Pinterest is full of lace crochet tea sets, and almost every pattern I found uses a different stitch for each piece. The cup is one lace, the saucer another, the teapot something else. I wanted a set that looks matched without needing five stitch charts open at once.
So I built the whole set from one two-round rhythm: an arch round, then a shell round. Only the chain length and shell size change. Once you have done the first cup, the saucer and teapot are the same stitch in a different size.
I also skipped the usual pastel pinks and lavenders. My set is powder blue, sage, apricot, cocoa and teal, with cream and peach roses. It feels more like an actual afternoon tea than a nursery shelf.
Sizes vary with your tension and how firmly you starch.
Confident beginner to intermediate. You need chains, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet and working in rounds. The lace repeats, so it is more patient than difficult.
Gauge is not critical here. Rounds 1–3 of the cup base should measure about 1.4 in / 3.5 cm across. If yours is much bigger, drop a hook size.
ch, sl st, sc, dc, sp (space), MR (magic ring), inc (2 sc in same st), FO (fasten off).
Base disc: Rnd 1: MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc, join (12). Rnd 2: ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st, join (24). Rnd 3: ch 3, dc in next, 2 dc in next, repeat to end, join (36).
Arch Rnd (ch N): sl st to the ch-2 sp of the first shell. Sc in ch-2 sp, ch N, repeat around, join to the first sc.
Shell Rnd (a-2-a): sl st into the first arch sp. Ch 3, (a−1) dc, ch 2, a dc in that sp. In each remaining arch, work a dc, ch 2, a dc. Skip the sc between arches. Join to the top of the beginning ch-3. 12 shells.
Start with the base disc.
Handle: MR, 6 sc, then sc in rounds for 20 rounds. Slip a bit of floral wire inside if you like a firm handle. Curve it and sew it to Rnds 6–8 of the cup.
Start with the base disc, then continue.
Teapot Body
Start with the base disc, then work cup Rnds 4–7 exactly. Continue:
Work Rnds 1–3 of the base disc, then:
Knob: MR, 6 sc. Next round: inc around (12). Then 2 rounds even, then dec around (6). Stuff lightly, close, and sew it to the lid center.
Spout: MR, 6 sc. Rnd 2: sc 1, inc (9). Rnds 3–6: sc even. Rnd 7: sc 2, inc (12). Rnds 8–9: sc even. Rnd 10: sc 3, inc (15). Rnds 11–12: sc even. FO and stuff lightly.
Handle: MR, 6 sc, then sc in rounds for 40 rounds. Use wire inside if you want it firm.
Rose: ch 31. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Skip 2 chs, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 chs, sc in next ch, repeat to the end. You get 5 petals. Roll the strip from the sc end, keeping the base even, and sew the roll to hold it.
Leaf (make 2): ch 8. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st in the last ch. Work back down the other side of the chain with sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st. FO.
Sew 3 pearls beside each rose.
Raw lace crochet is just a floppy doily. Starch is what makes it a cup.
In my first attempt I over-wet the cup and the shells fused into a solid bowl. A damp brush works better than dunking.
My favorite is Sage & Peach. Keep the rose a shade or two lighter than the cup so the lace shows.
If you make this set, send me a photo. I love seeing how different colors change the same stitch. Happy hooking!
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