Fisherman's Shawl

Fisherman's Shawl by Mrs Moon

What is Being Made

The Fisherman's Shawl is a triangular crocheted wrap designed by Mrs Moon. This downloadable crochet pattern creates a lightweight, elegant shawl that measures 135 cm along the cast-on edge and 105 cm in depth. The triangular construction begins at the bottom edge and decreases on one side only, tapering to a single point at the top. The shawl features decorative stripes that progressively get closer together as they approach the top point, creating a visually interesting gradient effect.

Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level crochet project employs the airy trellis stitch as its primary construction method. The trellis stitch creates an open, breathable fabric that is not heavy despite the shawl's generous size, allowing it to drape beautifully when worn. The pattern uses a one-sided decrease technique to shape the triangular form, meaning decreases occur on only one edge while the other edge remains straight. The striping technique involves changing colors at regular intervals, with the spacing between stripes decreasing as the shawl narrows toward the point.

Stitches Used

• Double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch forming the foundation and body of the trellis pattern
• Chain stitch (ch) – used to create the open spaces within the trellis pattern and for turning chains between rows
• Treble crochet (tr) – referenced in the tension guide as part of the trellis pattern structure

Materials and Tools

The Fisherman's Shawl requires DK weight yarn, specifically Plump DK as shown in the pattern. The yarn color scheme uses three colors: 5 skeins of Plump DK in the Main Colour (MC), 1 skein for Contrast Colour 1 (CC1), and 1 skein for Contrast Colour 2 (CC2). The pattern shows examples in color combinations including Liquorice as the main color with Bonbon/Bubblegum and Damson Jam as contrasts, or Pavlova as the main color with Marmalade as a contrast. A 4mm crochet hook is required for this project.

Pattern Details

The pattern begins with a chain foundation of 240 stitches, creating the cast-on edge of the shawl. The tension is worked at 11 stitches (measured as 1 treble and 1 chain) by 9 rows over the trellis pattern. The construction method alternates between color sections, with each color change marked by fastening off and joining a new yarn color. Double crochet stitches form the base of each row, with the trellis openwork created through the strategic placement of chain stitches between stitches.