Moonlit Sovereign Lace Crown Free Pattern
Gauge
Gauge: 28 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern.
Why gauge matters: Gauge is simply how big your stitches turn out. If your stitches are larger than the designer's, your crown will be too big and may slide off; if they are smaller, it may be too tight. Checking gauge first saves you from ripping out a finished crown.
How to make a gauge swatch: With your B/1 (2.25 mm) hook and size 10 thread, chain 32. Work 1 row of double crochet into each chain (31 dc). Work 3 more rows of double crochet. Lay the swatch flat and measure across the middle 28 stitches with a ruler. If 28 stitches measure about 4 inches (10 cm), your gauge matches and you can begin. If your 28 stitches measure more than 4 inches, your stitches are too loose — try a smaller hook (such as a 2.0 mm) or hold the thread a little more firmly. If they measure less than 4 inches, your stitches are too tight — try a slightly larger hook (such as a 2.5 mm) or relax your tension. Because this crown is a simple band, a small difference in gauge mostly changes the circumference, so it is worth a quick check.
Beginner Tips Before You Start
- Count your chains twice. The foundation chain of 150 is the backbone of the whole crown. Count in groups of 10 as you go, and count again before you join the ring.
- Do not twist the ring. When you join the foundation chain into a circle, make sure all the chains lie flat and face the same direction, like a ribbon, before you slip stitch. A twist here cannot be fixed later without starting over.
- Use stitch markers. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round so you always know where the round begins and ends. You can also place a marker every 25 stitches around the foundation to make counting easy.
- Do not pull the thread too tight. Thread crochet is fine and easy to over-tighten. Keep your loops relaxed so your hook slides in and out comfortably. Tight stitches make the lace close up and lose its airy look.
- Work the beginning chain-3 loosely. The ch-3 at the start of each round counts as your first double crochet. If it is too tight, the join will pucker. Many beginners prefer to make it slightly looser than the rest of the round.
- Keep your place in the pattern. Each round is different, so read the whole round before you start it, and tick it off as you finish. This prevents the most common beginner mistake: repeating the wrong round.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Special stitches used in this pattern:
- V-st: (Dc, ch 2, dc) in the same stitch or space.
- Picot cluster: [Ch 4, sc in 4th ch from hook]Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: The Honeybee Snuggle Bonnet: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Bumblebee-Inspired Baby Bonnet
