The Embers Shawl is a stunning and unique accessory sure to become a favorite, featuring hand-dyed yarn and simple stitches for a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe! This beginner-friendly asymmetrical crochet shawl works up quickly using simple stitches and an easy-to-follow pattern.
Scroll down for the free crochet pattern for the Embers Shawl and click here to PIN this for later!
It’s finally properly cold here in my corner of North Carolina, none of that “pretend cold” when it’s actually still 75 degrees for weeks on end. And it’s fully dark by 5:00, so all I want to do is snuggle up on the couch and not leave my house. But I love this time of year! There’s morning frost on the fallen leaves in the backyard, I can see my breath when I take the dog out at night and we finally had to turn the heat on. All the things, in short, that make it perfect for a roaring crackling fire! The Embers Shawl was designed with the image of flickering firelight, and this asymmetrical crochet shawl turned out exactly how I envisioned it. I am so happy to share the written pattern with you here on the blog!
The Inspiration for the Embers Crochet Shawl
This is one of those situations where the yarn comes before the design, and as soon as I saw the Ablaze colorway from Montana Crochet’s recent Trailside Collection, I knew exactly what I wanted to create with it – an asymmetrical shawl! This exquisite hand-dyed yarn ranges from deep brown to brick red with flickers of orange throughout, JUST like a smoldering fire. Every time I look at it, I find new colors including shades of purple and a few little sparks of bright red; this is what I love about the unique nature of hand-dyed yarn, and it’s such a visual joy to work with! Of course, any DK weight yarn can be used to make this crochet shawl, but I am partial to hand-dyed yarn and this would be the perfect project for those hanks you have been saving up! Some other options are Premier Colorfusion DK and Lion Brand Moroccan Nights.
Design and Construction
Lately, I have become a huge fan of this shape for shawls, wraps, and scarves, and just a few months ago I designed my first ever asymmetrical wrap, The Watercolors Wrap, also featuring hand-dyed yarn. This shape is so versatile and can be worn in several different ways. My favorite way to wear an asymmetrical crochet shawl is around my neck like a scarf, and the drape of this lightweight #3 DK yarn isn’t too heavy or bulky to make that uncomfortable to wear as an accessory. The distinctive asymmetrical three-sided shape of this crochet shawl is easily created; the stitch count increases by one stitch for each row but only on one side. This shawl can be customized for length by working more half-double crochet rows, or by adding tassels or fringes.
Tips for working with hand-dyed yarn
Hand-dyed yarn comes in twisted hanks that have to be wound into balls or skeins for ease of use, and there is no better tool for that than a ball winder and yarn swift! This is one of those fiber arts items that you never knew you needed, but trust me it’s worth the purchase to avoid a giant mess of yarn tangles. Also keep in mind that due to the unique handmade nature of hand-dyed yarn, hanks in the same colorway will differ slightly in color or tone even when dyed in the same pan. Because of this, it’s important to rotate your skeins several times while working on your project to avoid any unwanted color pooling or hard lines.
This easy crochet shawl works up fast using basic stitches and the finished project is a one-of-a-kind accessory that I know you will treasure! And what a gift this would make! Happy stitching, friends!
Purchase the ad-free PDF digital download version from my shops here!
Scroll down for the free crochet pattern for the Embers Shawl and click here to PIN this for later!
The Embers Shawl – Asymmetrical Crochet Shawl – Free Pattern
SKILL LEVEL: Easy
MATERIALS:
US Size H/8 5.0 mm crochet hook
#3/DK weight yarn, approximately 750 yards used
- Weight: #3/DK 100% Superwash Merino
GAUGE: 17 hdc X 10 rows = 4 inches
Gauge is not particularly important for this project as long as the drape of your project is as desired. If the shawl is stiff and the stitches are working too tightly, consider going up a half or whole hook size.
Finished Shawl: approximately 34” wide and 57” long down the side that does not increase
ABBREVIATIONS:
ch(s) – chain(s)
hdc – half double crochet
hdc FLO – half double crochet in FRONT LOOP ONLY
sk – skip
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
ch-sp – chain space
PATTERN NOTES:
- There is no wrong side or right side to this reversible asymmetrical shawl.
- The asymmetrical crochet shawl is created by increasing each row by one stitch on the same side. You will work an increase (2 stitches into the same stitch as indicated in the pattern) either at the beginning of a row or at the end of a row.
- There are two repeating sections of this shawl – a solid half double crochet section alternating with a mesh section.
- The ch 2 turning chain DOES count as a stitch; overall stitch counts are indicated in parentheses ( ) at the end of each indicated row.
- The shawl will curve slightly on the increase side by design, but if your shawl is curving too much, work your chain 2 turning chains a bit looser.
- I used right at 3 hanks (750 total yards) of hand-dyed yarn with no leftover yarn; please make sure to purchase additional yarn if you wish to add length or embellishments like tassels or fringe to your finished shawl.
THE PATTERN:
Row 1: Ch 3, 2 hdc in the 3rd ch from hook. Turn. (3)
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc FLO in same st as base of tch and in each st across. Hdc in top of tch, turn. (4)
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc FLO in 1st st (not st at base of tch) and in each st across. 2 hdc in top of tch, turn. (5)
Rows 4 – 32: Repeat Rows 2 and 3. (33)
Row 33: Ch 2, hdc in both loops of 1st st (not st at base of tch). *Ch 1, sk next st, hdc in next st.* Repeat from * to * until tch remains. 2 hdc in top of tch, turn. (34)
Row 34: Ch 2, hdc in same st as base of tch, hdc in next st. *Ch 1, sk next st, hdc in next st.* Repeat from * to * until one st and tch remain. Ch 1, sk next st, hdc in top of tch. Turn. (35)
Row 35: Ch 2, hdc in 1st ch-sp. *Ch 1, sk next st, hdc in next ch-sp.* Repeat from * to * until tch remains. 2 hdc in top of tch, turn. (36)
Rows 36 – 50: Repeat Rows 34 and 35. (51)
Row 51: Ch 2, hdc in 1st ch-sp. *Hdc in next st, hdc in next ch-sp.* Repeat from * to * until 2 st and tch remain. Hdc in last 2 st, 2 hdc in top of tch, turn. (52)
Row 52: Ch 2, hdc FLO in same st as base of tch and in each st across, ending with last hdc in top of tch. Turn. (53)
Row 53: Ch 2, hdc FLO in 1st st (not st at base of tch) and in each st across. 2 hdc in top of tch, turn. (54)
Rows 54 – 71: Repeat Rows 52 and 53. (72)
Row 72: Repeat Row 52. (73)
Row 73: Repeat Row 33. (74)
Rows 74 – 89: Repeat Rows 34 and 35. (90)
Row 90: Repeat Row 34. (91)
Row 91: Repeat Row 51. (92)
Rows 92 – 111: Repeat Rows 52 and 53. (112)
Row 112: Repeat Row 52. (113)
Row 113: Repeat Row 33. (114)
Rows 114 – 129: Repeat Rows 34 and 35. (130)
Row 130: Repeat Row 34. (131)
Row 131: Repeat Row 51. (132)
Rows 132 – 143: Repeat Rows 52 and 53. (144)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
