The Wandering Vine Cable Crochet Shawl: A Free Pattern for a Textured, Botanical Wrap
Wrap Yourself in Botanical Beauty: The Wandering Vine Cable Crochet Shawl
Imagine wrapping yourself in the lush, organic beauty of a forest canopy. The Wandering Vine Cable Crochet Shawl is a free pattern that brings that feeling to life, combining intricate cable stitches with a flowing, asymmetrical shape. This design features raised, twisting cables that resemble climbing vines, creating a rich, textured surface that is both cozy and elegant. Perfect for adding a touch of handcrafted sophistication to any outfit, this shawl is an intermediate-level project that will reward you with a stunning, botanical wrap.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crochet experience:
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) yarn in a heathered forest green (approximately 800-900 yards). The sample uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease in 'Heather Forest'.
- Hook: Size J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Additional Tools: Cable needle or stitch holder for cable crossings, stitch markers (helpful for tracking the center increase), and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
- Gauge: 14 sts x 8 rows = 4 inches in cable pattern (after blocking).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pattern Notes
The shawl is worked from the top down, starting with a simple chain and increasing at the center to create an asymmetrical triangle. The cable pattern is a 12-row repeat featuring a 6-stitch cable that twists every 6 rows. Stitch markers are helpful for tracking the center increase. All rows are worked in double crochet (dc) with chain-2 spaces (ch-2 sp) that form the cable crossings.
Special Stitches
- C6F (Cable 6 Front): Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k3 from left needle, then k3 from cable needle.
- C6B (Cable 6 Back): Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k3 from left needle, then k3 from cable needle.
- M1 (Make 1): Increase by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting into the back loop.
Pattern Instructions
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, dc in next 3 ch, dc in last ch. (8 dc, 1 ch-2 sp)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 2 ch-2 sp)
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 3 ch-2 sp)
Row 4 (WS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 4 ch-2 sp)
Row 5 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 5 ch-2 sp)
Row 6 (WS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 6 ch-2 sp)
Row 7 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 7 ch-2 sp)
Row 8 (WS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 8 ch-2 sp)
Row 9 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 9 ch-2 sp)
Row 10 (WS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 10 ch-2 sp)
Row 11 (RS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 11 ch-2 sp)
Row 12 (WS): Ch 3, turn. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, dc in next 3 dc. (8 dc, 12 ch-2 sp)
Finishing
Repeat Rows 1-12 until the shawl measures approximately 60 inches along the longest edge, ending with a WS row. Fasten off and weave in ends using a tapestry needle. Block gently to open up the cables and achieve the final shape. Your Wandering Vine Cable Crochet Shawl is now ready to wear and enjoy!
