I pulled this design out of my project notebook from three summers ago. It was originally sketched during a garden tour when I spotted a woman wearing the most beautiful lace shawl surrounded by hydrangea bushes. I scribbled notes on a paper napkin and tucked it away, waiting for the right moment.
That moment came when my sister asked me to make something special for her outdoor wedding. She wanted lace, she wanted lavender, and she wanted something that would photograph beautifully against the flowers in her garden venue. The Lavender Dreams Lace Capelet was born from that napkin sketch and many hours of swatching.
I named it after the way the finished piece looks when the light catches the open lacework. Like something out of a dream, honestly. This capelet combines my favorite lace techniques with a romantic silhouette that drapes perfectly over the shoulders.
About This Lace Capelet Crochet Pattern
This elegant lace capelet features a circular yoke construction worked outward from the neckline in continuous rounds. The design creates a graceful drape over your shoulders and upper arms that feels both vintage and completely wearable today.
The main body showcases a repeating pineapple fan lace motif framed by shell stitches and chain space meshwork. This produces an open, airy fabric with beautiful movement. The lower hem is finished with a scalloped picot edging adorned with dangling bead fringe. And here is my favorite part. The front closure features a separately crocheted three dimensional hydrangea corsage in coordinating blues, purples, and greens.
The capelet sits at mid upper arm length, roughly 12 to 13 inches from the neckline to the lower hem point. It wraps the shoulders in a soft rounded shape that stays open at the center front. A simple button loop closure at the neckline holds the corsage in place.
Skill Level
This is an advanced intermediate crochet pattern. Before you start, you should feel comfortable with reading lace charts and multi step pattern repeats. You will also need experience with pineapple stitch sequences, which combine fans, shells, and chain mesh together. Circular construction with shaping increases distributed across repeats is another skill you will use throughout.
If you have completed two or three lace projects before, you can absolutely tackle this. The pattern walks you through every step. Just take your time with the setup rounds and count carefully.
Finished Measurements
One size as written:
Time Estimate
Plan for approximately 20 to 28 hours total, including blocking and corsage assembly. If you are an experienced lace crocheter, you may finish in closer to 18 hours. Add 2 to 4 hours for beading the fringe.
Materials Needed
Yarn for Main Body:
3 skeins (approximately 750 yards or 686 meters total) of fingering weight yarn, 100 percent mercerized cotton or a cotton linen blend, in soft lavender
Yarn for Corsage:
Small amounts (less than 15 yards each) of fingering weight yarn in light blue, medium periwinkle, soft purple, and medium green
Hook:
Notions:
Yarn Suggestions
Option 1: Paintbox Yarns Simply 4ply Cotton in shade Wisteria or Dusty Lilac. 100 percent cotton, 340 yards per 100g skein. Affordable, widely available, and takes blocking exceptionally well.
Option 2: Scheepjes Catona in shade 520 Lavender or 528 Silverblue. 100 percent mercerized cotton, 62 yards per 25g ball. Excellent stitch definition for lace. You will need approximately 12 balls for the main body.
Option 3: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima Fine in shade Wisteria. 100 percent pima cotton, 437 yards per 100g skein. Lightweight with a silky finish that drapes beautifully and gives the beaded fringe excellent weight.
Substitution Note: Choose any fingering weight or light sport weight yarn with good stitch definition. Avoid fuzzy or textured yarns as they will obscure the lace motif. Cotton or cotton blend yarns are strongly recommended. Wool will produce a denser, less drapey fabric and may shrink with humidity.
Gauge
Using US B-1 (2.25 mm) hook and fingering weight cotton, blocked:
One complete 12 stitch pineapple fan repeat (from valley to valley) equals 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) wide. Eight rows of pattern from chain ring equals 2 inches (5 cm) tall. This works out to approximately 32 stitches and 12 rows in 4 inches (10 cm) of basic double crochet.
Gauge is critical to achieve the correct neckline circumference and overall drape. Swatch at least a 6 inch square, block it, then measure before proceeding.
Abbreviations
Let me define every stitch abbreviation you will encounter in this pattern:
Special Stitches
These techniques appear throughout the pattern. Read through them before you begin so nothing catches you off guard.
Shell: Work 5 double crochet (dc) in the same stitch or space. This forms the fan base of the pineapple motifs.
Large Shell: Work 7 dc in the same stitch or space. Used in mid section expansion rounds.
Pineapple Cluster (PCL): Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops. Repeat this 5 times total in consecutive stitches or as directed. Then yarn over and draw through all 6 loops on hook. This forms the top tip of each pineapple unit.
