Easy Rectangular Crochet Shawl Pattern - Free

This easy rectangular crochet shawl pattern is beginner-friendly, it uses basic crochet stitches to create a lovely lacy look.

About this Easy Crochet Shawl

• For this easy rectangular crochet shawl pattern, I used a gradient yarn but you could also make it in a solid color.
• This easy lacy crochet shawl is made in 100% cotton making it perfect for a spring or summer wrap.
• The crochet shawl is worked using a larger hook size than recommended for the yarn weight, which makes the stitches lose and in keeping with the light lacy look and feel.
• The pattern is beginner-friendly and uses basic crochet stitches to create a lacy design.
• The shawl pattern is a combination of shell stitches, double crochet and chain stitch mesh, and picot edging.
• This is a free pattern and you will find a printable pattern card at the end of this post.

Yarn For This Shawl

For this easy rectangular crochet shawl pattern, I used Abby Road Freedom a DK (lightweight, 8ply) yarn, color Freckles, 100% cotton, 229 yards (210 meters) per skein, with a recommend 4mm needle size.  

I used three skeins for this pattern, with only a small portion of yarn used from the third skein. The pattern uses approximately 597 yards (546 meters) of yarn.

I used a larger hook size than recommended on the yarn label for a loose stitch which gives the shawl a nice light and airy look and feel.

However, any 100% cotton DK yarn weight yarn would be suitable, but check your gauge before starting the pattern to obtain a shawl of a similar size.

Tips For Making This Easy Rectangular Crochet Shawl

Foundation row

It is important not to make the foundation row too tight because it won't stretch with the rest of the shawl and will pull the lower edge in and distort the look of the shawl.

So either use the recommended hook size and crochet a loose foundation chain or go up a hook size when making the foundation chain.

The first and second row

I consider this an easy crochet pattern, but it can be hard to get the correct number of stitches in the first row if you are not careful. 

This is because of the long foundation chain, which makes it easy to skip a stitch now and again when working the first row into it.

So pay special attention to the stitch count in rows 1 and 2 and the rest of the pattern will fall into place.

Shawl length

Some might consider this shawl on the short side at 56 inches (1.4 meters) long, but you can easily adjust the pattern by making a longer foundation chain in multiples of 12 stitches + 6 extra stitches.

What Size Is A Crochet Rectangle Shawl?

The size of a crochet rectangular shawl can vary depending on personal preference and the desired finished dimensions.

However, a common size for a rectangular shawl is approximately 60 inches (152 cm) in width and 30 inches (76 cm) in length.

Keep in mind that these measurements are just a general guideline, and you can adjust the size based on your specific requirements.

Some people prefer larger shawls for more coverage, while others may prefer smaller sizes for a lighter accessory.

Ultimately, the size of the shawl is determined by the length of the foundation chain and the number of rows or rounds you crochet.

Crochet Stitches

You will need to know a few basic crochet stitches to make this rectangular crochet shawl pattern.

Listed below are the stitches used in this pattern.

Chain Stich (ch)

1. Make a slip knot.
2. Yarn over hook (YO)
3. Draw a loop of yarn back up through the loop on the crochet hook. One chain stitch has been made.
4. Yarn over hook (YO) and draw a loop through the loop on the hook to create another chain, and repeat to create new chain stitches.
5. See how to start a crochet chain stitch with detailed step-by-step instructions.

Single Crochet (sc)

1. Yarn over hook (YO), insert hook from the front to the back of a stitch.
2. Yarn over hook (YO) and pull back up through the stitch. You should have two loops on the hook.
3. Yarn over the hook (YO) and pull the yarn back through all the loops on the hook.
4. This completes a single crochet stitch.
5. See how to single crochet with detailed step-by-step instructions.

Double Crochet Stitch (dc)

1. Yarn over hook (YO), insert the hook from the front to the back of a stitch.
2. Yarn over hook (YO) again and pull back up through the stitch. You will have three loops on the hook.
3. Yarn over hook (YO) pull the yarn back through two loops on the hook. You will now have two loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over hook (YO) pull the yarn back through the two loops on the hook.
5. This completes a double crochet stitch.

