Deck Chair in a Crochet Shawl?
This morning, my phone reminded me that three years ago today I was putting the finishing touches to this striped crochet shawl pattern. Times flies…
I designed Decked Out to be just like deck chair fabric. It was the design idea for a magazine commission all about going to the beach. I think it fits the brief quite nicely.
Three years ago we were going away for a sunny weekend in Cornwall. I’m not usually brave enough to take crochet commissions on holiday but I think I’d left it very late and I was dancing pretty close to the deadline. I needed it done ASAP so it travelled with us, a few hours away, just a little bit deeper into the West Country.
Don’t worry, it didn’t get sand on it. I left it at the B&B when we went to the beach!
Decked Out; A Striped Shawl Pattern
To celebrate its birthday, I’m releasing Decked Out for the first time since it appeared in Inside Crochet magazine. And if that’s not exciting enough, it’s right here on the blog now too! Keep scrolling for the striped shawl pattern full of bright, fun colour blocking. Or, you can buy both ad free UK and US versions of the pattern over on Ravelry, or in my Etsy store.
Oky doky, this is a lovely and simple shawl for those who fancy something a little bit more than basic stitches.
I used two kinds of stitches in this crochet design. The majority of the main body uses one of my favourites, the UK half treble / US half double worked in the front third loop. It creates beautiful ridges that provide a gorgeous texture. Then I finished it off with a classic rib of post stitches. If you have the yarn spare, add another couple of rows. I think it’s look really good.
What Yarn etc Do You Need for Your Crochet Shawl?
The yarn I used to make the Decked Out shawl is Milla Mia Sweden, Naturally Soft Merino. It’s 100% Superwash merino, 50g/ 125m/ 136yds which is sold as a sport weight yarn.
I used this soft and squishy yarn with a 3.5mm hook. I didn’t do a gauge swatch as tension doesn’t really matter for this shawl. But as you work your shawl, pay attention to the feel of the fabric. You’ll know if it looks too loose or feels too stiff. If you don’t like the squish of the fabric, just try a different hook size.
If you can’t get hold of the yarn I used, read all about Yarn Substitution to find an alternative that will work for you.
Special Stitches Needed for Your Shawl
UK hdc / US htr in 3rd front loop only: instead of working under the 2 loops that form a “V” at top of st, insert hook in horizontal loop that sits at front of st below the “V”.
For the visual learners amongst you, check out my free pattern for a chunky scarf that uses the same stitch. That’s the link to the video tutorial.
Abbreviations – US terms
BPdc = back post double, ch = chain, ch-sp = chain space, dc = double crochet,
FPdc = front post double, hdc = half double, st(s) = stitch(es), sp(s) = space(s), sl st = slip stitch.
Notes Before You Begin
The following striped shawl pattern is in US terms but if you buy the ad free PDF version, it comes in both US & UK terms.
Please note that I haven’t included where to change colour within the written pattern. Instead, there is a chart (below) that will tell you how often you need to change colour. It also includes the stitch count for the end of every colour change (it’s the stitch count for the last row of each colour used).
If you love the crochet ribbing and want to explore it further, take a look at my post all about the best crochet ribbing!
And if you enjoy this pattern, have you seen my other crochet designs? Have a look at my Free Crochet Patterns Page. Then, why not take a look at some awesome crochet tips & tricks?!
The Crochet Shawl Pattern
With YA make a magic circle, or ch4 and join with a sl st.
Row 1: 1ch (does not count as a stitch here & throughout), 1dc, 2hdc, 2ch, 2hdc, 1dc in magic circle, turn – 3 sts per side.
Row 2: 1ch, (1dc, 2hdc) in first dc, hdc to center, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in 2ch-sp, hdc to last st, (2hdc, 1dc) in last dc, turn – 6 sts per side.
Row 3: 1ch, (1dc, 2hdc) in first dc, hdc in front 3rd loop to center, (1hdc, 2ch, 1hdc) in 2ch-sp, hdc in front 3rd loop to last st, (2hdc, 1dc) in last dc, turn – 9 sts per side and increasing by 3 sts per side every row.
Continue in pattern, following chart (below) for color order/stripe sequence.
Row 4 – 67: Rep row 3 – 201 sts.
Edging
Row 68: 1ch, 3dc in first st, [2FPdc, 2BPdc] to center 2ch-sp, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in 2ch-sp, [2BPdc, 2FPdc] to last st, 3dc in last st, turn – 205 sts, increasing by 4 sts per side.
Row 69 – 71: Rep 68 – 217 sts.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Block using preferred method.
Follow This Colour Chart
In the PDF pattern you can purchase, this helpful chart is colour coded to make it a little bit easier to follow. It’s still not difficult but I like it to be pretty!
| Rows | Yarn | St count @ end of colour block. |
| 1 – 12 | A | 36 |
| 13 – 16 | B | 48 |
| 17 – 20 | C | 60 |
| 21 – 24 | D | 72 |
| 25 – 32 | E | 96 |
| 33 – 36 | F | 108 |
| 37 – 44 | G | 132 |
| 45 – 52 | D | 156 |
| 53 – 56 | A | 168 |
| 57 – 58 | E | 175 |
| 59 – 66 | C | 198 |
| 67 – 71 | B | 217 |
And it’s as simple as that! I hope you like this striped shawl pattern. Let me know if you make it and add it to your Ravelry project page too.
Cheers. x
