Two Easy Shawl Shapes

Crocheted shawls come in many shapes and sizes. Learn how to construct a crocheted triangle shawl and a crocheted half-circle shawl.

If you look closely, you will notice that most shawl shapes are a variation of two basic shapes of shawls: the Triangle and the Half-Circle. Creating these shapes are very simple. Follow along with me as I uncover the secrets of creating these two shapes in simple terms.

Triangle Shawls

The most common shawl shape out there is the triangle. A triangle is essentially a square that is cut in half diagonally. However, most crocheted triangles do not turn out as true “right triangles” for a perfect half square. (see Figure 2)

Shaping for a triangle is fairly straightforward: a pair of increases down the center spine, then a single increase along either side of the top edge.

  Figure 1: Diagram of Triangle Shawl showing increases

For this practice in double crochet, you will be increasing/decreasing every row. If you were using single crochet, you would do the increases every other row.

I prefer to have 2 edge stitches on either side of each row as a selvedge to keep the top edge clean and neat. This also creates a double increase at the edge which gives the top edge wings. These wings allow for the shawl to hug the shoulders a little better with fewer problems staying on the body.

Figure 2: Crocheted Triangle Shawl in Double Crochet

Half-Circle Shawl

I think half-circle shawls are the easiest shawl to create. The half-circle is composed of wedges that are all the same size. I prefer using the 6-wedge technique, but you could use 4 or 8 instead. The key to making this work out well is to use an even number. Also, all of the wedges should have the same number of stitches.

Figure 3: Diagram of Half-Circle Shawl showing increases.

I recommend that you do the increases at the beginning of each wedge/repeat. This moves where you place the increases and allows for a smoother bottom edge.

Figure 4: Half-Circle Shawl done in Double Crochet

As you can see, these two shapes are simple to create. Now that you know what it takes to create them, I hope you will grab some yarn and a hook and learn to create your own shawls!

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82 Responses to “Two Easy Shawl Shapes”

  1. Claire Mannion

    Where can I find the patterns for the semi-circular shawl please?

  2. charlotte

    Please send me the patterns for both shawls. Thank you

  3. Marianne

    Please send me pattern for both shawls. Thank you

  4. Pat Wells

    Please send me both pattern,Please,

  5. Maria

    Please send me both patterns. Thanks!

  6. Judy A Christie

    Please send me both patterns. Thanks, Judy

  7. Marge

    I'd like both crochet shawl patterns. Thank you.

  8. jerilyn neiman

    Please email the pattern for both shawls. So I may learn to crochet them. Thank you.

  9. Tina Myers

    Look forward to patterns

  10. Sally Candelario

    Would like both shawl patterns, please!