Yay! It’s Friday and I can finally share the pattern for the My Story Shawl with you. This last week has been full of stories for the Lookatwhatimade family and I am still debating which ones I can share with you. So, while I keep myself busy with pondering, you are welcome to start making this shawl..
The pattern is very simple (but not boring). Think of it as a blank canvas to tell your story on!
Using a long colour-change yarn like Whirl (761) creates a gentle graduation of colour, with each colour stretching over multiple rows. The colour stripes at the bottom of the shawl will be wider than the stripes at the top. If you haven’t heard of Whirl yet, you can read more HERE. It is gorgeous to work with and at 1000 meters per 200g ball, it makes for a substantial yet light shawl.
One of my friends asked me how I choose which end of a slow colour-change ball to start with, so I thought I would touch on it here. When choosing which end of the ball to start working from, ask yourself this question: “Of the two colours, which one would I rather have framing my face, and which one will showcase my derrière to maximum advantage?” As a general rule, I prefer darker colours at the bottom and lighter colours at the top. I would be interested to know how you go about deciding.
Using a shorter colour-change yarn like Invicta Colour (958 x 2) will yield more stripes, with colours at the bottom of the shawl stretching over a few rows and colours at the top of the shawl lasting less than a row each. Invicta Colour is one of those yarns that I keep returning to. You can have a look at my Railway Mandalas and the Namaqualand Shawl if you would like to see more examples of how it works up.
If you are interested in the reasoning behind the name of the shawl, you can find out more HERE in my Reveal post from last week.
My Story Shawl Pattern
© Dedri Uys 2017. All Rights Reserved. Copyright protected by Scheepjes.
Resources
- Add This Pattern to Your Ravelry Queue
- NEW April 2024: Dutch Translation by Michael Wassenaar – includes links to Dutch Video Tutorials
- NEW April 2024: Michael has also done Step-by-step Videos in English:
Materials
- Scheepjes Whirl Pistachi Oh So Nice (761) – 4 ply/220 g/1000 meters (60% cotton/40% acrylic) – available from WoolWarehouse (Internationally), as well as other Scheepjes retailers.
- 3.25 mm crochet hook
Abbreviations
US Terminology (US/UK conversion chart HERE)
- Ch – Chain
- Dc – Double crochet
- Sl St – Slip stitch
- St – Stitch
- () – Repeat instructions between parentheses the number of times specified. Also used to indicate stitches to be worked into the same stitch/space.
Gauge
Following the pattern: 15 dc + 14 ch-1 spaces (width) and 13 rows (height) per 10 cm (4”) square – unblocked.
Gauge is not massively important with this pattern.
Size
192 cm wide by 64 cm high (75” x 25”) – unblocked.
Notes
If you need help with the magic ring, please see THIS TUTORIAL. I still advise you to work your yarn ends away VERY thoroughly when using the magic ring.
The picot edge of this shawl is created as you go. Your work will be asymmetric at the end of every row. Each row will have a picot at the start, but not at the end. This will be fixed at the start of each subsequent row.
Chart
Instructions
Row 1
Working into a Magic Ring:
Ch 6 and sl st into the fourth chain from the hook (indicated with an arrow in Photo 1 and illustrated in Photo 2). This counts as your first dc and picot throughout. Make 2 dc. (Ch 3, 3 dc) twice. Close the magic ring and turn. {9 dc, 1 picot, and 2 ch-3 spaces}
Row 2
Ch 3, sl st in the dc at the base of the ch-3 to form a picot (indicated with an arrow in Photo 1 and illustrated in Photo 2). Sl st in the next 2 dc and in the ch-3 space (Photo 3). Ch 6 and sl st into the fourth chain from the hook. (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the same ch-3 space (Photo 4). Ch 1, skip the next st and dc in the next st. Ch 1 and skip the last st. (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the next ch-3 space (Photo 5). Turn. {13 dc, 1 picot, 2 ch-1 spaces, and 2 ch-3 spaces}
Row 3
Ch 3, sl st in the dc at the base of the ch-3 to form a picot. Sl st in the next 2 dc and in the ch-3 space. Ch 6 and sl st into the fourth chain from the hook, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the same ch-3 space. Ch 1, skip the next st and dc in the next st. (Ch 1, dc in the next ch-1 space) until you have worked into each ch-1 space. Ch 1, skip the next st and dc in the next st. Ch 1 and skip the last st. (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the next ch-3 space. Turn. {16 dc, 1 picot, 5 ch-1 spaces, and 2 ch-3 spaces}
Rows 4 to Forever (see Note below)
Repeat Row 3. Each repeat will have 3 more dc and 3 more ch-1 spaces than the previous repeat.
