Add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with these charming crocheted square motifs! Featuring a delightful pinwheel effect and a delicate lace border, these squares are perfect for creating doilies, coasters, table runners, or even joining into larger, stunning blankets. The crisp white yarn in the example highlights the intricate design, but imagine them in any color to suit your decor!
This pattern is designed for intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches, working in rounds, and reading patterns. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, though – you can certainly give this a try and build your skills!
What You’ll Need:
- Yarn: A fine crochet thread or lace weight yarn. The example uses classic white, which truly makes the pattern pop. (e.g., mercerized cotton crochet thread, size 10 or similar)
- Crochet Hook: A hook appropriate for your chosen yarn. For fine thread, this might be a 1.5mm – 2.25mm (US steel hook size 7-1). A smaller hook will yield a more delicate, intricate result.
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends)
Understanding the Motif:
These motifs are square in shape, distinguished by a central “pinwheel” or “spiral” effect created by solid sections and openwork. The outer edge features a lovely scalloped or picot border. When multiple motifs are joined, they create a beautiful cohesive lace fabric.
Key features we’ll be aiming for:
- A central design that creates a subtle spiral or pinwheel illusion.
- A combination of solid and open lace sections.
- A defined square shape with clear corners.
- A delicate, possibly scalloped or picot, outer edge.
Getting Started: The Pinwheel Center
The unique pinwheel effect starts from the center of the square. We’ll begin by establishing the foundation for this spiral design.
Instructions for the Central Pinwheel:
- Magic Ring (or Chain 4, join with sl st to form a ring): This creates a tight, neat center for your motif.
- Round 1 (Establishing Spokes): This round will likely form the initial “spokes” or sections of your pinwheel. You’ll probably work groups of stitches (like double crochets) separated by chain spaces.
- Example Idea: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work [number] dc into ring, then [ch X, dc Y times] a certain number of times, ending with a join to the initial Ch 3.
- Round 2 & Beyond (Creating the Spiral/Lattice): This is where the pinwheel truly starts to take shape. You’ll likely be working a combination of solid stitches and chain spaces, perhaps skipping stitches or working into specific chain spaces to create the diagonal lines that give the spiral effect. You might also be creating small “windows” or a lattice pattern.
- Consider: How many “arms” does the pinwheel have? It appears to be 4, leading to the square shape. The solid sections seem to be gradually growing outwards.
Shaping the Square and Adding the Lace Border:
Once your central pinwheel is formed, you’ll work outwards to define the square shape and add the delicate outer lace.
- Next Round (Squaring Off): This round will be crucial for defining the square corners. You’ll typically use specific stitch combinations (e.g., (dc, ch 2, dc) or (trc, ch 3, trc)) in the corner points, while continuing the pattern along the sides.
- Example Idea: [Work X stitches along side, (Y stitches, Ch Z, Y stitches) in corner space/stitch], repeat 4 times.
- Next Round (Developing Lace/Scallops): This is where you’ll add the beautiful openwork and the decorative outer edge. This might involve more chain spaces, shells, picots, or combinations of taller stitches to create the lacy border.
- Example Idea: [Ch X, skip Y stitches, work a shell stitch (e.g., 5 dc) in next stitch/space, Ch Z], repeat along sides and possibly enhance corners with more elaborate shells or picots.
- Final Round(s) of the Motif: Complete the outer border, ensuring a clean finish. This might involve a simple row of single crochets and picots, or a final row of chains and stitches to create the scalloped edge seen in the image.
Joining Your Motifs:
If you plan to create a larger piece like a doily or a blanket, you’ll need to join your individual motifs. The image shows them as separate squares, but implies they could be joined.
The most common and clean methods for joining these types of motifs are:
- Join-as-you-go (JAYG): This is often preferred for lace motifs as it creates a seamless look and avoids a lot of seaming at the end. As you work the final round of your second (and subsequent) motif, you’ll slip stitch or single crochet into the corresponding chains or stitches of the previously completed motif, creating a continuous fabric.
- Whip Stitch or Slip Stitch Joining: You can complete all your motifs first, and then use a tapestry needle and a length of yarn to whip stitch them together, or use your crochet hook to slip stitch them together.
Finishing Touches:
- Weave in all ends: This is crucial for a clean and professional finish.
- Blocking: For lace crochet, blocking is essential. It opens up the stitches, evens out your work, and truly showcases the delicate design of the pinwheel and the intricate lace. Wet your motifs, gently squeeze out excess water, pin them to shape on a blocking mat or towel, and let them dry completely.
Video tutorial
Share Your Creations!
I can’t wait to see your own beautiful crocheted pinwheel lace motifs! Once you’ve made them, share them on social media and tag me! What will you create with yours – a stunning set of coasters, a beautiful table runner, or perhaps a unique blanket?
Happy Crocheting!
