Hooked on Shawls

Hello again everyone, I hope this post finds you well. In this post we’re going to discuss crocheted shawls in all their glory…

Do you crochet? Have you made any shawls? Are you hooked on making them like me?!

At first I wondered why I’d ever need a shawl and when I’d even wear one but I needn’t have wondered because they’re great for all seasons and can be worn as scarves or in the traditional way, wrapped around your body – especially on those summer nights that are a little chilled.

In my opinion, the process of making a shawl is just so relaxing and the repetitiveness of the patterns just lulls me into a calm state of being able to think about things while watching any colour changes occur from the yarn and any texture develop.

When gathering photos for this post I was amazed to find I’d made 12 shawls over the years, mostly given as gifts, but all made with love. Some of them I had completely forgotten about ever making!

I buy all of my yarn from Wool Warehouse and have linked to each of the mentioned yarns below, purely for your convenience, and if you’re anything like me sometimes you just want a quick look at prices before your mind starts making plans! I’ve also linked to the designers and their patterns where possible because these fabulous people deserve some love too!

Let’s make a start…

• Pattern name: Timeless Fields Shawl
• Designer: Natasha Thorley – Buttonnose Crochet
• Yarn: Stylecraft Merry Go Round in Dark Rainbow, Stylecraft Special DK in Bottle for the border

This shawl was my first-ever time pattern-testing for a designer, it was so much fun! This is such a warm and fluffy shawl and the pattern crocheted up really quickly.

• Pattern name: Endless Love shawl
• Designer: Natasha Thorley – Buttonnose Crochet
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Turquoise Turntable

• Pattern name: Endless Love shawl
• Designer: Natasha Thorley – Buttonnose Crochet
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Cotton Candy Man

• Pattern name: Endless Love shawl
• Designer: Natasha Thorley – Buttonnose Crochet
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Jumpin’ Jaffa Pop

Isn’t this pattern by Natasha just divine! I had completely forgotten about the turquoise version I’d made. Two of these were gifts, the Cotton Candy Man version is mine though – it’s in the selfie at the top of the post!

Natasha, the designer, has a knack for high-impact and easy-to-remember pattern repeats that free your mind up for a bit of mental wandering.

• Pattern name: Granny Triangle Shawl
• Designer: Jennifer Quinn (me!)
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Caramel Core Blimey

• Pattern name: Granny Triangle Shawl
• Designer: Jennifer Quinn (me!)
• Yarn: Scheepjes Stone Washed – I think!

Okay, let’s get my super-simple design out of the way! I remember many many many years ago when I laid my hands on an elusive Scheepjes Whirl for the first time I had asked my Instagram friends to help me decide what to make with my Caramel Core Blimey and we decided on a shawl. There were very few shawl patterns for Whirls available then as they were still so new and even though I could have used any old pattern, I wasn’t very familiar with shawl patterns in general as this was my first ever shawl, so I did what I did best…a Granny stitch!

I used the Whirl until I had a small amount left then designed the border pretty much as I went. For the rainbow stripes I knew how many repeats I wanted and after a few prayers to the crafting Gods so I didn’t run out of yarn I was able to do a simple picot border.

• Pattern name: Lost in Time shawl
• Designer: Johanna Lindahl – Mijo Crochet
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Raspberry Rocky Roads

This pattern is amazing. I gifted this to my Mam so cannot be certain but, I am sure this finished a little smaller than some of the other Whirl shawls purely because the pattern is denser in texture – a bit of a yarn-eater! You still get a big shawl out of one Whirl though. This pattern is so detailed and highly-textured that I remember wondering if I was up to the job but despite the detail it is such a nice and easy pattern to crochet up, so well-written, and the pattern is fairly easy to remember as well, so plenty of time for a mental walk while you stitch away!

Next up will be my favourite shawl pattern and despite loving all the shawls I’ve made (even though I have forgotten many of them) I know this is my favourite because I have made 4 of them…

• Pattern name: Virus Shawl / Virustuch
• Designer: Julia Marquardt
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Red Velvet Sunrise

• Pattern name: Virus Shawl / Virustuch
• Designer: Julia Marquardt
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl Pistachi Oh So Nice

• Pattern name: Virus Shawl / Virustuch
• Designer: Julia Marquardt
• Yarn: Stylecraft Special DK – I think!

• Pattern name: Virus Shawl / Virustuch
• Designer: Julia Marquardt
• Yarn: Stylecraft Cabaret – I don’t think this colourway is still available

Julia, the designer has a series of 5 video tutorials for this shawl in both right-handed and left-handed versions that are included with the pattern, if you scroll to the bottom of her link you will see them. This is such an easy and rhythmic pattern to repeat until you reach the desired size. It truly is a contagious pattern from a very talented designer and overall lovely lady.

I made these such a long time ago that I forgot about all of them except the last one and that’s only because I own it!

Bella Coco Crochet also has a brilliant tutorial for the Virus Shawl – she even uses the same yarn and colour as me!

• Pattern name: Wild Ginger Shawl
• Designer: Lisa Cook – Lisa’s Attik
• Yarn: Scheepjes Whirl in Pink to Wink

And last but not least is this triangular pattern repeat that looks lovely as you crochet it but really comes to life after blocking it. This was another gift I made and I remember the pattern and yarn together were what converted me into being a massive lover of the colour pink. I don’t know why I’d rebelled against pink for so many years but it got me in the end!

I have SO many of Lisa’s patterns, she is such a talented designer. I even received her book years ago as part of a Christmas craft swap I took part in on Instagram.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little showcase of shawls. I’m just happy to finally have them all recorded somewhere! I hope it’s inspired you to have a look at some of the designers’ patterns who I’ve mentioned, it’s made me want to pick up a pattern and a Scheepjes Whirl and start hooking again!

As we all know, when it comes to any small crafting business or profile, just a like or a comment can not only boost that person’s day but it can get them seen to an even wider audience. The designers I have mentioned here are all so gifted, if you do have a moment then please take a look at their profiles and pattern catalogues.

Have you got a favourite shawl from the selection I’ve shown you? Any yarn colours that pop out at you? Have you made any of these shawls? If so, what are your thoughts on the patterns?

Thanks for reading and happy stitching everyone x