Note
For the example shawl, Jenny ended up making 86 rows in total. Depending on your tension, you might have to make more or fewer rows. Just keep repeating Row 3 until you don’t have enough yarn to make another repeat, or until your shawl is as large as you want it to be, then finish off as instructed below.
Finishing Off
When you have made your last row, ch 3 and sl st in the dc at the base of the ch-3 to form a picot, remembering to turn before you do so. Fasten off and work away your ends.
Blocking
This shawl does not need to be blocked, but you are welcome to do so if you want to. For blocking, I usually use these Interlocking Foam Exercise Mats. They are similar to these Knitter’s Pride Lace Blocking Mats
If you are going to make this shawl, please share your photos using #mystoryshawl so that Jenny and I can Oooh and Aaah!
Scheepjes Whirl and Invicta Colour are both available from WoolWarehouse and Deramores (Internationally), as well as other Scheepjes retailers.
Want to see more of our ‘My Story’ journey?
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
tgruy says
Thank you so much for this pattern! I enjoyed crocheting it and it turned out gorgeous! I could translate it into Spanish for you if you want me to.
Dedri Uys says
Hi. Thank you :)
It would be lovely if you could. Will you use the contact me button to send me an email and we can start a chat about it?
Katy W says
This has become my “go to” shawl it works up so quickly and works with a multitude of yarns and yarn weights. I’ve made it with Shawl in a Ball by Lion Brand I’ve made it with Red Heart Ombré and many others. This is by far my favorite shawl and when people ask me what shawl they should make this one is always my first recommendation.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Katy. I am so glad that you like it so much. Once you get your head around the start and end of each row, it is a brilliant project to take anywhere without having to concentrate. Have you posted any photos of yours? I would love to see them.
Dedri
Kat says
Hi! I love this shawl and the simplicity of it. Your photos are greatly helpful to a beginner like me too!
If I want a tighter fabric, can I use singles in place of doubles? Obviously I would need more rows, but would it work ok with the pattern? I’ve never modified a pattern before :)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Kat. In this instance, it wouldn’t work as the picot edging wouldn’t be accurate if you used sc.
Dedri
Naomi says
Just finished this. The end product was gorgeous. I hope you can see it. I did the #mystoryshawl on Facebook. :)
Dedri Uys says
Hi Naomi. I don’t think I have seen it. Could you tag me?
mayumi says
this is a lovely, lovely pattern!! thank you for offering it for free!! I am enjoying every stitch of my first shawl & will definitely make more than one. thank you so very much.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you!
Katie says
Does this pattern use the full 1000 meters of yarn? I live in the US so I have to buy a different brand of yarn I can get locally and wanted to know how much I should get.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Katie. It does use the entire skein to achieve the stipulated size, but you can stop earlier to make it smaller or keep going to make it larger. It just depends on how big you want your shawl to be.
BETTY POMROY MARTINEZ says
Hello Mis. Dedri:
I just started making this beautiful shawl. I love this pattern and I should of started it sooner! I like the genius idea of the picot at the end and then creating the shawl as we go on. I will take a picture when done and put it on Ravelry or FB so that you can see it. Great pattern!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Betty. I look forward to seeing it! It’s a simple pattern, but it gives me so much joy :)
Karen says
Absolutely LOVE this pattern, especially because the border comes along with each row. I’m wondering how to configure to make a small blanket (rectangle/square) with the border. I’ve thought about making 2 and joining them. Any suggestions? or other patterns you have that create the border as you go? Thanks!!
