Aspen Shawl

Aspen Shawl by Rachel Counts

What is Being Made

The Aspen Shawl is a crocheted triangular shawl designed by Rachel Counts. This beginner-friendly project creates an easily adjustable wrap featuring a repeating stitch pattern that allows crafters to customize the finished size to their preference, making it suitable for various garment scales from smaller wraps to larger shawls.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Aspen Shawl is worked flat in turned rows using a strategic increase pattern. The shawl features increases positioned at the beginning and end of each row, as well as increases worked through the center of the piece. This multi-directional increase approach creates the characteristic triangular or crescent shape typical of modern shawl designs. The repeating stitch pattern structure allows crafters to work additional rows to achieve their desired finished dimensions without requiring pattern modifications.

Stitches Used

This crochet pattern utilizes fundamental stitches combined with special stitch techniques:

• Chain (ch) – the foundation stitch
• Slip Stitch (sl st) – used for joining
• Single Crochet (sc) – basic stitch for structure
• Double Crochet (dc) – primary stitch throughout the pattern; the pattern notes that ch 3 at the beginning of rows counts as a double crochet
• Shell (sh) – a special stitch defined as (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) worked into the indicated stitch, creating decorative texture
• V-Stitch – a special stitch defined as (Dc, ch 2, dc) worked into the indicated stitch, adding openwork elements

Materials and Tools

The Aspen Shawl requires 200 grams of sport weight yarn. The designer used hand-dyed yarn from Sapphires n Purls in the original sample, though any sport weight yarn in preferred colors will work for this project. A G/4.5mm crochet hook is used throughout the pattern, paired with a yarn needle for weaving in ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, the Aspen Shawl is accessible to newer crocheters while still offering engaging stitch work. The combination of basic stitches with special stitches like shells and V-stitches provides skill-building opportunities without overwhelming complexity.