A peacock feather is the perfect crochet shape: a coral rosette for the eye, rings of turquoise around it and a fan of cream lace on top. Joined in offset rows, the feathers look like a whole flock.
You work the eye in rounds, then turn and work the fan in rows. The steps are easy, and the colors do the rest. Make one feather and you will want to make a hundred.
What you need
- Yarn: worsted weight (medium 4) cotton in 3 colors: turquoise (#1BA5A8), coral (#F0766F) and cream (#F8EBD6).
- Hook: 4 mm (US G-6). Go up or down a size if your motif is too tight or floppy.
- Tools: tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, blocking mats and pins, plus 85 small beads or buttons for the eyes (optional).
- How much yarn?: estimate for a queen bedspread (85 motifs): about 1,500 m (1,640 yd) of turquoise, 1,100 m (1,200 yd) of coral and 2,300 m (2,500 yd) of cream. Make and weigh one motif to check, then add 15%.
Abbreviations and size
- ch chain
- sl st slip stitch
- sc single crochet
- hdc half double crochet
- dc double crochet
- inc 2 sc in the same stitch
- blo back loop only
- sp space
- st(s) stitch(es)
- popcorn 4 dc in the same stitch, drop the loop, insert the hook in the first dc, pull the loop through and close
- magic ring adjustable starting loop
Motif size: about 20 cm (8 in) tall and 18 cm (7 in) wide after blocking.
Layout: rows of 9 and 8 feathers, alternating, all pointing the same way. 10 rows (5 of 9 and 5 of 8) make 85 motifs and a bedspread of about 160 x 195 cm. For a lap throw use 5 rows (43 motifs).
How to crochet the peacock feather motif
The feather has a coral rosette eye, a ring of turquoise mesh, a coral ring and a turquoise fan with cream lace loops and coral shells. Rounds 1 to 4 are worked in the round. Rows 5 to 7 are worked back and forth over the top to make the fan. The number in brackets is your stitch check.
- Round 1 (coral): Make a magic ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3. [12 dc]
- Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. [24 sc]
- Round 3 (turquoise mesh): Join turquoise. Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), *dc in the next st, ch 1; repeat from * 22 more times. Join to the 3rd ch of the ch 4. [24 dc, 24 ch-1 sps]
- Round 4 (coral ring): Join coral. Ch 1, *sc in the next dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around. Join. [48 sc]
- Row 5 (turquoise): Join turquoise in any st. Ch 1, sc in the next 31 sts. Leave the last 17 sts unworked. Turn. [31 sc]
- Row 6 (cream loops): Join cream. Ch 1, sc in the first st, *ch 2, skip 1 st, sc in the next st; repeat from * 14 more times. Turn. [16 sc, 15 ch-2 loops]
- Row 7 (coral shells): Join coral. Sl st into the first loop. In each ch-2 loop work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc). Fasten off. [15 shells]
- Round 8 (cream edge): Join cream at the bottom. Ch 1, sc evenly around the whole motif, including the 17 unworked sts at the bottom, 2 sc in the corners. Join. [about 80 sc]
- Round 9 (scallops): Ch 1, *skip 1 st, 5 dc in the next st, skip 1 st, sc in the next st; repeat from * around. Join and fasten off. [about 20 scallops]
- Stem and eye: At the bottom, join cream, ch 7 and sl st back along the chain to make the little stem. Sew a bead or button in the middle of the rosette.
Rule to remember: the fan only covers 31 of the 48 stitches. The 17 unworked stitches are the bottom of the feather, so do not skip that part.
Join the motifs
- Make all feathers and block them flat before you join.
- Lay them in rows of 9 and 8, offset by half a motif, all pointing the same way.
- Join as you go: in Round 9, where two scallops touch, drop the loop, insert the hook into the middle dc of the neighbor scallop, pull the dropped loop through and carry on.
- Gap crosses: sew a tiny coral X stitch over each small gap between feathers. It ties the colors together.
- A cream sheet under the bedspread keeps the colors bright.
Border
- Round 1 (cream): Join cream at any scallop. Ch 1, sc evenly around the whole edge, 3 sc in each outer corner. Join.
- Round 2 (shells): Ch 1, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st, skip 2 sts, sc in the next st; repeat from * around. Join.
- Round 3 (picots): Sl st to the middle dc of a shell. *(Sc, ch 3, sc) in the middle dc, sc in the next sc; repeat from * around. Join and fasten off.
Matching cushion
- Cover size: about 40 x 40 cm (16 x 16 in).
- Make 1 feather, then work a round of cream dc in the open spaces to fill the corners and square it off.
- Sew it to the front of a ready-made cream cushion cover.
Tips for success
- Block every feather. Pin each one to the same size, then let it dry. Joining is much easier.
- Keep the fans open. Do not pull the loops tight or the fan will curl.
- Point them all the same way. Check the stem direction before joining.
- Weave in as you go. Three colors mean many ends.
- Weigh a motif. It tells you how much yarn you really need.
Ways to change this pattern
- Other colors: navy, gold and cream, or teal, pink and cream.
- No beads: make a small popcorn in the center instead.
- Throw size: 5 rows of 9 and 8 for a sofa blanket.
- Single motif: make one as a coaster or an ornament.
Frequently asked questions
What skill level do I need?
You should know the chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet. The fan is worked in rows, but each row is short and easy to follow.
How long does it take?
One feather takes about 1.5 hours. The full set takes 12 to 14 weeks if you make a few each day.
What is the best yarn?
A smooth cotton or cotton blend gives the sharpest stitches and the clearest lace. Avoid fuzzy yarns because they hide the pattern.
How do I wash it?
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap or use a gentle machine cycle. Press the water out with a towel and dry it flat on a clean towel.
Can I make it for a twin or king bed?
Yes. Add or remove motifs per row and the number of rows. Measure your mattress first and add the drop you want on each side.
Can I sell things I make from this pattern?
Yes, you can sell finished items. Please credit this website as the designer and do not copy or share the written pattern.
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