Welcome to the ultimate collection of free crochet shawl patterns! Whether you’re looking for rectangular shawls or lacy triangle wraps, you’ll find your next crochet project in this comprehensive guide.
I’ll also share some of my favorite tips for beginners, including answers to the most common questions about crocheting shawls.
Choosing the Right Crochet Shawl Pattern
There are many ways to make a beautiful shawl. Crochet shawls can be triangular, rectangular, or even asymmetrical. They can be worked as one piece or assembled from many pieces using various yarn weights.
You have a lot of freedom to choose the shawl pattern that works best for you. No matter your skill level or experience, the right pattern can help you crochet a simple shawl.
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Why You’ll Love Crochet Shawl Patterns
Tips for Beginners
Making a shawl as a beginner crocheter can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never tackled increasing or decreasing. Here are some helpful tips to give you a head start on your first shawl project.
Make a Simple Shape
Rectangle wraps tend to be easier than triangle shawls. When making a rectangle, the number of stitches per row stays consistent. You don’t have to decrease or increase, which means you’re less likely to lose count of your stitches.
If you want to tackle a triangular wrap, I recommend choosing a pattern with a simple pattern repeat. The increases and stitch counts will be easier to track if you can memorize the basic pattern.
Choose the Right Yarn Weight
When deciding the best yarn weight for your shawl, think about the purpose of your shawl. Would you like it to keep you warm or function as a cute addition to your outfit?
A thinner, lacier shawl will require a lighter fingering weight or DK yarn, while a warm and cozy wrap for winter can handle a chunkier yarn. Of course, your pattern might specify a particular yarn weight.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of crocheting shawls using different yarn weights :
| Yarn Weight | Lightweight | Worsted Weight | Bulky Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best used in… | Lacy shawl patterns | More detailed shawl patterns | Chunky wrap patterns |
| Advantages | Allows for intricate lacy stitches | Looks great with more complex stitch patterns | Works up quickly |
| Disadvantages | Works up very slowly | Works up more slowly than bulkier yarn | Less drape |
| Recommendations | Truboo Coboo Mandala | Color Theory Wool-Ease | Homespun Scarfie |
Consider Using Self-Striping Yarn
Shawls and wraps in multiple colors look incredible, but weaving in all those ends can be a pain. If you’re intimidated by choosing colors or having a lot of tails to tie off, I recommend using a self-striping cake yarn.
Lion Brand Mandala or Mandala Ombre are two of the best yarns for crochet shawls because they create colorful stripes as you go without adding additional finishing work.
Block Your Shawl For an Even Finish
Blocking your completed crochet project allows you to shape it exactly as you want. It ensures that your stitches look neat and even and gives any shawl a more professional finish.
First, pin your project into place against a flat surface. Make sure it takes on the shape you want. Then spray it all over with water and leave it to dry overnight.
More Patterns to Crochet
If you’re ready to expand your handmade wardrobe, you’ll love these free crochet patterns.
Free Crochet Patterns for Shawls and Wraps
These free patterns will inspire your next crocheted wrap or shawl project. I’ve grouped them into categories, so you can find the perfect crochet shawl and start immediately.
Easy Shawls for Beginners
Try one of these easy crochet shawl patterns if you want a beginner-friendly project. Any of these free patterns will help you create a simple shawl to be proud of.
One-Skein Triangle Wrap
It looks especially great with self-striping yarn – but even if you decide to use a single color, working with one skein means you don’t have to deal with weaving in your ends.
Simple Shawl for Beginners
Reversible Tunisian Wrap
RELATED: How to Tunisian Crochet
Ribbon Shawl
Gradient Shawl
Granny Stitch Wrap
Related: Modern Crochet Granny Stitch Blanket
Triangle Shawls
These free crochet triangle shawl patterns are a little more advanced, making them ideal if you’re ready to broaden your crochet horizons. You’ll practice increasing, decreasing, and using some unique crochet stitches for shawls that can be worn over your shoulders or around your neck.
Asymmetrical Triangle Wrap
Puff Stitch Shawl
Tunisian Crochet Fade Shawl
Ruffled Edge Wrap
Modern Striped Shawl
Lattice Triangle Shawl
The simple stitches work up quickly without the hassle of memorizing a complicated pattern. Follow along with the video tutorial for an extra helping hand.
Our Latest Crochet Inspiration:
Here are a few more free crochet patterns and tutorials that are hot off the presses.
Chunky, Fast Shawls
Heavier yarn weights make these cozy winter accessories quick and easy to make. And if you want to make a full wintertime outfit, check out our favorite free crochet sweater patterns for more cold-weather gear.
