Valley Yarns WEBS Shawl Collar Stole Crochet Pattern

Valley Yarns WEBS Shawl Collar Stole by Doris Chan

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns WEBS Shawl Collar Stole is a sophisticated crocheted wrap designed to drape elegantly around the shoulders with a distinctive shawl collar feature. This one-size garment measures 22 inches in finished width at the collar edge, extending to 62 inches along the collar edge and 70 inches along the lower edge. The stole is engineered with thoughtful shaping: a curved back section provides roominess through the arms, while the wide top band features gentle ribbing that folds over to create a snuggly, secure collar. The front panels offer generous wrap-around length without excess bulk. The designer, Doris Chan, has crafted a piece that balances coverage and wearability—wide enough for comfortable shoulder coverage but not so wide that the wearer sits on the back.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several key crochet techniques to achieve its refined drape and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The stole is worked from the bottom upward, allowing the crocheter to adjust length as desired during the making process
• Seamless, flat construction: The entire piece is worked flat without seaming, creating a smooth, continuous fabric
• Lace patterning: An open lacy stitch pattern is integrated throughout, keeping the finished piece lightweight and breathable while maintaining coziness
• Shaping and shaping techniques: Clever shaping is employed to create the curved back and properly positioned front panels, ensuring the stole sits securely on the shoulders
• Foundation single crochet (Fsc): A special technique used to create a sturdy, elastic foundation for the back neck, providing stability and flexibility where needed

Stitches Used

The Valley Yarns WEBS Shawl Collar Stole incorporates fundamental and decorative crochet stitches:

• Single crochet (sc): Used in the ribbed top band and as part of the foundational techniques
• Double crochet (dc): A primary stitch used throughout the body of the stole for structure and drape
• Shell stitch: An open, decorative stitch pattern that creates the lacy appearance and contributes to the lightweight quality of the finished fabric
• Chain (ch) and chain spaces (ch-sp): Used to create openwork sections and transitions between stitch patterns
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used for joining and finishing techniques

The shell stitch pattern repeats measure one repeat of [2dc, shell, ch2] = 4 inches in width, while 4 rows of double crochet measure 3.75 inches in height. Single crochet and double crochet stitches achieve a gauge of 9 stitches in 4 inches.

Materials

The Valley Yarns WEBS Shawl Collar Stole is constructed using premium materials selected for comfort and ease of working:

• Yarn: 5 balls of Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky in color #10 Spring Leaf. This yarn is composed of 100% extra fine superwash merino wool, with each ball weighing 100 grams and containing 109 yards. The bulky weight and superwash treatment make the crocheting quick and smooth while ensuring the finished stole is easy to care for
• Crochet hook: US Size L/11 (8.00mm) crochet hook, sized to work with the bulky yarn and achieve the specified gauge

The merino wool fiber creates a meltingly soft fabric that drapes beautifully. The relaxed gauge combined with the open lacy stitch pattern ensures the finished stole is surprisingly lightweight and breathable, providing warmth and coziness without feeling stuffy or heavy. The superwash treatment makes this an easy-care garment suitable for regular wear and washing. Note that the fabric is stretchy and may grow considerably in length when worn, adding to the garment's versatility and comfortable fit over time.