You will also need to know how to make a picot stitch. You can learn more about this in our special stitches section further down the page.

Step By Step Tutorial

Below are step-by-step instructions for creating this rectangular crochet shawl.

At the end of the post, you'll find a shortened free printable pattern for your convenience.

Skill Level

Beginner

What You Will Need

Yarn

Abby Road Freedom is a DK yarn weight, 100% cotton, 229 yards (210 meters) per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) skein. 

• Color: Freckles - 3 skeins

Hook

• 6mm or a crochet hook size to obtain the correct gauge.
• 6.5mm hook (optional) for the foundation chain.

Finished Size

This shawl is approximately 56 inches (142 cm) X 15 inches (38 cm) and is easily adjustable.

If you want a longer shawl increase the number of stitches in the foundation chain in multiples of 12 stitches + 6 stitches.

If you would like a wider shawl work in a few extra double crochet mesh rows between rows 13 - 27.

Gauge

11 double crochet stitches and 8 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm).

Check your gauge: Use any hook size to obtain the correct gauge.

Stitches Used In This Pattern

• ch - chain
• sc - single crochet
• dc- double crochet
• hk - hook
• sk - skip
• sp - space
• rep -repeat
• YO - yarn over hook
• picot - picot

Special Stitches

Picot (picot)

A picot stitch is made using chain stitches and a slip stitch. It can be used as an extension to single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, or treble stitches. 

A picot is normally 3 chain stitches, but if you require more defininition, make it with 4 chain stitches.

1. Create four chain stitches at the point where you want to add a picot.
2. Then insert your hook into the fourth chain from the hook.
3. Yarn over hook (YO) pull the yarn back through both the stitch and the loop on the hook.
4. This completes one Picot stitch.

Abbreviated version

Picot - ch4, insert hk into 4th ch from hk, YO pull yarn back through both the stitch and the loop on the hk.

Pattern Notes

• This shawl measures 56 inches (1.4 meters) long, but you can easily adjust the pattern to make it longer by increasing the foundation chain in multiples of 12 stitches + 6 extra stitches.
• For a wider shawl, work in additional rows of double crochet mesh between rows 13 and 27.

Pattern Instructions

Foundation Chain

Create a foundation chain of 198 stitches.

Row One

Row 1 - Chain 4 (counts as double crochet and 1 chain stitch), double crochet in the sixth chain from the hook, *chain 1, skip 1 stitch, double crochet in the next chain stitch, repeat from *across to the end, turn work.

You should have 100 double crochet stitches in the row.

Abbreviated version

Row 1 - Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch1), dc in 6th ch from hk, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn. = 100 dc

Row Two

Row 2 - Chain 1, single crochet in the first double crochet, *skip one chain space, then make 5 double crochets in the next chain 1 space, skip one double crochet and single crochet in the next double crochet, repeat from * across to the end, ending with a single crochet in the third chain of the turning chain, turn.

You should have 33 - 5 double crochet shell stitches in the row.

Abbreviated version

Row 2 -  Ch 1, sc in 1st dc, *sk ch-1 sp, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp, sk dc, sc in next dc; rep from * across, ending with a sc in 3rd ch of turning ch, turn. = 33 x 5 dc shells

Row Three

Row 3 - Chain 4, single crochet in the third double crochet of the 5 double crochet shell, *chain 6, then single crochet in the third double crochet of the next 5 double crochet shell, repeat from * across to the end, ending with a chain 2 and double crochet in the single crochet at the end of the previous row, turn.

Abbreviated version

Row 3 - Ch 4, sc in 3rd dc of 5-dc shell, *ch 6, sc in 3rd dc of 5-dc shell; rep from * across, ending with ch 2, dc in sc at end of row, turn.

Row Four

Row 4 - Chain 1, single crochet in the double crochet, *chain 6, single crochet in the next chain 6 space, repeat from * across to the end, ending with chain 6 and single crochet into the chain 4 at the end of the previous row, turn.

