Welcome to the pattern for the “Cascading Ocean Fan Lace Stitch”! This breathtaking lace design, inspired by the video tutorial, creates a highly elegant, draping fabric filled with intricate, yet surprisingly easy-to-create shell motifs. The pattern utilizes strategic chain spaces to give the impression of fans that are floating or “cascading” across the fabric. It is a perfect choice for light shawls, summer throws, elegant curtains, or modular garments.
This pattern is a simple four-row repeat that builds the delicate texture and structure, making it easy to memorize once you’ve completed the first set of rows.
🧰 Materials & Tools
| Icon | Item | Details |
| Yarn | Main Yarn (MC) | Light Fingering/Size 3 Crochet Thread or DK (Category 3) yarn. Cotton or a cotton/bamboo blend is highly recommended for the best drape and stitch definition. |
| Hook | Main Hook | 3.5 mm (E/4) for thread/light yarn, or 4.0 mm (G/6) for DK yarn. Choose a hook size one size larger than your yarn label recommends to maintain the lacy quality. |
| Notions | Finishing Tools | Scissors, Yarn Needle (for weaving ends). |
| Notions | Stitch Markers | Helpful for marking the starting stitch if working in the round. |
📏 Sizing & Gauge
The key to this pattern is light tension to allow the fans to cascade. Blocking the finished piece is highly recommended to open up the lace and enhance the drape.
| Measurement | Result |
| Pattern Repeat | 1 full pattern repeat = 10 stitches wide and 4 rows high. |
| Gauge Swatch | 1 repeat (10 stitches) wide x 4 rows high should measure approximately 5 cm x 4 cm (2 in x 1.6 in) using DK yarn. |
| Note | The foundation chain must be a multiple of 10, plus 2 stitches for the starting row structure. |
📚 Abbreviations & Special Stitches
This pattern uses US terminology. The core of the texture is the 7-DC Shell combined with the strategic placement of SC anchors and chain loops.
| Abbreviation | U.S. Terminology | Description |
| ch | Chain | |
| sl st | Slip Stitch | |
| sc | Single Crochet | |
| dc | Double Crochet | |
| sp | Space | |
| sk | Skip | |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) | |
| rep | Repeat |
🌟 Special Stitch: 7-DC Shell (Shell)
Work 7 Double Crochet stitches into the specified stitch or chain space.
📝 Pattern Notes
- Turning Chain: Ch 3 at the start of a DC row always counts as one Double Crochet (dc). Ch 1 at the start of an SC row does not count as a stitch.
- Shell Placement: The shell motifs are worked into the SC stitches of the previous netting row (the row worked before the shell row).
- Tension: Maintain a loose, even tension, especially on the chain spaces, to allow for maximum drape.
🧶 The Ocean Fan Stitch Repeat
This pattern is built on a 4-row repeat (Rows 3-6).
Foundation Chain: Ch 42 (for 4 repeats: 4 x 10 + 2).
Row 1 (Base – RS):
Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, and in each ch across.
(41 SC). Ch 3 (counts as DC), turn.
Row 2 (DC Prep – WS):
Dc in the first st and in each st across.
(41 DC). Ch 1 (does not count as st), turn.
🌊 The 4-Row Repeat
Row 3 (Shell Placement – RS):
This row establishes the first full row of cascading shells.
- Start: Sc in the first st.
- Repeat:
[Ch 3, sk 3 sts, **Shell** (7 DC) in the next st, Ch 3, sk 3 sts, SC in the next st]across. - Finish: End with an SC in the last st.(4 Shells, 8 Ch-3 sps, 5 SC). Ch 1, turn.
Row 4 (Netting Row – WS):
This row creates the anchor points for the next shell row.
- Start: Sc in the first st.
- Repeat:
[Ch 5, sk the Shell (7 DC), SC in the Ch-3 sp before the next SC anchor, SC in the next SC anchor, SC in the Ch-3 sp after the next SC anchor]across. - Finish: Ch 5, sk the last Shell (7 DC). Sc in the last SC.(4 Ch-5 sps, 14 SC). Ch 3 (counts as DC), turn.
Row 5 (Staggered Shell Placement – RS):
This row staggers the shells, placing them directly between the shells of Row 3.
- Start: 3 DC in the first Ch-5 sp.
- Repeat:
[Ch 1, sk the SC group, SC in the center SC of the group, Ch 1, sk the SC group, **Shell** (7 DC) in the next Ch-5 sp]across. - Finish: Ch 1, sk the SC group, SC in the center SC, Ch 1, 4 DC in the last Ch-5 sp (DC in the top of the turning chain).(3 full Shells, 2 half Shells, 6 Ch-1 sps, 4 SC). Ch 1, turn.
Row 6 (Netting Row – WS):
This row creates the anchor points for the next full shell row, aligning them with the Row 3 shells.
- Start: Sc in the first 4 DC.
- Repeat:
[Ch 3, sk (ch, SC, ch), SC in the 4th DC of the 7-DC Shell, Ch 3, sk 3 DC, SC in the next SC]across. - Finish: Ch 3, sk (ch, SC, ch). Sc in the last 4 DC.(4 Ch-3 sps, 12 SC). Ch 3 (counts as DC), turn.
Continuing the Pattern:
To continue the stitch for a larger project, simply repeat the sequence of Rows 3, 4, 5, and 6 until the desired length is reached.
✂️ Edging and Finishing
When finishing a project using this lace stitch, it’s recommended to end on a Netting Row (like Row 4 or 6) or a Solid DC Row (like Row 2) for a clean border.
Final Row (Optional Solid Edge):
If you ended on a shell row (Row 3 or 5), work one final netting row (Row 4 or 6). Then:
Ch 3 (counts as DC), turn. Work DC in every stitch and chain space across the row, working 1 DC into each SC and 1 DC into each ch space, ensuring the final stitch count matches Row 2 (41 DC).
Border (Optional):
Ch 1, SC evenly around the entire perimeter of the project, working (SC, ch 2, SC) into the four corners. Repeat for a second round if desired, maintaining the corner increases.
Finishing Steps:
- Fasten off and use a yarn needle to carefully weave in all yarn ends.
- Blocking: This stitch benefits immensely from wet blocking. Soak the finished piece in cool water, gently squeeze out excess water, and pin it to a blocking mat, stretching the lace gently to open up the fan motifs and chain spaces. Allow to dry completely.
Video Tutorial:
💡 Project Ideas for this Stitch
- Summer Shawl/Wrap: The drape and breathability of this lace make it perfect for a light, elegant wrap.
- Table Runner: The repetitive nature of the fans creates a beautiful, formal textile for home decor.
- Curtain Panel: Use white or cream cotton thread for a beautiful, airy window covering that lets in light but maintains privacy.
- Cardigan or Vest: When worked in a soft yarn, this stitch creates a unique fabric for garments that doesn’t stretch too much horizontally.
