The Starlight Bloom Square: A Viral Lace Motif for Runners and Tops

Inspired by the “VIRAL CROCHET! Easy Lace Square Motif Tutorial” by Knitting Love, this pattern utilizes a unique stitch sequence to create a beautiful, layered floral center framed by airy lace netting. This Starlight Bloom Square is elegant, works up quickly, and is ideal for joining into a stunning table runner, a delicate summer top, or even a lightweight market bag.

This pattern is written for a versatile square motif that can be repeated and joined for larger projects.

📋 Project Details & Materials

Item	Detail	Notes
Project	Starlight Bloom Motif	Square size is easily customizable by adjusting the final rounds.
Skill Level	Intermediate	Requires attention to detailed cluster and puff stitch placement.
Yarn	Sport Weight (Category 2) or DK Weight (Category 3) Cotton/Mercerized Cotton	Choose a yarn with high stitch definition to showcase the lace.
Hook	3.0 mm (C/2) or size needed to achieve a firm but not rigid motif.	A smaller hook will keep the lace open but defined.
Notions	Stitch markers (essential for corners), Tapestry needle, Scissors.

Gauge

One completed Starlight Bloom Motif (through Round 8) should measure approximately 5.5 inches x 5.5 inches.

📚 Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms)

Abbreviation	Meaning
Ch	Chain
St(s)	Stitch(es)
SC	Single Crochet
DC	Double Crochet
Tr	Treble Crochet
Sl St	Slip Stitch
Sp	Space
Sk	Skip
Beg	Beginning

✨ Special Stitches

Stitch Name	Abbreviation	Instruction
Picot	Picot	Ch 3, Sl St back into the first chain.
4-DC Cluster	4DC Cl	[Yarn over, insert hook into designated St/Sp, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 4 times. Yarn over, pull through all 5 loops on hook. Ch 1 to secure.
Corner V-Shell (CVS)	CVS	(Tr, Ch 2, Tr) into the designated corner space.

Part 1: The Starlight Bloom Motif

The motif is worked in the round, starting with a central flower and expanding into a square.

Foundation Ring: Ch 5, Sl St to the first Ch to form a ring.

Round 1 (Petal Base): Ch 4 (counts as 1st Tr). 11 Tr into the ring. Sl St to the top of the Beg Ch 4 to join. (12 Tr)

Round 2 (First Petal Layer): Sl St into the next Tr. Ch 1 (does not count as St). SC in the same St. *Ch 3, Sk 1 Tr, SC in the next Tr. Rep from * 5 more times. Ch 3, Sl St to the Beg SC to join. (6 Ch-3 loops)

Round 3 (Large Petal Layer): Sl St into the first Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), 3 DC into the same Sp. *Ch 3, 4 DC Cl in the next Ch-3 Sp. Rep from * 5 more times. Ch 3, Sl St to the top of the Beg Ch 3 to join. (6 4DC Cls and 6 4-DC groups)

Round 4 (Corner Set-up): Sl St across the first two DCs to the top of the 3rd DC. Ch 1. SC in the same St. *Ch 3, SC into the center of the 4DC Cl. Ch 5 (corner), SC into the center of the next 4DC Cl. Ch 3, SC into the 3rd DC of the next 4-DC group. Rep from * 2 more times, ending with Sl St to the Beg SC to join. (4 Ch-5 corner spaces established)

Round 5 (Squaring the Circle): Sl St into the first Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), 2 DC into the same Sp. *Ch 1, in the corner Ch-5 Sp, work CVS (Tr, Ch 2, Tr). Ch 1, 3 DC Cl in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 1, SC into the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 1, 3 DC Cl in the next Ch-3 Sp. Rep from * around, ending with Sl St to the top of the Beg Ch 3.

Round 6 (Mesh Expansion): Sl St to the center of the first 3DC Cl. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), 2 DC into the same space. *Ch 1, DC in the Tr of the CVS. Ch 3, SC in the corner Ch-2 Sp. Ch 3, DC in the next Tr of the CVS. Ch 1, 3 DC Cl in the next Ch-1 Sp. Rep from * around, ending with Sl St to the top of the Beg Ch 3.

Round 7 (Final Mesh Layer): Ch 1, SC in the same St and in the next 2 DC. *SC in the Ch-1 Sp. DC in the next DC. Ch 3, SC in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3, SC in the center SC. Ch 3, SC in the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 3, DC in the next DC. SC in the next Ch-1 Sp. Rep from * around. Work (SC, Ch 3, SC) into the corner Ch-3 Sp. Sl St to the Beg SC.

Round 8 (Picot Edging): Sl St into the next 2 SC. Ch 1. SC in the next SC. *Ch 5, SC into the next Ch-3 Sp. Picot in the next SC. Ch 5, SC into the next Ch-3 Sp. Ch 5, SC into the next Ch-3 Sp. Picot in the next SC. Rep from * around, working (SC, Picot, SC) into the corner Ch-3 Sp. Sl St to the Beg SC.

Finishing Motif: Fasten off and weave in ends. Block the square firmly to open up the lace details.

Part 2: Assembly (Table Runner)

For a table runner, motifs are joined in a straight line, connecting them during the final Round 8 (Picot Edging).

Joining Motif 2 to Motif 1 (along one side):

Work Motif 2 exactly as written through Round 7. Start Round 8 on Motif 2.

Start Corner: Work SC into the corner Ch-3 Sp. Ch 1, Sl St into the corner Picot of Motif 1. Ch 1, SC back into the corner Ch-3 Sp of Motif 2.
First Side: Ch 2, Sl St into the center of the next Ch-5 loop of Motif 1. Ch 2, SC into the next Ch-3 Sp of Motif 2.
Picot Join: Ch 1, Sl St into the Picot of Motif 1. Ch 1, SC into the next Ch-3 Sp of Motif 2.
Repeat Step 2 and 3 across the joining side.
Next Corner: Work (SC, Ch 1, Sl St into Motif 1 corner Picot, Ch 1, SC) into the corner Ch-3 Sp of Motif 2.
Continue working the remaining three sides of Motif 2 as written in Round 8.

Joining Sequence: Join 5-7 motifs (or desired number) in a line for the runner’s length.

Part 3: Border and Finishing

Once all motifs are joined in a line, a final border is added for a polished look.

Final Border: Rejoin yarn to a corner Ch-3 Sp.

Round 1 (SC Foundation): Ch 1, SC evenly around the entire perimeter (top, bottom, and short ends). Work 3 SC in each corner. Sl St to the Beg SC.
Round 2 (Picot Edge): Ch 1, SC in the first 2 Sts. *Ch 3, Sl St back into the first Ch to form a Picot. SC in the next 3 Sts. Rep from * around the entire edge. Work a larger (Ch 5) Picot in each corner.

Finishing:

Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.
Blocking: Block the finished runner aggressively. Pin out all the points and picots to fully open the lace and define the sharp edges of the squares. Allow to dry completely.