Free preview · full pattern in the Vintage Crochet Edgings & Trims
Flower Edging for a Handkerchief #811 (1951): vintage crochet pattern
A handkerchief border of small ten-stitch flowers with five chain-loop petals, joined petal to petal and anchored to the hem with a round of single crochet. Originally published as "Flower Edging" in Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81) by American Thread Company in 1951, it is now in the public domain.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed · Editorial policy
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 14, 2026 under our editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Intermediate |
| Yarn weight | Lace (#0) |
| Yardage | 1 ball each of yellow and green plus oddments (as printed; yardage not given) |
| Hook | 0.85 mm |
| Gauge | Not given in the original. Suggestion: one finished flower (2 rows) should measure about ½ in (1.3 cm) across; adjust the hook until it does. |
| Finished size | Not given in the original; fits a standard handkerchief, with the flowers set along each side and at the corners. |
| Time | about 2 hours |
Materials
- Fine crochet cotton (about size 70–80): yellow, green and small amounts of assorted colours — check the ball band for yardage
- 0.85 mm steel crochet hook
- A handkerchief with a narrow hem
- Hook: Start with a 0.85 mm steel hook (the original No. 13) and change size to match the gauge
Abbreviations (US terms)
Notes before you start
- Source: "Flower Edging" (#811), Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81), American Thread Company, 1951. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY “STAR” TATTING CROCHET, Article 25; 1 ball each Yellow and Nile Green; Assorted Colors; 1 Handkerchief; Steel crochet hook No. 13. Gauge: Not given.
- Modernisation note: Abbreviations respelled to modern US style using the leaflet's own abbreviation table: s c → sc, s d c (short double crochet) → hdc, d c → dc, tr c → tr, d tr c → dtr; “thread over” → “yarn over”. Stitches, order and counts are unchanged.
- Modernisation note: Instructions split into one row, round or step per line; the original prints them as running paragraphs.
- Modernisation note: Hook conversion: the leaflet uses the mid-century US steel hook numbering; the metric size given is the usual modern equivalent (No. 7 ≈ 1.65 mm, No. 11 ≈ 1.1 mm, No. 12 ≈ 1.0 mm, No. 13 ≈ 0.85 mm). Old hooks varied — match the gauge suggestion rather than the number.
- Modernisation note: Thread: the original “Star” Tatting Crochet (Article 25) is a fine mercerised cotton with no size printed; a modern fine crochet cotton (around size 70–80) is the closest match. Check your ball band for yardage.
- Modernisation note: Check: the original says “1 ball each Yellow and Nile Green” plus “Assorted Colors” for the second flower round; colours are the maker's choice.
- Modernisation note: The finishing steps (weave in ends, light pressing) are our addition; the original ends with “cut thread”.
1st flower
- With Yellow ch 5, join to form a ring, ch 1 and work 10 sc in ring, join in 1st sc, cut thread.
- 2nd Row—Attach Color in any sc, sc in same space, * ch 5, sc in next sc, repeat from * all around ending row with ch 5, join in 1st sc, cut thread.
Continue this pattern
The rest of the Flower Edging for a Handkerchief #811 (1951) pattern is in the Vintage Crochet Edgings & Trims
Still to come in the full pattern:
- 2nd flower (and all following flowers)
- Finishing
- Finishing
Included with 18 patterns for $9 — $0.50 per pattern.
Errata
No corrections have been published for this pattern. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will log the fix here with a date.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Flower Edging pattern from?
It was published as "Flower Edging" in Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81) by American Thread Company in 1951. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the Flower Edging?
Fine tatting crochet cotton (size not printed; about size 70–80). The original uses 1 ball each of yellow and green plus oddments; check your ball band.
What hook should I use?
Start with a 0.85 mm steel hook (the original No. 13) and change size to match the gauge Gauge: Not given in the original. Suggestion: one finished flower (2 rows) should measure about ½ in (1.3 cm) across; adjust the hook until it does.
