I am quite a beginner, and this is my first 3D crochet project.
I fell in love with Marrakesh-style lampshades but couldn't find a pattern, so I tried to figure out one based on the general instructions from this page (project 5). The shade is worked entirely in single crochet using a 50/50 cotton/polyester macramé yarn. It has three metal rings crocheted directly into the fabric for structure.
I kept things simple: whenever I increased or decreased, I always did it every 12 stitches. To change the angle, I alternated increase/decrease rounds with plain rounds, but I feel the profile could be smoother. The next version will be made with 100% cotton yarn.
I'd love some advice on shaping. Is there a better way to decide where and how often to increase or decrease to get a smoother shape? Right now I mostly guessed and experimented.
I have hoops in 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 - I will probably buy 55 later only for my living room as 40 is big enough for other rooms (I have whole flat to decorate). I think I will just experiment on my ugliest color to check how increasing with double crochet works. Maybe I even have some cheap bracelet to use as the smallest hoop.