Welcome back, crocheters! If you adore lace that perfectly balances openwork with a consistent, mesmerizing rhythm, you’ve found your next project. The “Coral Sea Diamond Lace,” showcased in that lovely coral pink, is a stunning fabric defined by its interlocking V-stitches and integrated scallops.
This design is incredibly versatile—it creates a fabric with elegant drape, making it ideal for heirloom blankets, luxurious shawls, delicate table runners, or summery tops. You asked for maximum detail and length, so let’s dive into the 6-row repeat that builds this exquisite textile!
🛍️ Materials & Tools: Your Essential Lace Kit 🛍️
The key to achieving this airy, detailed look is choosing the right fiber and hook size to promote excellent stitch definition and flow.
- Yarn: A Sport Weight (Weight 2) or DK (Double Knitting/Weight 3) yarn is strongly recommended. Mercerized cotton is the best choice as its slight sheen and lack of fuzz make the V-stitches and chains crisp and clean.
- Crochet Hook: To maximize the open quality of the lace, use a hook size on the larger end of the recommended range for your yarn, such as a 4.0 mm (G/6) or 4.5 mm (7) hook for DK weight yarn.
- Scissors: For trimming ends.
- Tapestry Needle: Essential for weaving in ends with minimal bulk.
- Stitch Markers (Optional but Recommended): Place a marker in the top of the turning chain on solid rows to ensure a clean, straight edge.
📚 Stitch Glossary: Decoding the Diamond Mesh 📚
This pattern relies on simple US Crochet Terminology, but the placement of the V-stitch is critical.
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name | Description |
| ch | Chain | Standard chain. |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) | |
| sk | Skip | |
| sl st | Slip Stitch | Standard slip stitch. |
| sc | Single Crochet | Standard single crochet. |
| dc | Double Crochet | Standard double crochet. |
| V-st | V-Stitch | (dc, ch 1, dc) all in the same stitch or space. |
| Shell | Shell Stitch | (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in the same stitch or space. |
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📐 Gauge and Pattern Repeat: Critical Measurements 📐
Accuracy in the foundation chain is the most important step for this pattern to work!
Pattern Repeat:
The pattern is worked over a repeating stitch count of 10 stitches, plus 2 stitches for the starting edge.
- Foundation Chain: Start with a multiple of 10+2 chains.
- For a perfect detailed swatch, Ch 52 (10×5=50+2=52).
- The ch 3 at the start of dc rows counts as 1 dc.
Gauge (Approximate, after blocking):
- One full pattern repeat (from one scallop peak to the next) should measure approximately 2.5 inches (6.3 cm).
- One full texture cycle (6 rows) should measure about 3 inches (7.6 cm) high.
💖 The “Coral Sea Diamond Lace” Pattern: Row by Row Mastery 💖
This elegant texture is built through a rhythmic 6-row repeat that switches between open mesh and solid bars/scallops.
▶️ Foundation Row:
- Ch a multiple of 10+2. (For swatch, Ch 52).
Row 1 (RS – Initial Mesh Setup):
- Dc in the 4th ch from the hook (counts as 2 dc). Dc in the next 2 chs (4 dc total).
- *Ch 1, sk 1 ch, V-st (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next ch.
- Ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in the next 5 chs.*
- Repeat from * to * across the row until 5 chs remain.
- Ch 1, sk 1 ch, V-st in the next ch.
- Ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in the last 2 chs.
- Turn.
This row creates the anchor points for the mesh and the solid blocks for the scallop centers.
Row 2 (WS – V-Stitch Mesh Expansion):
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Dc in the next dc.
- *Ch 1, sk 1 dc, V-st in the ch-1 sp before the V-st.
- V-st in the ch-1 sp of the V-st. V-st in the ch-1 sp after the V-st. (Three V-stitches worked consecutively).
- Ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in the next 3 dc (the central solid block). *
- Repeat from * to * across the row, ending with 3 V-sts worked into the final V-st area, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in the last 2 sts.
- Turn.
