The Tidepool Fan Panel is a single rectangular piece of open, scale-like fan stitch. Each tier has a lacy spoke fan with a solid arch over it, and every tier sits half a fan over from the one below. That offset gives the fabric its fish-scale rhythm.
The palette is dark teal and soft heather gray. The colors alternate in two-row stripes, so each spoke fan gets an arch in the opposite color. A teal border holds everything together: straight single crochet along the long sides and three generous shell scallops on each short end.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished panel measures 8.25 x 12.25 in (21.0 x 31.1 cm) after blocking. Use it as a table mat, a dresser topper or a wall piece.
The construction is simple. You crochet one flat panel in rows from a single crochet foundation, alternating fan rows with arch rows. Then you add two border rounds, block, and you’re finished. There’s no seaming and no joining.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8.25 x 12.25 in (21.0 x 31.1 cm)
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: One panel, 2 fan repeats wide and 8 tiers tall
- Panel size before border: 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm)
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) on the long sides; 1 in (2.5 cm) on the short ends, including the scallops
Materials
Yarn: Worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend, about 1.8 m per gram (roughly 180 m per 100 g). Cotton gives crisp fans and arches that block flat. Acrylic works too, but the scallops will be softer.
- Color A, dark teal: 40 g / 72 m
- Color B, light heather gray: 30 g / 54 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15 percent for your gauge swatch and weaving in ends.
Tools:
– 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Stitch markers (2–4)
– Rust-proof pins and a blocking mat
– Spray bottle
– Ruler or tape measure
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sk: skip
- sl st: slip stitch
- sp: space
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rep: repeat
Special stitch – Open Fan: In the same stitch, work (dc, ch 1) 6 times, then dc once more. That’s 7 dc and 6 ch-1 sps, or 13 working positions.
Half Fan: In the same stitch, work 4 dc with ch 1 between each. That’s 4 dc and 3 ch-1 sps, or 7 working positions. When the Half Fan starts a row, the ch-3 counts as the first dc.
Counting rule: In this pattern, every dc, every ch-1 sp, every hdc and every sc counts as one working position. Every row from Row 1 onward has exactly 29 positions.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge:
– 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm) in Row 1
– One fan repeat (14 positions) = 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide
– One tier (fan row + arch row) = 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall: about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) for the fan row and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) for the arch row
Test first. Work Rows 1–5 as your test piece before committing.
Checkpoints:
– After Row 1: 7.25 in (18.4 cm) wide
– After Row 5: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) tall
– After Row 9: 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall
– After Row 13: 7.75 in (19.7 cm) tall
– After Row 17: 10.25 in (26.0 cm) tall and still 7.25 in (18.4 cm) wide
Too big? Go down one hook size (4.5 mm). Too small? Go up one size (5.5 mm). If only the height is off, check your dc. Fans that come out short usually mean you’re pulling the dc loops tight. Height can be corrected by about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) in blocking, but width should match before you continue.
Panel Pattern
Color plan:
– Rows 1–2: gray (B)
– Rows 3–4: teal (A)
– Rows 5–6: B
– Rows 7–8: A
– Rows 9–10: B
– Rows 11–12: A
– Rows 13–14: B
– Rows 15–16: A
– Row 17: B
– Border: A
Every stripe after Row 1 is 2 rows, so you can carry the color not in use loosely up the side edge. The border will cover it. Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of the previous row.
Foundation: With B, ch 30.
Row 1 (B): Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. Turn. (29 sc)
Row 2 (B, Fan Row, Layout 1): Ch 1, sc in the first st. Sk 6 sts, Open Fan in the next st, sk 6 sts, sc in the next st. Rep from * once more. Change to A on the last sc. Turn.
(2 Open Fans + 3 sc = 26 + 3 = 29 positions)*
Check the placement: 1 + 6 + 1 + 6 + 1 + 6 + 1 + 6 + 1 = 29. The fans land on sts 8 and 22, and the sc on sts 1, 15 and 29.
Row 3 (A, Arch Row, Layout 1): Ch 1, sc in the first sc. Hdc in each of the next 13 positions (each dc and each ch-1 sp of the fan), sc in the next sc. Rep from * once more. Turn.
