Helena Shawl—Free Granny Shawl Crochet Pattern

I am so excited to share with you guys a pretty crochet shawl for women: Helena Shawl! This granny shawl crochet pattern is so easy and fun to make. Plus, there is quite a story behind the design.

Believe it or not, I did not make this entire shawl. The first white “granny” section was made by my Great Grandmother! My Great-Grandma Helen used to crochet granny triangles to go on the backs of her chairs. She started the first part of this shawl as a chair-backer, but never finished it.

So yes, I named this shawl “Helena” since it is a nickname of of the name Helen. It sounded the most natural out of all the Helen nicknames I could find!

After Grandma Helen died, my mom took the unfinished triangle and kept it. However, she wanted it to be complete. At the time, I was little, so I obviously didn’t know how to crochet. My mom gave it to my Aunt, who added a couple more white rows.  As I got older, it just got tucked away, unused.

Then, a couple months ago, I had a brilliant idea. What if I turned it into a shawl?! I could picture it in my head—a classic granny stitch, with some alternating rows of more modern lace. Plus, I could work it up really fast since half of the shawl was already made!

There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you see a design finished, and it looks exactly like you pictured it. It did end up taking longer than I expected, since I had to tear out the lace more than once trying to figure out the math—but the result was worth it, don’t you think? 🙂

I used Red Heart Super Saver for this pattern. I love this yarn because it is inexpensive, but not low quality. It is machine washable and dryable, so great for easy care. Plus, after it comes out of the dryer, it gets even softer than it starts out!

Helena Shawl Pattern – A Crochet Granny Shawl Pattern

By Desert Blossom Crafts

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Notes: 

1. Shawl is one large triangular piece. Each row will have a center increase.

1. Turn at the end of each row, unless otherwise specified.

1. When turning, ch 3 counts as a dc.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn, approximately 350 yards total

• Sample yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (here are other purple yarns that could look pretty in the lace section! Just make sure you choose one that is worsted weight.)

• J/8 crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge

• Yarn needle to weave in ends

• Steam blocking materials (for instructions, click here)

Finished measurements:

20” up middle shells, 33” between the top tips (see pictures under the finishing section for more details)

Gauge:

(note that gauge is not critical for this pattern)

First 4 rows of pattern = see schematic below: (not to scale, just for measurements)

Instructions:

Row 1: Ch 4, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook. Ch 1, 3 dc in same ch (4th ch from hook). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as a dc, here and throughout), 2 dc in 1st st. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch 1. Ch 1, Sk next 2 dc, 3 dc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in first st. Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next middle ch-sp (middle shell made). Ch 1, sk next 2 dc, 3 dc in next ch-sp. Ch 1, sk next 2 dc, 3 dc in last dc. Turn.

Row 4-17: Ch 3, 2 dc in first dc. (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp) until middle shell. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-sp of middle shell. (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp) across all ch-spaces. Sk 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in last dc.

(At the end of row 17: 32 3dc shells, plus middle shell). Do NOT turn.

The next rows (the lace, see picture) will all be worked with the RS of the shawl facing. In order to accomplish this, you will fasten off on the left edge of the shawl, and then join a new color on the right edge and continue with next row.

Row 18: with right side facing, join new color with a sc in first st on right edge of shawl. Sc in every dc and every ch-sp across entire row. (135 sc). Do not turn.

Row 19: With right side facing, join new color with a sc in first st on right edge of shawl. (Ch 7, sk 4 sc, sc in next sc) 13 times. Ch 1, sk 1 sc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next sc. Ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st. (Ch 7, sk 4 sc, sc in next sc) 13 times.  (26 ch-7 spaces, plus 1 middle shell). Do not turn.

Row 20: With right side facing, join new color with a sl st in first st on right edge of shawl. Ch 5 (counts as a dc, ch 2), sc in next ch-sp. Ch 2, *4 dc in next sc. Ch 2, sc in next ch-7 sp, ch 2. Rep from * across whole row. When you get to the middle st, it will be exactly the same—you’re just working into the ch-2 sp instead of ch-7 sp. Dc in last sc. Do not turn.

Row 21: With right side facing, join new color with a sc in first st on right edge of shawl. (Ch 7, sc in the middle of next 4 dc shell) 13 times. Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next sc. Ch 3, sc in the middle of next 4 dc shell. (Ch 7, sc in middle sp of next 4 dc shell) 13 times. Fasten Off. Do not turn.

Row 22: With right side facing, join new color with a sc in first st on right edge of shawl. Sc again in same sc. (Sk next ch, sc in next 5 ch. Sk next ch, sc in next sc) 13 times. Sk next ch, sc in next 2 ch. Sc in next dc. 3 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next dc and next 2 ch. Sk next ch, sc in next sc. (Sk next ch, sc in next 5 ch. Sk next ch, sc in next sc) 13 times. Sc in last sc once more. (169 sc). Fasten Off. Do not turn.

Row 23: With right side facing, join new color with a sl st in first st on right edge of shawl. Ch 3, 2 dc in first st. (Ch 1, sk 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc) 27 times. Sk 2 sc, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next sc (middle shell made). (Ch 1, sk 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc) 28 times (56 3 dc shells, plus middle shell). TURN.

Row 24: Rep row 17 (this is just a regular granny row).

Row 25: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1) sk next 3 dc, 3 dc in next ch-sp. (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp) across to middle shell. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-sp of middle shell. (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-sp) across all ch-spaces. Ch 1, sk 2 dc, dc in last dc. DO NOT TURN.

Row 26: With RS facing, join new color with a sc in first st on right edge of shawl. Sc in every dc and every ch-1 space across. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Block to finished measurements. If you used acrylic yarn like I did, use a method called steam blocking. To learn how to steam block, click here.

When Blocking, you will want to take 2 measurements of the shawl

1. Measure up the middle shells, from the point to the edge. (20”).

1. Measure the length from each top tip (33”).

Once you do your blocking, throw your Helena shawl over your shoulders—you’re all done!

© 2018 All rights reserved. You may print this pattern for private use only. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern in any way for any public or commercial use. Your finished items are yours to do with as you wish.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to help! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest for lots more crochet inspiration!