Create a delicate, vintage-inspired crochet lace flower motif using fine red thread. This beautiful design features a round center, five openwork petals, elongated decorative loops, and a scalloped outer border. It can be used as a doily, table decoration, coaster, applique, or joined with other motifs to make a larger project.
Note: The stitch counts below are a practical written interpretation of the motif shown in the photo. Because the image does not show every individual stitch, you may need to adjust a few chain counts to match your yarn and hook.
Materials
- Fine crochet thread, approximately 1–2 mm
- Crochet hook suitable for your thread, approximately 1.25–1.75 mm
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Optional: blocking pins and a blocking mat
Abbreviations
- MR – Magic ring
- ch – Chain
- sl st – Slip stitch
- sc – Single crochet
- hdc – Half double crochet
- dc – Double crochet
- tr – Treble crochet
- sk – Skip
- rep – Repeat
- sp – Space
Step 1: Crochet the Center Ring
Make a magic ring.
Round 1:
Ch 1, work 18 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed and join with a sl st to the first sc.
Round 2:
Ch 3, work 1 dc in the same stitch, then 2 dc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st.
You should now have a small, firm circular center.
Step 2: Create the Open Center Petal Spaces
Round 3:
Ch 1, sc in the next stitch, ch 4, skip 2 stitches, sc in the next stitch. Repeat around.
Join with a sl st.
You should have several evenly spaced chain arches surrounding the center.
Round 4:
Work into each ch-4 space:
1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.
Repeat around and join with a sl st.
These small arches form the delicate openings visible around the center of the flower.
Step 3: Form the Large Decorative Petals
The flower in the photograph has five prominent elongated petals.
For each petal:
- Attach yarn at the base of a center section.
- Ch 8–10 to create the first long loop.
- Work a row of sc along the chain.
- Ch 8–10 and return along the chain.
- Repeat the long chain loops several times to create the open vertical lines inside the petal.
- Secure the loops at the opposite side of the petal.
Continue around the motif, spacing the five petals evenly.
Petal edging
Once the internal loops are completed, crochet around the outside of each petal with:
sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc
at the curved section.
This gives the petal its smooth, raised outline.
Step 4: Shape the Petal Tops
At the top of each large petal, create a small decorative arch:
Ch 7, sl st into the base, ch 7, sl st into the next attachment point.
Repeat to form the rounded loops.
The loops should remain loose enough to create the open lace appearance shown in the photo.
Step 5: Crochet the Outer Lace Border
After completing all five petals, begin the outer border.
Border Round 1:
Sc evenly around the outside of the flower, placing extra sc at the curves so the motif stays flat.
Border Round 2:
Ch 6, skip 2–3 stitches, sl st into the next stitch.
Repeat around.
This creates the series of large open arches around the outside.
Border Round 3:
Work into each chain arch:
1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.
Repeat around the entire motif.
Step 6: Add the Final Scallops
For the delicate outer edge, work:
Ch 5, sl st into the next arch.
Repeat around the motif.
For a slightly fuller edge, use ch 6–7 instead.
Finish with a sl st, cut the yarn, and pull the tail through the final loop.
Weave in all ends carefully on the wrong side.
Blocking
Blocking is especially important for this lace design.
- Lightly dampen the finished motif.
- Place it on a blocking mat.
- Gently stretch the five petals into an even shape.
- Pin the outer arches evenly around the circumference.
- Allow the motif to dry completely.
- Remove the pins.
Blocking will make the openwork petals and scalloped border much more defined.
Tips for a Beautiful Result
- Use fine cotton crochet thread for a delicate lace effect.
- Keep your tension consistent, especially when making the long petal loops.
- Count the petals as you work so they remain evenly distributed.
- If the motif curls, use a slightly larger hook or add a few stitches around the outer border.
- If the outer edge becomes wavy, reduce the number of stitches in the border.
- Blocking will dramatically improve the final shape.
Project Ideas
This flower motif can be used individually as a coaster or decorative applique, or several motifs can be joined together to create a lace table runner, tablecloth, curtain, pillow decoration, scarf, or large floral doily.
The combination of the circular center, openwork petals, and looping lace border gives this crochet motif a beautiful vintage handmade look. 🌹