(26 hdc + 3 sc = 29 sts)*
The hdc hug the top of each spoke fan and form the solid teal arch. The sc sit low in the valleys between arches.
Row 4 (A, Fan Row, Layout 2):
1. Ch 3 (counts as the first dc), then (ch 1, dc) 3 times in the first st. This makes a Half Fan.
2. Sk 6 sts, sc in the next st, which is the center hdc of the first arch.
3. Sk 6 sts, Open Fan in the next sc (the valley).
4. Sk 6 sts, sc in the next st, which is the center hdc of the second arch.
5. Sk 6 sts, then in the last sc work (dc, ch 1) 3 times and dc once more (Half Fan).
6. Change to B. Turn.
(Half Fan 7 + sc 1 + Open Fan 13 + sc 1 + Half Fan 7 = 29 positions)
This row sets the offset. The new fans sit in the valleys, and the half-fans fill the side edges.
Row 5 (B, Arch Row, Layout 2):
1. Ch 2 (does not count). Hdc in the first dc and in each of the next 6 positions (7 hdc, the Half Fan arch).
2. Sc in the next sc.
3. Hdc in each of the next 13 positions.
4. Sc in the next sc.
5. Hdc in each of the next 7 positions, ending in the top of the turning ch-3.
6. Turn.
(7 + 1 + 13 + 1 + 7 = 29 sts)
Row 6 (B, Fan Row, Layout 1): Work as Row 2. The sc go into the first st, the center hdc (st 15) and the last st. The Open Fans go into the two valley sc (sts 8 and 22). Change to A on the last sc. (29 positions)
Rows 7–17:
– Row 7: work as Row 3.
– Row 8: work as Row 4.
– Row 9: work as Row 5.
– Rows 10–17: rep Rows 6–9 twice more.
– Follow the color plan, and do not change color at the end of Row 17.
– Fasten off B after Row 17.
(Every row = 29 positions; 8 tiers in total)
Rows 2–5 form a 4-row, 2-tier repeat. Row 17 ends in Layout 2, with a full arch in the center and half arches at each side. That gives the top edge its gentle wave before the border.
Checkpoint: The panel should measure 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm). Weave in all B ends now. Leave carried strands loose along the sides.
Border
Border gauge: 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as Row 1. This is why the counts below lie flat.
Side stitch rule: Along the long sides, work row-end sc as follows:
– 1 sc in the end of Row 1
– 3 sc in the end of each fan row (8 rows = 24 sc)
– 2 sc in the end of each arch row (8 rows = 16 sc)
That’s 41 sc per long side.
Round 1 (A):
1. Join A in the first st of Row 17 (a top corner). Work 3 sc in that st.
2. Sc in each of the next 27 sts, then 3 sc in the last st (corner).
3. Work 41 sc evenly down the side, following the side stitch rule.
4. Rotate to the foundation. Work 3 sc in the first free loop of the foundation ch (corner).
5. Sc in each of the next 27 free loops, then 3 sc in the last loop (corner).
6. Work 41 sc up the second side.
7. Sl st to the first sc.
Round 1 counts: The center sc of each 3-sc group is the corner stitch.
– Each short edge, between corner stitches: 1 + 27 + 1 = 29 sc
– Each long side, between corner stitches: 1 + 41 + 1 = 43 sc
– Total: 4 corners + (2 × 29) + (2 × 43) = 148 sts
Cross-check this as worked: the 29 + 29 + 41 + 41 sts worked one-per-stitch or row-end add up to 140. The 4 corners add 2 extra sc each, which makes 8. 140 + 8 = 148.
Why it works:
– Short edges: 29 sc ÷ 4 sc per in = 7.25 in, which matches the panel width.
– Long sides: 41 row-end sc ÷ 4 = 10.25 in, which matches the panel height.
– The 3-sc corners turn the edge without cupping.
Round 2 (A):
1. Sl st into the corner stitch. Ch 1, sc in the same corner st.
2. Short edge: *[sk 4 sts, 9 dc in the next st, sk 4 sts, sc in the next st] 3 times. The last sc lands in the next corner st.
