7 Free Crochet Doily Patterns You'll Love Making

I love how crocheting doilies, or mandalas, allows me to try new techniques while creating something beautiful for my home. They’re such a fun way to add a warm, cozy touch to any space!

If you’re ready to make your own, check out these free patterns. There’s something here for every skill level, so let’s get started!

What is a Crochet Doily?

Crochet doily patterns are a decorative crochet piece that is usually circular, but sometimes can be rectangle or oval. They are worked in the round, which makes them relaxing to work up.

Doilies were one of the most common types of patterns crocheters made in at the beginning of the craft of crochet. These vintage patterns were typically made with crochet thread and a small hook.

What are crochet doilies used for?

They are many ways you can use crocheted doilies to decorate homes, such as centerpieces on dining tables, dressers, or a coffee table in a living room. I use one of mine on top of my coffee table and another on the dresser in my bedroom. I love how they add a softness to the space.

Doilies make great holiday decorations for Christmas or Easter. Take a look at this photo of a doily on a coffee table to see how lovely they can be as home decor.

Crochet Supplies to Make a Doily

In recent years, doilies have evolved to be made with various yarn weights and hook sizes. With so many options, more crocheters are exploring the art of making doilies.

Essentials for Crocheting Doilies

Yarn: Choose the weight that fits your pattern.
Crochet Hook: Match the size to your chosen yarn.
Stitches: Knowledge of basic crochet stitches
Crochet Notions: Some patterns may also need stitch markers, scissors, a yarn needle (or tapestry needle), and a measuring tape.

With these tools, you’ll be ready to create your own beautiful doilies!

Yarn for Doilies

When I made the decorative gray doily below, I used Vanna’s Choice, a medium-weight yarn from Lion Brand (you can see it in the image below). It turned out beautifully! While the patterns in this collection suggest specific yarns like cotton or lace thread, you can choose whatever yarn suits your project best. It’s all about making it your own!

Vanna’s Choice

This yarn is made by Lion Brand, and is a Weight 4 – Medium yarn.

Fiber: 100% Acrylic
Yardage: 156m / 171 yds
Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9)
Substitute: Lion Brand Heartland

Buy Now Patterns Using This Yarn →

Stitches for Doilies

Most simple doily patterns use basic crochet stitches like the double crochet stitch, single crochet stitch, or half double crochet stitch. Some patterns might include more advanced stitches, so it’s always a good idea to review the instructions before starting.

Are You Ready to Make a Doily?

If you’re excited to start crocheting, check out the full list of free crochet doily patterns below.

Once you’ve chosen your favorite, stick around for helpful tips on caring for your doilies. Learn how to wash them and even how to stiffen them for a perfect finish!

The designs below were all free crochet doily patterns during this collection roundup was written and may be subject to change.

7 Crochet Doily Patterns I Love

Take a look at a few of my favorite free doily patterns below to start crocheting your very own doily today! If you need any help, please feel to ask (the designer is listed beside the pattern) and have fun learning how to crochet a doily!

Decorative Table Top Doily

Designer: Easy Crochet
Yarn: Vanna’s Choice

This easy to crochet doily is perfect to display on a table-top under a centerpiece, or more! It uses a four weight yarn and basic crochet stitches, so it works up quickly and beautifully.

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Chunky Doily Rug using T-Shirt Yarn

Designer: Crochet in Paternoster
Yarn: T-shirt yarn

This rug pattern details how easy it is to crochet a doily design using T-shirt yarn! Plus, you’ll love how simple it is to follow the step-by-step photo instructions, too!

Get this chunky crochet doily pattern below.

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Lace Thread Doily

Designer: Red Heart
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Thread

This lace doily is a beautiful statement piece but does take a more experienced crocheter to tackle as well as 1.5 mm crochet hook.

Get the printable free crochet doily pattern below.

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Chunky Yarn Doily Pattern

Designer: Petals to Picots
Yarn: #4 weight cotton yarn

The best part about this free crochet doily pattern is that it has a diagram. Plus, It is also available in two different sizes. A small doily and large doily size! !

Get this beautiful & beginner-friendly doily pattern below.

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Easy Crochet Doily with Cotton

Designer: Easy Crochet
Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream

To make this great classic crochet doily pattern, you will need to use approximately 180 yards of cotton worsted weight yarn called Lily Sugar’n Cream. Once you are done the finished round doily should measure 16″x 16″ which is perfect for a display piece.

Get the pattern below.

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Free Pineapple Doily Pattern

Designer: Craft Passion
Yarn: Cotton Thread

This pineapple lace doily makes a gorgeous heirloom piece. You can find the doily pattern with written instructions as well as a photo tutorial below. This free crochet pattern will work up perfectly with a yarn like Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread.

Get this free pattern below.

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Two Shades Ombre Doily

Designer: Raji’s Craft Hobby
Yarn: Any 4 weight yarn

You can make this doily crochet pattern by changing the color tones according to your liking, but it would also be pretty great with a single solid color. It has simple lines and overall makes this a great pattern to make for a beautiful crotchet motif for any room of the house.

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Crochet Doily Tips & Common Questions

How to Wash Crochet Doilies

There are a few ways to try to preserve older doilies that are hand crocheted, which are prone to develop yellow staining. You may also want to clean the ones you made recently from stains and spills during use.

Soak in mild detergent and hot water. Lay flat in the sun to dry.
Wet the doily and place in the sun minus the soap. This is great for threads that may be too old for detergent. This will be the gentlest method for older lace thread doilies.
Hire a professional. If the doily is quite aged, and you don’t feel comfortable washing it then hire someone with expertise.

How to Make Crochet Doilies Stiff

Once crochet doilies are finished, you want them to keep their shape and stay flat. There are a few techniques that may help.

Sugar-water solution: Boil part sugar part water equally. Once it cools dip your crocheted doily into it. Do not twist the doily only squeeze gently. Lay flat to dry.
Liquid Starch: This is a great method to make your crochet doilies stiff. Apply with a spray bottle (mix with water) or directly to the doily.
Glue & Water Mix: Combine equal parts of glue and water. Soak the crocheted doily in it and do not twist. Mod Podge thinned down would work great too! This is an irreversible method so make sure you shape it the way you like before it dries.

7 Free Crochet Doily Patterns You’ll Love Making