Vintage pattern · 1950s · thread crochet doily with a ruffle
Sea Shell Ruffle Doily
Free crochet pattern with chart
The cover doily of a 1950s booklet of ruffled doilies, and the quick one: the booklet says it can be made in 3 hours. Twelve spokes of shells in a second color widen from a small white center, and twelve tall fans of double treble stand up around the edge as a ruffle, finished with a round of tiny picots. It measures 8 1/2 inches across with the ruffle.
- Thread
- Crochet cotton, 2 colorsno size printed
- Hook
- 1.65 mm steelNo. 7 in the booklet
- Finished
- 8 1/2 in across13 rounds, with ruffle
Chart
Sea Shell Ruffle Doily crochet chart
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
Written in US crochet terms
- 1
white Ch 4, join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a dc), 11 dc in ring, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
12 dc - 2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same st, [ch 2, 2 dc in next dc] 11 times, ch 2, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
24 dc, 12 sps - 3
Sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc in same sp, [ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, 2 dc in next sp] 11 times, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
48 dc, 12 sps - 4
turquoise Join turquoise in any ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, [ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, ch 2, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc, 24 sps - 5
Sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, [ch 3, sk next sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, ch 3, sk next sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc, 24 sps - 6
Sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, [ch 4, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, ch 4, sk next sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc, 24 sps - 7
Sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, [ch 5, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp] 11 times, ch 5, sk next sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
72 dc, 24 sps - 8
Sl st in next 2 sts, sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, [ch 6, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp] 11 times, ch 6, sk next sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
72 dc, 24 sps - 9
Sl st in next 2 sts, sl st in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a dc), (2 dc, ch 4, 3 dc) in same sp, [ch 7, (3 dc, ch 4, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp] 11 times, ch 7, sk next sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
72 dc, 24 sps - 10
Sl st in next 2 sts, sl st in next sp, ch 4 (counts as a tr), (3 tr, ch 6, 4 tr) in same sp, [ch 7, (4 tr, ch 6, 4 tr) in next ch-4 sp] 11 times, ch 7, sk next sp, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-4. Fasten off.
96 tr, 24 sps - 11
white Join white in any ch-6 sp, ch 5 (counts as a dtr), ch 1, dtr in same sp, [ch 1, dtr in same sp] 14 times, [ch 1, sc in next ch-7 sp, ch 1, fan in next ch-6 sp] 11 times, ch 1, sc in next ch-7 sp, ch 1, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-5. Fasten off.
192 dtr, 12 sc, 204 sps - 12
turquoise Join turquoise in any ch-1 sp, ch 5 (counts as a dtr), dtr in same sp, [2 dtr in next sp] 203 times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-5. Fasten off.
408 dtr - 13
white Join white in any st, ch 1 (does not count as a st), sc in next sp between sts, ch-3 picot, ch 1, [sk next 2 sts, sc in next sp between sts, ch-3 picot, ch 1] 203 times, sk next st, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off. This round is intended to ruffle.
204 sc, 204 picots, 204 sps
Weave in the ends.
Written in UK crochet terms
- 1
white Ch 4, join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as a tr), 11 tr in ring, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
12 tr - 2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same st, [ch 2, 2 tr in next tr] 11 times, ch 2, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
24 tr, 12 sps - 3
Ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), tr in same sp, [ch 2, 2 tr in same sp, 2 tr in next sp] 11 times, ch 2, 2 tr in same sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off.
48 tr, 12 sps - 4
turquoise Join turquoise in any ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, [ch 2, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, ch 2, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr, 24 sps - 5
Ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in same sp, [ch 3, miss next sp, (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, ch 3, miss next sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr, 24 sps - 6
Ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (tr, ch 3, 2 tr) in same sp, [ch 4, (2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr) in next ch-2 sp] 11 times, ch 4, miss next sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 tr, 24 sps - 7
Ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (2 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in same sp, [ch 5, (3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in next ch-3 sp] 11 times, ch 5, miss next sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
72 tr, 24 sps - 8
Ss in next 2 sts, ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (2 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in same sp, [ch 6, (3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr) in next ch-3 sp] 11 times, ch 6, miss next sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
72 tr, 24 sps - 9
Ss in next 2 sts, ss in next sp, ch 3 (counts as a tr), (2 tr, ch 4, 3 tr) in same sp, [ch 7, (3 tr, ch 4, 3 tr) in next ch-3 sp] 11 times, ch 7, miss next sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-3.
