends
  • Optional stitch marker

📌 Abbreviations (US Terms)

AbbreviationMeaning
chchain
sl stslip stitch
scsingle crochet
hdchalf-double crochet
dcdouble crochet
trtreble crochet
spspace
ststitch
reprepeat

🟡 ROUND 1 — WORK THE WHEEL CENTER

  1. Make a magic ring (adjustable loop).
    This lets you pull the center tight so no hole is left.
  2. Ch 3 — this counts as the first dc of this round.
  3. Dc 11 into the magic ring. Total at end of round: 12 dc including beginning ch-3.
  4. Pull the tail of the magic ring to tighten the center completely.
  5. Join with a sl st into the top of the beginning ch-3.

✔ Your center should now be a compact circle.


🟢 ROUND 2 — FORMING SPOKES

The goal here is to create the spoke division that will make the motif a “wheel.”

  1. Ch 4 (counts as a tr).
  2. Ch 1, skip 1 st, tr in next st — repeat around.
  3. You should make a series of ch-1 spaces between treble stitches.
  4. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-4.

✔ Round 2 gives you open chain-1 gaps for spokes.


🔵 ROUND 3 — BUILDING THE WHEEL RIM

  1. Ch 3 (counts as dc).
  2. Dc into each tr and each ch-1 space around.
    • This means: dc in tr, dc in chain-1 space, dc in next tr, etc.
  3. Join with sl st to top of beginning ch-3.

✔ The rounds begin looking like a wheel rim with spokes radiating from the center.


🟠 ROUND 4 — DECORATIVE ROUNDS

This round introduces open work for aesthetic flair.

  1. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
  2. Sc in first dc.
  3. Ch 3, skip next stitch.
  4. Sc in next dc.
  5. Repeat: ch 3, skip, sc all the way around.
  6. Join with sl st to first sc.

✔ You now have airy chain-3 loops around the wheel.


🟣 ROUND 5 — EXPAND THE WHEEL

This round gives dimension to your motif by working into both dc and ch-3 spaces.

  1. Sl st into first chain-3 space.
  2. Ch 3 (counts as dc).
  3. Dc 4 into the same ch-3 space.
  4. Sc in next chain-3 space.
  5. Dc 5 into the next ch-3 space.
  6. Repeat these groups around.
  7. Join with sl st at top of beginning ch-3.

✔ The motif gains beautiful height and decorative texture.


🟡 OPTIONAL ROUND 6 — LACY EXTENSION

Add an extra decorative round for more openwork:

  1. Ch 3 (counts as dc).
  2. Dc in next 4 stitches.
  3. Ch 5, Sc in next group.
  4. Ch 5, Dc in next 5 stitches.
  5. Repeat all around.
  6. Join with sl st.

✔ Chain-5 adds larger lace loops.


🟢 FINAL ROUND — PICOT EDGE (Optional)

This gives a pretty border that also makes joining motifs easier.

  1. Ch 1.
  2. Sc in next stitch.
  3. Ch 3, sl st into 2nd ch from hook — this forms a picot.
  4. Sl st in next stitch to anchor the picot.
  5. Repeat: sc + picot + sc around the motif edge.
  6. Join with sl st to first sc.

✔ This frame gives a neat, decorative edge.


🧵 WEAVING IN ENDS

  1. Trim your yarn leaving a 6-8 cm tail.
  2. Thread it through a tapestry needle.
  3. Weave the yarn tail through stitches on the back to hide ends.

🧠 BLOCKING (Recommended)

  1. Gently wet your motif with water or steam.
  2. Pin it to a blocking mat so the edges are nice and even.
  3. Allow it to dry completely.

🔹 Blocking opens up lace details and makes motifs consistent in size — especially useful if you plan to join multiple motifs together.


🪡 JOINING MOTIFS

To create larger projects like blankets, runners, shawls, or blouses:

Method 1 — Join-as-You-Go

  • Crochet final round of a new motif until the last few stitches.
  • When you reach the edge that should touch an existing motif:
    • Instead of working normally, join with a sl st into the corresponding stitch of the adjacent motif.
    • Continue until edges meet.

Method 2 — Sew Together

  • Lay motifs adjacent.
  • Use yarn and a tapestry needle to sew seams.
  • Weave the joining yarn through adjacent edges to secure.

🧶 USE IDEAS

✔ Throw blankets
✔ Table runners
✔ Shawls
✔ Vest or blouse panels
✔ Decorative wall hangings
✔ Tote bag panels

Wheel motifs are versatile and work really well in repeated panels or alternating patterns.


🧠 TECHNIQUE TIPS

Maintain even tension — especially in chain spaces — so motifs lie flat.
Stitch Markers can help you mark each round’s start/finish.
✔ If the motif cuves inward, loosen your tension or use a slightly larger hook.
✔ If it ripples, tighten your tension or remove a few chains in lace rounds.


📝 Final Pattern Summary (Rounds)

  1. Center circle — 12 dc in magic ring
  2. Spoke round — ch4 + tr repeats
  3. Rim round — dc into all sts/spaces
  4. Lace loop round — sc + ch3 repeat
  5. Textured expansion — shells into ch3 spaces
  6. Optional lace extension — dc and ch5 spaces
  7. Picot border — sc + picot + sc

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