V-Stitch (V-st): Work (dc, ch 2, dc) in the same stitch or space.
Picot: Chain 3, slip stitch in first chain made. This forms a small decorative loop at hem scallop points.
Bead Fringe Loop: Before working each hem picot, slide 6 to 8 beads onto a 6 inch length of yarn. Fold yarn and slip stitch both ends into the picot base to create a hanging bead loop.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
The capelet is worked in the round from the neckline outward, with the right side always facing you. The piece is open at the center front. The two front edges are the natural ends of each round meeting at the center front opening.
Each round begins with a standing stitch or a ch-3 (counts as dc) at the right hand front edge. Each round ends with a slip stitch to the top of that beginning chain or standing dc. Do not turn between rounds unless specifically instructed.
The pineapple fan motif repeat is a 12 stitch multiple. The starting chain must be a multiple of 12, plus 5 for the chain space setup. The pattern is written for a neckline foundation of 132 stitches (11 complete repeats of 12).
Stitch markers are your friends here. Place them at each repeat boundary in the first 4 rounds to ensure even distribution of increases.
The beaded fringe is added after blocking. Do not add beads before blocking or the bead weight will distort the damp fabric.
The corsage is pinned or tacked to the right front neckline. It is not permanently attached so you can remove it for washing.
Step by Step Crochet Tutorial
Section 1: Foundation and Neckline Band
Using MC and US B-1 hook, ch 137.
Row 1 (RS, neckline band, worked flat): Sc in 6th ch from hook (skipped chs count as ch-3 corner sp and 2 skipped chs), sc in each ch across to last 2 ch, ch 2, dc in last ch. Turn. (132 sc in center, plus ch-3 sp at each end)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first dc (the ch-2 turning sp), sc in each sc across, sc in top of turning ch-5 sp. Turn. (134 sc)
Row 3 (buttonhole row): Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, ch 3, sk 2 sts (buttonhole made), sc in each st across to last 4 sts, ch 3, sk 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Turn. (130 sc plus 2 ch-3 buttonhole loops)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in each sc across to second ch-3 sp, 2 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in last 2 sc. Turn. (134 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1, sl st in each sc across. Fasten off. (134 sl sts, edge complete)
Checkpoint: Your neckband should measure approximately 22 to 22.5 inches (56 to 57 cm) wide and 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall.
Section 2: Main Body Setup Round
Rejoin MC with a standing dc to the right front lower corner of the neckband (the long bottom edge, not the scalloped top).
Rnd 1 (setup, picking up from neckband lower edge): Working along the bottom of the neckband into the foundation chain row, ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), work evenly across to produce 132 dc total along this bottom edge, distributing stitches so the math works for 11 repeats of 12. Do not join. At the end of the round, sl st to top of beginning ch-3. (132 dc)
Section 3: Lace Body Rounds
Now the beautiful lacework begins. The pineapple fan lace motif is worked over 12 stitch repeats.
Rnd 2 (fan base setup): Ch 3, sk first dc, (dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2, shell in next dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2) across, ending dc in last dc, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 shells of 5 dc each, 22 ch-2 sps, 22 dc posts)
Rnd 3: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), dc in first dc post after shell, ch 2, (5 dc in center dc of shell, ch 2, dc in next dc post, ch 2, dc in next dc post, ch 2) across, ending 5 dc in last shell center, ch 2, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (11 shells, 33 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 4 (begin pineapple expansion): Ch 3, (2 dc in first ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in first dc of shell, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 fan groups, total working dc count = 132)
Rnd 5: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), (sk 1, dc in next dc, ch 1) twice, sk 1, dc in next dc, ch 2, (PCL over next 5 dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc) twice, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc, ch 2) across, ending last rep with PCL over 5 dc, ch 2, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (11 PCL tips, 11 ch-2 sps below each tip, 44 ch-1 sps in lattice, 44 dc posts)
Rnd 6 (begin second fan tier): Ch 3, (3 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next PCL, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in next dc, (ch 1, dc in next dc) 3 times, ch 2) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 groups of 7-dc fans below, 11 ch-1 ladder sections above)
Rnd 7: Ch 3, (dc in next dc) across all dc in fans, working (ch 2, V-st in center dc of fan, ch 2) over each 7-dc fan and continuing ch-1 mesh over the dc lattice from Rnd 6, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 V-sts, 22 ch-2 sps)
Rnd 8 (outer fan expansion with increase): Ch 3, (large shell of 7 dc in ch-2 sp of V-st, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 large shells x 7 dc = 77 dc in shells, plus 44 dc posts and chain sps; working position total = 144)
Rnd 9: Ch 5, (dc in first dc of large shell, (ch 1, sk 1, dc in next dc) 5 times across large shell, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2) across, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (11 pineapple bodies begun, 22 ch-2 inter-repeat sps, 55 ch-1 intra-pineapple sps; total = 144)
Rnd 10: Ch 3, (dc in each dc of pineapple body working dc2tog over each adjacent pair to taper, working (dc, ch 1, dc) at pineapple peak to maintain point, V-st in each inter-repeat ch-2 sp, ch 2) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 pineapple peaks with center point, 11 V-sts; total = 144)
Rnd 11: Ch 3, (PCL over 5 dc of tapered pineapple tip, ch 3, shell in ch-2 sp of inter-repeat V-st, ch 3) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 PCL tips completing second pineapple tier, 11 shells of 5 dc; total = 132)
Checkpoint: After Round 11, your piece should measure approximately 5 to 5.5 inches (12.5 to 14 cm) from the neckband. You should count 11 distinct pineapple tip clusters and 11 shells clearly across the width.
