Having stumbled over this gorgeous free crochet shawl pattern while researching my wedding I could not leave it unmade with the name “virus shawl” I guess you could say I was infected! It is addictive and I had bought the wool to make a second one before I finished the first one.
I have always preferred to work from a diagrammatic pattern when there is a strong repeat as I find it a lot easier to refer to while crocheting. I have undiagnosed Irlen which means paragraphs of text are very tricky for me. Anyway I searched and could not find an accurate diagrammatic pattern in UK standard terms so I have since made one to assist you should you wish to get addicted too. Here it is! If you would like a high resolution version just email me and I can send it on to you.
It’s a great pattern to crochet and it grows quickly too. I would definitely advise picking a colour change yarn as it really does show off the pattern to the full. I used red heart yarn unforgettable in colour Polo and I have bought more in a different colour way ready for shawl two. I am hoping to make two triangles next time and combine to make more of a poncho or jumper as shawls aren’t something I wear very often.
I have added the written pattern below, I have translated it from US terms from gifts by Helen to UK terms the original designer of this pattern is unknown but they really do deserve a medal for such a lovely straightforward and effective pattern.
I hope you enjoy making one as much as I have and don’t forget if you need a little help with any crochet or knitted project you can come along to my CrafTEA club on Fridays during term time.
Please share your makes with us on facebook, instagram, twitter or simply pop in to show them to us – we love seeing what you create.
Happy hooking, Karen x x x
Virus Shawl – Written Pattern
Using a colour changing yarn makes a very pretty shawl, how many balls you need depends a little on your tension and how big you would like your finished shawl to be.
If you are using double knit I would recommend a 5mm hook as it makes for a more relaxed draped shawl.
Abbreviations
ss – slip stitch
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
Row 1 – Ch 10 then join with a ss to form a ring.
Row 2 – Ch 3 (counts as the first tr, throughout) 19 tr in to the ring, turn (20 sts)
Row 3 – Ch 3, tr in each stitch around, finish with a tr into the top of the previous ch 3, turn (20 sts)
Row 4 – Ch 3 then ch 1, tr in the next stitch then ch 1, repeat this until you reach the last stitch, tr in the last stitch, turn (20 sts, 19 ch1 spaces)
Row 5 – Ch 3 then ch 7, dc in the 2nd ch1 space,* ch 4, skip a ch space and dc in the next space* repeat from * to * twice, **ch 7 skip a space dc in the next space**, repeat from ** to ** once more, repeat * to * three times, finally ch 7 and tr in the 3rd ch of the previous ch 3, turn. (2 tr and ch 7 spaces, 9 dc, 6 ch 4 spaces and 2 ch 7 spaces).
Row 6 – Ch 3, 9 tr into the ch 7 space, *dc into the next ch 4 space, ch 4* repeat from * to *, then dc into next ch 4 space, 10 tr into the ch 7 space, 10 tr into the next ch 7 space (20 tr in total), repeat from * to *, then dc into next ch 4 space, 9 tr in the ch 7 space and tr into the top of the previous ch 3, turn. (40 tr, 6 dc, 4 ch 4 spaces)
Row 7 – Ch 3, tr in to each stitch, *dc into the next ch 4 space, ch 4, dc into the next ch 4 space*, tr into each stitch, repeat from * to *, tr in each stitch and finish with a tr in the top of the previous ch 3, turn. (40 tr, 4 dc, 2 ch 4 spaces)
Row 8 – Ch 3 then ch 1 more, *tr in the next stitch then ch 1, repeat this until you reach the last tr stitch before the ch 4 space, tr in the last stitch, skip the ch 4 space* and then repeat from * to *, after the last ch 4 space, TR then ch 1 in each stitch to the end and finish with a tr in the top of the previous ch 3, turn.
Row 9 – Ch 3 then ch 7, dc in the 2nd ch1 space,* ch 4, skip a ch space and dc in the next space* repeat from * to * twice, **ch 7 skip 2 ch spaces to bridge the dip, dc in the next space**, repeat from * to * three times,***ch 7 skip a space dc in the next space***, repeat from *** to *** once more, repeat * to * three times, repeat from ** to ** and then repeat from * to * three more times finally ch 7 and tr in the 3rd chain of the previous ch 3, turn. (2 tr and ch 7 spaces, 17 dc, 12 ch 4 spaces and 2 ch 7 spaces) – This is the final row of every pattern repeat as it sets up the layout for the repeat of the pattern.
Row 10 onwards repeat rows 6 to 9 increasing the number of ch 4, skip a ch space and dc in the next space repeats and ch 7 skip 4 spaces to bridge the dip, dc in the next space repeats. Continue repeating the pattern until you are happy with the length at which point stop at row 8.