Looking for a free crochet shawl pattern? Here are 23 of them: easy one-row-repeat triangles for beginners, classic granny and corner-to-corner shawls, lacy and crescent shawls for fingering yarn, cozy rectangular wraps, and two prayer shawls. Every pattern is free in full on the designer's own site, with written rows and stitch counts and no sign-up. A shawl is one of the most-loved handmade gifts there is, and many of these work up from just one or two yarn cakes.
For each pattern I've noted the yarn, hook, finished size and how it starts, so you can match a shawl to the yarn in your stash. Most triangle shawls start at the top center with a tiny ring and grow two stitches at each edge every row. That means you can stop whenever the shawl is big enough or the yarn runs out. Many designers also sell an optional ad-free PDF, but the full pattern is free on the page.
Easy triangle shawls for beginners
One simple row repeated until it's big enough. These are the best first shawls.
My First Triangle Shawl — Winding Road Crochet. Designed for beginners, in Red Heart It's a Wrap (a sport-weight cake) on a 4mm (G) hook. It starts with a chain-4 ring and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in Row 1, then the same row of solid dc repeats. The sample is about 57 inches corner to corner after 47 rows.
Easy Triangle Shawl for Beginners — Okie Girl Bling'n Things. A soft single crochet and chain mesh with a fringe, in about 1,250 yards of worsted I Love This Yarn on a 6mm (J) hook. It's rated easy, in US terms, and finishes around 63 by 33 inches. Row 1 is 4 sc worked into one chain.
Moss Stitch Shawl — Hooked by Robin. An easy one-row repeat in a long-color-change yarn (Lion Brand Landscapes) on a 6.5mm hook, with an optional three-row border and a video. Row 1 is 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc in a ring. The page doesn't give a finished size; just keep going until you like it.
Granny and corner-to-corner shawls
Granny clusters and C2C blocks are relaxing to repeat and great for color play.
Classic Granny Triangle Shawl — Underground Crafter. A traditional granny half-square triangle finished with a 7-dc shell border, in about 885 yards of DK on a 6mm (J) hook. It measures 60 inches across by 30 inches deep. It starts with a chain-4 ring and two 3-dc clusters in Row 1.
Easy Granny Triangle Shawl — Okie Girl Bling'n Things. Two skeins of a self-striping cotton sparkle yarn on a 4.5mm hook make about a 30 by 66 inch shawl. It's rated easy, in US terms. The designer found worsted didn't drape well and recommends a light (#3) yarn.
Granny Stripe Triangle Shawl — Handy Little Me. A seven-color granny stripe in worsted pima cotton on a 5mm (H) hook, rated advanced beginner. It's a generous 42 by 70 inches. Row 1 is 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc into a ring. Pick your own seven colors for a one-of-a-kind gift.
One Skein Crochet Shawl — B.Hooked Crochet. Just one ball of Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball on a 6.5mm hook. The granny stitch is worked corner to corner from the bottom point, and the shawl comes out 58 inches wide. It's rated easy, in US terms. A great quick gift.
C2C Winter Shawl — Winding Road Crochet. A corner-to-corner shawl with row counts for both chunky yarn (Caron Chunky Cakes on a 9mm hook) and worsted (on a 5mm hook). It finishes about 30 by 68 inches and has a flat-edge finishing row. It starts with a chain of 6 and 3 dc. A good way to learn C2C.
Lacy and openwork shawls
Light, drapey shawls for spring, weddings and layering.
Faded Blooms Lace Shawl — Annie Design Crochet. A two-color shell lace triangle with tassels, in about 800 to 900 meters of fingering yarn on a 4mm hook. It's rated easy and blocks out to a generous 78 by 38 inches. Row 1 is 12 dc and a chain-2 corner in a ring. US terms, with UK terms listed.
Crochet Lace Shawl — Joy of Motion Crochet. An easy lace triangle in two cakes of Lion Brand Mandala Ombré on a 6mm hook, about 58 by 24 inches. The designer says you can wear it as a shawl or a cowl. It starts with 3 stitches and repeats a three-row lace pattern.
Coral Mesh Shawl — ChristaCoDesign. An airy dc-and-chain mesh triangle in about 540 yards of sport-weight cotton on a 4.5mm hook, rated easy. It's 62 by 30 inches. The written rows start with a long foundation chain and decrease at both ends down to the point. Perfect for summer evenings.
Unchained Shawl — Jessie At Home. Only chains and single crochet, worked into long chain loops for an open, lacy look. It's made in Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable on a 5mm (H) hook and rated easy. There's no set size: just keep going.
