Railroad Diamond edging and insertion

I designed this old-fashioned edging. The base row and row 1 are hard, but the rest is pretty straightforward. Design, pattern, photos, and chart all copyright by me. You can make this for whatever you want, just don't copy it onto a page, rather link to this page. 

Edging applied to a hand towel. Worked in size 20 Cebelia with a #11 (1.1 mm) hook.

As of July 3, 2016, I have posted a test request for this pattern on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/free-pattern-testers/topics/3458810 Ravelry members (membership is free) rejectranch, knittly, ploverwing, Airey09, and Spice2s have tested it.

The edging looks nicest in a fine thread such as Cebelia 30 worked with a #10 or #11 hook, but can be made in any size thread. I have tried it in sizes 10, 20, and 30, but not 80 (tatting cotton), which would probably be very cute. Yarn won't do. I think a design this visually complex needs a solid color. When working in a larger thread it helps to make the ch 3 in the middle of the shell a little loose.

Railroad Diamond edging in #30 thread using a #11 hook (1.1 mm)

Terms:

ch, sc, hdc, dc = chain stitch, single crochet, half-double crochet, double crochet.

shell = 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc.

shell in shell = 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in ch-3 space of shell in previous row. 

Edging Pattern:

Base row (in green on chart): Make a slip knot to begin, leaving enough of a tail to weave in later. Ch 6, dc in 6th ch from hook. This makes an oval-ish opening, like an eye, with 5 ch on one side. Ch 12, dc in 5th ch from hook--a second oval opening with 4 ch on one side. Ch 4, turn. Note this turning ch! You will work into it later. After you turn, make sure you're working in the chain sides of the ovals (not the dc side).

The chart is now up to date and consistent with the text.

Row 1 (Blue in chart). Shell into oval closest to hook. Ch 2. Sc over 7-ch space between the two ovals. Ch 2. Shell in next oval. Ch 3, turn. Everything after this point is easier.

Row 2 (Black). Shell in shell. Ch 3. Shell in shell. Ch 6. Sc in (noted) 4-ch turning ch of previous row. Turn (red stitches in chart). Sc, hdc, dc, ch 3, dc, hdc, sc in ch-6 space. Ch 2.

Row 3 (Blue). Shell in shell. Ch 2. Sc in ch-3 space between shells of previous row. Ch 2, Shell in shell. Ch 3, turn.

Row 4 (Magenta). Shell in shell. Ch 3. Shell in shell. Ch 3, turn. 

Row 5 (Blue). Shell in shell. Ch 2. Sc in ch-3 space between shells of previous row. Ch 2, shell in shell, ch 3, 

turn.

Row 6 (Black). Shell in shell. Ch 3. Shell in shell. Ch 6, sc in ch 3 turning ch at end of previous row making a loop on the outside of the edging. Turn. (Red in chart) Work sc, hdc, dc, ch 3, dc, hdc, sc in 6-ch loop. Ch 2.

Row 7. Shell in shell. Ch 2. Sc in ch-3 space between shells of previous row. Ch 2, Shell in shell. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat rows 4 to 7 for length desired. End with row 7 without the 3 ch at the end. After the last dc, ch 1, cut thread, leaving enough to weave in, and pull through to tie off. Weave in ends with a tapestry needle.

Size 10 Aunt Lydia's thread using #7 hook (1.65 mm)

Corner of dish towel with edging

Insertion Pattern:

Matching insertion

Base row: Make a slip knot to begin, leaving enough of a tail to weave in later. Ch 6, dc in 6th ch from hook. This makes an oval-ish opening, like an eye. Ch 12, dc in 5th ch from hook--a second oval opening. Ch 4, turn. 

Now work in the ch side of the ovals. 

1. Shell into first oval. Ch 2. Sc over 7-ch space between the two ovals. Ch 2. Shell in second oval. Ch 3, turn. 

2.Shell in shell. Ch 3. Shell in shell. Ch 3, turn.

3. Shell in shell. Ch 2. Sc in ch-3 space between shells of previous row. Ch 2, Shell in shell. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for length desired. End with row 3 without the 3 ch at the end. After the last dc, ch 1, cut thread, leaving enough to weave in, and pull through to tie off.