3. Work 2 more sc in that same corner st (3 sc in the corner).
4. Long side: sc in each of the next 43 sts.
5. Next corner: 3 sc in the corner st. The third sc is the start of the next short edge.
6. Rep from * once more for the second short edge and long side.
7. Finish with 2 sc in the starting corner st, then sl st to the first sc.
8. Fasten off.
Round 2 counts:
– Each short edge, corner to corner inclusive: 1 + (10 × 3) = 31 sts used, which is exactly 29 + 2 corners.
– Each short edge makes 3 scallops of 9 dc (27 dc) and 2 middle sc.
– Each long side: 43 sc.
– Each corner: 3 sc.
– Total: (2 × 27) + (2 × 2) + (2 × 43) + (4 × 3) = 54 + 4 + 86 + 12 = 156 sts
Why the scallop math works: Each scallop uses a multiple of 10 sts plus 1 (sc, sk 4, shell, sk 4, sc). Since 31 = (3 × 10) + 1, three scallops fit each short edge exactly, from corner to corner.
Each scallop is about 2.4 in (6.1 cm) wide, close to the fan width, so it echoes the fans in the body. The border adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm) to each long side. On each short end it adds 1 in (2.5 cm): 0.25 in (0.6 cm) for Round 1 and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) for the scallops.
- Width: 7.25 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 8.25 in (21.0 cm)
- Length: 10.25 + 1 + 1 = 12.25 in (31.1 cm)
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends through same-color stitches, staying inside the solid arches where possible.
- Lay the panel right side up on a blocking mat.
- Pin the four corners to form an 8.25 x 12.25 in (21.0 x 31.1 cm) rectangle.
- Pin the long sides straight, with about one pin every 1 in (2.5 cm).
- Pin the tip of each of the 6 scallops so it rounds out evenly.
- Lift the spokes of each fan gently with a fingertip so the ch-1 sps open into even wedges.
- Spray until damp, not soaked. Leave to dry completely, usually 6–12 hours.
- Unpin only once fully dry.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Every row has 29 positions, with no fans drifting left or right.
- Fans alternate cleanly: Layout 1 (2 full fans), then Layout 2 (1 full fan + 2 half fans).
- Each spoke fan has 7 dc and an arch in the opposite color.
- The color stripes follow the plan, with 8 complete tiers.
- Border Round 1 has 148 sts. Round 2 has 156 sts, with 3 scallops per short end.
- The long sides lie straight, not wavy or pulled in.
- The blocked size is 8.25 x 12.25 in (21.0 x 31.1 cm).
- No ends or carried strands show on the right side.
Troubleshooting
Fans lean or drift sideways. You likely skipped 5 or 7 sts instead of 6. Count the positions back to the last sc. Every gap between a sc and a fan is exactly 6.
Arches cup or ruffle. Hdc worked too tightly will cup and loose ones will ruffle. Make sure you work exactly 13 hdc per full arch and 7 per half arch.
Side edges pull in. The half fans in Layout 2 may be too tight. Make the ch-1 sps a little looser, and use 3 sc per fan-row end in the border.
Long sides wave. You’ve added extra row-end sc. Go back to 41 per side.
Scallops don’t fit the edge. Round 1 must have exactly 29 sc between corner stitches on each short edge. Recount before Round 2.
Carried yarn shows. Carry the strand loosely along the very edge, and catch it inside the Round 1 sc as you work over it.
Care
Hand wash cool with mild detergent, roll in a towel to remove water, and dry flat, reshaping the scallops. Avoid hanging the panel while it’s wet, because the open fans will stretch.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is straightforward:
1. 29 sc at 4 sc per in gives a 7.25 in (18.4 cm) width.
2. Two 14-position fan repeats keep every row at 29 positions.
3. Eight 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tiers plus the foundation give 10.25 in (26.0 cm).
4. Round 1 frames that rectangle at the same gauge with 148 sts.
5. Round 2 adds 3 scallops per short end for a 156-st finish.
6. Blocking settles it at 8.25 x 12.25 in (21.0 x 31.1 cm).
Check each link in that chain as you go, and the panel will come out flat and even.
Happy crocheting!