Dewdrop Picot Choker

An intermediate lace choker worked in a slim fan-and-picot strip. Tiny picots sit along both long edges; the short ends are straight so the ties lie flat. Fine thread and a 1.5 mm hook give a delicate, jewelry-like fabric. Ties are adjustable.

Materials

• Yarn: Size 10 crochet cotton or equivalent lace/thread yarn meant for a 1.5 mm hook (e.g. YarnArt Iris or similar), about 50 yd / 46 m. Solid colors such as ivory, black, burgundy, or navy read as jewelry.
• Hook: 1.5 mm (US steel 8 / 1.5 mm)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, blocking pins, blocking mat
• Optional: Fabric stiffener or spray starch (vintage hold); 16–24 size 8/0 seed beads (1 per picot); 1 small button, ⅜" / 10 mm (button-loop variation)

Gauge

In pattern stitch, blocked:

• Width: 1 fan motif (7 sts) = 1" (2.5 cm)
• Length: 8 pattern rows = 1½" (3.8 cm)

Work a 12-row swatch, block, and measure. This pattern is worked to a length measurement, so row gauge may vary; keep going until the band matches your size.

Sizes

Band length, excluding ties (choose by where the choker will sit, not by dress size):

Default shown as S (M, L).

Fit: Measure the neck where the choker will sit. Work the band 1" (2.5 cm) shorter than that measurement so the bow sits at the back without stretching the lace. Do not work a tight, non-yielding band.

Custom length: Continue the repeat until the band matches your measurement; end with a Shell Row before the Final Row.

Finished width after blocking: about 1" (2.5 cm). Each tie: about 10" (25.5 cm).

Abbreviations (US)

• beg — beginning
• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• rep — repeat
• RS — right side
• sc — single crochet
• sk — skip
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side

Special stitches

• Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook. Does not count as a stitch.
• Shell: 5 dc in the indicated stitch.

Pattern Notes

• US crochet terms throughout.
• Choker is worked flat, in turned rows, along its length (few stitches, many rows).
• Ch 3 at the start of a Peak Row counts as 1 dc.
• Ch 1 at the start of sc and Shell Rows does not count as a stitch.
• Work in both loops unless stated otherwise.
• Picots sit on the long edges. Do not work into a picot on the following row; skip it and use only the dc and sc of the body.
• Stitch count of the band is 7 sts on every row (picots extra).
• Pattern is a 2-row repeat: Shell Row and Peak Row.
• Weave ends as you go if you prefer; otherwise leave 4" (10 cm) tails.

Band

Ch 8.

Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (7 sc ✓)

Row 2 — Shell Row (RS): Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, sk 2 sc, shell in next sc (center st), sk 2 sc, sc in last sc. (2 sc + 5 dc = 7 sts ✓)

Row 3 — Peak Row (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first sc, picot, dc in same first sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc (3rd/center dc of shell), sk 2 dc, 2 dc in last sc, picot, dc in same last sc. (3 dc + 1 sc + 3 dc = 7 sts + 2 picots ✓)

Row 4 — Shell Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc (top of beg ch-3), sk 2 dc, shell in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in last dc. (2 sc + 5 dc = 7 sts ✓)

Row 5 — Peak Row: Ch 3, turn, dc in first sc, picot, dc in same first sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc (center dc of shell), sk 2 dc, 2 dc in last sc, picot, dc in same last sc. (7 sts + 2 picots ✓)

Rep Rows 4–5 until the piece measures 11½ (12½, 13½)" / 29 (32, 34.5) cm from the foundation chain, ending with a Shell Row (Row 4).

At 8 rows = 1½" (3.8 cm), that is about 61 (67, 72) rows including Row 1, but trust the tape measure, not the row count.

Final Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, sc in each of next 5 dc, sc in last sc. (7 sc ✓) Do not fasten off if you will work Tie 1 from this end; otherwise fasten off, leaving a 6" (15 cm) tail.

Ties (make 2)

Each tie is a narrow sc ribbon, about 10" (25.5 cm) long.

Tie 1 (final-row end): If the yarn is still attached at the last st of the Final Row, fasten off. Join yarn with sl st in the center st of that short end (4th sc of the 7). Ch 121, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch, sl st in the same center st of the band. (120 sc ✓) Fasten off.

Tie 2 (foundation end): Join yarn with sl st in the center st of the foundation edge (4th ch of the original 7 working ch). Ch 121, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch, sl st in the same center st. (120 sc ✓) Fasten off.

Shorter or longer ties: Ch 13 sts more or fewer per 1" (2.5 cm) of tie, then sc back. Keep both ties the same length.

Optional variations

Beaded picots: Pre-string 16–24 seed beads. For each picot: slide 1 bead up, ch 1, sl st in the dc just made (or ch 3 with the bead on the middle ch, sl st in first ch). Same 7-st body count.

Button loop (instead of ties): Omit both ties. On one short end, join in the center st, ch 12 (or enough to pass the button), sl st in the same st, work 12 sc into the ch-12 loop, sl st in the same st, fasten off. Sew the button to the center of the opposite short end. Check that the loop passes over the button without stretching the lace.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends on the WS with the tapestry needle. Do not cut tails until after blocking.
2. Block: Pin the band to 11½ (12½, 13½)" × 1" / 29 (32, 34.5) × 2.5 cm, opening each fan and pulling picots out so they sit along both long edges. Pin ties straight. Spray with water (or starch) and dry fully.
3. Trim remaining tails.
4. To wear, place the band at the front or side and tie a bow at the nape. The band should rest on the neck, not cinch it. Untie to remove; do not pull the choker off over the head while tied.

Quick reference — stitch counts