Vintage pattern · 1915 · small thread crochet doily

Priscilla Six-Fan Doily

Free crochet pattern with chart

The smaller sister of the Nine-Fan Doily in the same 1915 Priscilla book, about 6 inches across in fine thread and six-sided. A center of 18 spokes and two rounds of clusters, then six solid points with six lacy fans between them and a picot edge. The 1915 directions are five lines that lean on the larger doily. Here every round is written out and counted.

Thread: Size 30 cottonNo. 30 in 1915
Hook: 1.4 mm steelNo. 9 in 1915
Finished: about 6 in across15 rounds

Every count checked by KrowsheaNo errors in the 1915 original. Modern US and UK terms, and a chart drawn from the counts.

Priscilla Six-Fan Doily rendered in Krowshea 3D Yarn — **Today** · rendered in Krowshea 3D Yarn, not AI

1915 photo of a six-sided white crochet doily with a ring of clusters at the center, six solid pointed shapes and six openwork fans — **1915** · the booklet photo

Chart

Priscilla Six-Fan Doily crochet chart

Right-handedLeft-handed

Crochet symbol chart of Priscilla Six-Fan Doily, 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

In rounds 7–13, begin with ch 1, which doesn't count as a st.

1
Ch 6, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 17 dc in ring, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
18 dc
2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), ch 1, [dc in next st, ch 1] 17 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
18 dc, 18 sps
3
Ch 4 (counts as the first tr), then work the bracketed step of the 3-tr cluster twice (not 3 times) in the same st, yarn over and draw through all loops on the hook, ch 3, [3-tr cluster in next dc, ch 3] 17 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
18 clusters, 18 sps
4
Sl st in next sp, ch 4 (counts as the first tr), then work the bracketed step of the 4-tr cluster 3 times (not 4 times) in the same sp, yarn over and draw through all loops on the hook, ch 4, [4-tr cluster in next sp, ch 4] 17 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
18 clusters, 18 sps
5
Sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 7 dc in same sp, ch 5, sk next st, sc in next cluster, ch 5, [sk next sp, sk next st, 8 dc in next sp, ch 5, sk next st, sc in next cluster, ch 5] 5 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc, 6 sc, 12 sps
6
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in next 8 sts, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3, [sc in next 8 sts, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3] 5 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
48 sc, 12 dc, 12 sps
7
Sk next st, sc in next 7 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, [sk next st, sc in next 7 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4] 5 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
42 sc, 24 dc, 18 sps
8
Sk next st, sc in next 6 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next sp, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, [sk next st, sc in next 6 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next sp, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4] 5 times, join with a sl st to the first st.
36 sc, 36 dc, 24 sps
9
Sk next st, sc in next 5 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next sp, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, ch 1, dc in next sp, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, *sk next st, sc in next 5 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next sp, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, ch 1, dc in next sp, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a sl st to the first st.
30 sc, 48 dc, 36 sps
10
Sk next st, sc in next 4 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, *sk next st, sc in next 4 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a sl st to the first st.
24 sc, 60 dc, 48 sps
11
Sk next st, sc in next 3 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, *sk next st, sc in next 3 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a sl st to the first st.
18 sc, 72 dc, 60 sps
12
Sk next st, sc in next 2 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, *sk next st, sc in next 2 sts, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a sl st to the first st.
12 sc, 84 dc, 72 sps
13
Sk next st, sc in next st, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4, *sk next st, sc in next st, ch 4, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a sl st to the first st.
6 sc, 96 dc, 84 sps
14
Sl st in next sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc, *ch 8, 2 dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, [dc in next dc] 2 times, [ch 1, dc in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * 4 more times, ch 8, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
108 dc, 90 sps
15
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *[(sc, ch-3 picot, sc) in next sp] 14 times, (sc, ch-3 picot, sc) in next sp, [(sc, ch-3 picot, sc) in same sp] 7 times; rep from * 5 more times, join with a sl st to the first st.
264 sc, 132 picots
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Written in UK crochet terms

In rounds 7–13, begin with ch 1, which doesn't count as a st.

