Lace Doily Crochet Patterns

Crochet Elegant Round Lace Doily Free Pattern

CompatNest: Cozy Knits & Yarn Haven • November 05, 2026

Introduction

This elegant round lace doily is the perfect project for anyone who wants to add a touch of vintage charm to their home. Worked in fine cotton thread with a small hook, it grows from a simple center into a beautiful floral motif that radiates outward to a delicate scalloped edge. The finished piece is light, airy, and crisp, making it a stunning centerpiece for a table, dresser, or sideboard. Even if you are new to thread crochet, the round-by-round instructions below will guide you through every stitch.

Materials Needed

Cotton crochet thread, size 10, in natural (or your desired color) — approximately 50 yards
Crochet hook size 1.75 mm (US size 6 steel hook)
Tapestry needle
Blocking pins and blocking mat
Finished size: approximately 12 in (30.5 cm) in diameter after blocking

Abbreviations

ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
ch-sp: chain space (the hole made by a group of chains in the previous round)
st(s): stitch(es)
beg: beginning

Gauge

The first 3 rounds measure approximately 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter. To check your gauge, work Rounds 1–3 and measure straight across the circle; if it is larger than 1.5 in, try a slightly smaller hook, and if it is smaller, try a slightly larger hook.

Tips Before You Start

Thread crochet is worked tightly, so keep your tension relaxed and even — a stiff, over-tight doily will not lie flat when blocked.
Count your stitches at the end of every round. The chain spaces in this pattern depend on exact stitch counts, so a missed stitch will throw off the lace.
Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you always know where to join.
Work with good light and keep your thread clean — fine cotton shows every smudge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Center

Round 1: Ch 4, sl st into first ch to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout), 11 dc into the ring, sl st to top of ch-3 to join. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-3. (24 dc)

Main Motif

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 1 st, *(dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 1 st); repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch-3. (16 dc, 8 ch-2 sps)

Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as tr), tr in same st, *(ch 3, skip next dc, tr in next dc, ch 3, skip next dc, 2 tr in next ch-sp); repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch-4. (24 tr, 16 ch-3 sps)

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next tr, *(ch 5, skip ch-sp, sc in next 2 tr); repeat from * around ending with ch 5, sl st to first sc. (16 sc, 8 ch-5 sps)

Round 6 (petal round): Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next sc, *(ch 2, 5 tr in next ch-5 sp, ch 2, sc in next 2 sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (8 petals of 5 tr, 16 sc, 16 ch-2 sps)

Round 7: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next sc, *(ch 3, skip ch-2 sp, sc in next tr, [ch 3, sc in next tr] 4 times, ch 3, skip ch-2 sp, sc in next 2 sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-3 sps)

Round 8: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next sc, *(ch 4, skip ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, [ch 4, sc in next sc] 4 times, ch 4, skip ch-3 sp, sc in next 2 sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-4 sps)

Round 9: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next sc, *(ch 5, skip ch-4 sp, sc in next sc, [ch 5, sc in next sc] 4 times, ch 5, skip ch-4 sp, sc in next 2 sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-5 sps)

Round 10: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next sc, *(ch 6, skip ch-5 sp, sc in next sc, [ch 6, sc in next sc] 4 times, ch 6, skip ch-5 sp, sc in next 2 sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-6 sps)

Round 11: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next sc, *(ch 7, skip ch-6 sp, sc in next sc, [ch 7, sc in next sc] 4 times, ch 7, skip ch-6 sp, sc in next 2 sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-7 sps)

Lace Border

Round 12: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sc in next ch-7 sp, ch 3, *(3 dc in next sc, ch 3, sc in next ch-7 sp, ch 3); repeat from * around, sl st to top of ch-3. (24 groups of 3 dc, 48 ch-3 sps, 24 sc)

Round 13: Ch 1, sc in same st, *(ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc, [ch 3, sc in next ch-sp] twice, ch 3, sc in next dc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (72 sc, 72 ch-3 sps)

Round 14 (scallop round): Ch 1, sc in same st, *(ch 2, 5 tr in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, sc in next sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (24 scallops of 5 tr, 24 sc, 48 ch-2 sps)

Round 15 (final edging): Ch 1, sc in same st, *(ch 3, skip ch-2 sp, sc in next tr, [ch 3, sc in next tr] 4 times, ch 3, skip ch-2 sp, sc in next sc); repeat from * around, sl st to first sc. (120 sc, 120 ch-3 sps) Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Fasten off and weave in all ends with the tapestry needle, working them into the back of the stitches so they disappear. Block the doily to shape: pin it out flat on the blocking mat, stretching each scallop and lace point evenly to open up the pattern, then mist with water or press gently with a damp cloth. Let it dry completely to set the intricate lace before removing the pins.

Pro Tips and Variations

Work the doily in a soft pastel or deep jewel tone for a different look, or add a fine metallic thread alongside the cotton for a subtle shimmer.
For a stiffer, more sculptural doily, dip it in a light starch solution before pinning and drying.
Make a set of smaller doilies by stopping after Round 11 and adding a simple sc edging, or repeat the pattern in a thicker cotton for a larger mat.

Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: The Gossamer Gable Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Delicate, Openwork Lace Cardigan