Dedri Uys says
Hi, Karen. Thank you :) I was working on a square that has a similar construction, but this particular pattern repeat (the shawl) yields a shallow triangle that won’t give you a square if you add two together. Unfortunately, I have lost my trial square, and I have been searching for it for months. I am pretty sure that one of my boys has ‘borrowed’ it for some reason known only to them. It will eventually turn up, and when it does, I will write the pattern and publish it.
Alejandra Neurohr says
que hermoso es, te felicito!!!!!
Hoy te he encontrado y eres una inspiracion para futuros trabajos. Muchas gracias por compartir!!!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you very much x
Alison says
I made the shawl but not as big with 2 balls scheepjes spirit and a 4.5mm hook. I love it, I have only made more ‘equal triangle’ shapes until this one. Have also started a second but leaving out the picot so getting a step effect using King Cole Riot in rainbow colour. Thanks for you blog I do enjoy it.
Dedri Uys says
That sounds lovely, Alison. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Donna says
Hi! I found this pattern a couple of days ago and thought I would give it a try even though I already had a granny shawl started. After about 4 rows of your pattern I was hooked! I ripped out my granny shawl and re wound my yarn and I can’t wait to finish this shawl! I’m not sure how to describe this but my favorite part of this shawl is the fact that the “point” is more rounded than the granny shawl. This will now be my go to pattern for shawls, thank you so much for sharing!
Dedri Uys says
Oh thank you! I’m so pleased you like it so much :)
Greta says
Hi Dedri. I sent you a message on the form you provide but still have not seen a reply and I’d like to start on your Crochet Mesh Bag made with T-shirt yarn. However, I’m really confused with the first row. The pattern is really confusing to me. Help, please! Thank you Greta
Dedri Uys says
Hi Greta. You are working into both sides of your foundation chain to start so that you can continue making the bag in a spiral. Please have a look at this tutorial by All About Ami. It explains how to work into both sides of the foundation chain. I hope that helps.
Greta says
Dedri, Thanks for your help. I did figure it out. I’ll look at the tutorial anyways.
Fiona says
Lovely pattern Dedri, nice and easy for a beginner like me! I’ve learned the double magic ring and done 9 rows of my shawl in the Lavenderlicious Whirl this evening. I started on the outside of the whirl, with the grey colour, as I want the deep purple closer to my face. I’m struggling a bit with the lightweight yarn and small hook though, (I have very poor eyesight and also some issues with dexterity) and wonder if the pattern would also work with, say an Aran weight yarn and a larger hook?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Fiona. I find it harder to work with skinny yarn too, so I just have to take it slower than when I work with fat yarns. The more I work with skinny yarn, though, the more I love it. You can make this with any hook/yarn combo you feel comfortable with, but it just won’t drape as well with aran.
Nithya says
Is it suitable as a beginner project?
Dedri Uys says
Yes it is. Only ch, dc, sl st.
Margaret says
Gorgeous shawl. Thanks for sharing this clear pattern. I ‘ll think of telling a story when I am choosing my colors.
Have a nice day, Margaret
Isabel says
Thank you so much. I’m going to do it. I received 4 whirls and was just waiting for the right pattern. Love yours!!!
Dedri Uys says
4 whirls? You lucky girl!!
eva zykánová says
i started today, it works great, thak you for sharing
Dedri Uys says
Oh good. You’re welcome :)
Bhani says
I love the border, you can also ad flowers and such as appliqué.
Dedri Uys says
Definitely!
Deb Knaff says
What a gorgeous shawl. I can’t crochet so I am in awe as well as very jealous of your skills. You should be so very proud of your master piece!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Deb. You should give it a go. There are so many useful tutorials on youtube. My husband has even learned to crochet!
Michele Tellinghuisen says
I would love to know if there is a way to save or bookmark your patterns ?? I’d love to print some out for my mother I am unable to crochet as I am going blind but she’s been looking for a shawl pattern for me for a while and I have a grandbaby due on Thanksgiving our first one!!!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Michele. You will find a print-friendly button at the bottom of every post. You can use that to save/print the patterns. You can also delete unwanted blocks of text and/or photos. I hope that helps. I am sorry to hear that you are losing your sight.