Vintage pattern · 1941 · thread crochet motif

Ballerina Motif

Free crochet pattern with chart

One of four designs the 1941 booklet says were "repeated by request". A flower of eight tall clusters sits in the center, a solid band of single crochet circles it, and eight diamonds of chain mesh open between the arms of a solid star. Sixteen points finish the edge. Each motif is 5 inches across.

Thread: Size 20 cottonabout 46 yd a motif
Hook: 1.3 mm steelNo. 10 in 1941
Finished: 5 in across17 rounds

Every count checked by KrowsheaNo errors in the 1941 original. Modern US and UK terms, and a chart drawn from the counts.

Black and white photo of a round white crochet motif with a flower center, a solid band, eight mesh diamonds and a pointed edge — **1941** · Ballerina No. 674, as photographed for the 1941 booklet.

Chart

Ballerina Motif crochet chart

Right-handedLeft-handed

Crochet symbol chart of Ballerina Motif, drawn by Krowshea

The same chart drawn left-handed, mirrored

Reading this chart

Start at the center and read each round counterclockwise, the way a right-handed crocheter works.
Start at the center and read each round clockwise, the way a left-handed crocheter works.
Each round begins at its green mark, its first stitch or chain; its number is printed beside it. Rounds alternate dark and blue so they read apart.
The key under the chart names every symbol. Symbols follow the Craft Yarn Council chart standard.

Drawn by Krowshea from the checked counts, not traced from the original. New to charts? How to read crochet charts.

Written pattern

Round by round

US termsUK terms

Written in US crochet terms

1
Ch 8, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a dc), ch 2, [dc in ring, ch 2] 7 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
8 dc, 8 sps
2
Sl st in next sp, ch 5 (counts as the first dtr), then work the bracketed step of the 5-dtr cluster 4 times (not 5 times) in the same sp, yarn over and draw through all loops on the hook, [ch 8, 5-dtr cluster in next sp] 7 times, ch 8, join with a sl st to the first st.
8 clusters, 8 sps
3
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 10 sc in each sp around.
80 sc
4–6
Sc in each st around.
80 sc
7
Sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the first st.
80 sc
8
With the hook still in the joining stitch, [ch 5, sk next st, sc in next st, ch 5, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st] 15 times, ch 5, sk next st, sc in next st, ch 5, sk next 2 sts, join with a sl st in the joining stitch.
31 sc, 32 sps
9
Sl st in next sp, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in same sp, *[ch 5, sc in next sp] 3 times, ch 5, 2 sc in next sp; rep from * 6 more times, [ch 5, sc in next sp] 3 times, ch 5, join with a sl st to the first st.
40 sc, 32 sps
10
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each of next 2 sc, *2 sc in next sp, [ch 5, sc in next sp] 2 times, ch 5, 2 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 2 sc; rep from * 6 more times, 2 sc in next sp, [ch 5, sc in next sp] 2 times, ch 5, 2 sc in next sp, join with a sl st to the first st.
64 sc, 24 sps
11
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each of next 4 sc, [2 sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 5, 2 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 6 sc] 7 times, 2 sc in next sp, ch 5, sc in next sp, ch 5, 2 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 2 sc, join with a sl st to the first st.
88 sc, 16 sps
12
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each of next 6 sc, [2 sc in next sp, ch 7, 2 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 10 sc] 7 times, 2 sc in next sp, ch 7, 2 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 4 sc, join with a sl st to the first st.
112 sc, 8 sps
13
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each of next 8 sc, [(2 sc, ch 5, 2 sc) in next sp, sc in each of next 14 sc] 7 times, (2 sc, ch 5, 2 sc) in next sp, sc in each of next 6 sc, join with a sl st to the first st.
144 sc, 8 sps
14
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each of next 10 sc, [5 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 18 sc] 7 times, 5 sc in next sp, sc in each of next 8 sc, join with a sl st to the first st.
184 sc
15
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in each of next 12 sc, [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 22 sc] 7 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sc, join with a sl st to the first st.
192 sc
16
Sk next st, sc in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (ch 3, dc) in same st, *[ch 6, sk next 5 sts, sc in next st, ch 6, sk next 5 sts, vee in next st] 2 times; rep from * 6 more times, ch 6, sk next 5 sts, sc in next st, ch 6, sk next 5 sts, vee in next st, ch 6, sk next 5 sts, sc in next st, ch 6, sk next 4 sts, join with a sl st to the first st.
17 sc, 32 dc, 48 sps
17
Sl st in next sp, sc in same sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (ch 3, dc) in same sp, [ch 6, sc in next sc, ch 7, vee in next ch-3 sp, ch 7, sc in next sc, ch 6, vee in next ch-3 sp] 7 times, ch 6, sc in next sc, ch 7, vee in next ch-3 sp, ch 7, sc in next sc, ch 6, sk next sp, sk next 2 sts, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off.
17 sc, 32 dc, 48 sps

Weave in the ends.