Abbreviated version

Row 4 - Ch 1, sc in dc, *ch 6, sc in next ch-6 sp; rep from * across, ending with ch 6, sc in ch-4 at end of row, turn.

Row Five

Row 5 - Chain 4, single crochet in the chain 6 space, *chain 6, single crochet in the next chain 6 space, repeat from * to the end of the row, ending with chain 2, and double crochet in the single crochet at the end of the previous row, turn.

Abbreviated version

Row 5 - Ch 4, sc in ch-6 sp, *ch 6, sc in next ch-6 sp; rep from * across, ending with ch 2, dc in sc at end of row, turn.

Row Six

Row 6 - Chain 1, single crochet in the first double crochet, make 2 single crochets in the chain 2 space, *make 6 single crochets in the chain 6 space, repeat from * to the end of the row, ending with 3 single crochets in the chain 4 space at the end of the row, turn.

You should have 198 single crochet stitches in the row.

Abbreviated version

Row 6 - Ch 1, sc in dc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, *6 sc in ch-6 sp; rep from * across, ending with 3 sc in ch-4 sp at end of row, turn. = 198 sc

Row Seven

Row 7 - Chain 4 (counts as a double crochet and a chain 1), skip 1 stitch and double crochet in the next, * chain 1, skip one stitch, and double crochet in the next, repeat from * to the end of the row, turn.

You should have 100 double crochet stitches in the row.

Abbreviated version

Row 7 - Ch 4, sk 1, dc, *ch 1, sk 1, dc; rep from * across, turn. = 100 dc 

Row 8 – same as row 2

Row 9 – same as row 3

Row 10 – same as row 4

Row 11 – same as row 5

Row 12 – Same as row 6

Row 13 – 27 same as row 7

Row 28 – same row 2

Row 29 – same as row 3

Row 30 – same as row 4

Row 31 – same as row 5

Row 32 – Same as row 6

Row 33 – same as row 7 turn, don’t fasten off.

Border

The border will be worked as a continuous round across all four sides of the shawl, starting with the long top edge.

Round 1

Chain 1, make 2 single crochet stitches in each chain 1 space along the top edge, resulting in a total of 198 single crochets along the top.

Next, rotate the shawl and work 3 single crochets into the corner space. Then, evenly work in 47 single crochets along the edge until you reach the next corner.

Work 3 single crochets into the corner space again, resulting in a total of 53 single crochets along this side.

Rotate the shawl once more and make 2 single crochet stitches in each space along the foundation chain, totaling 198 single crochets along the bottom.

For the last side, work 3 single crochets into the corner space. Then, evenly work in 47 single crochets along the edge until you reach the next corner.

Work 3 single crochets into the corner space again, resulting in a total of 53 single crochets along this side. Finally, slip stitch into chain 1. Do not turn work.

Abbreviated version

Round 1 - Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp along the top edge (= 198 sc).

Next, rotate the shawl and work 3 sc into the corner sp. Then, evenly work 47 sc along the edge until the next corner.

Work 3 sc into the corner sp again (total of 53 sc along this side).

Rotate the shawl once more and make 2 sc in each sp along the foundation chain (a total of 198 sc along the top).

For the last side, work 3 sc into the corner sp. Then, evenly work 47 sc along the edge until the next corner.

Work 3 sc into the corner sp again (total of 53 sc along this side). Finally, sl st into ch 1 to finish.

Round 2

Chain 1, single crochet in each of the 198 stitches along the top edge. Then picot in the next stitch, then single crochet in the next stitch.

Continue alternating between making picots and single crochets along the reaming three edges, until you reach the starting chain 1.

Slip stitch into the initial chain 1, chain 1, and fasten off.

Abbreviated version

Round 2 - Ch 1, sc in each of the 198 sts along the top edge. *picot in the next st, sc in the next st. Repeat from * along the remaining three edges, until you reach the starting ch 1. Sl st into the initial ch 1, ch 1, and fasten off.

Finishing

Use a yarn needle to weave in the loose ends.

