Spring Hope Crochet Shawl – Free Crochet Pattern and Book Review

A quick to stitch cotton shawl with the simplest of shaping, my String Network Crochet Shawl, is the perfect accent piece for your summer nights on the town. Get the free pattern below and read a special book review for “Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary” by Dora Ohrenstein.

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The Review

I love books. You all know this. I mean, I have hundreds on my shelf. The one thing you may be surprised to hear is, I’m very selective about the books that get space on my shelves.

In recent years we’ve seen a slurry of crochet stitch dictionaries. Some that feel so similar to others, it’s a bit overwhelming. I often hear from people, “Rohn, is there a truly unique stitch dictionary. Something that doesn’t have the same old stitches?”

Thanks to Dora Ohrenstein, now there is.

Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary is an essential guide to crochet. It’s not just about the 125 stitches that pack these nearly 300 pages, although they would be worth it alone. The amazing thing about this stitch dictionary is that Dora takes us through how to increase and decrease at the edge of every stitch and how to increase in the center of the stitches.

I’ve never seen anything like this before, and honestly, I’m ready for it.

As soon as I started flipping through the pages, my designer brain went a little nutty. I love designing and one of the most difficult areas of designing has been how to increase and decrease while working a particular stitch. I’ve spent countless hours ripping out work just to find increases/decreases that work.

When I saw this book I immediately saw a solution.

That’s what this book is. More than a stitch dictionary, Dora has given the crochet community a guide to creating beautiful garments and accessories. She’s shown us, in painstaking detail, how to do it all.

For that, I’m eternally grateful.

One other note, let’s talk about the stitches. Within these 125 stitch patterns, you’ll find lace to filigree to shells and textured stitches. The photography is just gorgeous. Not to mention the amazing charted and text instructions.

If you’ve not purchased this book, do it.

Get it here from Barnes and Noble

Get it here from Amazon

Get it here from Quail Ridge Books

Get it here from Waterstones

Get it here from Book Depository

The Inspiration/Design

This shawl was, surprise, surprise, inspired by this amazing book! I wanted to make a lacey shawl with a bit of structure and a few different increase points in order to get that classic crescent shawl shape.

I knew from knitting that I needed to increase at about 6 spots throughout the design and work at least 1-2 stitch increases at each of those points. This would give me the crescent shape I want.

In the end, I love this shawl. It’s so quick to stitch and fun to wear!

The Pattern

Finished Shawl Size:

Wingspan: About 54in.

Depth: About 20in.

Approximately Materials:

• Worsted weight cotton yarn (approximately 250yds)
• Size US G/4mm Crochet Hook
• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

Gauge is not essential for this shawl. The most important thing is that the fabric is loose and there is quite a bit of drape.

Shawl

Ch 78

Row 1: Dc in 10th ch from hook, *ch 3, sk next 3 ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *ch 3, sc in next dc; rep from * across, ch 3, sc in 6th ch from beg ch-9.

Place markers in the 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18th single crochet across row.

You’ll move these markers up as your work progresses. Increase points will be placed in these marked stitches.

Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch 3 here and throughout), turn, *(dc in next sc, ch 3) across to next marker, (dc, ch 3, dc) in marked sc, [move marker to ch-3 sp just made]; rep from * across, dc in last sc.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *ch 3, sc in next dc; rep from * across, placing last sc in 3rd ch of t-ch.

Note: Move markers up to ch-3 sp in Row 4. 

Row 5: Ch 6, turn, *(dc in next sc, ch 3) across to next marked ch-3 sp, ch 3, dc in marked ch-3 sp, [move marker to dc just made], ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last sc.

Row 6: Rep Row 4.

Rep Rows 3-6 a further 5 times. Then rep Rows 3 and 4 once.

Next Row: Ch 6, turn, *dc in next sc, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last sc.

Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *ch 3, sc in next dc, rep from * across, placing last sc in 3rd ch of t-ch.

Next Row: Ch 6, turn, *dc in next sc, ch 3; rep from * across, dc in last sc.

Final Row: Ch 1, do not turn, rev sc in first dc, *ch 5, rev sc in next dc; rep from * across working from left to right. End off.

Finishing

Wash and block shawl. Weave in all ends.