This is a beginner-friendly lace border that works on:
- Blankets
- Shawls
- Table runners
- Scarves
- Clothing hems
It is made from simple chain loops + shell groups, very easy to memorize.
🧶 Materials
- Any yarn you like (cotton thread or acrylic works beautifully)
- Hook size that matches your yarn (ex: 2.5–4.0 mm)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle

🧵 Abbreviations (US)
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| sk | skip |
| sp | space |
| st | stitch |
📌 IMPORTANT
Before starting the lace, you must have 1 row of single crochet along your edge.
This makes the border clean and even.
If you’re edging fabric or the side of a finished piece:
Work 1 row of sc evenly across first.
Then start the lace pattern below.
🌿 Pattern Instructions
Row 1 – Base Loops
- ch 4
- sk 2 stitches
- sc in the next stitch
Repeat across:
* ch 4, skip 2 sts, sc in next st *
Turn.
You will now have little chain-loops all across the edge.

Row 2 – Build Small Shells
- ch 3 (counts as dc)
- Work 3 dc into the first ch-4 loop
(so total 4 dc in that loop, counting the ch-3) - sc in next ch-4 loop
- 5 dc in the next ch-4 loop
Repeat Steps 3–4 across:
sc in next loop,
5 dc in next loop,
sc in next loop,
5 dc in next loop...
At the end: finish with sc in the last loop.
Turn.
Row 3 – Make the Lace Taller
- ch 4
- sc in the center dc of each shell
→ this means sc in the 3rd dc of your 5-dc group - ch 4
- sc into the next center dc of the next shell
Repeat across:
ch 4, sc in center of shell, ch 4, sc in next center of next shell...
Turn.
This creates tall chain arches again.

Row 4 – Large Decorative Shells
- ch 3 (counts as dc)
- Work 6 dc into the first ch-4 loop
→ total 7 dc shell - sc in next ch-4 loop
- Into next ch-4 loop: 7 dc
Repeat across:
sc in next loop,
7 dc in next loop,
sc in next loop,
7 dc in next loop...
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
✅ Pattern Repeat Summary
| Row | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create chain loops |
| 2 | Create small shells (5-dc shells) |
| 3 | Create tall chain arches |
| 4 | Create large shells (7-dc shells) and finish |
This edging grows quickly and is easy to memorize.
🎀 Looks Beautiful On:
- Baby blankets
- Table cloth edges
- Shawl borders
- Sleeve & collar edges
- Pillow edges

💡 Optional Style Variations
| Want | Change |
|---|---|
| More delicate lace | use smaller hook |
| Bigger scallops | increase final shells to 9 dc |
| Straighter edge | add 1 row of sc at the end |
VIDEO: