Crochet Lampshade

With St. Patricks’ Day approaching, I don’t need an excuse to make a green crochet lampshade. Green is my favourite colour and a wonderful accent colour any time of year! It’s the colour I look most forward to seeing in the Spring. Ah, Spring! Where are you?

I guess it’s up to us to nudge Spring along in our decor instead!

Where’s Spring?

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Crochet Lampshade Tutorial

Watch this video to see how easy this crochet lampshade decor is to make!

Crochet Lampshade Cover

Interestingly, I found most of the materials for this project at the thrift store; including the gorgeous green Egyptian cotton yarn I previously used for these air plant pods.

Spool of green Egyptian cotton yarn

The crochet will cover the existing shade so no need to tear it apart back to the frame.

6" diamater shade wrapped in cellophane is the form for the crochet lampshade

Crochet Lampshade Supplies

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For the base, I’m using a vintage wooden spool. It has brass accents at both ends and an interesting texture on the bottom. I just LOVE the age and patina on this find!

Some of the supplies for the crochet lampshade: green yarn, crochet hook, lampshade, vintage wood spool and rubber bumpers

Crochet Lampshade Pattern

To start, I crochet a test sample so I can determine how many stitches I will need. When you measure against your particular shade, it’s ok to have less stitches so the piece will stretch on when done.

Sample of twist stitch for crochet lampshade in green cotton yarn

Abbreviations

  • st – stitch
  • ch – chain stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • yo – yarn over

Twist Stitch

Rows 1 – 2.

My shade measures 6″ in diameter and is 5″ high. Be sure to thrift one; the price on Amazon for a little drum shade is crazy!

For the measurements of this particular shade, ch 55 sts to start with a 6 mm crochet hook. Single crochet across row (53 sts). Ch 3, turn work [54 sts]. If you’re yarn and lampshade are different, just remember to start with an odd number of chain stitches; you’ll end up with an even number of stitches on the second row.

Foundation rows for the crochet lampshade

Row 3.

Skip the first st and dc into next st. dc in the next st. Yarn over, to start the next DC. However, instead of crocheting into the next st, you’ll crochet into the previously skipped st (shown two pictures ahead).

This grouping of 3 double crochets is what forms the twist.

Closeup of first 3 double crochets showing the twist

Repeat this three st grouping to the end of the row.

First three stitch grouping at beginning of row

Just remember to skip a stitch…

Scissor tip inserted into stitch to skip

So you can complete the twist later for the final dc.

Finger pointing to the space to put double crochet stitch for the twist

You’ll end the row with the twist as shown.

Closeup of end of first row of twist stitches

Now your first row is complete. Ch 1, turn work.

First row of twist stitches complete

18 Groupings of Triple Double Crochet Stitches

Row 4.

Sc across row. Ch 3, turn work.

Repeats rows 3 and 4 until you have the desired height. End with a row of sc.

Close Ends

For my crochet lampshade, I did 10 rows (in addition to rows 1-2).

Finished piece for crochet lampshade flat on a table with spool of yarn in background

Now it’s time to seam the sides. I find using a smaller crochet hook, in this case 4 mm, is easier to work the sides. Notice there’s a gap where it will join. This stitch has stretch and that is what will hold it onto the shade.

crochet lampshade showing the gap before stitching the side seams

With right sides together, sc along the side to form a tube. You’ll be working into each set of 3 on both sides.

Folded crochet showing hands crocheting the side seam

Once I reached the other side, I grabbed the lamp shade to test again.

Hand holding the lampshade

Then I decided to do another row of sc along the bottom edge for better coverage.

Yarn Option

If you watch the video, you’ll see me demonstrate the same stitch with a bigger hook and macrame cord for a chunkier look you can use on a bigger shade.

The same twist stitch done with a 7mm hook and macrame cord

Wiring the Base for Light

This shade has a lamp fitting that I’m not familiar with.

Closeup of metal fitting on lampshade

Normally, I’d use an E26 socket like I did for this DIY Pipe Lamp. By the way, it’s also good to have some rubber grommets on hand and a nipple in case you need to make the hole in the middle of the spool smaller to accommodate the socket.

Socket, nipple and rubber grommets

However, a regular socket won’t work. With this shade you’ll need to either purchase a threaded shell with a ring on the socket, like the one below OR, you can supplement a socket you already have and just buy the ring.

Thread shell with ring showing dimensions

To determine if your shade fitting will even work with a socket, you need a precise measurement of the diameter. A digital caliber will help you figure out all those measurements and prevent you from ordering something that won’t fit.

digital caliper in box

Unfortunately, the size of the opening on our shade is too small to fit over this standard socket, so I have to do more research to see if I can find a match here in Canada.

More Challenges

Another challenge is the spool itself. Some vintage spools conveniently have grooves in the bottom that will allow you to run the wire so that it sits flush on the bottom and doesn’t wobble.

But our spool, doesn’t have that feature no the bottom because of the brass accent. So to get around that and allow some space for the wiring, I’ll add some rubber bumpers onto the bottom. These bumpers screw on, but you can also try some clear stick on bumpers. Keep in mind they need to be deep enough to allow for the thickness of the electric cord.

4 rubber bumpers on box

So, due to finding the right socket, the actual wiring of the spool will have to wait. But once we find something suitable, we’ll of course show you that in a future blog post. If you’re craving more lighting ideas, visit our lighting upcycles category for more.

In the meantime, here’s how our crochet lampshade is looking without the wiring – ready for St. Patrick’s Day decor.

Crochet lampshade on top of vintage wood spool with wooden stick figure hugging the spool and gnome holding a 4 leaf clover

Crochet Lampshade

By the way, you might recognize our Gnome DIY. It’s sprayed with Rustoleum’s Glitter paint in Kelly Green. Our previous winter version had a hat that actually light’s up! The gnome kit comes with all these fun interchangeable accent pieces for different occasions like St. Patrick’s Day! Want to see how to make the adorable Irish Gnome version? Check out St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Adults.

Pin Crochet Lampshade

Pinning is always welcome and appreciated.

Pinnable image for crochet lampshade

 

 

7 thoughts on “Crochet Lampshade

  1. That is so pretty! I haven’t ever considered a crocheted lampshade, but what a sweet idea!

    • Thank you Kim! It’s a great way to cover up damage or just switch up the look.

  2. I love this idea, you could have a new lampshade for every season to change up your look. You are right, for some reason lampshades are very expensive! I am also a fan of your spool light base, how clever. Thank you for sharing your inspiration with Whimsy Home Wednesday!

    • Thanks so much for stopping by Cara! Yes, I agree; it would be so fun to switch this up for every season!

  3. This is such a neat idea and my crochet skills are finally improving after watching you videos. Pinned to come back to later.

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