Vintage pattern · 1941 · thread crochet square motif

Pinwheel Motif

Free crochet pattern with chart

The booklet calls this one a classic design, and it is: eight blades of double crochet spiral out from the center like a pinwheel, each blade shifting one stitch over every round. Loops and four corner groups then turn the circle into a 3 1/2 inch square, ready to join into a tablecloth or bedspread.

Thread: Size 50 cottonabout 24 yd a motif
Hook: 1 mm steelNo. 12 in 1941
Finished: 3 1/2 in square12 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 square white crochet motif with eight spiraling blades — **1941** · The Pinwheel motif close up, from the 1941 booklet.

Chart

Pinwheel Motif crochet chart

Right-handedLeft-handed

Crochet symbol chart of Pinwheel 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 1 (does not count as a st), 16 sc in ring, join with a sl st to the first st.
16 sc
2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), ch 1, [dc in next st, ch 1] 15 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
16 dc, 16 sps
3
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, [ch 5, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc] 7 times, ch 5, sk next st, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
16 dc, 8 sps
4
Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in next sp, [ch 6, sk next st, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next sp] 7 times, ch 6, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
24 dc, 8 sps
5
Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next dc, 2 dc in next sp, [ch 7, sk next st, dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next sp] 7 times, ch 7, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
32 dc, 8 sps
6
Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of next 2 dc, 2 dc in next sp, [ch 8, sk next st, dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next sp] 7 times, ch 8, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
40 dc, 8 sps
7
Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next sp, [ch 9, sk next st, dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next sp] 7 times, ch 9, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc, 8 sps
8
Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 dc in next sp, [ch 10, sk next st, dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next sp] 7 times, ch 10, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
56 dc, 8 sps
9
Sl st in next st, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next sp, [ch 11, sk next st, dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next sp] 7 times, ch 11, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
64 dc, 8 sps
10
Sl st in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of next 5 dc, [ch 6, sc in next sp, ch 6, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 6 dc, ch 10, sc in next sp, ch 10, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 6 dc] 3 times, ch 6, sc in next sp, ch 6, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 6 dc, ch 10, sc in next sp, ch 10, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc, 8 sc, 16 sps
11
Sl st in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in each of next 3 dc, *ch 7, [sc in next sp] 2 times, ch 7, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 4 dc, ch 6, 4 dc in next sp, ch 10, 4 dc in next sp, ch 6, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 4 dc; rep from * 2 more times, ch 7, [sc in next sp] 2 times, ch 7, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 4 dc, ch 6, 4 dc in next sp, ch 10, 4 dc in next sp, ch 6, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
64 dc, 8 sc, 20 sps
12
Sl st in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in next dc, [ch 11, sc in next sp between sts, ch 11, sk next sp, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 7, 4 dc in next sp, ch 7, (4 dc, ch 11, 4 dc) in next sp, ch 7, 4 dc in next sp, ch 7, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 2 dc] 3 times, ch 11, sc in next sp between sts, ch 11, sk next sp, sk next 2 sts, dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 7, 4 dc in next sp, ch 7, (4 dc, ch 11, 4 dc) in next sp, ch 7, 4 dc in next sp, ch 7, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
80 dc, 4 sc, 28 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 1 (does not count as a st), 16 dc in ring, join with a ss to the first st.
16 dc
2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), ch 1, [tr in next st, ch 1] 15 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
16 tr, 16 sps
3
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, [ch 5, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr] 7 times, ch 5, miss next st, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
16 tr, 8 sps
4
Ss in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in next sp, [ch 6, miss next st, tr in next tr, 2 tr in next sp] 7 times, ch 6, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
24 tr, 8 sps
5
Ss in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next tr, 2 tr in next sp, [ch 7, miss next st, tr in each of next 2 tr, 2 tr in next sp] 7 times, ch 7, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
32 tr, 8 sps
6
Ss in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in each of next 2 tr, 2 tr in next sp, [ch 8, miss next st, tr in each of next 3 tr, 2 tr in next sp] 7 times, ch 8, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
40 tr, 8 sps
7
Ss in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in each of next 3 tr, 2 tr in next sp, [ch 9, miss next st, tr in each of next 4 tr, 2 tr in next sp] 7 times, ch 9, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr, 8 sps
8
Ss in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in each of next 4 tr, 2 tr in next sp, [ch 10, miss next st, tr in each of next 5 tr, 2 tr in next sp] 7 times, ch 10, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
56 tr, 8 sps
9
Ss in next st, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in each of next 5 tr, 2 tr in next sp, [ch 11, miss next st, tr in each of next 6 tr, 2 tr in next sp] 7 times, ch 11, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
64 tr, 8 sps
10
Ss in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in each of next 5 tr, [ch 6, dc in next sp, ch 6, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 6 tr, ch 10, dc in next sp, ch 10, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 6 tr] 3 times, ch 6, dc in next sp, ch 6, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 6 tr, ch 10, dc in next sp, ch 10, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr, 8 dc, 16 sps
11
Ss in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in each of next 3 tr, *ch 7, [dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 7, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 4 tr, ch 6, 4 tr in next sp, ch 10, 4 tr in next sp, ch 6, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 4 tr; rep from * 2 more times, ch 7, [dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 7, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 4 tr, ch 6, 4 tr in next sp, ch 10, 4 tr in next sp, ch 6, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
64 tr, 8 dc, 20 sps
12
Ss in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in next tr, [ch 11, dc in next sp between sts, ch 11, miss next sp, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 2 tr, ch 7, 4 tr in next sp, ch 7, (4 tr, ch 11, 4 tr) in next sp, ch 7, 4 tr in next sp, ch 7, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 2 tr] 3 times, ch 11, dc in next sp between sts, ch 11, miss next sp, miss next 2 sts, tr in each of next 2 tr, ch 7, 4 tr in next sp, ch 7, (4 tr, ch 11, 4 tr) in next sp, ch 7, 4 tr in next sp, ch 7, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
80 tr, 4 dc, 28 sps