This row expands the open mesh, placing three V-stitches side-by-side over the previous single V-stitch area.
Row 3 (RS – Solid Lock Bar):
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Dc in the next dc.
- Dc in the ch-1 sp. Dc in the next 5 dc (over the first two V-sts).
- *Dc in the ch-1 sp. Dc in the next 3 dc (the center solid block).
- Dc in the ch-1 sp. Dc in the next 5 dc (over the next two V-sts). *
- Repeat from * to * across the row, ending with dc in the final 3 sts.
- Turn. (The total dc count should be consistent with the start of the row).
This solid row locks the mesh into the diamond shape and creates the foundation for the deep scallop and the next mesh section.
Row 4 (WS – Deep Scallop Row):
- Ch 1 (does not count as st). Sc in the first dc.
- *Sk 2 dc, Shell (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the next dc (the center of the block below).
- Sk 2 dc, sc in the next dc (the single dc in the valley).
- Sk 2 dc, Shell (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in the next dc.
- Sk 2 dc, sc in the next dc (the center dc of the V-st group from Row 2). *
- Repeat from * to * across the row, ending with sc in the top of the turning ch-3.
- Turn.
This row creates the bold, deep scallops along the bottom of the section, completing the first main motif cycle.
Row 5 (RS – Offset Mesh Setup):
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Dc in the first sc.
- V-st in the ch-1 sp of the first Shell.
- Ch 1, sk 3 dc of the Shell, dc in the next sc.
- *Dc in the next 3 dc of the Shell.
- Ch 1, V-st in the ch-1 sp of the Shell.
- Ch 1, sk 3 dc of the Shell, dc in the next sc.*
- Repeat from * to * across the row, ending with dc in the last 4 sts.
- Turn.
This row begins the mesh again, placing the single V-stitches directly over the center of the Shells, creating the offset for the next layer.
Row 6 (WS – Next V-Stitch Mesh Expansion):
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Dc in the next 3 dc.
- *Ch 1, sk 1 dc, V-st in the ch-1 sp before the V-st.
- V-st in the ch-1 sp of the V-st. V-st in the ch-1 sp after the V-st.
- Ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in the next 5 dc.*
- Repeat from * to * across the row, ending with dc in the final 4 sts.
- Turn.
This row is structurally identical to Row 2, but the solid dc blocks are now centered over the scallop centers, completing the offset.
Video Tutorial:
🔄 The Repeat Sequence: Building the Fabric 🔄
The pattern is now fully established, transitioning smoothly from one motif to the next.
- The full repeating cycle for the fabric body is Rows 3, 4, 5, and 6.
- You will always follow a V-stitch expansion row (Row 2 or 6) with a Solid Lock Bar Row (Row 3).
- To continue, simply repeat Rows 3-6 until your desired project length is reached.
🚿 Finishing and Blocking: Perfecting the Drape 🚿
For this lace, blocking is not optional—it is essential to open up the V-stitch diamonds and define the scalloped edges.
- Final Edge: If your piece ends on a Scallop Row (Row 4), the edge is already decorative. If you end on Row 6, work one final Solid Lock Bar Row (Row 3) to create a straight top edge.
- Wet Blocking: Submerge your finished item entirely in lukewarm water with a small amount of wool wash, if applicable.
- Pin and Stretch: Carefully pin the lace out onto a blocking mat, stretching it firmly both vertically and horizontally. Be meticulous in defining the points of the scallops and the open ch-1 spaces of the V-stitches.
- Dry: Allow the piece to dry completely for 24-48 hours before unpinning.
🌟 Project Inspiration 🌟
- Heirloom Baby Blanket: Use a soft cotton yarn for a beautiful, breathable blanket.
- Summer Shawl or Stole: The open nature and excellent drape make this a high-fashion accessory.
- Decorative Curtain or Valance: The natural scalloped edges are perfect for framing a window.
Happy crocheting! I know you will treasure the elegant fabric created by the Coral Sea Diamond Lace!
