Valley Yarns 40th Anniversary College Park Shawl Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns 40th Anniversary College Park Shawl

What is Being Made

The College Park Shawl is an L-shaped crocheted shawl designed by Edie Eckman as part of Valley Yarns' Guest Designer Series. This versatile accessory measures 12 inches wide by 38 inches long with edging and can be styled multiple ways—fastened with a button closure or shawl pin, or simply draped over the shoulders. The finished piece features an elegant all-over openwork texture combined with a decorative border, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Crochet Techniques Used

This shawl employs several intermediate to advanced crochet techniques that work together to create its distinctive appearance and structure. The project is worked bottom-up in a seamless construction, meaning the shawl is made as one continuous piece with minimal finishing required. The design is worked flat rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward row-by-row construction. The shawl incorporates lace techniques throughout, creating the openwork texture that gives the piece its airy, elegant quality. The combination of these techniques makes this an ideal project for advanced beginners who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns and shaping.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body of the shawl is the Crossed Treble Pattern, which repeats over a multiple of 2 stitches. This pattern alternates between two rows: Row 1 (right side) begins with a chain-3 foundation (which counts as a double crochet), then works a series of crossed trebles by skipping one single crochet, working one treble in the next stitch, then working another treble in the skipped stitch while working behind the stitch just made. This creates an interlocking, textured appearance. Row 2 (wrong side) consists of single crochets worked into each stitch across, plus a single crochet in the third chain of the foundation chain-3.

The decorative border is constructed using V-stitches, which are formed by working a double crochet, chain-1, and another double crochet into the same stitch. These V-stitches are worked evenly spaced and strategically placed at corners to shape the L-form of the finished shawl. The border incorporates 14 V-stitches across one section, 33 V-stitches across another section, and 50 V-stitches across the longest section, demonstrating how stitch count is adjusted to accommodate the shawl's unique shape and ensure proper drape.

Materials: Yarn and Hook

The College Park Shawl requires 2 skeins of Valley Yarns Charlemont Hand Dyed yarn, which is hand-dyed by Dream in Color. This yarn is composed of 60% Fine Superwash Merino, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide, offering a luxurious blend that combines the softness and breathability of merino wool with the lustrous sheen and smooth drape of silk. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 439 yards, providing ample yardage for the complete project. The sample shown was worked in the color Day Lily.

The recommended hook size is US size G/6 (4.00 mm), though the pattern notes to use the size needed to achieve proper gauge. The recommended gauge is 17 stitches and 11 rows equals 4 inches when measured in the Crossed Treble Pattern. The pattern includes an important measurement note: when checking the length of the crocheted fabric, hang it vertically to account for the natural weight and drape of the luxurious yarn blend, ensuring accurate finished dimensions.