Sunset Sky Lamp Shade Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
The Sunset Sky Lamp Shade is a warm, glowing project for anyone who loves a little celestial charm in their home decor. Worked as a simple single crochet tube in a peach-to-coral-to-mauve ombre, it looks like a sunset caught mid-fade, and the ring of joined sun-disc motifs around the middle adds just enough texture to catch the light. It's a great first step into join-as-you-go motifs for crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet and slip stitches. The finished shade feels soft and slightly rustic thanks to the linen-cotton blend, and it slips over a standard drum lampshade frame for an instant, cozy upgrade.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Sport weight (CYC 2) linen blend, approx. 50% linen, 50% cotton; 200 yd (183 m) per 50 g skein.
- Color A (peach): 1 skein (approx. 200 yd)
- Color B (coral): 1 skein (approx. 200 yd)
- Color C (mauve): 1 skein (approx. 200 yd)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4)
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure
- Finished size: Diameter 10 inches (25.5 cm), height 8 inches (20.5 cm)
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- inc – increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
- MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start a motif with no hole in the center.
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- R / Rnd – round
Gauge
20 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section in the middle; adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer stitches than 20 per 4 inches.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your tension even and slightly loose — a stiff tube won't sit smoothly over the lampshade frame.
- Use a stitch marker at the start of each round so you never lose your place in the long single crochet tube.
- Change colors at the join of the round, working the last pull-through of the final stitch in the new color for a clean transition.
- Make all 10 motifs before joining so you can arrange them evenly around the ring.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bottom Edging (Color A)
Rnd 1: Ch 80, join with sl st to form a ring, ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st (80 sts).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts).
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts).
Body (Color A to B to C)
Rnds 4–15: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts). Change to Color B after Rnd 15.
Rnds 16–27: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts). Change to Color C after Rnd 27.
Rnds 28–39: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts).
Motif Band (Join-as-You-Go, Color B)
Motif (make 10):
Rnd 1: With B, MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Joining the motifs: Arrange the 10 motifs in a ring. With right side facing, use Color B and sl st to join motifs along their outer edges, working through both loops of adjacent motifs. Join the first motif to the last to complete the ring. Then sew or crochet the motif ring to the shade body along the top and bottom edges of the motifs, aligning the ring between Rnds 15 and 16 of the body.
Top Edging (Color C)
Rnd 40: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts).
Rnd 41: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts).
Rnd 42: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (80 sts). Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, using the 6-inch tails from each motif to secure them neatly. Block the shade lightly to measurements (10 inches diameter, 8 inches height) by misting with water and smoothing over a clean towel or the frame itself; let dry completely. Insert the lampshade ring or wire frame inside the tube, and if desired, sew the top and bottom edges to the frame with matching yarn for a secure fit.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Color shift: Swap the three colors for any ombre you love — try cream to blush to dusty blue for a cooler sunset.
- Motif placement: Add a second ring of motifs near the top edge for a fuller, more decorative look.
- Frame fit: If your frame is a different size, adjust the starting chain in multiples of 4 to keep the stitch count even and the tube snug.
