Crochet Tea and Sympathy' Shawl Pattern

Crochet Tea and Sympathy Shawl Pattern by Lion Brand

What Is Being Made

The Tea and Sympathy Shawl is a crocheted wrap-style shawl designed as a one-size project with a finished back waist length of 20 inches (51 cm). This versatile accessory features a lacy, textured construction that works well for layering and draping. The pattern offers two colorway options, allowing crafters to choose between different color combinations to suit their personal style preferences.

Skill Level and Construction

Rated as an Easy skill level project, the Tea and Sympathy Shawl is accessible to crocheters with basic experience. The shawl is constructed by beginning with a small chain foundation and increasing stitches at the edges throughout the project, creating a triangular or crescent shape that expands as you work. This straightforward increase method makes the pattern ideal for beginners while still producing an attractive finished garment.

Crochet Techniques Used

The primary technique employed in this pattern is incremental shaping, where stitches are increased at the first and last stitches of specific rows to expand the shawl dimensions. The pattern also incorporates color work, as three different yarn colors are used strategically throughout the design. The edging construction demonstrates working into edges, where stitches are worked evenly along the diagonal side edges of the completed shawl body.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Tea and Sympathy Shawl features a repeating lacy pattern that forms the primary texture of the garment. This lacy pattern cycles through three rows:

• Row 1: Single crochet in each stitch with a chain-2 turn
• Row 2: Repeat of Row 1 structure, followed by a chain-5 turn to set up the next row
• Row 3: Treble crochet in each stitch with a chain-2 turn

This three-row sequence repeats throughout the body of the shawl. The edging incorporates single crochet worked evenly along the diagonal edges, followed by a decorative chain-and-single-crochet edge treatment using chain-7 loops spaced between single crochet stitches.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Tea and Sympathy Shawl is designed to be worked with Lion Brand Homespun yarn, a uniquely-textured bulky weight yarn. Two colorway options are provided:

• Colorway 1: Lion Brand Homespun #341 Windsor (2 balls), #362 Quartz (1 ball), and #336 Barrington (1 ball)
• Colorway 2: Lion Brand Homespun #336 Barrington (2 balls), #341 Windsor (1 ball), and #315 Tudor (1 ball)

The pattern requires two crochet hooks in different sizes. The primary hook is a Lion Brand size N-13 (9 mm) hook used for the main shawl body, while a smaller Lion Brand size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) hook is used for the edging work. A large-eyed, blunt needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends upon completion.

Gauge and Pattern Notes

The pattern specifies a gauge of 7 stitches plus 6 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in the lacy pattern. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as important for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern includes a note that Homespun yarn is a bulky weight option with distinctive texture characteristics suitable for this lacy shawl design.