Each tier folds down over the one below it. Rounds 15–18 form the plain green rim.
Star (Make 3)
With cream, make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 5 sc in ring. Pull the ring tight and sl st to first sc. (5 sts)
Round 2: (Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in next sc of Round 1) 5 times. (5 points) Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail.
The star is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across. Center it over the middle sc of the green tier (the 19th front FL), with the top point just below the rim, and sew it down.
Backing Panel
With green, ch 14.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (13 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 11, 2 sc in last st, turn. (15 sts)
Rows 3–7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (Row 3: 17 sts, Row 4: 19, Row 5: 21, Row 6: 23, Row 7: 25)
Rows 8–89: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (25 sts)
Rows 90–95: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (Row 90: 23 sts, Row 91: 21, Row 92: 19, Row 93: 17, Row 94: 15, Row 95: 13)
Row 96: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (13 sts) Fasten off.
Total: 96 rows = 24 in (61.0 cm). At its widest, the panel is 25 sts = 6.25 in (15.9 cm).
Make All Pieces
- Green: 1 backing panel, 3 pocket bodies with green tiers, 1 strap
- Red: 3 tiers
- Cream: 3 tiers, 3 stars
Strap: With green, ch 6. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn (5 sts). Rows 2–40: ch 1, sc in each st, turn (5 sts). Fasten off. The strap is 1.25 in x 10 in (3.2 cm x 25.4 cm).
Layout (panel rows counted from the bottom):
Each pocket covers 14 panel rows and the center 17 panel sts (sts 5–21 of 25). That leaves 4 sts free on each side.
Joining
Method: Whipstitch with green yarn through both loops of the pocket stitches and the panel stitches beneath.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: The back section is a flat rectangle 17 sts wide and 14 rounds tall, and its target area on the panel is the same size. With 4 sts and 4 rows per inch, each stitch meets one stitch and each round meets one row.
- Pin Pocket 3 with Round 5 on Row 11, Round 18 on Row 24, and the marked columns on panel sts 5 and 21.
- Sew the 17 back sts of Round 5 to sts 5–21 of Row 11. Sew up each side, one round per row. Then sew the 17 back sts of Round 18 to sts 5–21 of Row 24.
- Repeat for Pocket 2 (Rows 41–54) and Pocket 1 (Rows 71–84).
Tension: Keep the stitches snug but not tight. If the panel puckers behind a pocket, loosen them.
Size checkpoint: The panel should still lie flat at 6.25 in (15.9 cm) wide.
Border
Border gauge: 4 sc per inch. Each round adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) to every edge.
The pockets sit 4 sts in from the edges, so you work the border on the panel alone. There are no seam stitches to count.
Round 1: With RS facing, join green in the Row 90 row-end on the right edge.
– Top arc: (2 sc in next row-end, sc in next row-end) 3 times over Rows 90–95, sc in Row 96 row-end, sc in each of 13 top sts, sc in other Row 96 row-end, (2 sc in next row-end, sc in next row-end) 3 times over Rows 95–90. (33 sts)
– Side: sc in each row-end of Rows 89–8. (82 sts)
– Bottom arc: work as for the top arc over Rows 7–1, the 13 free foundation loops, and Rows 1–7. (33 sts)
– Side: sc in each row-end of Rows 8–89. (82 sts)
– Sl st to first sc. (230 sts = 33 + 82 + 33 + 82)
Round 2: Ch 1, [(sc in next 10, 2 sc in next) 3 times, sc in next 82] twice. Sl st to first sc. (236 sts: 36 per arc, 82 per side) Fasten off.
Why the math works:
- Sides: 82 rows = 82 sts = 20.5 in (52.1 cm).
- Shaped edges: The shaped edges climb 1 st per row, making a 45-degree diagonal about 2.12 in (5.4 cm) long over 6 rows. That length needs about 8.5 sts, so 9 sts fit.
- Round 2 arcs: Each end turns through a half circle. Moving the edge out 0.25 in adds about 3.14 x 0.25 = 0.79 in (2.0 cm), or about 3 sts per arc.
Result: 7.25 in x 25 in (18.4 cm x 63.5 cm). The pocket rims sit 3.5 in (8.9 cm), 11 in (27.9 cm), and 18.5 in (47.0 cm) below the top edge.
Strap: On the back, sew 1 in (2.5 cm) of each strap end to the top arc, 1 in (2.5 cm) in from each side edge. The free 8 in (20.3 cm) forms a loop that rises about 3 in (7.6 cm) above the panel.
Final Blocking
- Mist the piece lightly, or hold a steam iron 1 in (2.5 cm) above it. Never press acrylic.
- Pin the panel face up to 7.25 in x 25 in (18.4 cm x 63.5 cm), easing the ends into smooth curves.
- Put a roll in each pocket so it dries rounded.
- Spread each scallop so it fans evenly over the tier below.
- Let it dry completely, 12–24 hours, before unpinning.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Panel measures 7.25 in x 25 in (18.4 cm x 63.5 cm)
- Border Round 2 has 236 sts and the ends lie flat
- Each pocket has 54 sts per round and a 17-st back section
- Every tier uses exactly 37 front FLs
- Red shells sit between the cream shells
- Stars are centered with all points tacked down
- Strap is secure and the loop hangs straight
- All tails are woven in
Troubleshooting
- Ends ruffle: Replace one Round 2 increase per arc with a plain sc.
- Ends cup: Add one increase per arc.
- Roll won’t fit: Your gauge is tight. Remake the pocket one hook size up.
- Scallops stand up: Steam them and pin them down.
- Tier won’t come out even: Recount the front FLs. There must be 37.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry, reshaping the pockets while they are damp.
Final Notes
At 4 sts and 4 rows per inch, the 25-st, 96-row panel is 6.25 in x 24 in (15.9 cm x 61.0 cm). Each 54-st, 14-round pocket is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall, and its 17-st back sews 1 to 1 onto 17 panel sts. Two border rounds add 0.5 in (1.3 cm) all around, for a finished size of 7.25 in x 25 in (18.4 cm x 63.5 cm).
Happy crocheting!
