🧶 Materials

• Cotton yarn or lightweight acrylic yarn
• Crochet hook: 2.5–4 mm
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

👉 Cotton yarn is commonly used for lace motifs because it gives crisp stitch definition and elegant shaping.

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🧵 Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• sp = space
• rep = repeat

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🌸 Pattern Overview

This motif is worked:

• In rounds
• From the center outward
• Using:
  • shell/fan stitches
  • chain arches
  • corner increases
  • decorative lace sections

👉 Square lace motifs are usually shaped by placing grouped increases evenly at four corners while decorative stitches fill the sides.

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✨ ROUND 1: Create the Center Ring

1. Make a magic ring
   OR:
   • ch 4
   • join with sl st to form a ring
2. Ch 3 (counts as first dc)
3. Work:
   • 15 dc into the ring
4. Pull ring tight
5. Join with sl st

✔ Total = 16 dc

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✨ ROUND 2: Create Petal Spaces

1. Ch 1
2. In each stitch work:
   • (sc, ch 2)
3. Repeat around
4. Join with sl st

✔ Small chain spaces now surround the center.

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✨ ROUND 3: Form Flower Petals

👉 This creates the floral appearance in the center.

1. Slip stitch into first ch-2 space
2. In each space work:
   • 5 dc
3. Slip stitch between petals
4. Repeat around

✔ Rounded shell petals form around the motif center.

Shell stitches are created by placing several dc into one space to form curved decorative texture.

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✨ ROUND 4: Add Lace Arches

1. Ch 1
2. Between petals work:
   • sc
   • ch 3
3. Repeat around

✔ Decorative chain arches appear around the flower.

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✨ ROUND 5: Begin Square Shaping

👉 This round changes the motif from circular to square.

1. In first arch work:
   • 3 dc
2. In every corner space work:
   • (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)
3. Along sides:
   • 3 dc in each space
4. Repeat around

✔ Four corners begin forming clearly.

Many crochet lace squares become square by evenly spacing corner increases around the motif.

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✨ ROUND 6: Expand the Square

1. Sl st into next space
2. Ch 3
3. Along each side:
   • 3 dc in each open space
4. In corners work:
   • (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc)
5. Repeat around
6. Join with sl st

✔ The square motif grows larger.

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✨ ROUND 7: Decorative Lace Round

👉 This creates the elegant openwork effect seen in shawls and runners.

Along sides:

• (3 dc, ch 2)

In corners:

• (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc)

✔ Lace openings appear around the outer edge.

Crocheters often describe these motifs as “shell lace” or “flower lace motifs.”

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✨ ROUND 8: Final Border

Simple Border

• sc evenly around

Decorative Picot Border

Repeat:

• (sc, ch 3, sl st in same stitch)

✔ Creates delicate pointed lace edging.

Picot borders are very common in shawls and decorative runners because they enhance the lace appearance.

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✂️ FINISHING

• Cut yarn
• Pull through loop
• Weave in ends carefully
• Block the motif firmly

👉 Blocking is especially important for lace crochet because it opens the chain spaces and sharpens the square corners beautifully.

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💡 Helpful Tips

• Keep tension even
• Use stitch markers at corners
• Count stitches every round
• Work shell stitches into spaces, not directly into dc stitches

Many crocheters mention that lace motifs become much easier after completing the first one because the stitch sequence repeats consistently.

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🌿 What You Can Make

This motif is beautiful for:

• Table runners
• Shawls
• Scarves
• Tablecloths
• Cushion covers
• Decorative lace panels

Square motifs are especially popular because they join together neatly into larger projects.

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❤️ Beginner Insight

Although the motif looks advanced:

• It mainly repeats:
  • dc
  • chains
  • shell stitches

👉 After making 1–2 motifs, the pattern becomes much easier to memorize.

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