How to Crochet an Elegant Shawl

Quality yarn and a sophisticated stitch pattern will result in an elegant crocheted shawl.

If you want an elegant shawl to wear on special occasions, but you can't seem to find the right piece, crocheting your own could be the answer. If you crochet your own shawl, you choose the color and type of yarn, as well as personalize the crochet pattern to your style. Sophisticated shawls do not have to be difficult to make; choosing a quality yarn and crocheting neatly will result in professional-looking results. Select an elegant yarn with a sparkly look for a formal, fancy shawl.

Things You'll Need

• 5 skeins medium-weight yarn
• Size I-9 crochet hook
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Instructions

1. Tie a slip knot 6 inches from the end of one skein of yarn. Make 112 chain stitches. Create chain stitches in the following manner: Place the slip knot on the crochet hook. Wrap the yarn coming from the skein around the hook's tip, and pull the hook through the slip knot. This creates one cast-on stitch. Continue wrapping the yarn around the hook and pulling it through the previous stitch until 112 chain stitches are made.

2. Begin the elegant shell stitch pattern across the foundation chain. To do so, wrap the yarn around the hook's tip, and insert the hook into the third chain stitch from the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook's tip again, draw the hook through the chain stitch, wrap the yarn around the hook's tip again and draw the hook through all of the remaining stitches on the hook. One half-double crochet stitch is made. Make another half-double crochet stitch in the same chain stitch, make one chain stitch and make two more half-double crochet stitches in the same chain stitch. You will now have a shell stitch in the third chain stitch from the hook.

3. Skip the next three chain stitches. Make a shell stitch in the next chain stitch. Repeat this pattern of skipping three stitches and making one shell stitch until you reach the end of the row.

4. Turn the work so that the last stitch made is now facing as the next stitch to be worked. Make three chain stitches. Make one shell stitch in the middle of each shell stitch across the row. (Make the shell stitch in the space where you made one chain stitch in the center of the previous row's shell stitch.) This will result in one shell stitch directly above each shell stitch from the previous row.

5. Repeat Step 4 until the piece measures roughly 18 inches from the beginning.

6. Fasten off by cutting a 6-inch tail of yarn after you crochet the last stitch. Wrap the yarn tail around the hook's tip and pull the hook through the last stitch on the hook. Pull tightly to secure.

7. Finish the shawl by weaving in the loose ends. To do so, thread the yarn needle with the loose end and draw it through a few of the stitches close to the loose end.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow all care instructions on the yarn label.

• If desired, add a border around the shawl in any border stitch you like.

References

• Bernat: Bernat Satin Sparkle
• Coats and Clark: Alluring Shawl
• Lion Brand Yarn: Shell Pattern
• Lion Brand Yarn: Let's Start at the Beginning
• Lion Brand Yarn: Half-Double Crochet

Resources

• Crochet Pattern Central: Shawls and Stoles
• Lion Brand Yarn: Learn to Crochet