Road to Nowhere

Road to Nowhere Asymmetric Crochet Shawl by Rosina Northcott

What is Being Made

Road to Nowhere is a modern, asymmetric crochet shawl designed by Rosina Northcott. This downloadable crochet pattern offers two distinct construction options to suit different yarn preferences and color palettes. The shawl features an asymmetric design that creates visual interest through its unconventional shape and construction method.

Design Options and Finished Sizes

The pattern provides two complete versions with different yarn weights and color schemes:

• Option 1 (4ply/Fingering Weight): Finished dimensions of 38 x 70 x 72 inches (97 x 178 x 183 cm) with a 2 inch (5 cm) border, featuring 5 colors in the main body
• Option 2 (DK Weight): Finished dimensions of 35 x 65.5 x 69 inches (89 cm width), featuring 3 colors in the main body

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet project employs several fundamental and intermediate crochet techniques. The pattern utilizes chain spaces and back loop only (BLO) stitching to create texture and shaping. The asymmetric construction likely involves strategic increases and decreases to achieve the modern, off-balance silhouette that defines this shawl design.

Stitches Used

Road to Nowhere incorporates the following crochet stitches:

• Chain (ch)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Treble (tr)
• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Back loop only (BLO) variations

The pattern also uses chain spaces (ch-sp) as design elements, which are common in shawl construction for creating openwork sections and visual definition.

Materials and Yarn Options

Option 1 (4ply/Fingering Weight): This version requires 5 x 50g skeins of bright colored yarn in 4ply/fingering/sock weight, plus 1 x 100g skein of grey yarn. Specific yarn recommendations include Siobahn's Crafts 4ply (85% Polwarth, 15% nylon, 200m/218yds per 50g skein) for the colorful sections and Unbelievawool 4ply (75% superwash merino, 25% nylon, 425m/464yds per 100g skein) for the grey. A 4mm crochet hook (US G/6) is required.

Option 2 (DK Weight): This version uses Stylecraft Life DK yarn (75% premium acrylic, 25% wool, 298m/326yds per 100g ball), requiring 3 balls in Charcoal, 1 ball in Fern, and 1 ball in Silver Grey. A 4.5mm crochet hook (US 7) is needed for this option.

Additional Supplies

Both versions of the pattern require 3 stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and construction points throughout the project.

Difficulty Level

Road to Nowhere is rated as an intermediate crochet project, making it suitable for crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with more complex shaping and color changes. The asymmetric construction and multi-color options add complexity beyond beginner-level patterns.