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This geometric crochet shawl pattern is so fun to make, using both double crochet and half double crochet stitches to bring about a fun patterned piece. The Checkered Balance Shawl is perfect for adventurous beginners and intermediate crocheters alike. Worked from side to side, this pattern contains fun geometric patterns throughout and ends with a fun fringe detail on each end. I had the pleasure of getting to work this pattern up using Furls’ Wander yarn and it was a silky dream!
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Pattern Inspiration
Sometimes, an idea strikes you at just the right time and that’s exactly what happened to me in designing this shawl. After seeing so many fun, geometric patterns trending in so many stores, I set out to create my own geometric pattern. I knew I wanted to create a rectangular crochet shawl that would be easy for so many levels of crocheter to make and that would work up quickly.
Crocheting this one up was such a breeze as the pattern itself works up quickly and the bulkier weight of the yarn I used helped it work along fast too. Patterns that work up quickly and become mindless are some of my favorites to work up and I’m so glad I was able to achieve that same feeling while designing this shawl.
Pattern Details
The shawl is worked from side to side with fringe detail added on at the end. It’s the perfect rectangular wrap pattern to layer over so many cute outfits. Making this shawl is a breeze and I’d recommend it for adventurous beginners as well as intermediate crocheters. Note: the chain 4 at the beginning of each row counts as a dc and ch 1 throughout the pattern.
Materials:
- Furls Wander Yarn (630 yds / 6 skeins) | I used the color Thatch but there are so many fun colors to choose from!
- You can also make this pattern up in ANY weight of yarn which I find so fun! You may want to adjust your starting chain count and row count if you choose to use another yarn and instructions for that are provided below as well!
- 5.0mm crochet hook. Furls streamline resin hooks are my personal favorite – they help avoid wrist pain while crocheting
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle or other tool to weave in ends
Stitch Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- st – stitch
- sp – space
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- hdc v-st – half double crochet v stitch (hdc, ch1, hdc in the same stitch)
- t-ch – turning chain
Gauge
Because you’re able to work this pattern up using any yarn weight you choose, there is no gauge for this pattern. You can make this wrap as wide or as long as you’d like by changing up your starting chain count and adding or removing rows.
Checkered Balance Crochet Shawl Crochet Pattern:
Ch 80
Row 1: Dc in the 2nd ch from hook. *Ch 1, skip next ch, then dc in the next ch*; repeat from * across until the end. [40 dcs]
Row 2: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next st. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc above next st*; repeat from * across until the end.
Row 3: Repeat row 2, ending with a dc in the 2nd ch from the last dc (3rd ch of the t-ch). [40 dcs]
Row 4: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next dc. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp and dc in next dc. ** *skip next ch-sp, then hdc v-st in next dc*; repeat from * to * 9 more times. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in next dc*; repeat from * to * one more time.** Repeat from ** to ** two more times. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in the next t-ch.
Row 5: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next dc. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp and dc in next dc. ** *skip next ch-sp, then hdc v-st in center of next hdc v-st*; repeat from * to * 9 more times. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in next dc*; repeat from * to * one more time.** Repeat from ** to ** two more times. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in the next t-ch.
Row 6: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next dc. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp and dc in next dc. ** *Skip next space then hdc v-st in center of next hdc v-st*; repeat from * to * one more time. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, then work a dc in the center of the next v-st and in the ch-sp after. Continue working a dc in the center of each v-st and ch-sp for a total of 11 dcs. *Skip next ch-sp, then hdc v-st in center of next v-st.*; repeat from * to * one more time. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, then dc in next dc*; repeat from * to * one more time.** Repeat from ** to ** two more times. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in the next t-ch.
Row 7: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next dc. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp and dc in next dc. ** *Skip next space then hdc v-st in center of next v-st*; repeat from * to * one more time. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, then work a dc in each of the next 11 sts, including ch-sps. *Skip next ch-sp, then hdc v-st st in center of next v-st*; repeat from * to * one more time. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, then dc in next dc*; repeat from * to * one more time.** Repeat from ** to ** two more times. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in the next t-ch.
Rows 8-10: repeat row 7.
Rows 11-12: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next dc. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp and dc in next dc. ** *Skip next ch-sp or st, then hdc v-st in next st (for sts that already have a hdc-v st, work in the center of that st)*; repeat from * to * 9 more times. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in next dc*; repeat from * to * one more time.** Repeat from ** to ** two more times. Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc in the next t-ch. Note: all hdc v-sts should be stacked on top of each other, with each new v-st being placed in the ch-sp in the middle of the v-st below it.
Rows 13-15: Ch 4 & turn. Skip first st and ch-sp and dc in next st. *Ch 1, skip next ch-sp, and dc above next st (for hdc v-sts, work the dc in the center of the v)*; repeat from * across until the end.
Rows 16-: Repeat rows 4-15.
Once complete, block your piece. I recommend spray blocking for this pattern.
Pattern Adjustments
To adjust the length of this piece, you can add/remove rows as needed, making sure to repeat rows 4-15.
To adjust the width of the garment, you can add or remove from your starting chain count. The chain multiple for this pattern is 24 + (8+2). So, if you’re looking to add onto the existing chain count, you can add 24 chain increments. If you are looking to remove chains from the original chain count, you remove that same number of chains. Lastly, if you’re looking to make up your own starting chain count, you’d chain a multiple of 24 chains, then add another 10 chains to account for the turning chain and ends of the rows.
