Kaya Shawl

Kaya Shawl by Dragana Savkov Bajic

Project Overview

The Kaya Shawl is a beautiful and romantic crochet design created by designer Dragana Savkov Bajic from Dada's place. This triangle-shaped shawl is an excellent addition to any wardrobe, offering a simple yet visually striking construction that works well for crocheters with intermediate skill levels. The shawl is worked back and forth in rows, making it accessible for those with foundational crochet knowledge.

Design and Texture

The defining characteristic of the Kaya Shawl is its repetitive rows of popcorn stitches interspersed with empty spaces. This stitch pattern creates a really nice and appealing texture that gives the finished shawl visual depth and dimension. The combination of textured popcorn stitches and negative space results in a romantic aesthetic that works beautifully in both solid and variegated colorways.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques

This pattern utilizes a variety of fundamental and intermediate crochet stitches to create its distinctive look:

• Magic ring: Used to begin the shawl construction
• Chain stitch (ch): Foundation and spacing stitches throughout
• Slip stitch (slip st): For joining and finishing
• Single crochet (sc): Structural stitch used in the pattern
• Double crochet (dc): Primary stitch for the body of the shawl
• 5dc popcorn: The signature textured stitch that creates visual interest
• Double crochet in front loop (FL): Directional stitch variation for texture
• Double crochet in back loop (BL): Directional stitch variation for texture
• Cross double crochet stitch (cross dc): Advanced stitch technique for decorative effect

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Kaya Shawl is designed to be worked with sport weight yarn. The pattern recommends a 3.5 mm crochet hook (USA size 4/E) for proper gauge and drape.

Total yarn yardage required is approximately 1055 meters (310 grams), which equals 7 skeins of 50-gram yarn at 170 meters per 50-gram skein. The pattern has been successfully created with two yarn options:

• Pale green version: Maja yarn by Bim Tex, 100% cotton, 170m/50g
• Pale pink version: Cotton 8/4 by Stoff & Stil, 100% cotton, 170m/50g

Both yarns are 100% cotton, making them ideal for creating a lightweight, breathable shawl with excellent drape and a soft, romantic appearance.

Gauge and Fit

The recommended gauge is 19 double crochets and 10 rows measuring 10 x 10 centimeters (4" x 4") when worked with the 3.5 mm crochet hook and specified yarn weight. However, the pattern notes that gauge is not crucial for this project, making it forgiving for crocheters who may not achieve exact gauge measurements.

Pattern Language and Instructions

The Kaya Shawl pattern is written in English using standard US crochet terminology, making it accessible to English-speaking crocheters worldwide. The downloadable PDF format allows for easy reference during the crafting process.

Skill Level

Designated as an intermediate difficulty project, the Kaya Shawl is suitable for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with more complex stitch combinations. The repetitive nature of the popcorn stitch rows makes it an excellent project for building confidence with textured stitches and developing consistent tension.