Crochet motifs are wonderful. You can put them together in a variety of ways to make all kinds of beautiful projects. By using different weights and types of yarns and threads, you can have many different looks and uses for any motif pattern.
For example, this pinwheel motif (shown here in medium weight yarn) would make elegant doilies, table runners, tablecloths, bedspreads, light shawls and scarves and many other projects if worked in thread. Worked in fine weight yarns, it would also make beautiful scarves and wraps, and in light or medium weight yarns it would make a stunning throw, bed runner or coverlet. In bulky weight yarn it could even make an elegant rug.
This motif connects as you go, so no sewing is required for assembly. The pattern takes a bit of attention, but it’s fun to stitch once you get into it.
Here is the pattern, which gives information for both thread and yarn versions. Enjoy making some beautiful projects with this versatile motif and please share photos!
Pretty Pinwheels Motif
Design by Carol Alexander
Skill Level
Intermediate
Finished Motif Size
Thread version using size 10 crochet cotton and size 7 steel hook: approximately 3-1/2 inches square
Yarn version using medium (worsted) weight yarn and size H/8/5mm hook: approximately 8 inches square
Gauge
Thread version: Rnds 1-2 of motif measure approximately 2 inches in diameter.
Yarn version: Rnds 1-2 of motif measure approximately 4 inches in diameter.
Pattern Note
Join with a sl st unless otherwise stated.
Special Stitches
Puff stitch (puff st): [Yo, insert hook in place indicated, yo, pull up lp approximately 1/2 inches long] 4 times, yo, draw through all 9 lps on hook, ch 1 tightly to lock.
Beginning corner shell (beg corner shell): Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch-1), (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, dc) in corner sp.
Corner shell: (Dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, dc) in corner sp.
Shell: ([Dc, ch 1] 3 times, dc) in st indicated.
Instructions
First Motif
Rnd 1: Ch 4, join in beg ch to form ring, ch 1, work 8 sc in ring, join in beg sc. (8 sc)
Rnd 2: *Insert hook in same sc, pull up lp approximately 5/8 inches long, yo, pull up another lp to same height in same st, yo, draw through all lps on hook, ch 1 to lock, ch 3, dc in 4th ch from hook, work 10 dc around cluster of long lps to completely cover, ending at base of lps, sl st in next sc of rnd 1 (one petal completed), rep from * 7 times, ending with last sl st at base of first petal. Fasten off. (8 petals completed)
Arrange petals, slightly overlapping, in an even circle (see Photo below).
Add Puff-Stitch Center (Optional): Ch 3, puff st (see Special Stitches) in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, sl st in same ch, fasten off, leaving ending tail for sewing. Thread tail on tapestry needle, sew puff stitch to center of pinwheel as shown. Weave tail securely several times through center of pinwheel on back side.
Rnd 3: Attach thread or yarn in ch-3 sp at tip of any petal, ch 7, [sl st in ch-3 sp at tip of next petal, ch 7] 7 times, join in base of beg ch-7. (8 ch-7 sps)
Rnd 4: Sl st in first ch-7 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 8 dc in same sp, 9 dc in each rem ch-7 sp around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (72 dc)
Rnd 5: Sl st in each of next 4 dc, ch 4, (tr, ch 3, 2 tr) in same st (beg corner made), *tr in each of next 2 sts, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in each of next 2 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in each of next 2 sts, dc in each of next 3 sts, tr in each of next 2 sts**, (2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr) in next st (corner made), rep from * 3 times, ending last rep at **, join in 4th ch of beg ch-4.
Rnd 6: Sl st in next tr, sl st in corner ch-3 sp, beg corner shell (see Special Stitches) in same sp, *ch 1, sk 2 sts, [sl st in next st, (puff st, ch 2, sl st) in same st (Note: this ch-2 is in addition to the ch-1 worked tightly to lock puff stitch.), ch 1, sk 3 sts, shell (see Special Stitches) in next st, ch 1, sk 3 sts] twice, sl st in next st, (puff st, ch 2, sl st) in same st, ch 1, sk 2 sts**, corner shell (see Special Stitches) in next corner ch-3 sp, rep from * 3 times, ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-4, fasten off.
Second Motif
Rep instructions for First Motif through rnd 5.
Rnd 6 (joining side):Sl st in next tr, sl st in corner ch-3 sp, ch 4, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, with WS of First Motif facing, sl st in ch-3 sp of corresponding corner shell on First Motif, ch 1, (2 dc, ch 1, dc) in same corner sp on Second Motif, ch 1, sk 2 sts, [sl st in next st, (puff st, ch 2, sl st) in same st, ch 1, sk 3 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st, sl st in center ch-1 sp of corresponding shell on First Motif, (dc, ch 1, dc) in same st on Second Motif, ch 1, sk 3 sts] twice, sl st in next st, (puff st, ch 2, sl st) in same st, ch 1, sk 2 sts, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp, ch 1, sl st in ch-3 sp of corresponding corner shell on First Motif, ch 1, (2 dc, ch 1, dc) in same corner sp on Second Motif, complete rem of rnd same as for First Motif.
Note: When joining a corner to previously joined corners, work sl st into center of previous joining(s).
Make and join as many motifs as desired, working all joining sides same as for Second Motif.
Tip: To make a throw measuring approximately 48 inches x 64 inches, you’ll need six skeins of worsted weight yarn with 7 oz/364 yds/198g per skein. Make and join 48 motifs in a grid of 6 motifs across and 8 down.