Hi friends!
I’ve got a brand new crochet pattern for you called the “Wrapped Up In You” Shawl.
Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- The PDF version is available on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
- Use code PATTERN10 for 10% off!
- Use the pattern hashtag #WrappedUpInYouShawl on Instagram to show off your makes!
- Shop my Lion Brand kits here.
- For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!
Preorder my book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!
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About ‘Wrapped Up In You’
This light and airy half-circle wrap is crocheted using gradient yarn that has been intentionally dyed to slowly change colours as you work with it, creating a beautifully soft colour transition throughout your work. Evenly spaced rows of eyelets ripple out from the center, adding a touch of elegance to your finished piece. Crocheted using basic stitches, this feminine shawl is perfect for a beginner crocheter or anyone looking to create a beautiful accessory with minimal effort.
The Design Process: In 2019, I was shopping on Lion Brand for some new yarn, and I wanted to try something I’ve never used before. I have seen gradient cakes all over the place, but they never really excited me until I saw this colourway. This is actually my first time ever using one. I chose a colourway with light pinks, greys, and white – called Cloudy Day. It’s really pretty. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to make with it, but I thought that maybe holding it in my hands would give me inspiration. (Sadly, it has been discontinued, but there are plenty of great substitutions below!)
I only bought one cake, and when I started playing around with it, I thought it would look cute as a scarf. As I crocheted it, I realized the drape was in-cred-ible. Like, truly incredible. I hesitantly thought I would try making it into a “shawl” type piece, and if I didn’t like it, I could just wear it in the front like a scarf. It just seemed like it was destined to become a shawl. I bought 2 more cakes immediately so that I could make a large, drape-y shawl.
Let’s talk drape for a second – it seems that everyone says “it has incredible drape” about every handmade piece. Some things don’t have very nice drape. THIS does. This drapes over the curves of your body like it is weightless. It is dramatically large, but basically folds into a weightless ball of nothing. The stitch pattern is a simple repeat of 10 rows, increasing the same number of stitches each row. It uses an easy-peasy combination of double crochet and chains to create this open, lacy stitchwork.
I called this shawl “Wrapped Up In You” because it gives me a dreamy, ethereal, romantic feeling when I wear it. The sweet play on words was just what I was looking for. (Plus, I spent hours on Ravelry trying to find an original name, and just about every shawl name already exists LOL.)
Getting Started: ‘Wrapped Up In You’ Shawl
Yarn: Sport/Fine—Lion Brand Ombré Life (discontinued) in colourway Cloudy Day
- 50% Acrylic; 50% Cotton
- 437 yds [400 m] per 3.5-oz [100-g] cake
Yardage: 3 cakes of Ombré Life or 1085 yds [992 m] of another category #2 sport weight yarn or category #1 fingering weight yarn that matches gauge. Most fibers should work fine in place of Ombré Life but be sure to swatch before beginning to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric. Choose another ombré yarn for the same soft gradient/ombré effect.
In place of Ombré Life, you can try these similar gradient yarns:
Hook: Size U.S. F/5 (3.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, five locking stitch markers.
I expected it to be a thin, twisted strand, but it’s actually 4 separate threads that you use as one. They are not twisted together like most yarns are. They are basically laying beside each other and you just use them as though they were one strand.
At first, I thought it would be challenging, but once I started using it, it wasn’t that different from regular yarn. The only thing you need to be aware of it grabbing all 4 strands when you’re pulling up loops. There were a few times where I missed one, and noticed it once I got to the next row, but I just crocheted into the loop of the missed strand and its virtually invisible.
I actually really enjoyed the fact that it was 4 strands, because it was nice to have a change from what I’m used to. That’s what this entire project was about – I needed something brand new to push myself outside of my little box. And a category 2, at that. This wrap took me many, many 8-hour days. I worked on it for 2 and a half weeks, of course that also includes some frogging, re-doing, re-frogging, etc. until I got it right. This was a labour of love, and I really enjoyed it. This may be a simple design, but it still challenged me in new ways and opened my eyes to new things: gradient yarns, #2 fine weight yarn, and shawls.
I love that the increases are not all in the exact same line throughout each row. They are slightly staggered, which makes the increase points look blurred. I like this very much. I didn’t want any harsh lines or corners, but I wanted the entire piece to be soft with curved lines – hence the semi-circle shape.
Gauge
I wanted to include the gauge swatch instructions below so that you could practice swatching with your chosen yarn to ensure you have a yarn that will work with this pattern before purchasing the book or the pattern individually. This way, you can see if you have something in your stash that will work before ordering new yarn.
4 x 4” [10 x 10 cm] = 16 sts x 10 rows in double crochet, blocked.
Finishing
Once I was all done, I used blocked my shawl lightly on these blocking mats. You can always block your shawl in halves, one at a time, if you don’t have enough blocking mats to fit the entire shawl at one time. I found that the stitches already looked pretty even, so I just did some light blocking on the straight edge.
Yarn Substitutions
The yarn used in my sample is a 50% Acrylic, 50% Cotton blend, however you are free to use any fiber content that you like for your own shawl! Listed below you will see a variety of yarns that will work just fine in place of Ombré Life, so long as you match gauge!
Substitute Ombré Life with any similar fingering (category #1) or sport weight (category #2) yarn that matches gauge. Some lighter-weight category #5 yarns may work well with this pattern, too. Always swatch before beginning so you can be sure your chosen yarn creates a fabric you love.
Other gradient yarns that will work in this pattern:
- WeCrochet Stroll Gradient (a lot of great colour options)
- Hobbii Twister
- Rico Design Cotton Dégradé
- Red Heart It’s A Wrap
And of course, you can use non-gradient yarns too. Any sport weight or fingering weight yarn will work! Try some hand-dyed skeins for a super special shawl.
Pattern Tester Photos
You can find the pattern in these places:
On my website here.
On Ravelry here.
On Etsy here.
(Use the code “PATTERN10” for 10% off all patterns)
I can’t wait to see your WIPs! Make sure to tag me @knitsnknotswpg and use the pattern hashtag #WrappedUpInYouShawl so that everyone can see your projects!
Happy crocheting,
Janine x
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