Crochet Doily Pattern: A Classic 8-Inch Doily in Thread
A traditional round doily with a dc centre, a ring of petals, shell rounds and a picot edge — in size 10 cotton thread, or in worsted cotton as a 15-inch table topper. Round-by-round counts and blocking steps.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Intermediate
- Yarn
- Size 10 crochet thread, about 120 yd (or worsted cotton, about 120 yd)
- Hook
- 1.75 mm steel hook (or 4.5 mm for worsted)
- Time
- About 3 hours
- Finished size
- About 8 in (20 cm) in thread; 15 in (38 cm) in worsted
You'll need
- Size 10 crochet thread — about 120 yd
- 1.75 mm steel hook
- Rust-proof pins and a foam board for blocking
- Spray starch
- Tapestry needle
In this post
A crochet doily is a round, lacy mat built from rounds of chain spaces, petals and shells. This classic design has a solid double crochet centre, a mesh round, a ring of 24 petals, chain loops, shells and a picot edge — 9 rounds in all. In size 10 thread on a 1.75 mm hook it's about 8 inches across; the same pattern in worsted cotton makes a 15-inch table topper.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The doily
Join each round with a sl st. Ch 3 counts as a dc.
- Rnd 1: Ch 6, join into a ring. Ch 3, 23 dc into the ring. Join. (24)
- Rnd 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), *dc in the next, ch 2* around. Join to the 3rd ch. (24 spaces)
- Rnd 3: Sl st into the first space, ch 3, 2 dc in the same space, 3 dc in each space around. Join. (72)
- Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in the first st, *ch 5, skip 2, sc in the next* around, ending with ch 5. Join. (24 loops)
- Rnd 5 (petals): In each ch-5 loop: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc). Join. (24 petals)
- Rnd 6: Working behind the petals, sl st to the back of the first sc of Rnd 4. *Ch 6, sc around the next sc of Rnd 4 (between petals)* around. (24 loops)
- Rnd 7 (shells): Sl st into the first loop. In each ch-6 loop: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Join. (24 shells)
- Rnd 8: Sl st to the first ch-2 space. *Sc in the ch-2 space, ch 7* around. Join. (24 loops)
- Rnd 9 (picot edge): In each ch-7 loop: (4 sc, ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch from the hook, 4 sc). Join and fasten off.
Blocking (don't skip it)
- Wash or soak the doily in cool water and roll it in a towel to remove excess water.
- Pin the centre to a foam board, then pin out each picot, measuring so the circle is even.
- Spray with starch and let it dry completely — at least overnight.
Blocking turns a crumpled doily into a flat, crisp circle. It's the difference between homemade and heirloom.
Thread or yarn?
| Material | Hook | Size | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size 20 thread | 1.25 mm | 6 in | Coasters, framing |
| Size 10 thread | 1.75 mm | 8 in | Classic doily |
| Size 3 thread | 2.5 mm | 11 in | Beginner thread doily |
| Worsted cotton | 4.5 mm | 15 in | Table topper, wall art |
New to thread? Start with the crochet thread guide. Doilies also look great framed or as a mandala on an embroidery hoop. Small doilies in size 20 thread make lovely coasters.
Common questions
Is a crochet doily hard for beginners?
Rounds of chain loops and shells are easy; thread and a tiny steel hook take practice. Make your first one in worsted cotton, then move to thread.
How do I stop my doily from ruffling?
Ruffling usually means your chain loops are too long or your tension is loose. Go down a hook size, or work ch 4 instead of ch 5 in Rnd 4. Blocking fixes small ripples.
What thread is best for doilies?
Mercerised cotton thread in size 10. It's strong, smooth and shows stitch definition.
Thread or worsted — which will you try? 🤍
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