Inspired by the beautiful, geometric stitch featured in the video Elegant Crochet Lace Pattern Tutorial | Perfect for Tablecloths, Shawls & Home Decor by Knitting Love, this pattern utilizes a flowing combination of large shell clusters and open meshwork. The resulting fabric is elegant, drapes beautifully, and is perfect for a luxurious stole, a decorative tablecloth, or a lightweight blanket. We call this the Mermaid Scale Lace for its shimmering, scalloped texture.
This pattern is written for a versatile Standard Stole/Shawl size.
📋 Project Details & Materials
| Item | Detail | Notes |
| Project | Mermaid Scale Lace Stole | Approx. 18 inches wide x 70 inches long (Customizable) |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | Requires attention to chain counts and stitch placement within specific rows. |
| Yarn | Fingering Weight (Category 1) or Light Sport Weight (Category 2) | A bamboo, silk, or high-quality acrylic blend for maximum drape and sheen. |
| Hook | 3.5 mm (E/4) or size needed to achieve a soft, flowing drape. | Choose a hook size that keeps the chains loose and the shells defined. |
| Notions | Stitch markers (optional, for edges), Tapestry needle, Scissors. |
Gauge
Gauge is not critical, but your fabric should feel very light and airy.
One complete Lace Repeat (Row 2 through Row 5) should measure approximately 4 inches tall.
📚 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 |
| Large Shell (LS) | LS | (5 DC, Ch 2, 5 DC) worked into the designated stitch or space. |
| Picot | Picot | Ch 3, Sl St into the first chain. |
Stitch Multiple: Chain a multiple of 16 + 3 for the foundation row.
Part 1: The Mermaid Scale Lace Pattern
The stole is worked flat, back and forth in rows. The pattern uses a 4-Row Repeat once the foundation is established.
Step 1: Foundation Chain
Chain a multiple of 16 + 3. For an 18-inch wide stole, try Chain 131 (8 repeats of 16 + 3).
Row 1 (Foundation):
- DC in the 4th Ch from hook (Ch 3 counts as 1st DC).
- DC in each Ch across. Ch 1, turn.
Step 2: The 4-Row Repeat
Row 2 (Base Mesh Setup):
- SC in the first DC.
- *Ch 6, Sk 7 DC, SC in the next DC.
- Ch 5, Sk 7 DC, SC in the next DC.
- Rep from * across, ending the final repeat with: Ch 6, Sk 7 DC, SC in the top of the turning Ch 3. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), turn.
Row 3 (Shell Row):
- Work 4 DC into the first Ch-6 Sp (forms a half-shell edge).
- Ch 3.
- *SC into the center of the next Ch-5 Sp.
- Ch 3.
- Work LS (5 DC, Ch 2, 5 DC) into the center of the next Ch-6 Sp.
- Ch 3. Rep from * across, ending the final repeat with: SC in the center of the last Ch-5 Sp, Ch 3, 5 DC into the last Ch-6 Sp.
- DC in the last SC. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4 (Lace Weave Row):
- SC in the first DC.
- SC in the next 4 DC.
- *Ch 5, SC in the center SC from the previous row.
- Ch 5, SC in the first 5 DC of the LS.
- Work (SC, Ch 5, SC) into the Ch-2 Sp of the LS.
- SC in the last 5 DC of the LS. Rep from * across, ending the final repeat with: Ch 5, SC in the center SC, Ch 5, SC in the next 5 DC.
- SC in the top of the turning Ch 3. Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), turn.
Row 5 (Infill Shell Row – The defining row):
- DC in the next 2 SC.
- *Ch 1, Sk 1 SC, LS into the center of the next Ch-5 Sp.
- Ch 1, Sk 1 SC, DC in the next 5 SC.
- Work V-Stitch (DC, Ch 1, DC) into the corner Ch-5 Sp of the LS.
- DC in the next 5 SC. Rep from * across, ending the final repeat with: Ch 1, Sk 1 SC, LS into the center of the next Ch-5 Sp, Ch 1, Sk 1 SC, DC in the last 3 SC.
- Ch 1, turn.
Repeat: Continue alternating Rows 2, 3, 4, and 5 until the stole reaches your desired length (approximately 70 inches or about 45 repeats of the 4-row sequence). Ensure you end on a Row 4 repeat.
Part 2: Edging and Finishing
Final Row (Clean Edge)
To stabilize the final edge, we will work a row of single crochet.
- If you ended on Row 4: Ch 1, turn. SC in the first SC and in each St/Ch across, working 5 SC into each Ch-5 Sp.
- Work 1 SC in the top of the turning chain.
Optional Border (Picot Scallop)
- Ch 1, turn. SC in the first 3 Sts.
- *Sk 2 Sts, work (3 DC, Picot, 3 DC) into the next St.
- Sk 2 Sts, SC in the next St.
- Rep from * across the final row. Fasten off.
Finishing:
- Fasten off yarn and weave in all ends securely using a tapestry needle.
- Blocking is CRITICAL: Due to the nature of the shell and mesh pattern, blocking is necessary to open up the lace and ensure the shawl achieves its elegant drape.
- Gently wet or steam block your stole. Pin the edges firmly, pulling gently to emphasize the scallop points and lace holes. Allow to dry completely.
Your Mermaid Scale Lace Stole is now ready to wear!
Video tutorial:
