Blooming Ivy Oval Doily — Simple Crochet Pattern
There is something quietly satisfying about creating a doily. Unlike larger crochet projects that take weeks to finish, a doily rewards you with a finished piece in just a few hours, and the result sits beautifully on a table, dresser, or bookshelf as a small but meaningful expression of your craft. The Blooming Ivy Oval Doily is one of those patterns that feels special the moment you pick it up. Its oval shape sets it apart from the typical round doily, and the ivy-inspired motif flowing across the surface gives it a natural, garden-fresh character that works just as well in a modern farmhouse setting as it does in a traditional cottage home.
This post walks you through everything you need to know about the Blooming Ivy Oval Doily pattern — from materials and hook size to each step of the crochet process. Whether you are a beginner who has just mastered the basic stitches or an intermediate crocheter looking for a satisfying weekend project, this pattern is designed to be approachable without feeling too simple. There are just enough stitch variations to keep your hands engaged and your creative energy flowing.
Why an Oval Doily?
Most crocheted doilies begin at the center with a magic ring and grow outward in a circular shape. That classic format has its charm, but oval doilies open up a whole new world of design possibilities. An oval fits naturally on a rectangular coffee table, beneath a table lamp, or along the center of a dining table runner. It echoes the shape of a leaf, which makes it a perfect canvas for botanical-inspired motifs like ivy, fern fronds, or trailing vines.
The oval shape also changes how you build the pattern structurally. Instead of working purely in rounds that expand evenly in every direction, an oval doily begins with a foundation chain and grows from both sides of that chain simultaneously. Once you understand that logic, the pattern unfolds in a very intuitive way, and you will likely find yourself returning to the oval format for future projects.
Materials You Will Need
Before you sit down to crochet, gather everything you need so the process flows without interruption.
Thread: Use a size 10 crochet thread in white, cream, or a soft sage green for a classic look. Approximately 200 yards will be enough for a doily that measures roughly 10 by 14 inches when blocked. You can also use a pale lavender or dusty rose if you want a softer, more romantic palette.
Hook: A steel crochet hook in size 7 (1.65mm) works well with size 10 thread. If you typically crochet tightly, go up to a size 6 (1.80mm). The right hook size will give your stitches enough definition without making the fabric stiff.
Scissors: Small, sharp embroidery scissors are ideal for trimming thread ends cleanly.
Tapestry needle: You will need this to weave in your ends when the doily is finished.
Blocking supplies: A foam blocking mat, stainless steel blocking pins, and a spray bottle filled with clean water. Blocking is what transforms a finished crochet doily from a slightly crumpled piece of fabric into a crisp, beautifully shaped decorative item. Do not skip this step.
Starch or fabric stiffener (optional): If you want your doily to hold its shape on a surface without shifting, a light application of spray starch or liquid starch after blocking will give it a lovely firmness.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used. If you are newer to crochet thread work, take a moment to practice each stitch before starting the doily itself.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
ch sp — chain space (the open loop formed by one or more chain stitches)
picot — a decorative loop made by chaining 3 and slip stitching into the first chain
sk — skip
rep — repeat
* — indicates the beginning of a repeating stitch sequence
One helpful note: when working with steel hooks and fine crochet thread, tension is everything. Try to keep your grip on the thread relaxed and consistent. If your tension varies, the doily can pull in unexpected directions. If you notice this happening, pause and take a breath. A loose, even tension is your best friend in thread crochet.
Pattern Instructions
Foundation Chain
Begin by chaining 28. This chain forms the central spine of your oval.
Round 1: Working into the chain, dc in the 4th chain from the hook (the skipped chains count as your first dc), then dc in each of the next 23 chains. When you reach the last chain, work 6 dc into that same chain to turn the corner. Now rotate your work and crochet along the other side of the foundation chain, placing 1 dc in each of the next 24 chains. When you reach the end, work 5 more dc into the same chain where you began, then join with a sl st to the top of the first dc. You should have an elongated oval shape with rounded ends. (60 dc total)
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc in each of the next 23 dc. At the curved end, work 2 dc in each of the next 6 dc. Dc in each of the next 24 dc along the straight side. At the remaining curved end, work 2 dc in each of the last 5 dc, then dc once more in the base of your starting ch-3. Join with a sl st. (72 dc total)
Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), sk 1 dc, *dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc*, rep from * to * around, adjusting at the curves to keep the lace mesh even. Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of beginning ch-5. This creates the open mesh foundation over which the ivy motif will be worked.
Building the Ivy Motif
The ivy effect in this doily comes from clusters of treble crochet stitches fanned out to resemble leaves, joined by chains that suggest trailing stems. This is where the pattern truly comes to life.
Round 4: Sl st into the first ch-2 space. Ch 4, work 4 tr into the same ch sp (this is your first ivy leaf cluster). *Ch 3, sk 1 ch sp, sc into the next ch sp, ch 3, sk 1 ch sp, work a 5-tr cluster into the next ch sp*. Rep from * to * around, ending with ch 3, sc into the last open ch sp, ch 3, join with sl st to the top of the beginning ch-4. Count your clusters and make sure the curved ends of the oval have enough clusters to keep the shape rounded and smooth. If needed, add an extra cluster at each end to prevent puckering.
Round 5: Sl st to the top of the first cluster, ch 1, sc into the top of the cluster. *Ch 5, sc into the top of the next cluster*. Rep from * to * around, ending with ch 5, join to the first sc. These ch-5 arches will support the next round of leaves.
Round 6: Sl st to the center of the first ch-5 arch. Ch 4, work 3 tr into the same arch, ch 3, work 4 tr into the same arch (this creates a two-pointed leaf shape that gives the ivy its distinctive look). *Ch 2, sc into the next arch, ch 2, work a split leaf cluster (4 tr, ch 3, 4 tr) into the next arch*. Rep from * to * around, ending with ch 2, sc into the last arch, ch 2, join with sl st.
This double-pointed cluster is the defining moment of the Blooming Ivy pattern. When you block the finished doily, these clusters will fan open into leaf shapes with a lovely three-dimensional quality that catches the light beautifully.
Adding the Border
Round 7: Sl st into the ch-3 space at the center of the first leaf cluster. Sc into that space, *ch 5, sc into the ch-2 space before the next leaf, ch 5, sc into the ch-3 space of the next leaf cluster*. Rep from * to * around. Join. This round creates a flowing scallop of arches that softens the edges beautifully.
Round 8: Work sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc into every ch-5 arch around. Join. This turns each arch into a classic shell, giving the border a clean, finished scalloped edge.
Round 9 (Picot Edging): Sc into first sc of the first shell, *ch 3, sl st into the first ch of the ch-3 (picot made), sc into the center dc of the same shell, picot, sc into the last sc of the shell, picot, sc into the first sc of the next shell*. Rep from * to * around. Join and fasten off, leaving a tail long enough to weave in comfortably.
Finishing Your Doily
Weave in all thread ends using your tapestry needle, working each tail through at least an inch of stitches before trimming. For crochet thread, it helps to split the plies of the yarn as you weave so that the end is buried more securely and will not work its way loose over time.
Once all ends are hidden, it is time to block the doily. Soak it in cool water for about 10 minutes, then gently press out the excess water without wringing. Lay it face up on your foam mat and pin each point of the scalloped border to the mat, stretching the doily gently into shape. Use your measurements as a guide — aim for approximately 10 inches wide and 14 inches long. Pin the ivy leaf clusters open so they fan out fully, and make sure the straight sides of the oval are smooth and even.
Leave the doily pinned until it is completely dry, which typically takes 12 to 24 hours depending on your environment. Once dry, remove the pins and admire what you have made. The difference between a blocked and unblocked thread doily is remarkable. What looked lumpy and undefined while you were crocheting becomes a crisp, elegant piece of lacework with crisp stitch definition and graceful proportions.
Displaying Your Blooming Ivy Oval Doily
One of the pleasures of making a doily is finding just the right spot for it. The oval shape of this doily makes it especially versatile. Here are a few ideas for showing it off to its best advantage.
Place it beneath a bedside table lamp for a soft, decorative accent that adds texture to a plain wooden surface. Lay it across the center of a coffee table to define the space and give the room a handcrafted focal point. Use it under a decorative bowl of pinecones, dried lavender, or seasonal fruit to create a simple, charming vignette. Frame it behind glass for display on a wall, a technique that works especially well with white or ivory thread doilies against a dark background. You can also give it as a gift — a handmade doily is a thoughtful, personal present that carries a significance no store-bought item can match.
Tips for Customizing the Pattern
Once you have completed the Blooming Ivy Oval Doily once, you may find yourself wanting to experiment. Here are a few ways to make the pattern your own.
Change the thread weight. Working the pattern in a slightly heavier thread, such as a size 5 bedspread weight cotton, will produce a larger doily with a more relaxed, casual feel. This version would be lovely as a tray liner or small table centerpiece.
Add color. While white and cream are traditional doily colors, there is no rule that says a doily must be monochromatic. Try working the ivy leaf rounds in a soft green and the border rounds in white for a look that genuinely resembles the plant it references. Or use a dusty blue throughout for a coastal cottage aesthetic.
Increase the length. To make the doily longer, simply add more chains to your foundation chain in multiples of two, and adjust the straight sections of each round accordingly. A longer version could serve as a delicate table runner.
Add a hanging loop. Work a small ch-12 loop at one end of the oval and join it with a sl st to create a hanging point. A larger version of the doily made in cotton kitchen twine would make a beautiful wall hanging.
A Note on the Joy of Thread Crochet
If you have primarily worked with bulky or worsted weight yarn, thread crochet might seem intimidating at first. The hook is small, the thread is fine, and the stitches are tiny. But there is a meditative quality to thread crochet that many crafters find deeply appealing once they settle into it. The work moves slowly and deliberately, which encourages a kind of focused patience. Each stitch feels intentional. And because the finished piece is small, even a few rows of progress can feel deeply satisfying.
Thread doilies also last for generations in a way that many larger yarn projects do not. Stored carefully, a cotton doily can remain beautiful for decades. Some of the most treasured handmade heirlooms in homes around the world are the doilies and tablecloths crocheted by grandmothers and great-grandmothers who understood that small, carefully made things carry enormous meaning.
The Blooming Ivy Oval Doily is a pattern worth returning to again and again — as a gift for someone you love, as a meditative creative practice on a quiet afternoon, or simply as a way of putting something beautiful and handmade into the world. Pick up your hook and thread, find a comfortable seat, and let the ivy begin to bloom.
