Cobalt and Orange Cottage Crochet Shawl Free Pattern
Introduction
This Cobalt and Orange Cottage Shawl is a generous, triangular wrap that is as cozy as it is eye-catching. Worked top-down in one piece, it grows from a tiny center ring into a wide 60-inch triangle with bold three-row stripes of cobalt blue and warm orange. The solid double crochet fabric is dense, even, and wonderfully warm, while the scalloped shell border gives it a soft, fairycore finish that feels right at home on a woodland walk or curled up by the fire. It is a great project for anyone comfortable with basic double crochet who wants a relaxing, repetitive make with a beautiful result.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) acrylic or wool blend. Color A (cobalt blue): 400 yards. Color B (orange): 300 yards.
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional, for the center spine)
- Finished size: Approximately 60 inches wide across the top edge and 30 inches deep at the center point
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- A – cobalt blue; B – orange
Gauge
12 double crochet and 6 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in double crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in dc and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed to match.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your turning chains consistent: the ch 3 at the start of each row counts as the first dc, so work your first increase into the same stitch as the chain.
- Mark the center ch-2 space with a stitch marker so you never miss the center increase.
- Change colors on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of a row for a clean stripe edge.
- Count your stitches at the end of each color band; each band of three rows adds 18 stitches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The shawl is worked top-down in one piece, increasing at the beginning and end of each row and at the center.
Shawl Body
With cobalt (A), ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring. Turn. (6 dc, 1 ch-2 sp)
Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st, dc in each dc to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each dc to last st, 3 dc in last st. Turn. (12 dc)
Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st, dc in each dc to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each dc to last st, 3 dc in last st. Turn. (18 dc)
Rows 4-6: Repeat Row 3. (36 dc after Row 6)
Change to orange (B).
Rows 7-9: Repeat Row 3. (54 dc after Row 9)
Change to A.
Rows 10-12: Repeat Row 3. (72 dc after Row 12)
Change to B.
Rows 13-15: Repeat Row 3. (90 dc after Row 15)
Change to A.
Rows 16-18: Repeat Row 3. (108 dc after Row 18)
Change to B.
Rows 19-21: Repeat Row 3. (126 dc after Row 21)
Change to A.
Rows 22-24: Repeat Row 3. (144 dc after Row 24)
Change to B.
Rows 25-27: Repeat Row 3. (162 dc after Row 27)
Change to A.
Rows 28-30: Repeat Row 3. (180 dc after Row 30)
Change to B.
Rows 31-33: Repeat Row 3. (198 dc after Row 33)
Change to A.
Rows 34-36: Repeat Row 3. (216 dc after Row 36)
Change to B.
Rows 37-39: Repeat Row 3. (234 dc after Row 39)
Change to A.
Rows 40-42: Repeat Row 3. (252 dc after Row 42)
Change to B.
Rows 43-45: Repeat Row 3. (270 dc after Row 45)
Do not fasten off. Continue to border.
Border
Work the border with B.
Border Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire shawl, working 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-2 sp along the top edge, 2 sc in each dc along the side edges, and 3 sc in corner sts. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off B.
Change to A.
Border Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off A.
Change to B.
Border Row 3 (shell edging): Ch 1, sc in first sc, *skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * around, adjusting to end with sc in last sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
This shawl is worked in one piece, so no seaming is required. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side, using the color changes to hide tails. Block the shawl to measurements: 60 inches wide across the top edge and 30 inches deep at the center point. Pin the scalloped border into even curves and allow to dry completely.
Pro Tips and Variations
- For a lighter summer version, swap the worsted yarn for DK weight and a 4.5 mm hook, adding a few extra color bands to reach the same size.
- Try a different stripe rhythm, such as two rows of orange to three of cobalt, for a subtler cottage look.
- Add a fringe or tassels along the two slanted side edges for extra fairycore texture.
