Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to design a crochet pattern with Yarnbox , a monthly yarn subscription club. I love working with new yarns, and in this case, I got the chance to use tencel for the first time. (Tencel is a plant-based rayon fiber.)
This post contains affiliate links. The yarn for the sample was generously provided by Teresa Ruch Designs. Photos © Yarnbox and used with permission.
Since I never worked with tencel before, I spent a few hours online learning about it while I was waiting for the yarn to arrive. It’s known to have excellent drape, so I already knew it had to become a shawl.
It turned out that the yarn, Teresa Ruch Designs Tencel 3/2, is even more striking in real life. It has an amazing sheen, and, since it’s hand dyed, the color changes are subtle and beautiful.
I decided the best approach would be to use a very simple stitch pattern, so that the yarn could truly shine. But I didn’t want the shawl to be snoozevile, either.
So, I designed a triangular shawl with simple stitches but an unusual construction. It has great drape to complement the yarn.
The colorway is called Blue Jazz, and it brought to mind Ella Fitzgerald.
The Ella’s Rhythm Shawl pattern is a completely adjustable triangular shawl pattern. It can be crocheted with any weight of yarn (and an appropriate size hook), and you can just keep repeating the stitch pattern until you have the perfect size for you (or, until you run out of yarn).
Updated: This pattern now includes a video tutorial.
If you make your own Ella’s Rhythm project, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
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Ella’s Rhythm Shawl
Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter
Combine an easy stitch pattern with an unusual construction to create a lacy shawl.
Finished Size
- Sample measures 52” (132 cm) wingspan x 32” (81 cm) spine before blocking; 56” (142 cm) wingspan x 36” (91.5 cm) spine after blocking.
Materials
- Teresa Ruch Designs Tencel 3/2 (100% tencel, 4 oz/113 g, 312 yd/285 m) – 2 skeins in Blue Jazz, or approximately 530 yds (484.5 m) in any light weight tencel yarn.
- US F-5/3.75 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- 21 sts in pattern (7 dc + 7 ch-2 sp) = 4” (10 cm) when blocked. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- ea – each
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip
- sl st – slip stitch
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- * Rep instructions after asterisk as indicated.
- + Rep instructions after plus sign as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Shawl is worked from top edge to corner point.
- A video tutorial for this pattern is available below.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial above, watch it here on YouTube.
Pattern Instructions
Shawl
- Ch 4.
- Row 1: Turn, sk 3 ch (counts as dc), (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch.
- Row 2: Turn, ch 5 (counts as dc + ch-2 sp, here and throughout), sk next 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp.
- Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sk first st, sl st in next 2 sts and in ch-1 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch-1 sp, ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in third ch of t-ch.
- Row 4: Turn, ch 5, (dc in next dc, ch 2) across to ch-1 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp.
- Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sk first st, sl st in next 2 sts and in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 2 sts, dc, (ch 2, dc in next dc) across to t-ch, ch 2, dc in third ch of t-ch.
- Rep Rows 4-5 until straight edge measures approximately 52” (132 cm), or until desired length is reached. Rep Row 4. Do not fasten off.
Border
- Row 1: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, sl st in ch-1 sp, sc in next 2 sts, *2 sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in next dc; rep from * across to corner ch-5, (3 sc, ch 3, 3 sc) in ch-5 sp, turn to work along next edge, +sc in side of ch 2-sp, 2 sc in side of dc; rep from + across to first row, 2 sc in side of shell, sl st in ch-1. Fasten off.
Finishing
- With yarn needle, weave in ends. Spray block.
This yarn is stunning, such a lovely vibrant shade of blue! The pattern is just perfect and thank you for sharing it!!!!
It is an incredibly beautiful yarn, Darlene. I’m glad you like the pattern!
Gorgeous! Love the color. Thank you for the pattern….
I love the color, too, Jackie. The yarn is stunning in real life.
Wow, beautiful 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing.
Joanita @ Snickerdoodle Sunday
Much appreciated, Joanita, and thanks for hosting such a fun link party!
beautiful and looks easy for me to do as I have been wanting to make one – but some patterns I have seen were too difficult for me.
can I use a fingering yarn as I already have it ??
Sure, Janis! This is a “recipe” type pattern where gauge isn’t important. You may need more or less yarn than what is listed to make your fingering version, though. I’d love to see a picture when you finish your version!
Hello, I’ve tried to crochet your pattern however I’m not getting little squares, rather clusters of double crochet. Are the brackets meant to explain or are they repeats? I’m a novice and asked someone who has experience if she could help me decipher the instructions. She came up with the same thing.
Is there a “simpler” way to do this?
Ellen, thanks for writing. I’m not able to convert the pattern for you, though I’m sure there are simpler ways to describe it.
The parentheses serve different purposes at different points in the pattern. Sometimes, as when they include (counts as…), they are meant to explain. At other points, for example in Row 1, they are to explain a series of steps to take in one stitch. When the parenthesis is followed by “across,” it indicates that you should repeat those steps.
Hi,
I love your shawl and I have also encountered issues with your pattern. Would you consider doing an online video since you say you are unable to convert the pattern?
Thanks it would be so much appreciated by us less experienced crocheters.
Nina
Thanks for stopping by, Nina. While I sometimes offer online videos, I can’t guarantee that I would have one available for this pattern on the timeline you are seeking. Please do let me know what your issue is with the pattern so that I can help.
One question about the pattern. Is one side supposed to have ‘granny square like’ clusters before you turn to do the next row? If so this seems to form the ‘necklike’ shape. Easy to follow.
Shelley, thanks for writing. Yes, there are shells on one side. If you check out the video, there are several shots where I share how this forms the long edge of the shawl.
Can you post a pic of it laid out on a flat surface? Looking for one to make for my sister’s wedding. She would like to see it flat.
Thanks for your interest, Rachel. Yarnbox has the original sample. You can see a small version of the stitch pattern flat towards the end of the video tutorial.
I love this pattern. I had a rayon yarn that was calling my name and this made it beautiful. Thank you.