🌟 Introduction
Introduce a splash of vibrant lace into your next project with the Azure Windowpane Square! This unique motif cleverly combines a traditional square shape with circular elements, creating the visual effect of open “windowpanes” surrounded by delicate lace. It’s a wonderful intermediate-level pattern, perfect for making afghans, scarves, or light summer shawls by joining multiple squares together.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Finished Size (approximate): 6 inches x 6 inches (15 cm x 15 cm) square, when using thread.
🧵 Materials & Gauge
✨ Materials Needed
- Yarn/Thread: Approximately 40-50 yards of DK Weight (Light Worsted/8-ply) cotton yarn or Size 3 Crochet Thread for a denser finish, or Size 10 Cotton Thread for a more delicate lace. (The sample is a bright turquoise blue.)
- Hook: Size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook (for DK yarn) or Size 1 (2.75 mm) (for Size 3 thread), or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Notions: Stitch markers (for corners), 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 1.5 inches (4 cm) square.
- Crucial Check: Your square must lay perfectly flat. If it’s starting to bow or ruffle, adjust your tension or 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.
- Large V-st: Work (tr, ch 3, tr) all into the indicated stitch or space.
💎 The Pattern: Azure Windowpane Square
Note: The pattern is worked in joined rounds. The ch-3 at the beginning of DC rounds counts as the first dc. The pattern is based on a 4-corner repeat.
Part 1: The Central Mesh Square
Foundation: Start with a Magic Ring (MR).
Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc, ch 1). (Dc, ch 1) 7 more times into the MR. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-4 to join. (8 dc, 8 ch-1 sps)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in the same st. Ch 3. Sc in the next dc, ch 3. Rep from * 7 more times. Sl st to the first sc to join. (8 sc, 8 ch-3 sps)
Round 3 (Establishing Corners): Sl st into the first ch-3 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc in the same sp. [Corner] Ch 3, 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp. Ch 1, sk sc, 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp. Ch 3, 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp. Rep from * 3 more times, omitting the last 3-dc group on the final rep. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join. (8 3-dc groups, 4 ch-3 sps (corners), 4 ch-1 sps)
Round 4 (The Mesh Grid): Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, ch 2). Dc in the center dc of the 3-dc group. (Ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, dc in the center dc of the next 3-dc group). [Corner] Ch 2, in the ch-3 sp work (dc, ch 3, dc). Ch 2, dc in the center dc of the next 3-dc group. Rep from * around. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the starting ch-5 to join. (4 corner ch-3 sps, multiple ch-2 sps)
Part 2: The Windowpane Circles
Round 5 (Circle Bases): Ch 3, 2 dc in the first ch-2 sp. Dc in the next dc. 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp, dc in the next dc. Rep across the side until the corner ch-3 sp. [Corner] In the ch-3 sp: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr). Dc in the next dc, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp. Rep from * around. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join.
Round 6 (Forming the Circles): Ch 1, sc in the first 8 sts. [Start Circle] Ch 8, sk 8 sts (the space before the corner). Sc in the next 8 sts. [Corner] Sc in the corner ch-2 sp, ch 3, sc in the corner ch-2 sp. Sc in the next 8 sts. Ch 8, sk 8 sts. Rep from * around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (4 ch-8 sps for circles, 4 corner ch-3 sps)
Round 7 (Solidifying the Border): Ch 3, dc in the next 7 sc. [Circle Fill] In the ch-8 sp: (dc, ch 1) 7 times, dc. Dc in the next 8 sc. [Corner] In the corner ch-3 sp: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Rep from * around. Sl st to the top of the starting ch-3 to join.
Part 3: The Final Lace Edge
Round 8 (Pointed Edge): Ch 1, sc in the next 4 dc. [Side Detail] Ch 3, sk 2 dc, sc in the next dc. Ch 3, sk dc, sc in the ch-1 sp. (Ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sc in the next ch-1 sp) 2 more times. Ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sc in the next dc. Ch 3, sk 2 dc, sc in the next dc. Sc in the next 4 dc. [Corner] Ch 3, sk 2 dc, in ch-2 sp: (3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr). Ch 3, sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Sl st to the first sc to join.
Fasten off.
Video Tutorial:
✂️ Finishing & Blocking
🧺 Blocking is Essential!
- Wet Blocking: Blocking is mandatory to open the lace and ensure the square shape is crisp and flat.
- Soak the square thoroughly in cool water.
- Gently squeeze out excess water.
- Pin the square out firmly onto a blocking board, making sure the four corners are pulled into sharp 90-degree angles. Pin out the circular arches to open them up.
- 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 Azure Windowpane Square, ready to be the start of a truly beautiful project.