72 tr, 24 sps - 10
Ss in next 2 sts, ss in next sp, ch 4 (counts as a dtr), (3 dtr, ch 6, 4 dtr) in same sp, [ch 7, (4 dtr, ch 6, 4 dtr) in next ch-4 sp] 11 times, ch 7, miss next sp, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-4. Fasten off.
96 dtr, 24 sps - 11
white Join white in any ch-6 sp, ch 5 (counts as a trtr), ch 1, trtr in same sp, [ch 1, trtr in same sp] 14 times, [ch 1, dc in next ch-7 sp, ch 1, fan in next ch-6 sp] 11 times, ch 1, dc in next ch-7 sp, ch 1, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-5. Fasten off.
192 trtr, 12 dc, 204 sps - 12
turquoise Join turquoise in any ch-1 sp, ch 5 (counts as a trtr), trtr in same sp, [2 trtr in next sp] 203 times, join with a ss to the top of the beginning ch-5. Fasten off.
408 trtr - 13
white Join white in any st, ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in next sp between sts, ch-3 picot, ch 1, [miss next 2 sts, dc in next sp between sts, ch-3 picot, ch 1] 203 times, miss next st, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off. This round is intended to ruffle.
204 dc, 204 picots, 204 sps
Weave in the ends.
The 1950s original
As it was printed
Ruffled Doilies · The Sea Shell Ruffle, illustrated on the cover
With Silver or White chain (ch) 4, join to form a ring, ch 3 and work 11 double crochet (dc) in ring, join in 3rd stitch (st) of ch. 2nd Round. Ch 3, dc in same space, * ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * 10 times, ch 2, join in 3rd st of ch. 3rd Round. Slip stitch (sl st) into loop, ch 3, dc in same loop, * ch 2, 2 dc in same loop, 2 dc in next loop, repeat from * 10 times, ch 2, 2 dc in same loop, join in 3rd st of ch, cut thread. 4th Round. Attach Aqua Spangle or Turquoise in any ch 2 loop, ch 3, dc in same loop, ch 2, 2 dc in same loop, * ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 2 loop, ch 2, 2 dc in same loop (2 dc shell), repeat from * all around ending with ch 2, join in 3rd st of ch. 5th Round. Sl st into loop of shell, ch 3, dc in same space, ch 2, 2 dc in same space, * ch 3, shell in next shell, repeat from * all around ending with ch 3, join. 6th Round. Sl st into loop of shell, ch 3, dc in same space, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, * ch 4, 2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc in next shell, repeat from * all around ending with ch 4, join. 7th Round. Sl st into loop of shell, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 3, 3 dc in same space, * ch 5, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc (3 dc shell) in next shell, repeat from * all around ending with ch 5, join. 8th Round. Sl st into loop of shell, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 3, 3 dc in same space, * ch 6, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next shell, repeat from * all around, ch 6, join. 9th Round. Sl st into loop of shell, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 4, 3 dc in same space, * ch 7, 3 dc, ch 4, 3 dc in next shell, repeat from * all around, ch 7, join. 10th Round. Sl st into loop of shell, ch 4, 3 treble crochet (tr c) in same space, ch 6, 4 tr c in same space, * ch 7, 4 tr c in next shell, ch 6, 4 tr c in same space, repeat from * all around, ch 7, join, cut thread. 11th Round. Attach Silver or White in 1st st of ch 6 of any shell, ch 6, double treble crochet ([d tr c] 3 times over hook) in same loop, * ch 1, d tr c in same loop, repeat from * 14 times, * ch 1, sc in next loop, ch 1, 16 d tr c with ch 1 between each d tr c in next shell, repeat from * all around ending with ch 1, sc in next loop, ch 1, join in 5th st of ch, cut thread. 12th Round. Attach Aqua Spangle or Turquoise in first ch 1 space at base of scallop, ch 5, d tr c in same space, * 2 d tr c in next ch 1 space, repeat from * all around, join, cut thread. 13th Round. Attach Silver or White in any space between d tr c, sc in same space, * ch 3, sc in top of sc for picot, ch 1, skip next space, sc in next space, repeat from * all around, join, cut thread.
