Project introduction
This overview introduces the Crochet Lace Fan Shawl, a triangular design by Raffamusa Designs made for spring and summer wear. The designer had admired the Feather and Fan Stitch motif for a long time and wanted to use it for a shawl. Because that motif usually appears in rectangular shawls and wraps, she set out to adapt it into a triangle as a birthday gift for her mother. After plenty of trial and error, described as lots of frogging, she landed on the right stitch counts for a balanced triangular shape.
One important point: the shawl grows a lot after blocking, since the lace stitches open up. This is especially true with wool or wool blends, where blocking is what lets the lace show at its best. For complete instructions, see the original designer’s pattern.
Spring Style Blog Hop
The Crochet Lace Fan Shawl appeared in the Spring Style Blog Hop, an event centered on light and colorful spring projects. RaeLynn from Itchin’ for some Stitchin’ and Sarah from Ned and Mimi hosted it. The hop itself has ended, but the featured patterns can still be collected through the Spring Style Bundle, a paid product that gathers every design into one printable PDF file.
The pattern itself is also published as an ad-free printable file in the designer’s Ravelry, LoveCrafts, and Etsy stores, while the web version remains free to read on the designer’s blog.
Skill Level
Even though it calls for fingering-weight yarn, this pattern is described as great fun and surprisingly fast to work up. It goes beyond simple chains and double crochets, so expect stitches outside the beginner set. Once the basic structure clicks, the shawl grows easily because the same three blocks of rows repeat.
- Lots of chains
- Double crochets
- Trebles
- Double crochet 2 together
- Double crochet 7 together
Materials
To begin this project, gather the following supplies:
- 3.5-mm crochet hook (US size E-4, UK size 9)
- Fingering Weight (#1 Superfine) yarn
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Yardage
The sample shawl used 1136.2 yds (1040 m) of fingering weight yarn.
Your own yardage may differ depending on gauge, hook size, and whether you substitute a heavier yarn weight.
My Yarn Recommendation
For her own shawl, the designer chose Cascade Yarn Heritage Solid Color Dusky Orchid (5705), which she purchased on LoveCrafts. She also lists other options worth considering: Schepjes Whirl, Gloss Fingering on WeCrochet, and Stroll Tonal on WeCrochet. These yarns offer the drape and stitch definition that lace motifs need.
Yarn Substitutions
Sport or DK (3, Light) yarn can be used instead. For Sport weight, the designer suggests a 4-mm crochet hook. For DK yarn, she recommends a 4.5-mm or 5-mm hook depending on the specific yarn. Always check your gauge when substituting weights to ensure the finished dimensions meet expectations.
Size
The finished shawl measures 84 inches (214 cm) wide and 36 inches (91 cm) deep. These are blocked measurements, highlighting the importance of the finishing step for achieving the full triangular spread.
Gauge
With fingering weight yarn and a 3.5-mm hook, the gauge is 11 double crochets over 5 rows in a 2-inch (5 cm) square. Matching this gauge keeps the shawl at the intended size and preserves the proportions of the fan motifs.
Crochet abbreviations (US terms)
These standard US crochet abbreviations are used throughout the pattern:
- Ch: Chain
- Ch-Less Dc: Chainless Starting Double Crochet
- Ch-Less Tr: Chainless Starting Treble Crochet
- Dc: Double Crochet
- Dc2Tog: Double Crochet Two Together
- Dc7Tog: Double Crochet Seven Together
- Fan: Fan Motif
- MC: Magic Circle
- Picot: Picot Stitch
- Sc: Single Crochet
- Sk: Skip
- Sl St: Slip Stitch
- St: Stitch
- Tr: Treble Crochet
- Yo: Yarn Over
Pattern Notes
Pay attention to these notation conventions:
- (…) means repeating the instructions inside the brackets for the stated number of times.
- * marks the start of a repeat sequence; follow the instructions from the asterisk for the stated count.
- […] means working all instructions inside the brackets into the same stitch.
- When the instructions specify a number before an abbreviation, such as “5 sc”, work that many stitches consecutively in the following spaces.
Construction
This triangle shawl is crocheted in successive rows from the bottom center out. Rows 1 through 8 are worked in double crochet. Row 9 is a transition row, and the lace fan motif begins after it. The final row of the border is worked in single crochet and picot stitches, giving the edge a delicate finish.
