🌊 The Ribbon Lace: A Detailed Continuous Shell Border Pattern

Adorn your projects with the elegant Neptune’s Ribbon Lace! This continuous trim creates a stunning, wide ribbon of fabric, featuring layers of dense shell stitches contrasted with a delicate open net. The scalloped edge is beautifully integrated into the pattern repeat, making it a perfect finishing touch for shawls, curtains, or tablecloths. The bright lime green yarn gives this heirloom-quality lace a fresh, modern appeal.

⭐️ Project Blueprint and Technique Check

Feature	Detail
Skill Level	Intermediate. Requires focused stitch placement, working into specific chain spaces, and consistent shell stitch height.
Stitches Used	Chain (ch), Slip Stitch (sl st), Single Crochet (sc), Double Crochet (dc).
Construction	Worked flat in rows. The pattern is built upon the shells of the previous row, utilizing a 4-row vertical repeat.
Yarn Type	Fine cotton thread is ideal for the crisp shell definition and open net.
Pattern Repeat	A 4-row vertical repeat creates the full texture cycle.

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🧵 Materials Selection & Precision Gauge

Yarn: Choosing for Crispness

Weight: Crochet Thread Size 10 or a fine Lace Weight (Category 0) yarn. A highly mercerized cotton is essential for this pattern to ensure the shells hold their fan shape and the net remains crisp.
Fiber: 100% Mercerized Cotton thread is highly recommended for its excellent drape, stitch definition, and superb blocking capabilities.
Color: A vibrant Lime Green or a classic Ecru (like the sample) to showcase the complex layering.
Yardage: Plan for approximately 150 to 200 yards for a 60-inch border length.

Hook: The Right Tool for Detail

Size: 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm (Steel Hook US 8 or 7). The hook must be small enough to create tight, firm dc stitches that stand tall within the shell structure.

Notions & Blocking

Tapestry Needle: Fine needle for weaving in ends.
T-pins and Blocking Mat: Absolutely Mandatory. Blocking will open up the netting and dramatically define the scalloped edges of the shells.

Precision Gauge

Gauge is measured across one full shell repeat horizontally.

One Horizontal Shell-to-Shell Repeat: Approximately 1.5 inches wide.
Trim Height: The total height of the trim is approximately 1.75 inches.
Starting Chain Calculation: The pattern repeats every 8 stitches. Use the formula: 8×(number of repeats)+5 ch
- Example: For 12 repeats across: 8×12+5=ch 101

📝 Pattern Instructions: The Foundation

This row establishes the base net and spacing for the first row of shells.

Row 1 (Foundation Net – RS): Chain the required amount (e.g., ch 101). dc in the 5th ch from the hook (counts as dc and ch 1).

ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in the next ch. Repeat the sequence ch 1,sk 1 ch,dc in next ch across the entire chain. You will end with a dc in the last ch.
Turn.

🐚 The 4-Row Textured Repeat

This sequence of four rows builds the solid shell and the subsequent lace segments.

Row 2 (Shell Creation – WS): ch 1 (sc in first dc).

ch 2, sc in the next ch 1 space.
Full Shell: Work 5 dc in the next ch 1 space. sc in the next ch 1 space.
V-Net: ch 3, sk 3 dc below, sc in the next ch 1 space. ch 3. Repeat the sequence sc in ch 1 space, 5 dc in ch 1 space, sc in ch 1 space, ch 3,sc in ch 1 space, ch 3 across the row.
End with a sc in the last ch 1 space, ch 2, sc into the top of the turning chain ch 4 from Row 1.
Turn.

Row 3 (Shell Expansion – RS): ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 dc in the first ch 2 space.

1 dc in the next sc.
Expanding Shell: Work 2 dc in the first dc of the shell. 1 dc in the next 3 dc. 2 dc in the last dc of the shell. (7 dc shell).
1 dc in the next sc.
Diamond Net: ch 3, sc in the center ch of the ch 3 loop. ch 3.
1 dc in the next sc. Repeat the sequence 7 dc shell, 1 dc in sc,ch 3,sc,ch 3,1 dc in sc across the row.
End with 1 dc in the last sc, 2 dc in the ch 2 space, 1 dc in the last sc.
Turn.

Row 4 (Open Netting – WS): ch 1 (sc in sl st join).

ch 2, sk 1 dc, sc in the next dc.
Shell Arch: ch 3, sc in the center 4th dc of the 7 dc shell. ch 3.
sc in the next dc. ch 2.
Diamond Top: dc in the sc below. ch 2.
sc in the next dc. Repeat the sequence ch 3,sc in shell center, ch 3,sc in dc,ch 2,dc in sc,ch 2,sc in dc across the row.
End with ch 2, sk 1 dc, sc in the top of the turning ch 3.
Turn.

Row 5 (Scalloped Edge/New Shell Base – RS): ch 3 (counts as dc). 2 dc in the first ch 2 space.

sc in the next ch 2 space.
Scallop Peak: In the ch 3 loop, work 5 dc,ch 2,5 dc.
sc in the next ch 3 loop.
New Shell Base: 3 dc in the next ch 2 space. sc in the next ch 2 space. Repeat the sequence 5 dc,ch 2,5 dc in ch 3 loop, sc in ch 3 loop, 3 dc in ch 2 space, sc in ch 2 space across the row.
End with 3 dc in the last ch 2 space, 1 dc in the top of the turning ch 1.

Continue repeating Rows 2 through 5 for the full length of your project, noting that Row 2 will now begin by working into the ch 2 spaces and sc stitches of Row 5.

💡 Troubleshooting and Pattern Mastery

Issue	Cause	Solution
Edge Ruffles/Waves	Shells are too wide, or connecting chains are too short.	Ensure Row 3 only increases by 2 dc total. Check your ch 2 count in Row 5; you might need to increase to ch 3 between the dc groups.
Lack of Definition	Yarn is too fuzzy or soft.	Switch to a crisp, high-twist mercerized cotton thread. Blocking will also dramatically improve definition.
Difficulty Counting	The pattern relies heavily on working into the center of groups.	Use stitch markers to mark the 4th dc of the shell in Row 3 and the sc in the middle of the diamond net for easier anchoring.
Want a Denser Fabric	The lattice work is too open.	Replace ch 2 spaces in the net rows with ch 1 or replace the dc stitches in Row 5 with sc stitches.

Video Tutorial:

🔨 Finishing and Textile Blocking

Blocking is absolutely essential for the Neptune’s Ribbon Lace to ensure the ribbon is straight and the scallops are defined.

Preparation: Weave in all loose ends securely.
Soak: Submerge the piece in cool water. For a very formal, stiff finish, add liquid starch. Gently press out excess water.
Tension Pinning: Lay the damp fabric on a blocking mat. Using rust-proof T-pins:
- Pin the straight, top edge taut and straight.
- Pin the peak (ch 2 space) of every single large scallop along the bottom edge to open them into perfect fans.
- Pin the corners of the small diamond net sections to emphasize the open geometry.
Dry: Allow the piece to dry completely flat for 12−24 hours.