Valley Yarns 40th Anniversary Cousteau Shawl Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns 40th Anniversary Cousteau Shawl

What is Being Made

The Cousteau Shawl is a crocheted lace triangle shawl designed by Doris Chan for Valley Yarns' Guest Designer Series. This wearable triangular wrap features finished measurements of 31 inches long at the center back point and 64 inches wide along the top edge after blocking, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Construction and Techniques

This shawl is worked top down in a seamless construction, meaning it grows from a single starting point at the top and expands downward without requiring seaming. The piece is worked flat using a crochet hook, allowing for easy customization of the finished length by simply adding or omitting rows as desired. The lace technique creates an open, airy fabric with decorative eyelet patterns throughout the body of the shawl.

The design grows at the center back and at each front end, creating the characteristic triangle silhouette. This top-down approach allows crafters to adjust dimensions to suit their individual frame, style preferences, and personal mood, making it a versatile project for different body types and occasions.

Stitches Used

The Cousteau Shawl employs several fundamental crochet stitches within an easily memorized two-row repeat lace stitch pattern:

• Chain (ch): The foundation stitch used throughout the pattern
• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch creating the fabric structure
• Single crochet (sc): Used for shaping and stitch definition
• Yarn over (YO): Essential for creating lace openings and decorative eyelet effects
• Dc3tog (double crochet 3 together): A decrease stitch combining three stitches into one, used for shaping the triangle

The two-row repeat pattern is designed to be easily memorized, making it accessible for advanced beginner level crocheters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with lace patterns and shaping techniques.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, which is 100% Extrafine Merino Superwash. Two yarn options are provided: 3 skeins of the hand-dyed version by Madelinetosh (100g/274 yards each) in the Cousteau colorway, or 6 skeins of the standard Valley Superwash DK (50g/137 yards each) in color #18 Classic Navy. The hand-dyed option offers color variation that adds visual interest to the finished shawl.

Hook: A US Size I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook is required for this project.

Additional Materials: A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends, and a stitch marker is optional but helpful for tracking pattern repeats.

Gauge: The pattern specifies 2 repeats and 8 rows should measure 4½ inches in the lace stitch pattern of the body, measured in straight rows and columns. Achieving proper gauge is important for obtaining the finished measurements.

Special Notes on Hand-Dyed Yarn

The pattern includes guidance for working with hand-dyed yarns, which can vary from hank to hank. To avoid visible stripes or color blocks in the finished shawl, crafters are advised to work a couple of rows from one hank, then switch to the next hank rather than completing entire hanks in sequence. This technique ensures a more evenly distributed color variation throughout the piece.