The booklet is written in modern American terms and spells each one out the first time (single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, double treble with the thread 3 times over the hook), so nothing needs translating.
What we checked
- Round 1: 12 dc in the ring, the ch 3 counting as the first.
- Round 2: 12 pairs of dc with 12 ch-2 spaces.
- Round 3: a shell of 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in each space, 12 shells (48 dc).
- Rounds 4 to 9: 12 shells a round, with the chain between them growing from 2 to 7 and the shells from 2 dc a side to 3 (48 dc, then 72 dc).
- Round 10: 12 shells of 4 tr, ch 6, 4 tr (96 tr).
- Round 11: 12 fans of 16 dtr (192 dtr) with a sc between fans, 204 ch-1 spaces in all.
- Round 12: 2 dtr in each of the 204 spaces (408 dtr). The compiler agrees it ruffles: about twice the stitches a flat circle would hold.
- Round 13: a sc and picot in every other gap, 204 of each. The round closes evenly.
- The photo shows the same spokes of shells and ruffle of fans as the compiled chart.
How we read the old wording
- Date: the booklet prints no date and Project Gutenberg gives none. Its price (10 cents) and its New York 13 postal zone place it in the mid-twentieth century; "1950s" on this page is an estimate.
- Round 2: "repeat from * 10 times" is worked 11 times in all (once, then 10 more), as round 3 is, which is what 12 spokes need.
- Round 3: the repeat is worked 11 times in all (once, then "10 times" more), which is what 12 loops need. Each loop holds 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc.
- "Shell in next shell" is worked in the chain space at the middle of the shell below.
- Rounds 8 to 10: "Sl st into loop of shell" passes over 2 dc first, since the shells have 3 dc a side by then.
- Round 11: "Attach in 1st st of ch 6 of any shell" is read as joining in the ch-6 loop; all 16 dtr go around that loop.
- Round 11, the first fan: "ch 6, d tr c in same loop, * ch 1, d tr c in same loop, repeat from * 14 times" is 16 dtr: the ch 6, joined in its 5th chain at the end, stands in for the first dtr and its ch 1. One reading counts 17; it does not fit the other fans or the round, and is not used.
- Round 12: "first ch 1 space at base of scallop" is the ch 1 between a sc and the first dtr of a fan. Every ch-1 space gets 2 dtr, including the two beside each sc.
- Round 13: "skip next space, sc in next space" puts a sc in every other gap between dtr, so 2 dtr are passed each time. The picot is the booklet's "ch 3, sc in top of sc": ch 3, then a sc in the top of the sc just made.
- This page follows the plain white and turquoise version.
No errors in the original. Every fan has 16 double trebles, and each round closes evenly.
More vintage patterns
-
1915 · Doilies
Priscilla Nine-Fan Doily
Belle Robinson, The Priscilla Crochet Book: Centerpieces and Doilies
-
1915 · Doilies
Priscilla Six-Fan Doily
Belle Robinson, The Priscilla Crochet Book: Centerpieces and Doilies
-
1948 · Doilies
Sundial Pineapple Doily
The Spool Cotton Company, Pineapple Pageant: Featuring Ruffled Doilies
-
1948 · Doilies
Sunburst Pineapple Doily
The Spool Cotton Company, Pineapple Pageant: Featuring Ruffled Doilies
Krowshea is in beta
Make it with Krowshea
This pattern stays free right here. Krowshea members will be able to do more with it:
- Turn it in 3D Yarn and watch it grow round by round
- Save it to your Library and make it your own: new colors, a border, a different size
- Track your rounds with Make it, on your phone
- Open it in the Studio: change the thread, size it up in yarn, join motifs