Shallow bowls

Shallow Bowls by Frances Powell

What is Being Made

These are decorative shallow bowls designed as home décor pieces, available in two sizes. The larger bowl measures approximately 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter including the brim, while the smaller bowl is approximately 4¾ inches (12 cm) in diameter. Both bowls are crocheted using fine cotton yarns and can be stiffened to create structured, decorative containers suitable for display or functional use.

Craft and Technique

This is a crochet project worked in the round, building the bowl shape from the center outward. The pattern uses a starch-stiffening technique to achieve the finished bowl form, meaning the crocheted fabric is shaped over a mold and treated with starch to hold its structure. This traditional method allows the lightweight cotton fabric to maintain a crisp, defined bowl shape. The project is rated as intermediate difficulty, requiring familiarity with basic crochet techniques and the ability to follow circular construction patterns.

Stitches and Construction

The pattern employs fundamental crochet stitches to build the bowl structure:

• Chain stitch (ch) – used to create the foundation and turning chains
• Double crochet (dc) – a core stitch for building fabric density
• Half treble crochet (htr) – provides medium height for shaping
• Treble crochet (tr) – taller stitches used in the pattern
• Double treble (dtr) – the tallest stitch option for specific shaping areas
• Slip stitch (sl) – used to join rounds and create seamless transitions

The bowl is constructed in rounds, with the first five rounds establishing the base diameter. Gauge is critical: the larger bowl's first five rounds measure 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, while the smaller bowl's rounds measure 1¾ inches (4.5 cm) in diameter.

Materials and Yarn

Both bowls are worked in fine crochet cotton, a smooth, durable yarn weight ideal for creating delicate, structured pieces:

• Large bowl: Approximately 10 grams of No. 12 crochet cotton in main color, with optional contrast color requiring approximately 15 yards (14 meters)
• Smaller bowl: Approximately 10 grams of No. 20 crochet cotton in main color, with optional contrast color requiring approximately 15 yards (14 meters)

The pattern accommodates both single-color and two-color designs. Crochet hooks are sized appropriately for the fine yarn: a 1.25 mm hook for the larger bowl and a 1.00 mm hook for the smaller bowl. Starch is required to finish the bowls, though specific starch requirements are detailed within the full pattern instructions.

Design Origin

This pattern is from the Buttercup Miniatures collection, specifically the HC 2 Shallow bowl design, created by independent designer Frances Powell.