The Rose Lantern Pineapple Doily is a small round doily with a classic look. It has a soft flower in the middle, eight pineapples around it, and a starry edge of sixteen picot points. Lay it flat and the pineapples look like little lanterns glowing around the flower.
The sample uses one dusty rose cotton thread. A single color shows off the texture: the solid cluster petals, the open chain-loop rings, and the fine mesh inside each pineapple. It suits a nightstand, a small vase or a teacup, and it also looks lovely framed.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. After blocking, the doily measures 8 in (20.3 cm) across from point to point.
You work the doily in the round as one piece. Rounds 1–3 make the flower. Rounds 4–5 add two rings of chain loops. Rounds 6–12 grow the eight pineapples and the shell columns between them. Rounds 13–14 form the pointed picot border.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8 in (20.3 cm) across, point to point, blocked
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Size 3 cotton crochet thread (roughly between fingering weight and lace weight)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (US B/1 or C/2, depending on brand)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: One round motif with 8 repeats (1 pineapple + 1 shell column per repeat)
- Piece size: 8 in (20.3 cm) across
- Size before border (after Round 12): 7 in (17.8 cm) across
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) on each side
Materials
Yarn advice: Choose a mercerized cotton thread. It gives crisp stitch definition, blocks well and holds the pineapple points. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy fibers, because the mesh will lose its shape.
- Dusty rose cotton thread, size 3: about 35 g (about 96 m). One 50 g ball is enough.
These quantities include a margin of roughly 15% for your gauge swatch and weaving in ends.
Tools:
– 2.5 mm crochet hook
– Tapestry needle with a small eye
– Sharp scissors
– Rustproof pins
– Blocking mat or folded towel
– Spray bottle of water
– Ruler or tape measure
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sp(s) – space(s)
- lp(s) – loop(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- MR – magic ring
Special stitches
- 4-dc cluster (4-dc cl): *Yarn over, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops; rep from * 3 more times (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops.
- Beginning cluster (beg cl): Ch 2, then work as a 3-dc cluster over the next 3 sts. The ch-2 plus the cluster count as one 4-dc cl.
- V-st: (Dc, ch 3, dc) in the same sp.
- Small shell: (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in the same sp.
- Large shell: (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the same sp.
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch from hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge in lace mostly controls size. Still, a doily that is too tight will cup, and one that is too loose will ruffle. Work Rounds 1–3 as your test piece before you commit.
Gauge: Rounds 1–3 = 2.25 in (5.7 cm) across, unblocked and lightly flattened.
Checkpoints (measure across the center, lightly flattened):
– After Round 3: 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
– After Round 5: 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
– After Round 8: 5 in (12.7 cm)
– After Round 12: 7 in (17.8 cm)
– After Round 14, blocked: 8 in (20.3 cm)
If your piece is too big: go down 0.25 mm in hook size, or pull your chains a little snugger. Loose chains are the usual cause.
If your piece is too small: go up 0.25 mm in hook size. Also check that you are not pulling the dc tops tight.
If the center cups: your chain loops are too short for your stitch height. Loosen your chains before changing hooks.
If the center ruffles: your chains are too long. Tighten your chain tension slightly.
Pattern
Center Flower
Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 15 dc in ring. Pull the ring closed and sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. (16 dc)
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in next st, ch 2. [2 dc in next st] twice, ch 2; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. (32 dc in 8 groups of 4, 8 ch-2 sps)*
This round works 2 dc into each of the 16 stitches, so 16 × 2 = 32 dc.
Round 3 (petals): Work the beg cl over the first 4 dc (the ch-2 sits on the first dc and the 3-dc cl uses the next 3). Ch 5, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 5. 4-dc cl over next 4 dc, ch 5, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 5; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the top of the beg cl. (8 clusters, 8 sc, 16 ch-5 lps)*
Each cluster draws four stitches into one point, which makes the 8 petals. The sc between petals anchors the loops into the ch-2 gaps.
Checkpoint: 2.25 in (5.7 cm).
