A193 Halcyon Shawl

How to Crochet a Halcyon Shawl

Crochet a generous triangular shawl featuring a central openwork panel, layered shell motifs and decorative picot edging. Three coordinating colours create broad tonal sections that highlight the expanding lace pattern.

The shawl is worked from the top centre outwards in rows. Each four-row pattern sequence adds another shell to either side of the centre panel, gradually increasing the width and depth.

Project Details

• Project number: A193
• Difficulty: Intermediate crochet
• Construction: Worked from the top centre outwards
• Shape: Triangular shawl

Finished Measurements

• Approximate width: 174 cm
• Approximate depth: 83 cm

What You Will Need

Yarn

• Colour 1 – Grey: 3 × 50 g balls of Lincraft Cotton 4 Ply
• Colour 2 – Linen: 2 × 50 g balls of Lincraft Cotton 4 Ply
• Colour 3 – Cream: 2 × 50 g balls of Lincraft Cotton 4 Ply

Hook and Equipment

• 3.50 mm crochet hook
• Wool needle for sewing in ends
• Stitch markers, optional

Alternative Yarns

Choose a smooth 4 ply, fingering-weight or light sport-weight yarn that produces an open, flexible lace fabric using approximately a 3.50 mm hook. As tension is not critical, the hook size may be adjusted to suit the selected yarn and preferred drape.

• Mercerised cotton 4 ply: Creates crisp stitches, clearly defined picots and a slightly polished finish.
• Standard cotton 4 ply: The closest substitute for the breathable feel and stitch definition of the original shawl.
• Cotton and bamboo blend: Produces a softer shawl with fluid drape and a subtle sheen.
• Cotton and acrylic blend: Creates a lighter, resilient shawl with easier care and quicker drying.
• Merino or wool-blend 4 ply: Produces a warmer shawl with more elasticity and a softer lace effect.
• Gradient or long colour-change yarn: Can replace the separate colour sections and create continuous tonal transitions across the shawl.

Match replacement yarn by total metreage rather than ball count. Avoid heavily textured or fluffy yarns, as they may obscure the shells, picots and open centre panel.

Tension

Tension is not important for this project. However, crochet a small sample of the opening rows to make sure the fabric is flexible and the stitch details remain visible.

A tighter tension will create a smaller, firmer shawl, while a looser tension will produce a larger shawl with greater drape and may require more yarn.

Crochet Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sp: space
• sl st: slip stitch
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• dtr: double treble crochet
• st or sts: stitch or stitches
• rep: repeat
• C1, C2 and C3: Colours 1, 2 and 3

What Is a Picot?

A picot is a small decorative loop worked along an edge. In this pattern, make a picot by working the stated chain stitches and securing them with a double crochet as directed.

Keep the picot chains relaxed and consistent so the decorative points sit evenly around each shell.

Understanding the Shawl Pattern

The shawl contains three main elements:

• Groups of three treble stitches form the open body of the shawl.
• A central 3 tr, 4 ch, 3 tr group creates the point and centre panel.
• Eight-treble shells are followed by picot rows to create the decorative lace sections.

Begin the Shawl

1. Using the 3.50 mm hook and Colour 1, make 8 chain.
2. Join with a slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring.
3. Row 1: Make 4 chain, which counts as 1 double treble. Into the ring work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble and 1 double treble. Turn.

Build the First Openwork Sections

2. Row 2: Make 4 chain. Work 3 treble in the space between the turning double treble and the first treble. Work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre 4-chain space. Work 3 treble and 1 double treble in the space after the final treble. Turn.
3. Row 3: Make 4 chain. Work 3 treble between the turning double treble and first treble, then 3 treble in the space between the next two groups of 3 treble. Work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre 4-chain space. Work 3 treble between the next two groups, then 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.
4. Row 4: Make 4 chain. Work 3 treble between the turning double treble and first treble. Work 3 treble in each space between the groups of 3 treble until the centre. Work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre space. Continue with 3 treble in each group space, finishing with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.

