Sunburst Lace Medallion: A Modern Doily Free Pattern

Bring a burst of sunshine to your table with this contemporary take on the classic doily, featuring a radiant sunburst motif and delicate picot edging. This intermediate-level crochet project is a beautiful way to add a handcrafted touch to any room. The vibrant sunny yellow center transitions into an ivory lace pattern, creating a stunning visual centerpiece for your home decor.

This pattern is perfect for those looking to expand their crochet skills while creating something truly beautiful. The medallion design works beautifully as a table centerpiece, under a vase, or as a decorative accent on a shelf or sideboard. The thick, worsted-weight cotton yarn gives the finished piece wonderful stitch definition and a slight sheen that catches the light beautifully.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

• Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (or any worsted weight cotton yarn) in 'Sunny Yellow' (MC) and 'Ivory' (CC), approximately 100 yards each
• Hook: US Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Notions: Stitch marker, yarn needle for weaving in ends, blocking mat or towel, rust-proof pins

Gauge: First 5 rounds = 3 inches in diameter (blocked). Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size, though this project is forgiving if your gauge is slightly off.

Special Stitches

This pattern uses two special stitches that you'll want to familiarize yourself with before starting:

Cluster (cl)

Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Picot (p)

Chain 3, slip stitch into the third chain from hook. This creates a small decorative bump that adds a delicate, lacy finish to your edges.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This doily is worked in the round from the center out. Use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds. The pattern alternates between solid rounds of double crochet and open, airy rounds of chain loops, creating the beautiful sunburst effect.

Round 1: The Magic Ring Foundation

With MC (Sunny Yellow), make a magic ring. Work 12 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull ring closed tightly to eliminate the center hole. Slip stitch (sl st) to first sc to join. (12 sc)

Pro tip: If you're new to magic rings, you can alternatively chain 4 and slip stitch to form a ring, then work your 12 sc into that ring.

Round 2: Doubling Up

Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet, dc). Work 1 dc into the same stitch. Work 2 dc into each sc around. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3 to join. (24 dc)

This round doubles your stitch count, creating the foundation for the sunburst effect. The increases should be evenly distributed around the circle.

Round 3: Creating Chain Loops

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Chain 5, skip next 3 dc, sc into next dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 5, skip last 3 dc, sl st to first sc to join. (6 chain-5 loops)

This round begins the open, lacy pattern. Make sure your chains are not too tight—they should be loose enough to lay flat and create nice, open loops.

Round 4: Filling the Loops

Slip stitch into the first chain-5 loop. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 4 dc into the same loop. *Work 5 dc into next chain-5 loop.* Repeat from * around. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3 to join. (30 dc)

You're now working into the chain spaces rather than individual stitches. This creates the petal-like sections of your sunburst. Ensure all 5 dc in each group are worked into the same chain loop.

Round 5: Second Loop Layer

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Chain 3, skip next 4 dc, sc into next dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 3, skip last 4 dc, sl st to first sc to join. (6 chain-3 loops)

Notice how you're skipping 4 dc this time—this positions your new loops between the previous petal groups, creating the staggered sunburst effect.

Round 6: Building Up

Slip stitch into the first chain-3 loop. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 3 dc into the same loop. *Work 4 dc into next chain-3 loop.* Repeat from * around. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3 to join. (24 dc)

Round 7: Widening the Gaps

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Chain 4, skip next 3 dc, sc into next dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 4, skip last 3 dc, sl st to first sc to join. (6 chain-4 loops)

Round 8: Growing Petals

Slip stitch into the first chain-4 loop. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 5 dc into the same loop. *Work 6 dc into next chain-4 loop.* Repeat from * around. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3 to join. (36 dc)

Your petals are growing larger with each round, creating that beautiful radiating sunburst pattern. The work should still lay flat—if it's ruffling, check your tension.

Round 9: Open Airy Round

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Chain 5, skip next 5 dc, sc into next dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 5, skip last 5 dc, sl st to first sc to join. (6 chain-5 loops)

Round 10: Loop on Loop

Slip stitch into the first chain-5 loop. Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same loop. *Chain 5, sc into next chain-5 loop.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 5, sl st to first sc to join. (6 chain-5 loops)

This round creates a beautiful open mesh effect, working sc into the previous round's chain loops rather than into dc stitches.

Round 11: Adding Chain Spaces

Slip stitch into the first chain-5 loop. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 4 dc into the same loop. *Chain 1, work 5 dc into next chain-5 loop.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 1, sl st to top of beginning chain-3 to join. (6 groups of 5 dc, with chain-1 spaces between)

The chain-1 spaces between dc groups will create beautiful little windows in your design. Keep these chain spaces loose.

Round 12: Solid Foundation

Slip stitch into the next dc. Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Work 1 sc into each of next 4 dc, work 1 sc into chain-1 space, work 1 sc into each of next 5 dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with 1 sc into last chain-1 space, sl st to first sc to join. (60 sc)

This round solidifies your work, creating a smooth base for the final decorative rounds. Count your stitches carefully—you should have 60 sc total.

Round 13: Preparing for the Border

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Chain 3, skip next 2 sc, sc into next sc.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 3, skip last 2 sc, sl st to first sc to join. (20 chain-3 loops)

This round creates 20 evenly spaced chain loops that will form the base for your scalloped edge. The math works out perfectly—60 sc divided by 3 (2 skipped + 1 for the sc) equals 20 loops.

Round 14: Filling the Border Loops

Slip stitch into the first chain-3 loop. Chain 3 (counts as dc). Work 2 dc into the same loop. *Work 3 dc into next chain-3 loop.* Repeat from * around. Slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3 to join. (60 dc)

Round 15: Final Loop Round

Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same stitch. *Chain 4, skip next 2 dc, sc into next dc.* Repeat from * around, ending with chain 4, skip last 2 dc, sl st to first sc to join. (20 chain-4 loops)

Round 16: Picot Edging

Slip stitch into the first chain-4 loop. Chain 1. Work 1 sc into the same loop. *Work 1 picot (p), work 1 sc into the same loop, work 1 sc into next chain-4 loop.* Repeat from * around, ending with 1 picot, 1 sc into the same loop, sl st to first sc to join.

Fasten off and weave in ends securely. The picot edging creates the beautiful scalloped, lacy finish that makes this doily so special.

Blocking Your Doily

Blocking is essential for this project to achieve its full beauty. The lace pattern needs to be opened up and shaped to create the perfect circle.

Instructions: Soak the doily in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring—this can distort the stitches). Lay flat on a blocking mat or towel, pin out the picot points to create a perfect circle, and allow to dry completely.

Blocking will open up the lace pattern, even out your stitches, and give your doily that professional, finished look. Once dry, your Sunburst Lace Medallion is ready to display!

Tips for Success

• Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep your place, especially when working the repetitive chain loop rounds.
• Keep consistent tension throughout—this is key to achieving a flat, even doily.
• Count your stitches at the end of each round to catch any mistakes early before they compound.
• Don't skip blocking—it truly transforms the finished piece and is essential for lace work.

This Sunburst Lace Medallion makes a wonderful gift for housewarmings, weddings, or simply as a treat for your own home. The combination of sunny yellow and ivory creates a cheerful yet elegant piece that will brighten any space. Happy crocheting!