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Printable Pattern

Easy Rectangular Crochet Shawl Pattern

This easy rectangular crochet shawl pattern is beginner-friendly, it uses basic crochet stitches to create a lovely lacy look. Make it in 100% cotton for a light summer or spring shawl.

Print Pin Rate

Skill Level : Easy

Makes: 1 crochet shawl

Author :Harriet

What You Will Need

Yarn

• Abby Road Freedom is a DK yarn weight, 100% cotton, 229 yards (210 meters) per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) skein.
• Color: Freckles - 3 skeins

Hook

• 6mm or size to obtain gauge
• 6.5mm hook optional for the foundation chain

Notions

• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Gauge

• 11 double crochet stitches and 8 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm)

Finished Size

• 56 inches (142 cm) X 15 inches (38 cm)

Stitches and Abbreviations Used (US Terms)

• ch - chain
• sc - single crochet
• dc- double crochet
• hk - hook
• sk - skip
• sp - space
• rep - repeat
• YO - yarn over hook
• picot - picot (see special stitches below)

Special Stitches

• Picot - ch4, insert hk into 4th ch from hk, YO pull yarn back through both the stitch and the loop on the hk.

Pattern Notes

• This shawl measures 56 inches (1.4 meters) long, but you can easily adjust the pattern to make it longer by increasing the foundation chain in multiples of 12 stitches + 6 extra stitches.
• For a wider shawl, work in additional rows of double crochet mesh between rows 13 and 27.

Instructions

• Create a foundation chain of 198 stitches.
• Row 1 - Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch1), dc in 6th ch from hk, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn. = 100 dc
• Row 2 -  Ch 1, sc in 1st dc, *sk ch-1 sp, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp, sk dc, sc in next dc; rep from * across, ending with a sc in 3rd ch of turning ch, turn. = 33 shells
• Row 3 - Ch 4, sc in 3rd dc of 5-dc shell, *ch 6, sc in 3rd dc of 5-dc shell; rep from * across, ending with ch 2, dc in sc at end of row, turn.
• Row 4 - Ch 1, sc in dc, *ch 6, sc in next ch-6 sp; rep from * across, ending with ch 6, sc in ch-4 at end of row, turn.
• Row 5 -Ch 4, sc in ch-6 sp, *ch 6, sc in next ch-6 sp; rep from * across, ending with ch 2, dc in sc at end of row, turn.
• Row 6 - Ch 1, sc in dc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, *6 sc in ch-6 sp; rep from * across, ending with 3 sc in ch-4 sp at end of row, turn. = 198 sc
• Row 7 - Ch 4, sk 1, dc, *ch 1, sk 1, dc; rep from * across, turn. = 100 dc 
• Row 8 – same as row 2
• Row 9 – same as row 3
• Row 10 – same as row 4
• Row 11 – same as row 5
• Row 12 – Same as row 6
• Row 13 – 27 same as row 7
• Row 28 – same row 2
• Row 29 – same as row 3
• Row 30 – same as row 4
• Row 31 – same as row 5
• Row 32 – Same as row 6
• Row 33 – same as row 7 turn, don’t fasten off.

Border

• The border will be worked as a continuous round across all four sides of the shawl, starting with the long top edge
• Round 1 - Ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp along the top edge (= 198 sc).

  Next, rotate the shawl and work 3 sc into the corner sp. Then, evenly work 47 sc along the edge until the next corner. Work 3 sc into the corner sp again (total of 53 sc along this side).

  Rotate the shawl once more and make 2 sc in each sp along the foundation chain (a total of 198 sc along the top).

  For the last side, work 3 sc into the corner sp. Then, evenly work 47 sc along the edge until the next corner. Work 3 sc into the corner sp again (total of 53 sc along this side). Finally, sl st into ch 1 to finish.
• Round 2 - Ch 1, sc in each of the 198 sts along the top edge. *picot in the next st, sc in the next st. Repeat from * along the remaining three edges, until you reach the starting ch 1. Sl st into the initial ch 1, ch 1, and fasten off.

Finish

• Weave in loose ends.