A shawl is a good project for building your crochet skills. You repeat the same stitch for a while, you can see your progress as the rows get wider, and you end up with something you'll wear all autumn. Where it often goes wrong is the yarn: a stiff yarn makes even the prettiest pattern hang flat and boxy. This guide takes you from choosing the yarn to the finishing touches, with an easy granny triangle to start with.
Before you start
A few choices decide which pattern and yarn suit you:
- Do you want a triangular shawl or a long rectangular wrap (a stole)?
- Will you mostly wear it indoors over your shoulders, or outside against the cold?
- One solid color, or stripes and a color gradient using several balls?
- Is it a weekend project, or something to fill the winter evenings?
Crochet terms in this guide
This article uses US terms. In UK patterns, US double crochet (dc) is called a treble (tr) and US single crochet (sc) is called double crochet (dc). Chain (ch) is the same in both. All stitches are compared side by side in basic crochet stitches.
Which type of shawl suits you?
| Type of shawl | Stitch | Level | Yarn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granny triangle, top-down | Clusters of 3 dc, wider every row | Beginner | Soft yarn with drape, such as Durable Cosy Fine or Durable Comfy |
| Rectangular wrap (stole) | A repeating stitch such as moss stitch | Beginner to intermediate | Soft cotton blend or acrylic |
| Triangle in a simple dc pattern | Rows of dc with increases at the edges and the center | Beginner | Medium-weight yarn with drape |
| Lace shawl (filet crochet) | Open pattern of dc and chain spaces | Intermediate | Fine cotton or a mohair blend |
Which yarn gives the best drape?
A shawl should flow, not stand. That is exactly where some yarns fall short: a firm, tightly spun cotton keeps its shape beautifully in a bag but hangs stiffly around your shoulders. Choose a yarn with some movement in it. Durable Cosy Fine is a good option: 58% cotton and 42% acrylic, soft, with 105 m per 50 g and a recommended hook of 4 to 4.5 mm (US G/6 to 7), in enough colors for a gradient. For a lighter, finer shawl, Durable Comfy (100% microfiber acrylic, 266 m per 100 g, 3 to 4 mm) gives a soft, thinner fabric.
Whatever you choose, check the label for the recommended hook size. For a looser, drapier shawl you can go up half a size or a full size, for example to 5 or 5.5 mm (US H/8 to I/9) with Cosy Fine. Our guide to the best yarn for crochet explains how fiber and weight affect drape.
How to crochet a triangle shawl: the granny triangle
The most popular crochet shawl starts small at the center of the top edge and grows downward into a triangle. If you know how to make a granny square, you already know the stitch: the granny triangle is basically half of one, worked in rows.
- Start: make a magic ring, or ch 5 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
- Row 1: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch 1). In the ring work 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 dc. Turn.
- Row 2: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc + ch 1). 3 dc in the first ch-1 space, ch 1, then (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the ch-3 space at the center, ch 1, 3 dc in the last ch-1 space, ch 1, 1 dc in the 3rd chain of the turning chain. Turn.
- Row 3 and onward: ch 4, 3 dc in the first space, then *ch 1, 3 dc* in every space along the way, with (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the center ch-3 space. End with 3 dc in the last space, ch 1 and 1 dc in the turning chain. Turn.
- Keep going until the shawl is as wide as you want. Each row adds one cluster on each half. Expect somewhere around 30 to 40 rows for a medium shawl in a medium-weight yarn, but measure it against your shoulders rather than counting.
- Finish with a row of sc along the top edge (2 sc around the side of each dc row-end works well), so the long edge is neat and firm.
Because every row grows in the same way, you see the triangle take shape after just a few rows. And because the pattern is the same each time, it is easy to pick up and put down without losing your place.
How to crochet a rectangular wrap
If increases still feel tricky, a rectangular wrap is an easy start. Make a long foundation chain and work row after row in a stitch pattern of your choice until the wrap is long enough. A textured stitch like moss stitch or waffle stitch looks great here, because it adds interest without color changes. You'll find both in moss stitch and waffle stitch crochet. For a narrower version of the same idea, see how to crochet a scarf. And two rectangles of the same size, sewn short edge to long edge, turn into a crochet poncho.
Finishing: edging and fringe
The edging can make or break a shawl. A simple round of sc gives a neat, tidy edge. For something more playful, crochet a shell edging or picots along the bottom edges. Fringe is the quickest way to finish: cut strands of yarn twice the length you want, fold them in half, pull the loop through a stitch at the edge and pull the loose ends through the loop. Work along the whole edge, then trim the fringe straight with sharp scissors.
Common mistakes with a crochet shawl
If your shawl leans to one side or curls along one edge, you usually missed an increase somewhere, or added one too many. Count the clusters on both halves after each row: they should match. Very tight tension also makes a triangle cup instead of lying flat, which a bigger hook often fixes.
Frequently asked questions about crocheting a shawl
How much yarn do I need for a shawl?
A medium triangular shawl in a medium-weight yarn often takes about 800 to 1,000 m. In Durable Cosy Fine that is roughly 400 to 500 g, spread over several balls if you want a gradient. A thicker yarn does not save weight: it covers the area faster, but each meter weighs more, so you usually need as many grams or more.
What hook size should I use for a shawl?
Start with the size on the yarn label. For a looser, drapier shawl you can go half a size to a full size larger.
Can I crochet a shawl without a pattern?
Yes, as long as you follow the increase principle from this article: start small, grow every row by the same amount, and stop when the shawl is the size you want.
How do I stop the edges of my shawl from rippling?
Rippling edges usually mean a stitch too many has crept in somewhere. Count regularly and block the shawl when it is finished: pin it out damp in shape and let it dry. That evens out small irregularities. With acrylic-blend yarns, gently steaming without pressing the iron down works too.
What is the difference between a shawl and a scarf?
A shawl is wide, triangular or rectangular, and you wear it over your shoulders, tied or loose. A scarf is narrower and longer, and you usually wrap it around your neck.
Get started
A shawl is the kind of project where you know after a few rows whether it's going to work. Pick a yarn with drape, count your clusters every row, and in a few weeks you'll have a shawl that is entirely your own.
