Daisy Tablecloth (1948): vintage crochet pattern

Materials

• Size 20 mercerized crochet cotton (printed: Star Article 20, Size 20, or Gem Article 35, Size 20)
• Yardage: 35 balls × 250 yd = about 8,750 yd (or 30 balls × 300 yd = about 9,000 yd) of size 20 cotton, as printed
• Tapestry needle, rustproof pins and starch for blocking
• Hook: Start with a 1.1 mm (US 11) steel hook — the printed size is #11 — and change size so one motif measures about 2½ inches.

Abbreviations (US terms)

ch

chain

sl st

slip stitch

sc

single crochet

dc

double crochet

dtr

double treble crochet

st

stitch

Notes before you start

• Source: "Daisy Tablecloth", New Tablecloths (Star Book No. 57), American Thread Company, 1948. Public domain in the USA.
• As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY; “STAR” MERCERIZED CROCHET COTTON.; ARTICLE 20, SIZE 20; 35—250 yd. Balls Cream, White or Ecru or “Gem” Mercerized Crochet Cotton, Article 35, Size 20. 30—300 yd. Balls. Steel Crochet Hook #11. Each motif measures about 2½ inches. 660 motifs 22x30 are required for cloth measuring about 55x75 inches.. Gauge: Not given.
• Modernisation note: Transcribed from the original publication; stitches, repeats and their order are unchanged.
• Modernisation note: Run-on paragraphs split into one round, row or step per line.
• Modernisation note: The source leaflets already use US crochet terms; only abbreviations and wording were modernised.
• Modernisation note: “s c” → “sc”
• Modernisation note: “tr tr c” → “trtr” (triple treble)
• Modernisation note: Round/row labels rewritten in modern form (e.g. “2nd Round.” → “Rnd 2:”, “7th to 10th rnds incl:” → “Rnds 7–10:”)
• Modernisation note: “d c” → “dc”
• Modernisation note: “d tr c” → “dtr”
• Modernisation note: “break thread” → “fasten off”
• Modernisation note: Page numbers, page-continuation notes and illustration references removed.
• Modernisation note: No gauge is printed. Suggested check: work to the printed finished size (see the pattern) and change hook size if your piece is noticeably larger or smaller.
• Modernisation note: Stitch counts have not been added; where the original prints a count it is kept as printed.

Instructions

1. Ch 8, join to form a ring, ch 1 and work 16 sc in ring, join in 1st sc.
2. Row 2: * Ch 16, sc in next sc, repeat from * 14 times, ch 7, trtr (4 times over needle) in joining, this brings thread in position for next row.
3. Row 3: * Ch 6, sc in next loop, repeat from * 14 times, ch 3, dc in trtr.
4. Row 4: Ch 6, 3 dc in same loop, * 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next loop, repeat from * 14 times, 2 dc in 1st loop, join in 3rd st of ch.
5. Row 5: Sl st to loop, ch 5, dtr (3 times over needle) in same space, ch 5, 2 dtr in same space, ch 11, 2 dtr in same space, ch 5, 2 dtr in same space, * ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, 2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc in next loop, ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, 2 dtr, ch 5, 2 dtr, ch 11, 2 dtr, ch 5, 2 dtr in next loop, repeat from * twice, ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, 2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc in next loop, ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, join in 5th st of ch, fasten off.
6. Work a 2nd motif in same manner joining to 1st motif in last row as follows: sl st to loop, ch 5, dtr in same space, ch 5, 2 dtr in same space, ch 5, sl st in corresponding loop of 1st motif, ch 5, 2 dtr in same space of 2nd motif, ch 2, sl st in corresponding loop of 1st motif, ch 2, 2 dtr in same space of 2nd motif, ch 5, sc in next loop of 2nd motif, ch 5, 2 dc in next loop of 2nd motif, ch 2, sl st in corresponding loop of 1st motif, ch 2, 2 dc in same loop of 2nd motif, ch 5, sc in next loop of 2nd motif, ch 5, 2 dtr in next loop of 2nd motif, ch 2, sl st in corresponding loop of 1st motif, ch 2, 2 dtr in same space of 2nd motif, ch 5, sl st in corresponding loop of 1st motif, ch 5, 2 dtr in same space of 2nd motif, ch 5, 2 dtr in same space of 2nd motif and complete motif as 1st motif. Join all motifs in same manner.