Written in UK crochet terms

1
Ch 8, join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a tr), ch 2, [tr in ring, ch 2] 7 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
8 tr, 8 sps
2
Ss in next sp, ch 5 (counts as the first trtr), then work the bracketed step of the 5-trtr cluster 4 times (not 5 times) in the same sp, yarn round hook and draw through all loops on the hook, [ch 8, 5-trtr cluster in next sp] 7 times, ch 8, join with a ss to the first st.
8 clusters, 8 sps
3
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 10 dc in each sp around.
80 dc
4–6
Dc in each st around.
80 dc
7
Dc in each st around, join with a ss to the first st.
80 dc
8
With the hook still in the joining stitch, [ch 5, miss next st, dc in next st, ch 5, miss next 2 sts, dc in next st] 15 times, ch 5, miss next st, dc in next st, ch 5, miss next 2 sts, join with a ss in the joining stitch.
31 dc, 32 sps
9
Ss in next sp, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 dc in same sp, *[ch 5, dc in next sp] 3 times, ch 5, 2 dc in next sp; rep from * 6 more times, [ch 5, dc in next sp] 3 times, ch 5, join with a ss to the first st.
40 dc, 32 sps
10
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each of next 2 dc, *2 dc in next sp, [ch 5, dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 5, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 2 dc; rep from * 6 more times, 2 dc in next sp, [ch 5, dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 5, 2 dc in next sp, join with a ss to the first st.
64 dc, 24 sps
11
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each of next 4 dc, [2 dc in next sp, ch 5, dc in next sp, ch 5, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 6 dc] 7 times, 2 dc in next sp, ch 5, dc in next sp, ch 5, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 2 dc, join with a ss to the first st.
88 dc, 16 sps
12
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each of next 6 dc, [2 dc in next sp, ch 7, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 10 dc] 7 times, 2 dc in next sp, ch 7, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 4 dc, join with a ss to the first st.
112 dc, 8 sps
13
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each of next 8 dc, [(2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc) in next sp, dc in each of next 14 dc] 7 times, (2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc) in next sp, dc in each of next 6 dc, join with a ss to the first st.
144 dc, 8 sps
14
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each of next 10 dc, [5 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 18 dc] 7 times, 5 dc in next sp, dc in each of next 8 dc, join with a ss to the first st.
184 dc
15
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in each of next 12 dc, [2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 22 dc] 7 times, 2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 10 dc, join with a ss to the first st.
192 dc
16
Miss next st, dc in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (ch 3, tr) in same st, *[ch 6, miss next 5 sts, dc in next st, ch 6, miss next 5 sts, vee in next st] 2 times; rep from * 6 more times, ch 6, miss next 5 sts, dc in next st, ch 6, miss next 5 sts, vee in next st, ch 6, miss next 5 sts, dc in next st, ch 6, miss next 4 sts, join with a ss to the first st.
17 dc, 32 tr, 48 sps
17
Ss in next sp, dc in same sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (ch 3, tr) in same sp, [ch 6, dc in next dc, ch 7, vee in next ch-3 sp, ch 7, dc in next dc, ch 6, vee in next ch-3 sp] 7 times, ch 6, dc in next dc, ch 7, vee in next ch-3 sp, ch 7, dc in next dc, ch 6, miss next sp, miss next 2 sts, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off.
17 dc, 32 tr, 48 sps

Weave in the ends.

Special stitches

5-dtr cluster: [Yarn over 3 times, insert the hook in the st, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops, yarn over and draw through 2 loops] 5 times, all in the same st (6 loops on hook); yarn over and draw through all 6 loops. The stitches meet at the top as one. It counts as one st.
vee: (dc, ch 3, dc) in the same place.

Abbreviations (US)

ch chaindc double crochetdtr double treble crochetrep repeatsc single crochetsk skipsl st slip stitchsp(s) space(s)st(s) stitch(es)

Special stitches

5-trtr cluster: [Yarn round hook 3 times, insert the hook in the st, yarn round hook and draw up a loop, yarn round hook and draw through 2 loops, yarn round hook and draw through 2 loops, yarn round hook and draw through 2 loops] 5 times, all in the same st (6 loops on hook); yarn round hook and draw through all 6 loops. The stitches meet at the top as one. It counts as one st.
vee: (tr, ch 3, tr) in the same place.

Abbreviations (UK)

ch chaindc double crochetmiss miss (skip)rep repeatsp(s) space(s)ss slip stitchst(s) stitch(es)tr trebletrtr triple treble

Materials

Thread, 1941: Six-cord mercerized crochet cotton, size 20. Today's size 20 crochet thread is the match.
Hook, 1941: Steel crochet hook No. 10, about 1.3 mm in today's US steel sizes. Old steel hook sizes varied from maker to maker, so treat the millimeter size as a guide.
Size and yardage, 1941: Each motif measures 5 inches across and takes about 46 yards of thread.