Chunky Boho Shawl
Cozy Striped Wrap
Raised Stitches Wrap
Hooded Shawl
Wavy Shawl
Cluster Stitch Wrap
RELATED: How to Crochet a Bobble Cardigan
Puff and Lace Shawl
Petal Shawl
Bead Stitch Wrap
Rectangle Wraps
From lacy stoles to thoughtful prayer shawl projects, a rectangle wrap can be anything you want it to be. Its simple shape can give you a straightforward introduction to crochet shawls.
As you get more advanced, you can liven up these patterns with features like pockets and buttons. These crocheted wraps will be a total breeze if you’re familiar with blanket and afghan patterns.
Pocket Shawl
Related: Easy Crochet Poncho Patterns
Simple Lace Wrap
The mix of eyelets and dense stitches makes this the perfect wrap to transition seasons. I could even imagine it used as a wedding shawl pattern for the bride and bridesmaids.
Tunisian Herringbone Shawl
Geometric Wrap
Filet Rectangle Wrap
Intermediate Shawls
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of easy crochet wraps and shawls, why not tackle something more challenging? These intermediate shawl patterns will allow you to learn new crochet stitches, practice what you already know, and prepare for more elaborate projects like sweaters and cardigans.
Beaded Shawl
Lace Trimmed Wrap
Tunisian Patchwork Shawl
Mosaic Crochet Shawl
Tasseled Shawl
Moss Stitch Triangle Wrap
Related: Learn How to Crochet the Moss Stitch
Obsessed with finding the best free crochet patterns?
Check out these collections of handpicked patterns to find your next project.
You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.How Big Should My Crochet Shawl Be?
There’s no standard size for a shawl. Your finished product should consider the size of the person wearing it. A shawl designed for a child will be much smaller than one for an adult.
Here’s a guide to common size ranges for adult-sized shawls:
| Inches | Centimeters | |
|---|---|---|
| Triangle Shawl | 70-75” x 30-35” | 178-190 cm x 76-89 cm |
| Rectangle Shawl | 70-75” x 15-20” | 178-190 cm x 38-51 cm |
Supplies You’ll Need
The materials to crochet a shawl are similar to many other projects. Here are the basic supplies you’ll need:
- Hook in size specified by the pattern
- Yarn in the weight and quantity specified by the pattern
- Scissors to finish your shawl
- Blocking board to lay out your shawl for blocking
- T-pins to secure your project on the blocking board
- A steamer or spray bottle to apply moisture during blocking
Depending on your pattern, you may also need some other notions, including:
- Measuring tape
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
Shawl and Wrap Pattern FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about crocheting shawls.
For beginners, it’s better to stick to simple shapes. A straightforward rectangular shawl is a beginner-friendly way to crochet your first shawl. Another option is a triangle wrap that doesn’t use too many different stitches.
You can try shawls that involve more complex color work or stitch patterns as you get more advanced. You can even add crochet borders to your finished shawls and wraps.
Usually, the pattern will tell you how much yarn a project needs. If you aren’t working from a pattern, you can determine roughly how much yarn you need by making a gauge swatch.
All you have to do is make a 6″ by 6″ square using the stitches you plan to use for your project. This will tell you how many stitches per inch your shawl will need.
From there, you can calculate a rough estimate of how many yards of yarn you’ll need using the formula (length x width x gauge) / 6. I advise rounding up, just in case.
Remember that this formula doesn’t work as well for triangular shawls. When making a triangle shawl, it’s best to work from a pattern that lists yardage if you have a limited amount of yarn.
Denser, closed stitches are better for cold-weather shawls, while more decorative shawls often incorporate intricate lace stitches. Taller stitches will make for a quicker shawl project.
You can combine different stitches into your shawl designs as you get more practice. Keep the purpose of your wrap in mind as you decide which stitches to use.
A crochet shawl can take as few as two to three hours or as many as 20 hours to complete. The exact time will depend on your skill level, the yarn weight, and how distracted you are by the TV while you work!
More Accessories to Crochet
You’ll never run out of projects with these collections of handpicked patterns.
Learn a New Skill
When you’re ready to master a new skill, check out our detailed guides that include everything you need to know to level up your crochet game.
- How to Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet for Beginners – with video tutorials to get you started
- How to Crochet a Beginner Hat – make an entire beanie in 1.5 hours!
- How to Crochet Amigurumi for Beginners – the ultimate guide to making your own toys and plushies
- How to Tunisian Crochet – learn with this video and a standard hook
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss crocheting shawls and lots of other crochet projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each other’s questions and share their stitches. Join us!
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