🌟 Introduction
Elevate your home décor with the exquisite Victorian Lace Blossom Doily! This intricate design features a central medallion that radiates outward into six distinct points, each adorned with a lacy, almost heart-shaped motif. It’s a gorgeous project that showcases the timeless beauty of crochet thread work, perfect for gifting or adding an heirloom touch to your space.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced (Requires precision with chain spaces and shaping)
Finished Size (approximate): 10 inches (25 cm) from point to point, when using thread.
🧵 Materials & Gauge
✨ Materials Needed
- Yarn/Thread: Approximately 100-150 yards of Size 10 Cotton Thread (Lace Weight/Fingering). Using cotton thread is essential for the delicate, crisp definition seen in the image. (The sample is a creamy white/ecru.)
- Hook: Steel Crochet Hook Size 7 (1.65 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge. (Check your thread label for recommended hook size.)
- Notions: Small sharp scissors, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and T-pins for blocking.
📏 Gauge (Check Your Tension!)
- Rounds 1-4 should measure approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
- Crucial Check: Your work must lie perfectly flat at the end of each section. If it cups, increase your hook size; if it ruffles excessively, reduce your hook size.
💡 Special Stitches & Abbreviations
📝 Pattern Abbreviations (US Terms)
| Abbreviation | Meaning | | Abbreviation | Meaning | | :—: | :— | :—: | :— | | ch | chain | | st(s) | stitch(es) | | sl st | slip stitch | | rep | repeat | | sc | single crochet | | dc | double crochet | | tr | treble crochet | | ch-sp | chain space | | MR | Magic Ring | | sk | skip | | V-st | V-Stitch | | Shell | Shell Stitch |
⭐ Special Stitches (Written Instructions)
- V-st (V-Stitch): Work (dc, ch 1, dc) all into the indicated stitch or space.
- Shell: Work (3 dc) all into the indicated stitch or space.
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st back into the first chain.
💎 The Pattern: Victorian Lace Blossom Doily
Note: The pattern is worked in joined rounds. The ch-3 at the beginning of DC rounds counts as the first dc.
Part 1: The Central Medallion (Base of 6 Points)
Foundation: Start with a Magic Ring (MR).
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc into MR. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, ch 2). Dc in the next st, ch 2. Rep from * 10 more times. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-5 to join. (12 dc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same st. Ch 2. 2 dc in the next dc, ch 2. Rep from * 10 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (24 dc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Round 4 (Lace Setup): Ch 1, sc in the first dc. Ch 3. Sc in the next dc, ch 5, sc in the next dc, ch 3. Rep from * 10 more times. Sc in the last dc. Ch 5, sl st to the first sc to join. (24 sc, 12 ch-3 sps, 12 ch-5 sps)
Part 2: Developing the Six Petals
We will now establish the six main repeats (6 points).
Round 5: Sl st into the first ch-3 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same ch-3 sp (Shell). Ch 1. [Petal Center] Work 5 dc in the ch-5 sp, ch 1. Shell in the next ch-3 sp, ch 1. Work 5 dc in the next ch-5 sp, ch 1. Rep from * 5 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (12 Shells, 6 5-dc groups, 18 ch-1 sps)
Round 6 (Arch Round): Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, ch 2). Dc in the same st (V-st). Ch 3. Dc in the first dc of the 5-dc group. Ch 2, sk 1 dc, dc in the next dc. Ch 2, sk 1 dc, dc in the last dc of the 5-dc group. Ch 3. V-st in the center dc of the next Shell. Rep from * 5 more times, omitting the last V-st on the final rep. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-5 to join. (18 dc, 12 ch-2 sps, 12 ch-3 sps)
Round 7 (Square Mesh): Ch 3. Dc in the ch-2 sp. Dc in the next dc. Ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in the next dc (the center of the V-st). Ch 1. Dc in the next 3 dc (the first ch-3 sp and the next dc). Ch 1, dc in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1, dc in the next dc. Ch 1, dc in the next ch-2 sp, ch 1. Dc in the next 3 dc. Rep from * 5 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (Approx. 138 sts/sp)
Part 3: The Lacy Border and Final Points
Round 8 (Point Definition): Ch 1, sc in the same st and in the next 5 sts. [Point Corner] Ch 5, sk 1 st, sc in the next st. Sc in the next 14 sts. Ch 5, sk 1 st, sc in the next st. Rep from * 5 more times, omitting the last few sc on the final rep. Sl st to the first sc to join. (6 ch-5 sps)
Round 9 (Large Shells): Sl st into the first ch-5 sp. Ch 3, work (4 dc, ch 2, 5 dc) in the ch-5 sp (Large Corner Shell). [Side Mesh] Ch 3, sk 4 sc, dc in the next sc. Ch 3, sk 4 sc, dc in the next sc. Ch 3, sk 4 sc, dc in the next sc. Ch 3, sk 4 sc. Work (5 dc, ch 2, 5 dc) in the next ch-5 sp. [Side Mesh] Ch 3, sk 4 sc, dc in the next sc. Ch 3, sk 4 sc, dc in the next sc. Ch 3, sk 4 sc, dc in the next sc. Ch 3, sk 4 sc. Rep from * 5 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (6 Large Shells, 18 dc, 24 ch-3 sps)
Round 10 (Final Picot Edge): Sl st to the ch-2 sp of the Large Shell. Ch 1, sc in the ch-2 sp. [Picot Edge] (ch 3, Picot, ch 3, sc in the ch-2 sp). Ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp. Ch 5, sc in the next ch-3 sp. Ch 5, sc in the next ch-3 sp. Ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp. Work (ch 3, Picot, ch 3, sc) in the ch-2 sp of the next Large Shell. Rep from * 5 more times. Sl st to the first sc to join.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Video Tutorial:
✂️ Finishing & Blocking
🧺 Blocking is Essential!
- Wet Blocking: For a delicate thread doily, wet blocking is absolutely mandatory to open up the lace and define the six star points.
- Soak the doily thoroughly in cool water and a mild detergent or fabric starch solution.
- Gently squeeze out excess water.
- Pin the doily out firmly onto a blocking board or foam mat, ensuring the six outer points are pulled taut and symmetrical and all the inner chain spaces are clearly defined.
- Allow the doily to dry completely (which may take up to 2 days for heavily starched thread) before unpinning.
✨ Conclusion
Congratulations on completing your gorgeous Victorian Lace Blossom Doily! This classic piece is sure to become a treasured part of your home décor.
