There is nothing as comfortable and versatile as a shawl. For thousands of years, a shawl has been one of the garments of choice when it comes to cold weather. Depending on material, it's also become an excellent accent option for formal events. A shawl can be used as a blanket, an improvised baby carrier, something to block sunlight while napping....
The list of historical uses is nearly endless.
This lighter, but still warm, shawl pattern is excellent for spring and autumn. It can, depending on region, even work well for cool summer nights or warmer winter days. It's made using a granny stitch, which allows some ventilation while still trapping warmth in.
Basic Definitions
- ch - chain
- sc - single crochet
- dc - double crochet
- [] - apply instruction to the enclosed stitches
Need
- Yarn - The amount you need depends on the size shawl you wish to make. I generally have a total of six skeins on hand (apx 2100 yards) and have a decent amount of the sixth skein leftover. For the shawl depicted above, I used one skein of Caron's Light Country Peach with the rest in white. I did three rows of the peach each time I switched to it.
- Hook - Any size that you're comfortable with will work. I generally use a J with size 4 worsted weight when doing this pattern.
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
Work
Ch 5.
Row 1: [3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1, dc] in fifth chain from hook.
Row 2: Turn. Ch 4, 3dc in ch1 space, ch 1, [3dc, ch3, 3dc] in ch 3 space, ch 1, 3dc in ch 5 space, ch 1, dc in 3rd chain on bottom row.
Row 3+: Turn. Ch 4, 3dc in ch 4 space, ch 1, [3dc, ch1] in each ch 1 space, [3dc, ch3, 3dc, ch1] in ch 3 space, [3dc, ch 1] in each ch 1 space, end row with [3dc in ch 4 space, ch 1, dc in 3rd ch on previous row.]
Continue the pattern until you have the size shawl you want.
Finishing Row 1 (optional): sc across, stitch for stitch, doing [5sc, ch2, 5sc] in ch 3 space, and adding 4 sc at each corner, continue sc around "neckline" side.
Finishing Row 2 (optional, requires FR 1): at end of neckline, turn. 2 sc in current stitch, sc across neckline side only, ending with 2 sc in the final stitch. May repeat this as desired, creating a decorative band.
Tie off. Weave in ends. Enjoy.
Notes
- As you go along, the shawl may appear to start to do a wing-like curve on the area that is going to be the neckline side. This is fine. It will straighten under the shawl's own weight.
- The shawl will, with two to three days of wear, elongate down a small amount as the stitches are pulled by the weight of the yarn. Depending on how tight your stitches are, this will add a variable amount of length, but not much width, to the shawl. For this reason, concentrate on how wide you want the neckline side of the shawl and allow the length to handle itself.
- The suggested width of the neckline is double the measurement from the front of the intended wearer's waist to the nape for the neck or slightly greater. This allows the wearer to hook the shawl over their arms to keep it from slipping.
- Fasteners can be added approximately 9-12 inches from the center of the neckline side in order to allow the wearer a completely hands free experience. This location should put the fastener at the center of an adult's chest. Adjust as appropriate for a child's shawl.
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