Arches Shawl

Available from Ravelry here

Difficulty

Medium. Both complete charts with standard symbols and row-by-row written pattern given. US crochet terms used.

Yarn

Wild Atlantic Yarns Niamh 4ply. 50 % merino, 50 % silk. 400 m or 437 yards/100 g. Shown in colourway “Fire Rose”. 200 g needed for size as shown.

Construction

You will begin with just a few sts at the centre top and work down and out from there. 

Beads

Optional. Use size 6/0 seed beads, or the size you think fits your yarn. Here was used Toho seed beads size 6/0 in colour Ceylon White Ivory. Numbers used: 361 beads in all. Chart B first time: 68 beads, chart B second time: 148 beads, picot bind off: 145 beads. Beads are placed on the stitch before working it (not pre-strung on yarn). Number of beads will change if you change the size of the shawl.

Size

52 cm/20.5 inches down centre back, 190 cm/75 inches wingspan. You can make the shawl larger by repeating the middle section or adding plain rows, and smaller by leaving out the middle section or plain rows as described in the pattern. Changing the size will change the amount of yarn needed.

Hooks

4.5 mm or size G or H. Size G is 4 /4.25 mm, so if you work tightly, a size H (5 mm) might work better for you. 

Gauge

24 rows and 18 sts worked in plain section fabric (single crochet through back loop only) is 10 cm/4 inches after blocking. Gauge is not important for fit, so use a hook size that gives you a fabric you like.

Other notions

Removable/locking stitch markers. Small crochet hook or other gizmo for placing beads (if using beads). Darning needle.