1
Ch 6, join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 17 tr in ring, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
18 tr
2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), ch 1, [tr in next st, ch 1] 17 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
18 tr, 18 sps
3
Ch 4 (counts as the first dtr), then work the bracketed step of the 3-dtr cluster twice (not 3 times) in the same st, yarn round hook and draw through all loops on the hook, ch 3, [3-dtr cluster in next tr, ch 3] 17 times, join with a ss to the first st.
18 clusters, 18 sps
4
Ss in next sp, ch 4 (counts as the first dtr), then work the bracketed step of the 4-dtr cluster 3 times (not 4 times) in the same sp, yarn round hook and draw through all loops on the hook, ch 4, [4-dtr cluster in next sp, ch 4] 17 times, join with a ss to the first st.
18 clusters, 18 sps
5
Ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 7 tr in same sp, ch 5, miss next st, dc in next cluster, ch 5, [miss next sp, miss next st, 8 tr in next sp, ch 5, miss next st, dc in next cluster, ch 5] 5 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr, 6 dc, 12 sps
6
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in next 8 sts, ch 3, 2 tr in next dc, ch 3, [dc in next 8 sts, ch 3, 2 tr in next dc, ch 3] 5 times, join with a ss to the first st.
48 dc, 12 tr, 12 sps
7
Miss next st, dc in next 7 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, ch 1, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, [miss next st, dc in next 7 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, ch 1, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4] 5 times, join with a ss to the first st.
42 dc, 24 tr, 18 sps
8
Miss next st, dc in next 6 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, ch 1, 2 tr in next sp, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, [miss next st, dc in next 6 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, ch 1, 2 tr in next sp, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4] 5 times, join with a ss to the first st.
36 dc, 36 tr, 24 sps
9
Miss next st, dc in next 5 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, ch 1, tr in next sp, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, ch 1, tr in next sp, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, *miss next st, dc in next 5 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, ch 1, tr in next sp, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, ch 1, tr in next sp, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a ss to the first st.
30 dc, 48 tr, 36 sps
10
Miss next st, dc in next 4 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, *miss next st, dc in next 4 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 2 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a ss to the first st.
24 dc, 60 tr, 48 sps
11
Miss next st, dc in next 3 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, *miss next st, dc in next 3 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 3 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a ss to the first st.
18 dc, 72 tr, 60 sps
12
Miss next st, dc in next 2 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, *miss next st, dc in next 2 sts, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 4 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a ss to the first st.
12 dc, 84 tr, 72 sps
13
Miss next st, dc in next st, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4, *miss next st, dc in next st, ch 4, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 5 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, ch 4; rep from * 4 more times, join with a ss to the first st.
6 dc, 96 tr, 84 sps
14
Ss in next sp, ss in next tr, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr, *ch 8, 2 tr in next tr, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, [tr in next tr] 2 times, [ch 1, tr in next sp] 6 times, ch 1, miss next st, 2 tr in next tr; rep from * 4 more times, ch 8, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
108 tr, 90 sps
15
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *[(dc, ch-3 picot, dc) in next sp] 14 times, (dc, ch-3 picot, dc) in next sp, [(dc, ch-3 picot, dc) in same sp] 7 times; rep from * 5 more times, join with a ss to the first st.
264 dc, 132 picots
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Special stitches

3-tr cluster: [Yarn over twice, 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] 3 times, all in the same st (4 loops on hook); yarn over and draw through all 4 loops. The stitches meet at the top as one. It counts as one st.
4-tr cluster: [Yarn over twice, 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] 4 times, all in the same st (5 loops on hook); yarn over and draw through all 5 loops. The stitches meet at the top as one. It counts as one st.
ch-3 picot: ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch from the hook.