Weave in the ends.

The 1941 original

As it was printed

Old and New Favorites: Crochet Designs · Pinwheel No. 7064
FIRST MOTIF... Starting at center, ch 8, join with sl st. 1st rnd: 16 sc in ring. 2nd rnd: Ch 4, * dc in next sc, ch 1. Repeat from * around. Join to 3rd st of ch-4 (16 sps). 3rd rnd: Ch 3, dc in same place as sl st, * ch 5, skip next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Repeat from * around; join last ch-5 to 3rd st of ch-3 (8 groups of 2 dc). 4th rnd: Sl st in next dc, ch 3, * 2 dc in next loop, ch 6, skip 1st dc of next 2-dc group, dc in next dc of same group. Repeat from * around. Join last ch-6 to 3rd st of ch-3. 5th rnd: Sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next loop, * ch 7, skip 1st dc of next group, dc in next 2 dc of same group, 2 dc in next loop. Repeat from * around. Join as before. 6th rnd: Sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next loop. * Ch 8, skip 1st dc of next group, dc in next 3 dc of same group, 2 dc in next loop. Repeat from * around; join as before. 7th, 8th and 9th rnds: Continue in this manner, always skipping the 1st dc of each group and making 2 increases in each group; also, on 7th rnd make ch-9 loops; on 8th rnd make ch-10 loops; on 9th rnd make ch-11 loops (8 dc in each group on 9th rnd); join. 10th rnd: Sl st in next 2 dc, ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, * ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6, skip 1st 2 dc of next group, dc in next 6 dc, ch 10, sc in next loop, ch 10, skip 1st 2 dc of next group, dc in next 6 dc. Repeat from * around; join. 11th rnd: Sl st in next 2 dc, ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, * ch 7, sc in next loop, sc in following loop, ch 7, skip 1st 2 dc of next dc-group, dc in next 4 dc, ch 6, 4 dc in next loop, ch 10, 4 dc in next loop, ch 6, skip 1st 2 dc of next group, dc in next 4 dc. Repeat from * around; join. 12th rnd: Sl st in next 2 dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, * ch 11, sc between the 2 sc of previous rnd, ch 11, skip 1st 2 dc of next group, dc in next 2 dc, ch 7, 4 dc in next loop, ch 7, 4 dc in next loop, ch 11, 4 dc in same loop (this is corner). Ch 7, 4 dc in next loop, ch 7, skip 1st 2 dc of next group, dc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * around. Join and fasten off.

The booklet is written in modern American terms (sc, dc, tr), the same ones its own stitch page defines, so nothing needs translating.

What we checked

Round 2: 16 dc and 16 spaces, the 16 spaces the pattern prints.
Round 3: 8 groups of 2 dc, as printed.
Rounds 4 to 9: each blade gains one dc a round, from 3 dc up to the 8 dc in each group that the pattern prints for round 9 (64 dc), with loops of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 chains.
Round 10: 8 groups of 6 dc, with 8 short loops for the sides and 8 long loops toward the corners.
Round 11: 64 dc and 8 sc. Round 12: 80 dc, 4 sc and 4 corner loops of 11 chains.
Every round closes evenly, and the compiled chart shows the same 8 blades and 4 corners as the photo.

How we read the old wording

Round 1 (16 sc in the ring) does not say to join. It is joined, since round 2 opens with ch 4, and we add a ch 1 before the sc (not counted as a stitch), the usual way to stand up for a single crochet.
Rounds 7, 8 and 9 are printed as one sentence. They are written out by the same rule as rounds 4 to 6, and the printed check (8 dc in each group on the 9th round) comes out.
"Sl st in next dc, ch 3" moves the start to the second dc of the blade, which is what makes the blades lean. Rounds 4 to 9 open with sl st in next st. Rounds 10 to 12 slip into the next 2 sts before the ch 3.
"Repeat from * around" in rounds 10 to 12: the last repeat stops before its final group of dc, which is the group the round began with.
Round 12's "sc between the 2 sc of previous rnd" is worked in the gap between those two stitches.
The book goes on to join motifs as they are made and to edge the finished cloth. This page covers the first motif.

No errors in the original. Its three printed counts (16 spaces, 8 groups of 2 dc, 8 dc in each group on round 9) all check out.

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