The Reversible Shifting Block Lace

✨ Introduction: The Reversible Shifting Block Lace

Welcome to a truly intricate and rewarding pattern: the Reversible Shifting Block Lace! This beautiful motif, demonstrated in the accompanying video, is a medium-weight stitch that perfectly balances dense, solid texture with airy, elegant lace. It is fully reversible, providing a clean, finished look on both sides of the fabric.

The stitch achieves its complexity through a dynamic 4-Row Vertical Repeat, where the solid blocks, large shells, and open V-stitches constantly shift their position. This creates a mesmerizing, interlocking pattern reminiscent of a classic woven texture, yet with the lightness of lace.

Why You’ll Love This Stitch

• Exceptional Texture: Alternates solid Double Crochet (DC) blocks with large, open shells and V-stitches.
• Fully Reversible: Looks gorgeous on both the front and back—ideal for throws and scarves.
• Great for Blankets: Provides warmth with visual interest, making it a perfect baby blanket or Afghan stitch.
• Engaging to Crochet: The shifting nature of the repeat keeps the work interesting.

Suggested Projects

Project Type	Ideal Yarn Weight	Notes
Baby Blankets/Afghans	Worsted (4) or Chunky (5)	Use a soft acrylic or blend for warmth and definition.
Winter Scarves & Wraps	DK (3) or Light Worsted	The reversible fabric drapes beautifully around the neck.
Pillow Covers	Worsted Weight	The texture adds a cozy, rustic look to home decor.

📌 Pattern Notes & Gauge

This pattern requires a firm hand on stitch placement and consistent counting. Reading the project, rather than strictly counting, will become easier once the motifs begin to repeat.

Stitch Multiple

The repeat is a sequence of 20 stitches plus a starting/ending edge.

Chain a multiple of 20 + 8 for the initial foundation row.

(The video sample begins with 28 chains, establishing one full 20-stitch repeat plus the 8-stitch edge.)

Stitch Anatomy

The pattern relies on three core motif elements:

1. Solid DC Blocks: Groups of 5 or 7 Double Crochet stitches.
2. V-Stitch: (1 DC, Ch 3, 1 DC) worked into a single stitch or space.
3. Shells: Groups of 7 DC stitches.

Gauge (Approximate)

Using a 3.0 mm hook and DK weight yarn:

One full motif repeat (20 stitches) should measure approximately 3.5 to 4 inches wide.

The 4-row vertical repeat should measure approximately 2 inches tall.

📚 Abbreviations & Special Stitches

All instructions use US crochet terms.

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	Chain
st(s)	Stitch(es)
sc	Single Crochet
dc	Double Crochet
sk	Skip
ch-sp	Chain Space
Rep	Repeat
V-St	V-Stitch: (1 DC, Ch 3, 1 DC) worked into the same stitch or space.

🧶 Materials

• Yarn: Light to Medium weight yarn (DK or Worsted Weight). The video uses a 2-ply acrylic yarn, but any soft fiber with good definition will work.
• Hook: A size appropriate for your yarn. The video suggests a 3.0 mm hook for the selected yarn. Adjust your hook size to ensure your fabric has a good, flexible drape.
• Tools: Scissors and a tapestry needle.

⛓️ Foundation & Initial Setup

This pattern has two foundation rows to set up the stitch placement for the shifting repeat.

Foundation Row

1. Chain: Ch a multiple of $20 + 8$ to your desired width (e.g., Ch 28).
2. Work 1 DC into the 4th chain from the hook (the first 3 ch counts as a DC).
3. Work 1 DC into every chain across the row.

Row 1: The V-Stitch Setup

This row establishes the first motif repeat of solid blocks and V-stitches.

1. Start: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), turn.
2. Edge Block: Work 1 DC into the next 4 stitches. (5 DC Edge)
3. V-Stitch Section:
   • sk 2 st. Work a V-St (DC, Ch 3, DC) into the next stitch.
   • sk 2 st.
4. Repeat Motif: [Work 1 DC in the next 5 stitches (5 DC Block). sk 2 st. Work a V-St (DC, Ch 3, DC) into the next stitch. sk 2 st.] Rep from * across the row until 5 stitches remain.
5. End: Work 1 DC into the last 5 stitches (the final 5 DC Block).

