Changing Colors Shawl in Red Heart - LM5640 - Downloadable PDF

Changing Colors Shawl – Crochet Pattern LM5640 by Lisa Gentry for Red Heart

The Changing Colors Shawl (LM5640) is a stunning, large crocheted shawl designed by Lisa Gentry and published by Red Heart. This free downloadable PDF pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and produces a finished shawl measuring approximately 62 inches wide and 24 inches long — a generous, wrap-worthy accessory that works beautifully as a lightweight layer for any season.

What makes this shawl especially captivating is the yarn itself: Red Heart® It's A Wrap™ (Art. E864) is a self-striping, color-changing lace weight yarn that shifts through its palette automatically as you work, creating a naturally variegated, gradient effect without any manual color changes. The colorway used in the sample is 9252 Action. One ball — at 7 oz (200 g) / 1,100 yards (1,006 m) — is all that is needed to complete the entire project, making this both an economical and visually rewarding make.

Construction and Shaping

The shawl is constructed from the lower edge upward, worked back and forth in rows. Stitches are increased in each row to create the classic triangular shawl silhouette, so crafters can watch the piece grow wider and longer with every pass. Once the main body is complete, a decorative edging is worked in joined rounds all the way around the outer edge, giving the shawl a polished, finished look on all sides.

Stitch Patterns

One of the most engaging aspects of this pattern is the use of three distinct lacy shell patterns that are worked in sequence across the rows, adding visual texture and dimension throughout the fabric. These patterns are:

• Small Shell Pattern (sm-shell): A classic 3-double crochet shell worked into a single stitch or space. This is the foundational pattern used in the early rows of the shawl and sets the lacy, open rhythm of the fabric.
• Open Shell Pattern (LW5640 pattern): A variation that opens up the fabric further, contributing to the airy, lightweight drape that makes this shawl so wearable.
• Large Shell Pattern (lg-shell): A bold 7-double crochet shell worked into a single stitch or space, creating a more dramatic, fan-like motif that adds visual interest as the shawl progresses toward the top edge.

Special Stitches Used

The pattern introduces several special stitches that intermediate crocheters will find approachable with a little practice:

• lg-shell (large shell): 7 double crochet stitches worked into the same stitch or space.
• sm-shell (small shell): 3 double crochet stitches worked into the same stitch or space.
• V-st (V-stitch): A double crochet, chain 1, and double crochet all worked into the same stitch or space — a classic lace-building technique.
• sc-shell (single crochet shell): 3 single crochet stitches worked into the same stitch or space, typically used in the edging rounds.
• tr (treble crochet): Used at the beginning and end of rows to frame the shell patterns and maintain the shaping structure.

Core Crochet Techniques

Beyond the special stitches, this pattern draws on a range of fundamental and intermediate crochet techniques, including:

• Working in rows with turning chains counted as stitches (the chain-4 counts as a treble crochet throughout).
• Row-by-row stitch increases to shape the triangular silhouette organically from the cast-on edge.
• Joining rounds for the outer edging, which requires transitioning from flat, back-and-forth row work to working in the round — a useful skill-building step for intermediate crocheters.
• Gauge checking