🕊️ The "Dove's Wings Lace" Stitch: An Original, Elegant Motif Pattern

Hello, cherished members of the crafting community! The motif featured in the video is truly exquisite, showcasing a delicate balance of dense clusters and airy, flowing lace. I have captured its elegance in this original design: the Dove’s Wings Lace Stitch. This versatile motif creates a repeating, vertical pattern of interconnected fan clusters (the ‘wings’) and fine mesh that lends a graceful movement to the fabric. It is ideally suited for lightweight, draping projects like shawls, scarves, or elegant garments.

This detailed pattern is constructed using a simple 4-Row Repeat that creates a continuous cascade of lace, making it a meditative and rewarding project for intermediate crocheters.

✨ Project Specifications


Skill Level	Intermediate (Requires comfortable handling of clusters and chain spaces)
Gauge	Approximately 1 repeat (14 stitches) and 6 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm). Gauge should be loose for optimal drape.
Stitch Multiple	Multiple of 14 stitches, plus 2 for the foundation chain.
Recommended Projects	Lightweight Shawls, Wraps, Summer Tops, Table Runners, Infinity Scarves.

🧶 Materials and Preparation

The success of this airy lace depends on the right yarn and hook pairing.

Yarn: Sport Weight (Size 2) or DK Weight (Size 3) yarn. Choose a yarn with good drape, such as cotton, bamboo, or a fine merino blend, to allow the lace motifs to open fully.
Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or H/8 (5.0 mm), or one size larger than your yarn label suggests to ensure a soft, open fabric.
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving ends, scissors, and T-pins for blocking.

📝 Essential Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)

The pattern is built around the Treble Crochet (Tr) for height and a simple Sc foundation for stability.

Ch: Chain
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl St: Slip Stitch
Sc: Single Crochet
Dc: Double Crochet
Tr: Treble Crochet (Yarn over twice)
Sk: Skip
Large Shell: 7 Tr worked into the same stitch or space.

🕊️ The Dove’s Wings Lace Stitch Pattern

This stitch is worked flat in rows using a 4-row vertical repeat.

Foundation Chain

Chain a multiple of 14, plus 2 additional chains (e.g., 44, 58, 72, 86, etc., for your desired width).

Row 1 (Foundation Row – RS):

Ch 1 (does not count as a St), 1 Sc in the 2nd Ch from hook and 1 Sc in each Ch across. Ch 4 (counts as 1 Tr), turn.

(Your final stitch count will be the initial multiple of 14 + 1)

A simple Sc row provides a solid, flat edge for anchoring the lace.

The 4-Row Repeat

Row 2 (Shell Placement Row – WS):

1 Tr in the first St (the same St as the turning Ch 4).

Ch 3, Sk 6 Sts, 1 Sc in the next St. Ch 3, Sk 6 Sts, Large Shell (7 Tr) in the next St.

Repeat from * to * across the row until 7 Sts remain.

Ch 3, Sk 6 Sts, 2 Tr in the last St (the final Sc of Row 1). Ch 4 (counts as 1 Tr), turn.

This row establishes the first set of ‘wings’ separated by wide, airy chain loops.

Row 3 (Connecting Mesh Row – RS):

1 Tr in the first Tr (the base of the turning Ch 4).

Ch 3, 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 5, Sk 7 Tr (the Large Shell). 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3.

1 Tr in the central Tr of the next Large Shell (the 4th Tr).

Repeat from * to * across the row until the final large shell remains.

Ch 3, 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 5, Sk 7 Tr. 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3. 2 Tr in the top of the turning Ch 4. Ch 4 (counts as 1 Tr), turn.

This row creates the large center arch (Ch 5) that the next shell will sit upon, forming the top frame of the ‘wing’.

Row 4 (Shell Shift Row – WS):

1 Tr in the first Tr. 1 Tr in the next Tr.

3 Tr in the next Ch-3 Sp. 1 Tr in the Sc. 3 Tr in the next Ch-3 Sp. Large Shell (7 Tr) in the Ch-5 Sp.

Repeat from * to * across the row until the final Ch-5 Sp remains.

3 Tr in the next Ch-3 Sp. 1 Tr in the Sc. 3 Tr in the next Ch-3 Sp. 1 Tr in the last 2 Tr. 1 Tr in the top of the turning Ch 4. Ch 4 (counts as 1 Tr), turn.

This row fills in the large arch with the next shell, shifting the motif and creating the cascading movement.

Row 5 (Reverse Mesh Row – RS):

1 Tr in the first 8 Sts (the half shell from the beginning of the row).

Ch 3, 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 5, Sk 7 Tr (the Large Shell). 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3.

1 Tr in the central Tr of the next Large Shell (the 4th Tr).

Repeat from * to * across the row until 7 Sts remain (the end of the half shell).

Ch 3, 1 Sc in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 5, Sk 7 Tr. Ch 3. 1 Tr in the last 3 Tr. Ch 4 (counts as 1 Tr), turn.

This row is structurally similar to Row 3, but the arch and chain positioning are shifted, setting up the pattern for the next repetition.

To Continue: Repeat Rows 2-5 until your project reaches the desired length.

💡 Tips for Achieving Flowing Lace

Consistent Tension: The lightness of this pattern depends on a relaxed hand. If your chains are too tight, the fabric will pucker. Focus on making those Ch 3 and Ch 5 loops nice and open.
Treble Crochet Height: Ensure your Treble Crochets are worked to their full height. If they are too short, the shells will look squashed and the lace will lack its characteristic elegance.
Edge Integrity: Always work the first stitch into the same space as the turning chain (or the stitch the turning chain is counting as), and work the last stitch into the top of the turning chain from the previous row to keep the edges straight.
Reading the Work: After Row 4, the pattern will start to repeat. You should see the shells stacked neatly, separated by the small mesh diamonds. Use this visual guide to confirm your stitch placement.

Video Tutorial:

🛁 Finishing and Care

Final Row: To finish your piece, end after a Row 5 repeat (the trellis row). This provides a scalloped edge. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for weaving.
Weaving Ends: Weave in all yarn tails carefully using a tapestry needle. Hide them within the dense Treble Crochet clusters along the side edges to ensure they do not show through the lace.
Blocking (Crucial): Wet or steam blocking is absolutely essential for the Dove’s Wings Lace Stitch. It opens the Treble Crochet shells and the chain spaces, transforming the fabric from a wrinkled piece into a flowing, draped masterpiece.
- Method: Soak the piece thoroughly or steam it lightly. Pin the entire piece to a blocking mat, gently stretching the width to fully define the lace pattern. Ensure the long edges are straight.
- Drying: Allow the piece to dry completely before unpinning.