A while back I was invited to a David Bowie party at quite short notice. Needing something quick and easy to make the effort, I designed this lightning bolt motif which I stitched onto a vest from my wardrobe!

I love a bit of fancy dress and even more so when I get to make my own costumes. I might not have gone all out here and won best costume prize but I have a t-shirt I still wear today – and I get to share the pattern with you!

You can see the original tutorial (including a photo guide) and blog post here, or keep reading for the written pattern

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Materials

I used double knit acrylic yarn in Orange and Turquoise from my stash – Stylecraft Special DK and Paintbox Simply DK have a great range of colours.

You will also need a 4mm (USG/6) crochet hook. My preference is Clover Amour

I also used black embroidery thread to sew the motif onto the vest.

Stitch Abbreviations  (in US terms)

ch = chain (don’t start singing again!)

st = stitch

sl st = slip stitch

sc = single crochet (UK double)

hdc = half double crochet (UK half treble)

dc = double crochet (UK Treble)

fsc = foundation single crochet you can find left and right handed tutorials for this here

sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (UK double crochet 2 together); Insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, insert st into next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 3 loops.

Pattern Notes

I have not added a gauge measurement here as it’s not central to the design. The final size of the motif is about 7 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide.

This will obviously change if you are using different yarns.

The pattern is worked in rows back and forth, turning at the end of each row. Turning chains do not count as stitches.

The numbers in brackets at the end of each row are the number of stitches in that row.

The blue is worked up the side of the flash, as it is facing you, in two sections, the bottom and top.

Lightning Bolt Crochet Pattern

Using Orange

Row 1: fsc (or ch 2, sc in first ch) (1) Ch1, turn

Row 2: 2 sc in the next st (2) Ch1, turn

Row 3: sc in the next 2 st (2) Ch1, turn

Row 4: 2sc in the next st, sc in next st (3) Ch1, turn

Row 5: sc in the next 3 st (3) Ch1, turn

Row 6: sc in the next 3 st (3) Ch1, turn

Row 7: sc in the next 2 st, 2sc in the next st (4) Ch 1, turn

Row 8: sc in the next 4 st (4) Ch1, turn

Row 9: sc in the next 4 st (4) Ch1, turn

Row 10: 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 3 st (5) Ch1, turn

Row 11: sc in the next 5 st (5) Ch1, turn

Row 12: sc in the next 5 st (5) Ch1, turn

Row 13: sc in the next 5 st (5) Ch1, turn

Row 14: 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 4 st (6) Ch2, turn

Row 15: dc in the next 3 st, hdc in the next 3 st then work 6 fsc.  If you do not use fsc, chain 7 and start the next row in the second chain from the hook (12) Ch1, turn

Row 16: sc in the next 6 st, hdc in the next 3 st, dc in the next 3 st (12) Ch2, turn

Row 17: dc in the next 2 st, hdc in the next 2 st, sc in the next 8 st (12) Ch1, turn

Row 18: sc2tog, sc in the next 5 st, 2sc in the next st, hdc in the next 2 st, dc in the next 2 st (12) Ch2, turn

Row 19: dc, hdc in the next 3 st, sc in the next 8 st (12) Ch1, turn

Row 20: sc2tog, sc in the next 5 st, 2sc in the next st (8) Ch1, turn

Row 21: sc in the next 8 st (8) Ch1 turn

Row 22 – 33:  Repeat rows 20-21 6 times

Fasten off

Adding the blue

Bottom section

Using Blue

Row 1: Starting on the left (when facing you) of the bottom section, sl st up the side working 16 sl st (16) Ch2, turn

Row 2: hdc in the next 5 sl st, sc in the next 5 sl st, sl st in the next 6 sl st (16)

Fasten off

Top section

Using Blue

Row 1: Starting at the bottom left (when facing you) of the top section, sl st up the side, working 19 st (19) Ch2, turn

Row 2: hdc in the next 8 sl st, sc in the next 5 sl st, sl st in the next 6 sl st (19)

Fasten off

You can either sew in the ends as I did or use them to attach the flash to whatever you may be embellishing.  I used black embroidery thread to attach mine to a black vest, working along the line between blue and orange. 

I hope you enjoy this pattern and, as always don’t forget to share using the buttons below or tag me on Instagram @doraexplored, or use #hookmehappy. I’d love to see and share your efforts!

Happy hooking

Dx

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You may sell what you make from this pattern but the pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced without prior written consent. Photos may be shared with credit.
Copyright Dora Does 2019