Chain-Loop Rings
Round 4: Sl st in the first 3 ch of the next ch-5 lp. Ch 1, sc in same lp. [Ch 5, sc in next lp] 15 times. Ch 2, dc in the first sc. The ch-2 and dc together make the last loop and leave your hook at its center. (16 sc, 16 lps)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in the loop just formed. [Ch 6, sc in next lp] 15 times. Ch 3, dc in the first sc. The ch-3 and dc make the last loop. (16 sc, 16 ch-6 lps)
The loops grow from 5 to 6 chains so the circle stays flat as it gets wider.
Checkpoint: 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
Pineapple Section
Each of the 8 repeats has one pineapple (P) and one shell column (B), with connecting chains on each side of the shell.
Round 6 (pineapple bases): Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 6 dc in the loop just formed (first fan). Ch 2, V-st in next lp, ch 2. 7 dc in next lp, ch 2, V-st in next lp, ch 2; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.
Per repeat: 7-dc fan + V-st = 9 dc. Total:* 72 dc (56 fan dc + 16 V-st dc), 8 V-st sps, 16 ch-2 sps.
Round 7: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). [Dc in next dc, ch 1] 5 times, dc in next dc. Ch 2, skip ch-2 sp, small shell in the ch-3 sp of the V-st, ch 2, skip ch-2 sp. [Dc in next dc, ch 1] 6 times, dc in next dc, ch 2, small shell in V-st sp, ch 2; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the beg ch-4.
Per repeat: P = 7 dc with 6 ch-1 sps; B = 4 dc. Each repeat has 11 dc. Total:* 88 dc.
The ch-1 spaces open up the fan into the base row of the pineapple.
Round 8: Sl st in the first ch-1 sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, [ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp] 5 times. Ch 2, small shell in shell sp, ch 2. Sc in the first ch-1 sp of the next pineapple, [ch 3, sc in next ch-1 sp] 5 times, ch 2, small shell in shell sp, ch 2; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the first sc.
Per repeat: P = 6 sc, 5 ch-3 lps; B = 4 dc. Each repeat has 10 sts. Total:* 80 sts (48 sc + 32 dc).
Checkpoint: 5 in (12.7 cm).
Round 9: Sl st into the first ch-3 lp. Ch 1, sc in same lp, [ch 3, sc in next lp] 4 times. Ch 3, large shell in shell sp, ch 3. Sc in first lp of next pineapple, [ch 3, sc in next lp] 4 times, ch 3, large shell in shell sp, ch 3; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the first sc.
Per repeat: P = 5 sc, 4 lps; B = 6 dc. Each repeat has 11 sts. Total:* 88 sts (40 sc + 48 dc).
Round 10: Sl st into the first ch-3 lp. Ch 1, sc in same lp, [ch 3, sc in next lp] 3 times. Ch 3, large shell in shell sp, ch 3. Sc in first lp of next pineapple, [ch 3, sc in next lp] 3 times, ch 3, large shell in shell sp, ch 3; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the first sc.
Per repeat: P = 4 sc, 3 lps; B = 6 dc. Each repeat has 10 sts. Total:* 80 sts (32 sc + 48 dc).
Round 11: Sl st into the first ch-3 lp. Ch 1, sc in same lp, [ch 3, sc in next lp] twice. Ch 4, large shell in shell sp, ch 4. Sc in first lp of next pineapple, [ch 3, sc in next lp] twice, ch 4, large shell in shell sp, ch 4; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the first sc.
Per repeat: P = 3 sc, 2 lps; B = 6 dc. Each repeat has 9 sts. Total:* 72 sts (24 sc + 48 dc).
Round 12: Sl st into the first ch-3 lp. Ch 1, sc in same lp, ch 3, sc in next lp. Ch 4, large shell in shell sp, ch 4. Sc in first lp of next pineapple, ch 3, sc in next lp, ch 4, large shell in shell sp, ch 4; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the first sc.
Per repeat: P = 2 sc, 1 tip lp; B = 6 dc. Each repeat has 8 sts. Total:* 64 sts (16 sc + 48 dc).
The pineapple loses one loop per round, from 5 loops down to 1. That is what makes the pointed lantern shape. The connecting chains grow from ch 2 to ch 3 to ch 4 to fill the widening gaps beside them.
