by Lovely!! Here’s a complete, easy-to-follow written pattern for a lacy (pineapple) square motif . I wrote it so you can work straight from the text (no video required). It’s in US crochet terms, includes materials, exact rounds, how to square and join motifs, finishing, sizing and tips.
Make one motif first and block it — then adjust hook/yarn if you want a different finished size.
Materials
- Fine/medium cotton or acrylic (DK/sport or thread depending on size).
- Crochet hook to match yarn (examples below).
- Scissors, tapestry needle, blocking pins/mat.
- Optional: stitch marker.
Suggested samples:
- Using #10 crochet thread + 1.25–1.75 mm hook → small delicate doily motif (~6–8 cm).
- Using DK yarn + 3.5–4.0 mm hook → larger decorative square (~10–12 cm).
Abbreviations (US)
- ch — chain
- sl st — slip stitch
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- tr — treble crochet
- sp — space
- st — stitch
- rep — repeat
- sk — skip
Pattern notes
- This motif is a pineapple / fan motif worked in rounds from the center out.
- The pattern uses 12 pineapple sections around the center, then groups them 3 per side to create 4 corners → a square that tiles cleanly.
- Round numbers and counts are explicit — check each round before joining.
Finished size (approx, sample)
- Thread + 1.5 mm hook: ~7–9 cm square (blocked).
- DK + 3.5 mm hook: ~11–13 cm square (blocked).
Adjust by changing hook or yarn.
The Motif — Round-by-Round
Work loosely; block after finishing to open the pineapples.
Round 1 — center ring
- Make a magic ring (or ch 4 and sl st to form a ring).
- Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into the ring. (12 dc total including ch-3.)
- Pull ring tight. Join with sl st to top of ch-3.
Round 2 — small picot anchors (optional)
- Ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 3 — repeat around (12 sc and 12 ch-3 loops).
- Join with sl st to first sc.
(If you prefer fewer holes, do sc around without ch-3 loops.)
Round 3 — first fan / petal bases
- Sl st into first ch-3 loop (or into the space between dc if you skipped R2).
- Into each loop work: (sc, ch 1, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, ch 1, sc) — a tapered fan/petal.
- Repeat into all loops around → you’ll have 12 petals.
- Join with sl st.
Round 4 — tall chain arches
- Ch 1, sc in outer sc of petal, ch 5 — repeat around to create 12 ch-5 arches.
- Join with sl st.
These long arches form the mouths of the pineapples.
Round 5 — create pineapple bodies (increase height)
We’ll make the pineapple shape by alternating shells and chains over each ch-5 arch.
- Sl st into first ch-5 arch.
- Work (sc, ch 1, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, ch 1, sc) into that arch — a larger fan.
- In the next arch work (sc, ch 3, sc) (a smaller connector).
- Repeat: big fan in one arch, connector (sc,ch3,sc) in next arch — around (so sequence alternates and creates tall and narrow pineapple body rows).
- Join with sl st.
Round 6 — narrow chain rows (shape the pineapples)
- Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 7, sc in next sc — repeat around, forming 12 ch-7 loops that rise over the fans.
- Join with sl st.
Round 7 — upper pineapple fans (narrow)
- Into each ch-7 loop work: (sc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sc) — creates a narrower fan (top of pineapple).
- Join with sl st.
Round 8 — shape to square: group 3 → make corners
We now convert the circular motif into a square by grouping the 12 pineapple tops into 4 sides (3 pineapples per side) and making corners at every 3rd pineapple.
- Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 2 more dc into the first fan/top loop (3 dc total in that space).
- In the next pineapple top space: 3 dc.
- In the third pineapple top space of the trio: work a corner cluster: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc).
- Repeat that sequence — [3dc, 3dc, corner] — 4 times total to use all 12 sections.
- Join with sl st.
Result: a square-ish outline with 4 corner ch-3 spaces.
Round 9 — even edging & join round
- Ch 1. Sc evenly around the motif, placing 3 sc in each corner ch-3 space (this evens and stabilizes the edge for joining).
- Join with sl st and fasten off. Weave in ends.
Optional last decorative round (scallop):
- Round 10 (optional): skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (shell), skip 2 sc, sc in next sc — repeat for a scalloped outer border.
Block motif to square it and open the pineapple laces.
Join motifs — recommended: Join-As-You-Go (JAYG)
To make a blanket, runner, tablecloth or garment, JAYG on Round 9 makes neat joins and avoids sewing.
Simple JAYG method (for this motif)
- Make the very first motif completely. Block and lay it flat.
- Work a new motif through Round 8. Begin Round 9 (sc round). When you come to a side that will touch an existing motif do:
- Instead of
sc, work:sc in your current motif st, ch 1, sl st into the corresponding sc (or into the final sc of the neighbor) of the finished motif, ch 1— then continue.
- Instead of
- For corners where the new motif touches two neighbors, sl st into both neighbors’ corner ch-3 spaces symmetrically (use ch-1 joins as above) so the corner remains ch-3 and flat.
- Join one side fully, then continue joining the next side(s) as you place motifs row-by-row. Use stitch markers to align contact points if needed.
If you prefer, join after blocking with whipstitch or mattress stitch through back loops only.
Layout examples & motif counts (approx)
- Small throw (50 Ă— 60 cm) with motifs ~10 cm: about 5 Ă— 6 = 30 motifs.
- Runner (30 Ă— 90 cm): ~ 3 Ă— 9 = 27 motifs.
- Blouse front (half chest 45 cm; motif 10 cm): 5 motifs across Ă— desired rows for length.
To calculate: measure one blocked motif (width), divide desired finished width by motif width → number motifs across; same for length.
Blocking & finishing
- Pin each motif to square measurements while damp and let dry.
- When motifs are joined, block whole fabric again to relax joins and even edges.
- Use fine pins and a blocking mat; pineapple laces open beautifully with blocking.
Variations & adjustments
- Make pineapple deeper by adding extra fan rounds in R5–R7 for taller pineapples.
- For smaller/denser motif use a smaller hook or finer thread.
- For softer / larger motif use thicker yarn and larger hook.
- Change outer border: add picots, shells or a lacy picot round for a more decorative edge.
Troubleshooting & tips
- If pineapples look uneven: check tension on chain loops — keep chain-loops consistent.
- If motif isn’t square: either add an extra sc round on shorter sides or add/subtract an outer shell to even size.
- When JAYG joins don’t align: mark corresponding join points on the first motif with a removable marker before joining neighbors.
- Keep counts: you should always have 12 pineapple sections before you do the squareing Round 8.
Quick cheat-sheet (compact)
- R1: magic ring → 12 dc.
- R2: sc + ch loops (anchors).
- R3: small fans (12).
- R4: ch-arches (12).
- R5: large fans (pineapple bodies) alternating with connector spaces.
- R6–R7: chain loops → small tops.
- R8: group 3 → make (3dc,3dc, corner 3dc,ch3,3dc) ×4.
- R9: sc round (3 sc in corners) → fasten off. Optional scallops.
