❄️ The Winter Bloom Motif: A Detailed Crochet Pattern

🌟 Introduction

Embrace the intricate beauty of lace with the Winter Bloom Motif! This stunning circular design starts with a tight, swirling center and dramatically expands into a mesmerizing pattern of delicate arches and small, defined scallops, giving it the look of a complex snowflake or an exotic flower. Perfect for creating elegant coasters, stunning holiday ornaments, or joining multiples for a breathtaking lace runner.

Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate (Requires careful counting and confidence with complex stitch placement and tension control).

Finished Size (approximate): 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, when using thread.


🧵 Materials & Gauge

✨ Materials Needed

  • Yarn/Thread: Approximately 40-60 yards of Size 10 Cotton Thread (Lace Weight/Fingering). Cotton thread is crucial for achieving the sharp detail and crisp definition of the lacework. (The sample is a bright white.)
  • Hook: Steel Crochet Hook Size 7 (1.65 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge. (Check your thread label for the best fit.)
  • Notions: Small sharp scissors, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and T-pins for blocking.

📏 Gauge (Crucial for Sizing!)

  • Rounds 1-4 (Center) should measure approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
  • Crucial Check: This is a tightly worked motif. Your work must lie flat at the end of each round. If it begins to curl (cup), check your stitch count and consider going up half a 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 | | Shell | Shell Stitch | | Picot | Picot stitch | | BPdc | Back Post dc | | FPdc | Front Post dc |

⭐ Special Stitches (Written Instructions)

  • Picot: Ch 3, sl st back into the first chain.
  • Shell: Work (3 dc) all into the indicated stitch or space.
  • BPdc (Back Post Double Crochet): Yo, insert hook from back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through last 2 loops.

🌸 The Pattern: Winter Bloom Motif (12-Point Repeat)

Note: The pattern is worked in joined rounds. The ch-3 at the beginning of DC rounds counts as the first dc. The pattern establishes 12 repeating sections.

Part 1: The Swirling Center

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 4 (counts as 1 dc, ch 1). Dc in the same st. Ch 1. V-st in the next st (dc, ch 1, dc). Ch 1. Rep from * 10 more times. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-4 to join. (12 V-sts, 12 ch-1 sps)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the ch-1 sp. Dc in the dc. Dc in the ch-1 sp, dc in the dc. Rep from * around. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (36 dc)

Round 4 (Spiral Definition): Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). BPdc around the next dc. Dc in the next 2 dc, BPdc around the next dc. Rep from * 11 more times. Dc in the last dc. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (12 BPdc, 24 dc)

Part 2: Transition to Lace

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in the same st. Ch 4, sk 2 sts. Sc in the next BPdc. Ch 4, sk 2 sts. Rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (12 sc, 12 ch-4 sps)

Round 6 (Inner Scallops): Sl st into the first ch-4 sp. Ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same ch-4 sp (Shell). Ch 3, sk sc. Shell in the next ch-4 sp. Ch 3, sk sc. Rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (12 Shells, 12 ch-3 sps)

Round 7 (Star Points): Sl st to the ch-2 sp of the Shell. Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, ch 2). Dc in the same ch-2 sp (V-st). Ch 4, sc in the ch-3 sp, ch 4. V-st in the ch-2 sp of the next Shell. Rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-5 to join. (12 V-sts, 12 sc, 24 ch-4 sps)

Part 3: The Intricate Outer Edge

Round 8 (Arc Detail): Ch 1, sc in the ch-2 sp of the V-st. Ch 6, sc in the ch-4 sp. Ch 3, sc in the ch-4 sp, ch 6. Sc in the ch-2 sp of the next V-st. Rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (24 ch-6 sps, 12 ch-3 sps)

Round 9 (Picot Scallop Base): Sl st into the first ch-6 sp. Ch 3, work 4 dc in the same ch-6 sp (half-shell). Ch 1. Sc in the ch-3 sp, ch 1. In the next ch-6 sp: (5 dc) (Outer Shell). Ch 1, sk sc. Rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (12 Outer Shells, 12 sc, 24 ch-1 sps)

Round 10 (Final Picot Edge): Ch 1, sc in the first dc of the Shell. [Scallop] (Ch 3, Picot, ch 3, sc in the next dc). Rep [Scallop] 4 more times (5 Picots per shell). Ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sc in the next sc, ch 3, sk ch-1 sp. Sc in the first dc of the next Outer Shell. Rep from * 11 more times. Sl st to the first sc to join.

Fasten off.

Video Tutorial:


✂️ Finishing & Blocking

🧺 Blocking is Mandatory!

  • Wet Blocking: For this dense lacework, wet blocking is non-negotiable to relax the threads, flatten the center, and sharply define all the outer points and scallops.
  • Soak the motif thoroughly in cool water, adding liquid fabric starch for a crisp finish if desired.
  • Gently squeeze out excess water.
  • Pin the motif out firmly onto a blocking board. Ensure the 12 outer scallops are symmetrical and taut. Pin all the inner mesh sections open.
  • Allow the motif to dry completely before unpinning.

✨ Conclusion

Weave in all your ends securely on the back of the work.

Congratulations! You have created the stunning Winter Bloom Motif! Its intricate detail makes it a truly special piece of handmade lace.

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