Section 4: Lower Body Expansion
Rnd 12: Ch 3, (dc in first dc of shell, ch 2, sk 2, dc in center dc of shell, ch 2, sk 2, dc in last dc of shell, ch 2, sk 2) across all 11 shells plus continuation of chain mesh, sl st to beg ch-3. (33 dc posts, 33 ch-2 sps; structural positions = 132)
Rnd 13: Ch 3, (2 dc in first ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, 2 dc in last ch-2 sp) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (154 dc total; 11 repeats x 14 dc = 154)
Rnd 14: Ch 4, (sk 1, dc in next dc, ch 1) across, adjusting to maintain chain-1 mesh over all dc, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (77 dc, 77 ch-1 sps; total = 154)
Rnd 15 (establish third pineapple tier): Ch 3, (large shell of 7 dc in every 14th structural position center, ch 2, (V-st, ch 2) twice in inter-repeat positions) across. (77 dc in fans; total = 154)
Rnd 16: Ch 5, (dc in each dc of large shell with ch 1 between each pair of dc forming pineapple body of 7 dc with 6 ch-1 sps, ch 2, dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2) across, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (11 large pineapple bodies, 33 inter-repeat ch-2 sps; total = 154)
Rnd 17: Ch 3, (dc2tog over dc pairs tapering pineapple body, (dc, ch 2, dc) at apex of each pineapple, 5-dc shell in inter-repeat ch-2 sp, ch 2, 5-dc shell in next ch-2 sp, ch 2) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 pineapple apex points, 22 shells; total = 154)
Rnd 18: Ch 3, (PCL over 5 tapered dc at pineapple apex, ch 3, dc in ch-2 sp between shells, ch 3) across all pineapple tips, then (5 dc in center of each inter-repeat shell) across, sl st to beg ch-3. (11 PCL, 11 dc inter-pineapple posts, 22 shells of 5 dc; total = 176)
Checkpoint: After Round 18, your piece should measure approximately 9 to 10 inches (23 to 25.5 cm) from the neckband. The third pineapple tier should be visible and the hem should flare distinctly outward.
Section 5: Hem Scallop Edging
Rnd 19 (scallop fan base): Ch 3, (7 dc in center dc of each 5-dc shell, ch 3, sc in dc inter-sp, ch 3) across all 22 shells, sl st to beg ch-3. (22 large 7-dc fans, 22 sc pivots, 44 ch-3 arches; total = 176)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, (sc in first dc of 7-dc fan, (ch 3, sk 1, sc in next dc) 3 times across fan, sc in last dc of fan, ch 3, sc in sc pivot, ch 3) across, sl st to beg ch-1. (22 fans each producing 3 ch-3 loops = 66 loops, 44 pivot ch-3 arches, 44 anchor sc)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, (sc in first sc, (3 dc in ch-3 sp, sc in sc between loops) twice, 3 dc in last ch-3 sp, sc in last sc, ch 2, sc in next sc pivot, ch 2) across, sl st to beg ch-1. (66 petals of 3 dc each = 198 dc, 44 sc pivots, 44 total ch-2 sps)
Rnd 22 (final picot edging row): Ch 1, (sc in first sc, picot, sk 1, sc in center dc of first petal, picot, sk 1, sc in sc between petals, picot, sk 1, sc in center dc of second petal, picot, sk 1, sc in sc between petals, picot, sk 1, sc in center dc of third petal, picot, sc in last sc, ch 1, sc in pivot sc, ch 1) across, sl st to beg ch-1. (22 scallops each with 7 picots = 154 picot points total along hem)
Fasten off and weave in end at front edge.