Crescent and half-moon shawls
These curve around the shoulders and stay put. Lovely in fingering or sock yarn.
Fall into Fall Crescent Shawl — Underground Crafter. Bands of eyelets and puff stitches, in about 978 yards of striping worsted on a 6mm (J) hook. It blocks to 62 inches across with a 33.5-inch spine. It starts with 5 sc and runs 44 rows.
Liáth Crescent Shawl — Annie Design Crochet. A two-row lace repeat with a contrast edging, in about 600 meters of sock yarn on a 4mm hook. It's rated easy and blocks to 76 by 21 inches. Fully written in US terms, with an optional chart.
Half Moon Goddess — Betty McKnit. Growing fan rows of 5, 7, 9 and 11 stitches, in about 1,100 yards of fingering yarn (shown in Scheepjes Whirl), rated easy. It's 71 inches wide. Check the hooks before you start: the foundation chain is worked with a larger hook than the 2.75mm and 3mm hooks used for the body.
Whimsical Crochet Shawl — B.Hooked Crochet. An asymmetric shawl that starts like a crescent and sweeps into an S shape, in about 635 yards of Lion Brand Scarfie on a 5mm hook. It's all single crochet in the back loop, rated easy, and 94 inches wide. It wraps around the neck like a scarf.
Wraps, stoles and chunky shawls
Rectangles to wrap around your shoulders, plus cozy bulky options.
Yura Wrap — A Crocheted Simplicity. A rectangle worked on the bias, corner to corner, in Scheepjes Whirl and Whirlette fingering yarn on a 4mm (G) hook. It's rated easy and blocks to 21.5 by 62.5 inches. A bit of each color is saved for the edging.
Midnight Mist Wrap — Crochet Dreamz. A four-row lace cluster repeat with a picot border, in Cascade 220 Heathers worsted wool on a 5mm (H) hook. It's 20 by 74 inches. Row 1 is 71 sc worked into the back bumps of the chain.
Cedar Arches Rectangular Shawl — Stitching Together. Alternating bands of single crochet and half double crochet moss stitch, in Premier Everyday Worsted on a 6mm (J) hook. It's rated easy and measures about 18.5 by 68 inches.
Vera Wrap — ChristaCoDesign. A chunky wrap worked sideways with a lacy V-stitch center panel, in about 558 yards of bulky tweed on a 10mm hook. It's rated easy, in US terms, and finishes 23 by 74 inches. Fast and warm.
Crochet Shawl Scarf — Delia Creates. A textured "triangle stitch" in about 650 yards of bulky yarn on a 6.5mm (K) hook, with step-by-step photos. The sample yarn is discontinued, so use any bulky (#5) yarn.
Prayer and comfort shawls
Made with love for someone going through a hard time.
Flower Petal Prayer Shawl — Hooked on Homemade Happiness. A solid triangle with filet bands and a petal edge, in about 300 grams of worsted on a 5.5mm (I) hook. It's rated easy-plus, in US terms. The designer made it in pink for breast cancer support, and a printable version is free too.
Cluster Prayer Shawl — Hooked on Homemade Happiness. A rectangular shawl with a contrast cluster border and a picot edge, in about 700 grams of worsted in two colors on a 5mm (H) hook. It's 23 by 53 inches and rated intermediate. Row 1 is 75 sc.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet shawl for a beginner?
A top-down triangle with a one-row repeat, like My First Triangle Shawl or the One Skein Crochet Shawl. You only learn one row, and you can stop whenever the shawl is big enough.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet shawl?
A small shawlette takes about 400 to 600 yards. A full-size triangle or wrap usually takes 800 to 1,250 yards. Gradient yarn cakes are popular because one or two make a whole shawl with built-in color changes.
What is the difference between a triangle and a crescent shawl?
A triangle shawl has a deep point at the back and grows from the top center. A crescent shawl is shallow and curved, so it hugs the shoulders and can be worn like a scarf. Crescents often use lighter fingering yarn.
Do I need to block a crochet shawl?
Lace shawls look much better blocked: wet the shawl, pin it flat to size on foam mats, and let it dry. Acrylic shawls can be steam-blocked. Solid granny and chunky shawls often look fine without it.
More cozy layers to crochet
Pair your shawl with a cozy crochet cardigan or try a crochet shrug for a fitted layer. A crochet poncho gives even more coverage, and a cowl or infinity scarf is a quick add-on. New to crochet? Start with our easy scarf patterns for beginners and granny square patterns before your first shawl. Making it as a gift? Round out the box with fingerless gloves, and for a big snuggly project, see our cozy blanket patterns.
