Crochet Centerpiece

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size
Approximately 22–26 inches (56–66 cm), depending on yarn and hook.


Materials

  • Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn (#4)

Colors:

  • Dark Pink (Watermelon Flesh) – 180 g
  • White – 160 g
  • Light Green – 35 g
  • Dark Green – 25 g

Hook:

  • 4.0 mm (G)

Other:

  • Stitch markers
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Blocking pins
  • Blocking mat

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • hdc – half double crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • tr – treble crochet
  • st – stitch
  • sp – space
  • inc – increase (2 stitches in same stitch)
  • BLO – back loop only
  • FLO – front loop only
  • rep – repeat
  • RS – right side
  • WS – wrong side

Notes

  • Join each round with a slip stitch unless otherwise stated.
  • Chain 2 does NOT count as a stitch.
  • Chain 3 counts as a double crochet only where specified.
  • Keep your tension relaxed to maintain a flat centerpiece.
  • Block the finished piece for best results.

Construction

The centerpiece is worked from the center outward.

The project has five sections:

  1. Watermelon flesh
  2. White rind
  3. Pink twisted border
  4. Green decorative border
  5. White lace edging

Section 1 – Watermelon Flesh

Using Dark Pink

Round 1

Magic Ring

Ch 2

Work 12 dc into ring.

Join.

(12)


Round 2

Ch 2

2 dc in each stitch.

Join.

(24)


Round 3

Ch 2

1 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(36)


Round 4

2 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(48)


Round 5

3 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(60)


Round 6

4 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(72)


Round 7

5 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(84)


Round 8

6 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(96)


Round 9

7 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(108)


Round 10

8 dc, inc

Repeat around.

(120)


Round 11

Work dc evenly.

(120)


Round 12

To imitate the subtle texture seen in the photo:

5 dc, ch1, skip 1

Repeat around.


Round 13

Work dc in every stitch and in each chain space.


Round 14

Repeat Round 12.


Round 15

Work dc evenly.

The watermelon center should now be almost complete.


Section 2 – White Rind

Join White.

Round 16

Work hdc evenly around.


Round 17

Work another round of hdc.


Round 18

Work dc evenly.

Fasten off.

This creates the thick white rind.


Section 3 – Pink Twisted Border

Join Pink.

Round 19

Front Post Double Crochet around next stitch

Repeat around.

This creates a raised rope effect.


Round 20

Work:

Front Post dc around each FP stitch.

This creates the twisted pink border.

Fasten off.


Section 4 – Green Decorative Border

Join Light Green.

Round 21

sc, ch3, skip 1

Repeat around.


Round 22

Into each ch-3 space work:

(sc, ch3, sc)

Repeat around.

This forms the leafy green edge.


Section 5 – Tulip Border

Join White.

Switch occasionally to Pink to create alternating tulips.


Round 23

5 dc shell into each chain space.

Repeat around.


Round 24

Tulips

Alternate White and Pink.

Each tulip:

Into chain space work

(dc4tog, ch3, dc4tog)

The ch3 forms the top of the tulip.

Between tulips work:

sc in next stitch.

Repeat around.


Round 25

Using Green

Work:

sc around each tulip

ch2

sc between tulips

This creates the leaves.


Final Lace Border

Join White.


Round 26

7 dc shell

Skip 2 stitches

Repeat around.


Round 27

In each shell:

sc

ch5

sc

ch5

sc

Repeat.


Round 28

Work 5 dc into each ch-5 loop.

Repeat.


Round 29

For each fan:

sc

ch7

sc

This opens the lace.


Round 30

Into every ch7 space:

9 dc

Repeat around.


Round 31

Work picots:

sc

ch3

sl st in first chain

Repeat across each fan.


Round 32 (Last Round)

Into every fan work:

sc

ch5

dc

ch5

sc

Repeat.

This produces the pointed lace edge seen in the photo.


Blocking

Wash gently.

Pin every lace point evenly.

Steam lightly without touching the iron directly to the cotton.

Allow to dry completely.

Blocking is essential to achieve the crisp, elegant finish.


Tips

  • Use 100% cotton yarn for excellent stitch definition and durability.
  • Maintain even tension to keep the centerpiece flat.
  • If the work begins to ripple, reduce the number of increases in the next round.
  • If it starts to cup, add an extra increase round before the white rind.
  • Blocking will dramatically enhance the lace border and overall shape.

This pattern recreates the same overall style as the photographed watermelon centerpiece, featuring a solid pink center, a realistic white rind, textured pink and green decorative borders, alternating tulip motifs, and an elegant white lace edging. It is designed as an original interpretation rather than an exact copy of the photographed work.