Special stitches
The pattern relies on specific techniques to create the lace effect. Understanding these stitches is key to maintaining the fan shape and the structure of the shawl.
Chainless starting double crochet (ch-less dc)
For a seamless start to your rows, use the chainless double crochet method. The designer provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet the Ch-less Dc, and a video option for making a chainless double crochet.
how to make a chainless double crochet
CHAINLESS STARTING Treble CROCHET (CH-LESS Tr)
In the same way, the chainless starting treble crochet avoids a bulky chain at the start of taller rows. The designer points readers to a step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet the Ch-less Tr, plus a video option for making a chainless treble crochet.
Double Crochet 2 Together (Dc2Tog)
Within this pattern, the dc2tog always falls between the ch-1 spaces that sit before and after a dc7tog. So when the instructions say dc2tog, you work it with one skipped stitch between the two double crochets. Begin by yarning over and pulling up a loop in the first ch-1 space, then skip the dc7tog from the previous row, work into the next ch-1 space, and pull through all remaining loops to close.
Double Crochet 7 Together (Dc7Tog)
This decrease sits at the center of the fan motif. Work partial double crochets across seven stitches: insert the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, then draw through two loops. Repeat for the next six stitches until eight loops remain on the hook. To finish, yarn over and pull through all eight loops to close the cluster.
Fan Motif (Fan)
The core fan motif is written as: (Tr 1, ch 1) twice, [tr 1, ch 1, tr 1] in next st, (ch 1, tr 1) twice. This sequence produces the flared shape that defines the lace pattern.
Magic circle (mc)
The magic circle is listed as a starting method in the pattern notes. If this technique is new to you, the designer shares a step-by-step tutorial for making a magic circle with a tight, adjustable start.
Picot Stitch (Picot)
Picots decorate the border. To make one, chain 3 and slip stitch into the back bump of the first chain made. The result is a subtle scalloped edge on the finished shawl.
Crochet Lace Fan Shawl - Pattern Overview
The pattern begins with a magic circle. Row 1 is worked as Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc 2, ch 2, dc 3, giving 3 stitches per side and a ch-2 tip. An alternative start uses a chain 4 worked into the first made chain. Rows 2 through 8 expand the triangle with increases at the first and last stitch of each row, while the tip stays a ch-2 space with [dc 1, ch 2, dc 1].
Transition Row
Row 9 serves as a transition from solid double crochet to the lace structure. It incorporates trebles, half doubles, and singles alongside double crochets to prepare the canvas for the fan motifs that follow.
First Tr Fan Row
Row 10 introduces the first treble fan row. It utilizes chainless trebles to begin and sets up the initial fan and dc7tog clusters, establishing the lace rhythm across the width of the shawl.
Dc Row
Row 11 is a stabilization row worked in double crochet. It places dc2tog decreases specifically at the chain-1 spaces surrounding the previous row’s dc7tog clusters, keeping the shawl symmetrical.
Second Tr Fan Row
Row 12 is the second treble fan row. It opens with a cluster of trebles and repeats the sequence of chains, dc7tog, and fans. The tip is worked with trebles and chain spaces to maintain the triangular shape.
Dc Row
Row 13 simply repeats the instructions of Row 11. Consistency in these stabilization rows ensures proper tension and alignment of the lace motifs.
Third Tr Fan Row
Row 14 adds more fans per side compared to the previous fan rows. It features a specific tip construction with trebles and a chain-2 space. Row 15 again repeats Row 11 to lock in the pattern.
Fourth Tr Fan Row (Same as First but with New Tip!)
Row 16 is the fourth treble fan row, similar to the first but with a modified tip. It works multiple fans and dc7tog clusters on each side, skipping stitches around the center to create a distinct point. Row 17 repeats Row 11, and Rows 18 through 53 keep growing the shawl by repeating Rows 12 through 17.
Border
Row 54 completes the shawl with a decorative border featuring single crochets and picots. Fasten off and weave in your ends, then block the shawl thoroughly to open up the lace stitches and reach the final dimensions.
Finishing overview
Once blocked, your Lace Fan Shawl is ready to wear. For more inspiration, the designer’s blog lists other shawls and accessories, including the Tunisian Crochet Lightning Shawl, the Dot Square Bucket Hat, and the Simple Ripple Scarf.
Original designer’s pattern and instructions
