Life is often hard, and even the clearest skies have clouds sometimes. And as crocheters, we can make it better. One way is by making prayer or comfort shawls for those who need an extra hug, and to feel our love. The Big Sky Shawl was designed with this idea in mind - while maintaining a sense of style - and it's a free crochet comfort shawl pattern here on Moogly!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
The Shawl Story
The Big Sky Shawl is made with Lion Brand Homespun, a favorite yarn for those crafting for others. It's warm, soft, and the yarn creates the texture - which means simple stitches shine. And the Big Sky Shawl does indeed use simple stitches, so almost anyone can make this easy crochet prayer shawl pattern!
The colors I used for the Big Sky Shawl are Montana Sky and Clouds - appropriate, no? Streaks of gray cut through the blue sky, but there is more blue than gray, to remind us of the bright times to come. The shaping creates a triangular shawl that's more V shaped than anything, with corners that wrap easily around the shoulders to stay in place. And it doesn't just help the person you give it to - it helps you too! Studies have shown time and again how crocheting improves our mental health, making this an excellent way to help others while you help yourself.
How to Wear It
You can wear the Big Sky shawl across the shoulders as a standard shawl, or wrapped around the neck with the point in front - either way, the optional tassels on the points help keep it where you put it. It's only 20 rows long (plus a couple rounds for the border), so you can whip one up in a just a few evenings. So let's get started!
Big Sky Shawl
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- US-P/Q, 15 mm hook (Clover Jumbo Hook)
- 350 yds Lion Brand Homespun (Bulky/”5″/UK 12-14 ply; 185 yds/169m; 6 oz)
Color A: Montana Sky (2 skeins, 255 yds)
Color B: Clouds (1 skein, 95 yds)
Note: Leftover Color B was used for tassels, does not require an additional yarn purchase if recommended yarn is used. - Clover Tassel Maker, Large (optional)
- Stitch Markers (Clover Lock Ring Markers)
- Gauge: 5 sts x 3 rows = 4" in dc (fabric is very stretchy, and size is approximate)
- Size: 65" wide, 32" long, 54" along sides
- Crochet Abbreviations and Tutorials
- Helpful Tutorials: Magic Circle; Standing Double Crochet (substitute this st for sl st join, ch 2, and 1st dc of Rows 17 and 19 if desired); Switching Colors (for the Border Round 1)
NOTE: This pattern begins with a magic circle (see linked tutorial above). However, it is worked in rows, so do not join at the end of Row 1. If you prefer to avoid the magic circle, you can begin with your preferred method for beginning work in the round. Move the stitch marker up each round as directed.
INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1: With Color A, make a magic circle, ch 2 (does not count as a st here or throughout pattern), dc 7 in the ring, place marker (PM) in the 4th (center) st; turn. (7 sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, 3 dc in the 1st st, dc in each st to marked st, 3 dc in marked st (PM in center st of these 3 sts), dc in each st to last st, 3 dc in last st; turn. (13 sts)
Row 3 - 16: Repeat Row 2. At the end of Row 16, break yarn. Each Row increases by 6 sts.
Row 17: With Color B, join with slip stitch to 1st st and ch 2, 3 dc in the 1st st, dc in each st to marked st, 3 dc in marked st (PM in center st of these 3 sts), dc in each st to last st, 3 dc in last st; turn. (103 sts)
Row 18: Repeat Row 2; break yarn. (109 sts)
Row 19: With Color A, repeat Row 17. (115 sts)
Row 20: Repeat Row 2; turn do NOT break yarn. (121 sts)
Border:
Round 1: Continuing with Color A, ch 1, sc in each st of Row 20, working 3 sc in each corner/point (PM in center st at point); then sc across top of shawl, along the sides of the previous rows, working 2 sc in the side of each row, switching to Color B when crocheting into the sides of Rows 17 and 18; then join to 1st st of Border Round 1 with Color B, break Color A (do not turn).
Round 2: Continuing with Color B, ch 1, (sc, dc) in 1st st, skip next st, *(sc, dc) in next st, skip next st; repeat from * to st before marked st, (sc,dc) in each of the 3 sc sts worked into the point in Border Round 1, skip the next st, then repeat from * again to opposite corner; break Color B (top of shawl remains unworked in this round).
Tassels (optional):
Make 2 tassels using Color B, with Large Clover Tassel Maker on the largest, 4" setting. Sew to corners of shawl.
And that's the Big Sky Shawl! I hope you enjoy this free crochet shawl pattern! And I hope you use it to create comfort shawls and prayer shawls for those in your life who need them. And maybe one for yourself too!
The Fine Print
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2017, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern. Please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. To print or download, use the Print Friendly button below. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!
