Rue Shawl in Berroco Sesame - Downloadable PDF

Rue Shawl in Berroco Sesame – Crochet Pattern by Donna Yacino

The Rue Shawl is a stunning crochet shawl designed by Donna Yacino and published as part of Berroco Book #407. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern creates an elegant, elongated shawl with finished measurements of approximately 17 inches across by 66 inches long, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering across the shoulders or draping around the neck in cooler weather. The design is rated intermediate in skill level, making it an ideal next step for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore more structured, motif-based construction.

Design Overview

The Rue Shawl is built around a medallion-based construction, where individual motifs are joined together to form the full length of the shawl. Each medallion measures 4 inches across after blocking, and the overall composition relies on the precise joining of these units to achieve the shawl's graceful, flowing silhouette. This type of construction is a hallmark of sophisticated crochet design, allowing the crocheter to work in manageable sections while building toward a cohesive finished fabric.

The shawl is worked flat and seamlessly, meaning the construction method integrates the joining of motifs directly into the crocheting process rather than requiring separate seaming after the fact. This seamless, flat approach results in a clean, polished finish on both sides of the fabric and keeps the work straightforward to manage throughout the project.

Techniques Used

• Medallion/motif construction: The shawl is composed of individual crocheted medallions, each worked in the round before being joined to form the larger piece. Medallion-based crochet is a classic technique that offers great flexibility in shaping and sizing.
• Seamless joining: Motifs are connected during the crocheting process, eliminating the need for sewing or additional finishing seams and creating a smooth, integrated fabric.
• Worked flat: Despite the use of motifs, the overall shawl is constructed as a flat piece, giving it a structured drape appropriate for a long wrap.
• Back Post Treble Crochet (BPtr): This is listed as a special abbreviation in the pattern, indicating that post stitches play a role in the texture and definition of the medallion design. Back post treble crochet is worked around the post of a stitch from the previous row rather than through the top loops, creating raised, dimensional texture on the fabric's surface.

Stitches Used

• Back Post Treble Crochet (BPtr): A specialty post stitch that adds sculptural texture and visual interest to the medallion motifs.
• Standard crochet stitches typical of intermediate medallion construction are also employed throughout, consistent with the pattern's skill level and motif-based design.

Materials

Yarn

The pattern calls for Berroco Sesame, a worsted weight yarn sold in 100-gram skeins. The colorway specified in the pattern is #7430 Pickled Ginger, a warm, earthy tone that beautifully complements the organic, medallion-driven structure of the shawl. A total of 4 balls are required to complete the project. Berroco Sesame is the recommended yarn for this design, and the pattern notes that using the specified yarn will best ensure accurate results.

Hook

The recommended crochet hook size is 4.50 mm (US size 7), though crocheters are encouraged to adjust hook size as needed to achieve the correct gauge. Gauge is critically important in this pattern: since the shawl is built from individual medallions, each measuring 4 inches across after blocking, an accurate gauge ensures that all motifs join correctly and that the finished shawl reaches its intended dimensions of 17 by 66 inches.

Blocking and Finishing

Blocking is an essential step in completing the Rue Shawl. Because the finished measurements and medallion sizing are gauge-checked after blocking, wet or steam blocking will open up the motifs, even out the stitches, and allow the shawl to reach its full, graceful dimensions. This is especially important with medallion-based crochet, where