This tutorial shows a multipurpose crochet lace edging made from chain arches and shell (fan) stitches, which are commonly used to create decorative borders for garments, shawls, table runners, and blankets. Lace edging patterns usually combine chain spaces and double-crochet clusters to produce an airy decorative edge.

Below is a very detailed step-by-step written tutorial.

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Materials 🧶

• Cotton yarn or acrylic yarn (light / DK weight works best for lace)
• Crochet hook 3.0 – 4.0 mm
• Scissors
• Yarn needle (for weaving ends)

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Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	chain
sc	single crochet
dc	double crochet
sl st	slip stitch
sp	space
sk	skip

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Pattern Multiple

Foundation chain must be:

Multiple of 6 + 2 chains

Example starting chains:

• 26 chains
• 32 chains
• 38 chains

This allows the lace pattern to repeat evenly.

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Step 1 — Foundation Chain

1. Make a slip knot and place it on the hook.
2. Yarn over and pull through to create the first chain stitch.
3. Continue making chains until reaching the desired width (multiple of 6).
4. Add 2 extra chains for turning.

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Row 1 — Base Row

This row stabilizes the lace edge.

1. Insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook.
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
3. Yarn over and pull through both loops → 1 single crochet.
4. Continue making single crochet in each chain across.

At the end of the row you will have a solid base row of single crochet stitches.

Turn the work.

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Row 2 — Chain Loop Row

This row creates the open lace arches.

1. Crochet 2 single crochet in the first two stitches.
2. Chain 4.
3. Skip 2 stitches.
4. Crochet 2 single crochet in the next two stitches.

Repeat across the row:

sc 2 → ch4 → skip 2 → sc 2

These chain-4 spaces will hold the decorative shells.

Turn work.

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Row 3 — Shell Motif Row

This row creates the decorative lace edge pattern.

1. Insert hook into the first chain-4 loop.
2. Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet).
3. In the same space crochet:

• 2 more double crochet

4. Chain 2.
5. Crochet 3 more double crochet in the same loop.

This forms a shell motif:

(3 dc, ch2, 3 dc)

6. Between the loops, crochet 1 single crochet in the anchor stitch.
7. Move to the next chain-4 loop and repeat the shell motif.

Repeat across the row.

Turn your work.

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Row 4 — Connecting Row

This row prepares the pattern for repeating.

1. Chain 1.
2. Crochet 1 single crochet in each stitch across the shell cluster.

When you reach the center chain-2 space of the shell, crochet:

• 1 single crochet
• chain 4
• 1 single crochet

This creates a new chain loop above the shell.

Continue across the row.

Turn work.

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Row 5 — Repeat Shell Motifs

1. Slip stitch into the chain-4 loop.
2. Chain 3.
3. In the same loop crochet:

• 2 dc
• ch2
• 3 dc

4. Crochet 1 single crochet between motifs.
5. Move to the next loop and repeat.

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Pattern Repeat

Repeat the following rows:

• Row 4 – chain loop connection row
• Row 5 – shell motif row

These rows create a beautiful repeating lace border suitable for many crochet projects.

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How to Use This Lace Edge

This pattern can be used for:

• Shawl edges
• Table runner borders
• Blouse sleeves
• Skirt hems
• Blanket borders

Lace edging patterns are popular because they create a light decorative finish while remaining simple to repeat for long edges.

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