Nancy Roulier
Isnt there any other way to print this pattern besides downloading it? I do not download things. I always just use the print friendly and it prints the pattern. Very frustrating. I love the pattern. It always was so easy.Nancy
Wendy
You can copy and paste into your favorite word processor, print from there, and then not save the changes. I know it's not as convenient as having a print-friendly version here, but it is an alternative to downloading. Hope that helps.
DIANA LOWE-DISALVO
You can also change the font and size of print if you cope to word/
Maggie
Often times I will open Word, do a highlight of what I want to copy, do a copy, paste in Word, then print. This way I can copy and paste only what I want and not all the ads that come with it. Maybe give it a try.
Tamara Kelly
You can certainly use Print Friendly, the green button to do so is at the bottom of the post. 🙂
Jana
Hi Tamara,
The Print Friendly button is having some issues. It won't include the picture. :/
Tamara Kelly
I'm sorry to hear it was glitching! It's an external plugin program (essentially the green button here is just a link that activates the program on their end), so when it is on the fritz all I can do it wait it out with everyone else. It does seem to be working well now! Another option would be printing out the photo separately with the right click of your mouse. 🙂
Wendy
I love it! I may have to make this one. Of course being in Montana, I may be a bit partial! Thank you so much for your great and wonderful projects and items!
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you so much Wendy!
Arlene
Thanks forthe pattern! I can't waits on make this!
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you Arlene!
Nadine Z
You can always download the "Print Friendly App" for your desktop and use that instead of the one in each of the separate programs. That's what I uses since there are so many sites that offer free patterns but don't have the "Print Friendly" button. It works great and, so far, I have not had any problems except for Little Monkeys...their site doesn't work at all with Print Friendly.
You should give it a try. I have it as a button right on my desktop so I have access to it and am able to edit the document before I save it. This way I can get rid of all the advertising and extra spaces before it's saved. I don't know what I'd do without it.
Saundra
I'm having a problem with row 17. Why does it say slip st in first st? Why not "join"? Then it says "3 dc in first st, 3dc in marked st", which is way up in the center. Shouldn't if be "dc in each st til pinned st"? THEN "3dc in marked st"? So isn't this just row 2 repeated? I love the look of this and I really want to make one. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Saundra
I meant join the new color not join in a circle. Sorry. 🙂
Tamara Kelly
Hello Saundra, and thank you!
The slip stitch is to indicate what kind of join to make, it was a wording choice. However, you are correct that there is a snippet missing, I will fix it now!
Tamara
Thanks so much for this beautiful pattern. I belong to a Prayer Shawl ministry, at church, and I always enjoy new patterns for shawls. I made mine with the same colors as you. Do you think there's enough of the cream color remaining to do the same contrasting rows on another shawl? Love your blog!
Tamara Kelly
Thank you so much, Tamara! 😀 I think there should be enough left, yes. 🙂
Liana kowalzik
Thank you so much! I just finished my shawl in Edwardian and Clouds, so it's a Night Sky Shawl. I just love it! My daughter has requested that I make her one also.
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you Liana! I'm so glad you (both) like it! ♥
Liana Kowalzik
I love this pattern! I made a shawl for a friend in Claret, Wildfire, and Golden, so it's a wine by the fire shawl, perfect for someone who loves warm colors!
Tamara Kelly
Thank you Liana! ♥
Lauren
I bought a ball of "Shawl in a ball" yarn to make with a pattern from Lion Brand (I ordered it online), and the yarn was a nightmare to try to work into chains with. I'm so glad I found this pattern, because it was so easy to start the shawl (starting with a foundation chain or even foundation crochet stitches were just not working with this yarn) and since it's just double crochet, the yarn actually looks really nice and is not driving me crazy now. I'm using an I (5.5mm) hook and omitting the border and tassels- in case anyone else bought this yarn and then realized how difficult it is to work with. I love your blog and patterns!
Tamara Kelly
Thank you so much Lauren! I'm so glad this pattern is working for you! Working into heavily textured yarns for the chain is so tricky sometimes!
Shelley
Hey, there! I bought the yarn to make this. Just wondering if an extra row or five could be added pretty easily without affecting the way it hangs in front. Thanks so much!
Tamara Kelly
Hi Shelley! Absolutely! It'll just keep getting bigger! 🙂
Shelley
Thank you souch!
Lacy Z
We're currently in Montana for my honey's job (will likely be here a couple of months), so I'm working up this shawl to commemorate my experience here. I'm a Texas girl experiencing climate shock Snow in April is just crazy to me! LOL
Tamara Kelly
Oh my I bet! 😀 I hope you enjoy it! (And stay warm!)