Section 6: Front Edge Finishing
Rejoin MC at top right corner of right front neckband edge.
Front edging (work both front edges alike, separately): Ch 1, work sc evenly down the length of one front edge, placing approximately 1 sc per dc row height and 2 sc per chain sp height to keep the edge flat. Work picot in every 4th sc for decoration. Fasten off.
Work the same on the left front edge.
Sew button to left front neckband, aligning with the buttonhole at right front.
Section 7: Beaded Hem Fringe
Important: Block your capelet first. Once fully dry, reattach MC at any picot point along the hem.
Method 1 (individual bead fringe drops): Cut 22 lengths of yarn each 10 inches (25 cm) long. For each length, fold in half, pull folded loop through a picot, and draw the two ends through the loop (lark’s head knot). Thread 6 to 8 beads onto each double strand. Tie an overhand knot below the last bead. Trim ends to 0.25 inch (6 mm) below knot. Repeat at every other picot around the hem. (22 fringe drops total)
Section 8: Hydrangea Corsage
Make 9 hydrangea flowers using this technique:
Ch 5, join with sl st to form ring. Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 10 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc) Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st, ch 1, sk 1, (3 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1) 4 times, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (5 petals formed) Rnd 3: For raised petal effect, working behind Rnd 2 petals into skipped sts of Rnd 1, (sl st in skipped sc, ch 4, 4 tr in same skipped sc, ch 4, sl st in same sc) around to form 5 inner petals. Fasten off.
Make 3 flowers in light blue, 3 in medium periwinkle, and 3 in soft purple.
Make 3 leaves in green:
Ch 12. Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 2, tr in next 3, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in last. Ch 1, do not turn. Work along opposite side of foundation chain: sc, hdc, dc 2, tr 3, dc 2, hdc, sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Assembly: Arrange the 9 flowers in a loose cluster roughly 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter, with the 3 leaves peeking out behind. Using the yarn tail from each flower, tack flowers to each other at their base rings. Position larger flowers at the back and smaller or paler flowers at the front for dimension. Attach leaves behind the cluster.
Mount the corsage on a small safety pin back or sew a pin backing to the underside. Pin to right front neckline at the closure point.
Size Customization Tips
The pattern is built on a 12 stitch multiple. Every customization must maintain this multiple.
For a smaller neckline (18 to 20 inches): Reduce the foundation to 120 stitches (10 repeats of 12). Finished hem circumference will reduce to approximately 66 inches.
For a larger neckline (24 to 26 inches): Increase the foundation to 144 stitches (12 repeats of 12). Finished hem circumference will increase to approximately 78 inches.
For increased length: Add one full pineapple tier by repeating Rounds 12 through 18 before the scallop edging. You will need approximately 150 to 200 additional yards of yarn.
Blocking and Finishing
Blocking is essential for this lace pattern and will open the motifs dramatically, adding 1 to 2 inches to the final measurements.
1. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. Bury tails through at least 1 inch of stitches in two directions.
2. Fill a basin with cool water. Submerge the capelet and gently press to saturate. Allow to soak for 10 minutes.
3. Lift the capelet supporting its full weight. Gently press between two clean towels to remove excess water. Do not twist.
4. Lay flat on blocking mats. Pin the neckline edge at intervals of approximately 1 inch to hold the curve. Spread the lower hem to its full width and pin each scallop point firmly outward.
5. Allow to dry completely (12 to 24 hours) before removing pins.
6. Once dry, add beaded fringe.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with a gentle fiber wash. Do not use hot water. Rinse thoroughly without wringing. Press out excess moisture in a towel and reshape flat to dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. Store flat or loosely rolled, not hanging. Remove the corsage pin before washing.
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern. I hope you love making your Lavender Dreams Lace Capelet as much as I loved designing it. If you have any questions along the way, just take a deep breath and trust the process. Lace always looks like a tangled mess until you block it, and then the magic happens.
If you make this capelet, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group. Nothing makes my day like seeing your finished projects.
Save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start. And please drop a comment below if you give it a try. I read every single one and love hearing about your yarn choices, your color combinations, and who you are making this for. Happy crocheting, friend.