🔄 The 4-Row Vertical Repeat

The body of the pattern is created by repeating these four rows in sequence.

Row 2: The Shell Row

This row places the first 7-DC Shell into the V-stitch space and creates the first shift.

1. Start: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), turn.
2. Edge Block: Work 1 DC in the next 3 stitches. (4 DC Edge)
3. Shell Placement:
   • sk 1 st. Work 7 DC into the Ch-3 space of the V-Stitch.
4. Repeat Motif: [sk 2 st. Work 1 DC in the next 3 stitches (3 DC Block). sk 2 st. Work 7 DC into the Ch-3 space of the next V-Stitch.] Rep from * across the row.
5. End: sk 2 st. Work 1 DC in the last 4 stitches (the final 4 DC Block).

Row 3: The V-Stitch Shift

This row places V-stitches in the center of the 3-DC Blocks and 7-DC Shells over the existing V-stitches, starting the shift.

1. Start: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), turn.
2. Edge Block: Work 1 DC in the next 2 stitches. (3 DC Edge)
3. Shell Block: Work 1 DC in the next 7 stitches (over the previous shell).
4. Repeat Motif: [sk 2 st. Work a V-St (DC, Ch 3, DC) into the center stitch of the 3 DC Block. sk 2 st. Work 1 DC in the next 7 stitches (over the previous shell).] Rep from * across the row until 3 stitches remain.
5. End: Work 1 DC in the last 3 stitches (the final 3 DC Block).

Row 4: The Block Shift

This row introduces new 5-DC Blocks over the center of the previous shells and sets up new lace spaces.

1. Start: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), turn.
2. Edge Block: Work 1 DC in the next 2 stitches. (3 DC Edge)
3. Block Shift:
   • Ch 1. sk 2 st.
   • Work 1 DC in the next 5 stitches (5 DC Block).
4. Repeat Motif: [Ch 1. sk 2 st. Work 7 DC into the Ch-3 space of the V-Stitch. Ch 1. sk 2 st. Work 1 DC in the next 5 stitches (5 DC Block).] Rep from * across the row.
5. End: Ch 1. sk 2 st. Work 1 DC in the last 3 stitches (the final 3 DC Block).

Row 5: The Shell-V-Stitch Shift

This row is worked over the Ch-1 spaces, placing V-stitches over the center of the new 5-DC Blocks and 7-DC Shells over the previous shells.

1. Start: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), turn.
2. Edge Block: Work 1 DC in the next 4 stitches. (5 DC Edge)
3. V-Stitch Placement:
   • Work 7 DC over the next 7 DC stitches (over the previous shell).
   • sk 2 st. Work a V-St (DC, Ch 3, DC) into the center stitch of the 5 DC Block. sk 2 st.
4. Repeat Motif: [Work 1 DC in the next 7 stitches (over the previous shell). sk 2 st. Work a V-St (DC, Ch 3, DC) into the center stitch of the 5 DC Block. sk 2 st.] Rep from * across the row.
5. End: Work 1 DC in the last 5 stitches (the final 5 DC Block).

Continuing the Pattern

To continue, you will now repeat the sequence of Rows 2, 3, 4, and 5 until your project reaches the desired length.

• Next row is Row 2 (Shell Row).
• Then Row 3 (V-Stitch Shift).
• Then Row 4 (Block Shift).
• Then Row 5 (Shell-V-Stitch Shift).

✂️ Finishing & Styling

Finishing

When your project is the desired length, end on a solid DC row (like the Foundation Row) or Row 5 for a stable finish.

1. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for weaving.
2. Use a tapestry needle to carefully weave in all ends.

Video Tutorial:

Blocking is Recommended

While this stitch is quite dense, blocking is still beneficial to help even out the tension between the solid blocks and the open lace sections.

1. Dampen or Steam: Wet the finished piece thoroughly (or use a steamer, depending on your yarn fiber).
2. Shape: Gently shape the fabric to ensure the V-stitches and shells are fully open, and the block sections are flat. Pin the piece if necessary.
3. Dry: Allow the piece to dry completely before unpinning.

Enjoy the luxurious, reversible texture of this Shifting Block Lace fabric!