Abbreviations (US)

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

Special stitches

3-dtr cluster: [Yarn round hook twice, 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] 3 times, all in the same st (4 loops on hook); yarn round hook and draw through all 4 loops. The stitches meet at the top as one. It counts as one st.
4-dtr cluster: [Yarn round hook twice, 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] 4 times, all in the same st (5 loops on hook); yarn round hook and draw through all 5 loops. The stitches meet at the top as one. It counts as one st.
ch-3 picot: ch 3, ss in the 3rd ch from the hook.

Abbreviations (UK)

ch chaindc double crochetdtr double treblemiss miss (skip)rep repeatsp(s) space(s)ss slip stitchst(s) stitch(es)tr treble

Materials

Thread, 1915: Crochet cotton No. 30. Today's size 30 crochet thread is the nearest match.
Hook, 1915: "Crochet needle No. 9", a steel hook. We set 1.4 mm as a stand-in; it was not converted from a 1915 size chart. Use the hook that suits your thread.
Size: The book gives none. Our estimate at the usual gauge for the hook is about 6 inches across.

The 1915 original

As it was printed

The Priscilla Crochet Book: Centerpieces and Doilies · Figure 58, "Doily": photo on page 28, directions on page 30
Figure 58. Doily. Materials: Crochet cotton No. 30, crochet needle No. 9. Chain 6, join in ring. 1st round: 18 t over ring. 2d round: T over each t, ch 1 between. 3d round: 18 groups of 3 Cluny sts, ch 3 between groups. 4th round: 18 groups of 4 Cluny sts, ch 4 between groups. (Omit 5th and 6th rounds of larger doily, Fig. 57.) 5th round: Like 7th round of larger doily, with only 6 sections instead of 9. From this to the end like larger doily.

The 1915 stitch names

This book uses the names of Irish crochet workers, and says so: its "double" is the stitch Americans call single crochet, and each taller stitch is one name lower than today's US name.

In 1915	US today	How we know
d (double)	sc	The book's Explanation of Stitches: a loop through the work, then thread over and through both loops.
t (treble)	dc	Round 1 says "18 t over ring". A chain of 3 starting a round stands for one t, as Figure 57 spells out.
dt (double treble)	tr	Round 3 says "18 groups of 3 Cluny sts". Figure 57 makes a Cluny group of dt worked off 2 loops at a time: thread over twice.
Cluny group	cluster	"All worked off together": 3 or 4 unfinished stitches in one place, closed as one.
picot of 3	ch-3 picot
miss	skip

What we checked

Rounds 1 to 4: 18 dc, 18 dc with 18 spaces, 18 clusters and 18 clusters, as the text gives them.
Six sections: 18 clusters make 3 to a section.
Round 5, written by us: 6 groups of 8 dc and 6 sc.
Rounds 6 to 9: points of 8, 7, 6 and 5 sc and fans of 2, 4, 6 and 8 dc, as the larger doily prints them.
Rounds 10 to 14, written out by us: points of 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0 sc, fans of 10 to 18 dc.
Round 15: (sc, picot, sc) on each chain: one in each of the 84 ch-1 spaces and eight in each of the 6 ch-8 loops, 132 groups: 264 sc, 132 picots.
The 1915 photo shows 6 solid points and 6 fans round a ring of clusters.

How we read the old wording

Round 5 is ours. The larger doily's 7th round fastens a single crochet into a stitch this doily does not have. Here 8 dc go in every third space and the single crochet goes in the top of the middle cluster between.
Rounds 10 to 14 and the last round are written out as in the Nine-Fan Doily: one less single crochet in each point, one more open mesh each side of the fan's center, a loop of 8 chains over each tip, and one (sc, picot, sc) in every space.
"2 t over centre of fan" is read as one dc in each of the two center dc.
Where the book does not say how a round begins, a round that opens with taller stitches begins with a slip stitch to the place and a chain that counts as the first stitch. A round that opens with single crochet begins with ch 1, which does not count, as single crochet rounds usually do.

No count errors in the original. It is a short note that points to the larger doily, so one round and the last six are our writing-out. Each choice is listed above.

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