Checkpoint: 7 in (17.8 cm).
Border
Border gauge: The two border rounds together add 0.5 in (1.3 cm) to each side, so 7 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 8 in (20.3 cm). On a round doily, each “side” is one of the 8 repeats.
Round 13 (points): Sl st into the ch-3 tip lp of the first pineapple. Ch 3 (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same lp. Ch 3, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 3, large shell in shell sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 3. Large shell in tip lp of next pineapple, ch 3, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 3, large shell in shell sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 3; rep from * 6 more times. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3. Skip the 2 sc of each pineapple tip in this round.
Per repeat: 2 shells (12 dc) + 2 sc = 14 sts, 2 shell-tip sps, 4 ch-3 sps. Total:* 112 sts, 16 points.
Round 14 (picot edge): Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 2 dc. (2 sc, picot, 2 sc) in tip sp, sc in next 3 dc, 2 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-3 sp. Sc in next 3 dc, (2 sc, picot, 2 sc) in tip sp, sc in next 3 dc, 2 sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * 14 more times. Sl st to the first sc and fasten off.
Per repeat: 14 sts worked 1-per-stitch + 16 sc worked into spaces (4 in each of 2 tip sps = 8, plus 2 in each of 4 ch-3 sps = 8) = 30 sc, plus 2 picots.
Total:* 112 + 128 = 240 sc, plus 16 picots.
Why the math works: Every repeat has exactly two shells, one on the pineapple tip and one on the shell column. That gives 8 × 2 = 16 points. Each point has 10 sc (3 + 4 + 3) and each valley has 5 sc (2 + 1 + 2). So 2 points (20 sc) + 2 valleys (10 sc) = 30 sc per repeat, and 30 × 8 = 240 sc. The valley sc sits at the low point between shells. The picots sit at the high points, so the edge stays star-shaped instead of rounding off.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along the solid dc or sc stitches, never through open chains.
- Wet the doily in cool water, press out the excess and roll it in a towel.
- Lay it right side up on the blocking mat. Draw or mark an 8 in (20.3 cm) circle as a guide.
- Pin the center flat first, then pin the 8 pineapple tips evenly, 45 degrees apart.
- Pin the 8 shell-column points halfway between them, so all 16 points touch the 8 in (20.3 cm) circle.
- Pin each picot to sharpen it, and open the pineapple mesh gently with your fingertips.
- Mist lightly and let it dry fully, at least 12 hours, before you unpin.
- For extra crispness, spray lightly with starch and press with a warm iron through a cloth.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The doily is one piece with 8 even repeats.
- The center flower has 8 cluster petals around a closed ring.
- There are two rings of 16 chain loops each.
- Each pineapple narrows from 5 loops to 1 tip loop.
- There are 16 points in total, each with one picot.
- Round 14 totals 240 sc.
- The blocked size is 8 in (20.3 cm) across, point to point.
- The doily lies flat with no cupping or ruffling.
- All ends are hidden and trimmed.
Troubleshooting
Uneven petals: You probably skipped a dc in Round 2. Each group must have 4 dc before its ch-2.
Wrong number of pineapples: Count 16 loops in Round 5 before you start Round 6.
Pineapple leans to one side: Check that you started each pineapple’s sc in its first space, not in the connecting chain.
Wavy edge: You worked too many sc in the valleys. Use exactly 2 sc per ch-3 sp.
Blunt points: Pin each picot during blocking, and keep the 3 dc on each side of a shell tip firm.
Doily won’t lie flat after Round 12: Go back to your checkpoints. If one checkpoint was off, adjust your chain tension from that round onward.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry, reshaping the points as it dries. Re-block or press lightly with a warm iron through a cloth to restore crispness.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is easy to follow. Rounds 1–3 give the 2.25 in (5.7 cm) flower. The loop rings bring it to 3.5 in (8.9 cm). The pineapples reach 5 in (12.7 cm) by Round 8 and 7 in (17.8 cm) by Round 12. The 0.5 in (1.3 cm) border then brings the blocked doily to 8 in (20.3 cm). If every checkpoint matches, your Rose Lantern will block into a flat, crisp 16-point star.
Happy crocheting!