Blue Holly

Blue Holly Asymmetric Crochet Shawl by Jan Power

What Is Being Made

Blue Holly is an asymmetric shawl designed and created by Jan Power. This triangular shawl is worked sideways, making it an ideal project for crocheters seeking a garment with dramatic geometric styling and exceptional drape. The finished shawl measures 47 inches (119 cm) along its longest edge, providing generous coverage for layering or wrapping.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level crochet pattern employs a geometric, triangular stitch pattern that creates a delicate, lacy fabric. The sideways construction method allows the shawl to be worked in a continuous manner, building the triangular shape as you progress. The geometric stitch pattern is specifically engineered to produce amazing drape, a quality essential for shawl designs. The pattern works up quickly relative to its finished size, making it an efficient project for crocheters of intermediate skill.

The design is particularly well-suited to variegated or tonal yarn colorways, which enhance the geometric stitch pattern's visual interest. The pattern would also work beautifully with gradient yarns, allowing the color transitions to complement the triangular shaping.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch): Foundation and structural stitch throughout the pattern
• Chain space (ch-sp): Creates openwork areas within the geometric pattern
• Single crochet (sc): Used in combination with shells to form the repeating pattern units
• Shell stitch: The primary decorative element, repeated in sets of four to create the lacy, geometric fabric

The core pattern repeat consists of a shell stitch combined with single crochet, repeated four times to equal approximately 3¾ inches (9.5 cm) in width at gauge.

Materials and Yarn Information

Blue Holly is designed to work with fingering or sock weight yarn. The pattern sample was created using sock weight yarn, demonstrating the shawl's versatility. However, the designer notes that other yarn weights can be easily substituted based on individual preference and desired finished dimensions.

Recommended yarn options include:

• Hedgehog Fibres Sock Fingering (90% Merino/10% Nylon blend): 400 meters per 100g skein, available in colorways such as Powerscourt or Green Elephant
• Yarn SW BFL Light Fingering (100% Bluefaced Leicester wool): 437 yards per 100g skein (420 meters/460 yards), available in the Sunrise colorway

A 4.50 mm crochet hook is recommended, though hook size may be adjusted to achieve the specified gauge. Gauge is measured as 4 pattern repeats (shell plus single crochet repeated four times) equaling approximately 3¾ inches (9.5 cm).

Project Summary

Blue Holly represents an excellent intermediate crochet project for makers seeking a quick-to-complete shawl with sophisticated geometric styling. The combination of sideways construction, lacy triangular stitch pattern, and responsive drape makes this design suitable for both variegated and solid-colored yarns in the fingering and sock weight categories. The pattern's efficiency and elegant finished appearance make it an appealing choice for crocheters looking to expand their shawl-making repertoire.