The 1941 original

As it was printed

Old and New Favorites: Crochet Designs · Ballerina No. 674
MOTIF... Starting at center, ch 8, join with sl st. 1st rnd: Ch 5, * dc in ring, ch 2. Repeat from * 6 more times. Join to 3rd st of ch-5 (8 sps). 2nd rnd: Sl st in next sp, ch 5, 4 d tr in same sp, holding back the last loop of each d tr on hook; thread over and draw through all loops on hook (a cluster); * ch 8, 5 d tr in next sp, holding back the last loop of each d tr on hook; thread over and draw through all loops on hook (cluster). Repeat from * around, ending with ch 8, sl st at tip of 1st cluster made. 3rd rnd: 10 sc in each sp (80 sc in rnd). 4th to 7th rnds incl: Sc in each sc, ending 7th rnd with sl st in next st. 8th rnd: * Ch 5, skip 1 st, sc in next st, ch 5, skip 2 sts, sc in next st. Repeat from * around (32 loops). 9th rnd: Sl st to center of next loop, 2 sc in loop, * ch 5, sc in next loop. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 5, 2 sc in next loop, and continue thus around, ending with sl st in 1st sc made. 10th rnd: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, * 2 sc in next loop; (ch 5, sc in next loop) twice, ch 5, 2 sc in next loop, sc in next 2 sc. Repeat from * around, ending with 2 sc in last loop, sl st in ch-1 first made. 11th rnd: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sc, * 2 sc in next loop, ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, 2 sc in next loop, sc in next 6 sc. Repeat from * around, ending with sl st in ch-1 first made. 12th rnd: Ch 1, sc in next 6 sc, * 2 sc in next loop, ch 7, 2 sc in next loop, sc in next 10 sc. Repeat from * around, ending rnd as before. 13th rnd: Ch 1, sc in next 8 sc, * in ch-7 loop make 2 sc, ch 5, 2 sc; sc in next 14 sc. Repeat from * around; join. 14th rnd: Ch 1, sc in each sc, making 5 sc in each ch-5 loop; join. 15th rnd: Ch 1, sc in each sc, making 2 sc in center st of 5-sc group; join. 16th rnd: Sc in next sc, ch 6 (to count as dc and ch-3), dc in same place as last sc, * ch 6, skip 5 sc, sc in next sc, ch 6; in center sc at tip of next point make dc, ch 3, dc; ch 6, skip 5 sc, sc in next sc, ch 6, skip 5 sc; in next sc make dc, ch 3, dc. Repeat from * around, joining last ch-6 to 3rd st of ch-6 first made. 17th rnd: Sl st in next ch, sc in sp, ch 6, dc in same sp, * ch 6, sc in next sc, ch 7; in sp at point make dc, ch 3, dc; ch 7, sc in next sc, ch 6; in next sp make dc, ch 3, dc. Repeat from * around. Join and fasten off.

The 1941 stitch names

The booklet is written in modern American terms and defines them on its own stitch page. One name is worth spelling out:

In 1941	US today	How we know
d tr	dtr	The booklet's stitch page: "for a double treble, thread over 3 times". That is today's US double treble.

What we checked

Round 1: 8 dc and 8 spaces, the 8 spaces the pattern prints.
Round 2: 8 clusters of 5 d tr with 8 loops of 8 chains.
Round 3: 10 sc in each loop, the 80 sc the pattern prints. Rounds 4 to 7 keep 80 sc.
Round 8: the 32 loops the pattern prints.
Rounds 9 to 13: the 8 solid points grow 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18 sc wide while the mesh between them shrinks from 4 loops to 3, 2 and 1.
Rounds 14 and 15: 184 sc, then 192 sc.
Rounds 16 and 17: 16 V's standing 12 stitches apart on the 192 sc, the 16 points of the photo.
The compiled chart shows the same 8 petals, 8 mesh diamonds and 16 points as the photo.

How we read the old wording

Rounds 3 to 7 are worked round and round without joining, as the book has them; the 7th ends with a slip stitch.
Round 8 begins with chains straight from that slip stitch, and its 32nd loop comes back to the same stitch. The book ends that loop with an sc there; here the round's join stands in that place (31 sc and the join, 32 loops).
Rounds 10 to 15 open "Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc" (then 4, 6, 8). The ch 1 does not count, and "next" starts with the stitch the round was joined to. Only that reading makes the printed runs come out.
Round 16's opening "sc in next sc" moves the start over by one stitch so the V's stand evenly, 12 stitches apart. "Center sc at tip of next point" is then the second of the two sc that round 15 put at the tip.
Rounds 16 and 17 each open with an sc before the first V, so they count 17 sc, not 16.
The book goes on to sew motifs together and add a fill-in lace. This page covers the single motif.
Round 3 here opens with ch 1, which does not count as a stitch, because it follows the join of round 2; the 1941 text starts it without one. Rounds 4 to 7 spiral on with no chain, as the book has them.

No errors in the original. Its three printed counts (8 spaces, 80 sc, 32 loops) all check out.

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