Create the First Pair of Shells

5. Row 5: Make 4 chain. Work 3 treble between the turning double treble and first treble, then 3 treble in the space between the next two groups. Work 8 treble in the centre 4-chain space. Work 3 treble in the corresponding group space on the opposite side, then finish with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.
6. Row 6: Make 4 chain. Work 3 treble between the turning double treble and first treble, then 3 treble in the next group space.

Work one picot in each of the next 8 treble. Continue with 3 treble in the spaces between the groups, work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre 4-chain space, then mirror the picot and treble sequence on the second side. Finish with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.

Rows 4–6 generate one shell on either side of the centre panel.

Create Two Shells on Each Side

7. Row 7: Make 4 chain. Work the established 3-treble groups to the first shell. Work 1 treble in the space before the first picot.

Work the following shell sequence four times: 3 chain, miss 2 picots, 1 treble in the space before the next picot. Miss 3 treble, work 3 treble in the space between the groups, then repeat the shell sequence across the second shell.

Work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre space, then mirror the sequence on the opposite side. Finish with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.

8. Row 8: Make 4 chain and work the established 3-treble groups. Work 3 treble, 4 chain, 1 double crochet in the second of the 3 chain four times across each shell section.

Work 8 treble into the next 4-chain shell space, continue through the centre panel and mirror the sequence on the other side. Finish with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.

9. Row 9: Make 4 chain. Work the established treble groups, then create picots across each group of 8 treble.

Between the shell sections, work 3 treble in each group space. Work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre space and mirror the arrangement on the second side. Turn.

10. Row 10: Make 4 chain and work the established group and shell sequence. Work repeated 3-chain spaces between the picots, then 8 treble into each new shell space.

Continue through the centre panel, mirror the sequence on the opposite side, then finish with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.

Rows 7–10 generate two shells on either side of the centre panel.

Change to Colour 2.

Create Three Shells on Each Side

11. Row 11: Make 4 chain and work the established 3-treble groups to the shell sections.

Across each shell, repeat: 3 chain, miss 2 picots, 1 treble in the space before the next picot four times. Work 3 treble between adjacent shell sections, continue to the centre, then work 3 treble, 4 chain, 3 treble in the centre space.

Mirror the shell sequence on the other side and finish with 3 treble and 1 double treble in the final space. Turn.

12. Row 12: Make 4 chain and work the established treble groups. Across each shell, work the 4-chain and double-crochet sequence, then work 8 treble into the next shell space.

Continue through the centre panel, mirror the sequence on the opposite side and finish the row as established. Turn.

13. Row 13: Make 4 chain. Work the established groups, then create picots across each group of 8 treble.

Work 3 treble between the shell sections, continue through the centre panel and repeat the picot sequence on the second side. Turn.

14. Row 14: Make 4 chain. Work the established treble groups and chain spaces, working 8 treble into each new shell space.

Continue to the centre panel, mirror the sequence on the second side and finish the row as established. Turn.

Rows 11–14 generate three shells on either side of the centre panel.

Continue Expanding the Shawl

• Rows 15–18: Repeat Rows 11–14, generating 4 shells on either side of the centre panel.
• Change to Colour 3.
• Rows 19–22: Repeat Rows 11–14, generating 5 shells on either side of the centre panel.
• Rows 23–26: Repeat Rows 11–14, generating 6 shells on either side of the centre panel.
• Change to Colour 1.
• Rows 27–30: Repeat Rows 11–14, generating 7 shells on either side of the centre panel.
• Rows 31–34: Repeat Rows 11–14, generating 8 shells on either side of the centre panel.
• Change to Colour 2.

Finish the Shawl

1. Fasten off securely after completing the final colour change or continue the four-row sequence to make a larger shawl.
2. Use a wool needle to weave in all loose yarn ends.
3. Gently wet-block the shawl to approximately 174 cm wide and 83 cm deep.
4. Pin the centre point, upper edge and shell sections into shape while the shawl dries.
5. Open the chain spaces and picots gently so the lace pattern is clearly defined.