Soft Crochet Shawl Free Pattern For Comfortable Layering

Select your favorite yarn shade for this Crochet Shawl Free Pattern and stitch an elegant layer to wear with blouses, skirts, or simple jeans.

When starting this project, follow the tutorial to work the required rows and stitches. Check your progress often so the edges stay even. The finished size should allow enough fabric to rest over your shoulders without pulling. Carefully hiding the yarn ends will keep the edges tidy.

You can wear this shawl over a long dress when visiting family or place it around your shoulders while sitting outside in the evening. It also looks nice with a plain shirt and trousers.For a special present, you can crochet one in your mother’s or grandmother’s favorite color. It is something they can use at home or while going out. A shawl is also easy to fold and keep in a handbag when you need an extra layer later in the day.

Pattern Overview

This elegant leaf-pattern shawl or baktus, designed by Kristina Bogdanova, features a repetitive, growing structure based on a 6-row sequence (Rows 5–10). The fabric forms a series of delicate leaves branching out symmetrically. The shawl is worked from the center out and finished with a special edging for a polished, decorative look. You can easily adjust the finished size by working more or fewer pattern repeats.

Quick Details

• Designer: Kristina Bogdanova
• Shape: Symmetrical triangle (baktus/shawl)
• Stitch Pattern: Layered leaves in a mirrored sequence
• Rows: Built from a foundation and 6-row repeating unit
• Edging: Picot and cluster border for a crisp finish

Important Tips

• Maintain stitch counts at center and tips in every row to preserve symmetry.
• Each new “leaf” starts at the tips of previous leaves; expansion is built into the sequence.
• Use stitch markers when starting out to identify central and tip stitches.
• Blocking helps open up the leaf shapes and border.
• Work loosely enough for drape, but tight enough to define the pattern.
• Repeat Rows 5–10 as many times as needed for your desired dimensions.

Skill Level

Intermediate. You should be comfortable with chain spaces, treble and double crochet clusters, working into rings, and picot stitches.

Materials

• Lace weight, fingering, or light sport yarn (fiber and amount depend on desired size)
• Appropriate crochet hook for yarn (usually 2.5–4mm)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers (optional)

Measurements

• Finished size is variable; grow the piece with additional repeats to reach your desired length and width.
• Sample shawls often measure about 150–180cm across and 50–60cm at deepest point.

Gauge

• Not important for fit, but sample swatch: one 6-row pattern repeat, gently blocked, should have defined leaves and a soft hand.
• Adjust hook/yarn to taste.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet
• dtr – double treble crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• dc-cluster – 3 dc partially completed and joined at the top
• tr-cluster – 3 tr partially completed and joined at the top

Special Stitches

• dc-cluster: [Yarn over, insert hook in st, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops] x3, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
• tr-cluster: [Yarn over twice, insert hook in st, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops twice] x3, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
• Picot: ch 3, sl st into first ch.
• Leaf Set: Collections of dc groups separated by chain spaces.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting Started

Row 1:

• Ch 4, join into a ring with sl st.
• Ch 5 (counts as 1st dc + ch-2 sp).
• Into the ring: 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc.
• Total: 4 dc separated by 2-ch spaces, plus initial ch-5.
• (5 dc with spaces in total.)
• 

Row 2:

• Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch-2), turn.
• 3 dc into first st, ch 2, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 dc in 3rd ch of turning ch.
• (Leaves begin to form at both ends and center.)

Row 3:

• Ch 6 (counts as dc + 3-ch sp), turn.
• 2 dc in first dc, 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in third dc, ch 3, 1 dc in center dc, ch 3, repeat symmetrically.
• (New rows build out the wings and center.)

Row 4:

• Ch 4, 1 dc in base, ch 3.
• 2 dc in first dc, 1 dc in next three dcs, 2 dc in last, ch 3.
• (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the middle dc, ch 3, repeat as for other side, turn.
• (Increases number of leaf points, and forms the center “vein”.)

The Repeating Pattern (Rows 5–10)

Row 5:

• Foundation for new leaves.
• Ch 5, 3 dc in base, ch 3, skip first st, work 5 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next, ch 2, 1 dc in center, ch 2, 3 dc, repeat symmetrically for other half.
• (New leaf tips set at each side.)

Row 6:

• Expand leaves.
• Ch 6, 2 dc in first, 1 dc in next, 2 dc in third, ch 3, skip one, 3 dc, ch 3, expand next leaf (by working groups), ch 3, 1 dc in center, continue symmetrically.
• (Each leaf section grows out.)

Row 7:

• Continue expansion.
• (Pattern as Row 4): ch 4, 1 dc in base, ch 3, 2 dc in first, 1 dc in next three, 2 dc in last, ch 3, (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in middle, continue to end, turn.
• (Increases width of each leaf/triangle section.)

Row 8:

• Start new leaves.
• Create new leaf bases at previous tips, placing 3 dc or chain groups in spaces, always matching symmetry.
• Follow video time guide as needed.

Row 9:

• Expand middle leaves and continue previous patterns.
• Grow out leaves at the tips and continue developing the middle/side sections.
• Use cluster increases and chain spaces as established.

Row 10:

• Final row of the repeat.
• Focus on completing leaves, forming the pattern for the next set by ensuring the center junction is correct.
• The result should match the expanding shape with leaf tips at the edges and a joined look at the center.

Repeat Rows 5–10 until the shawl reaches desired wingspan or length.

Edging / Finishing

After last main pattern row:

1. Setup:
   • Ch 1.
   • Work 1 sc in first st, 2 sc under each 2-chain arch.
2. Picot Cluster:
   • At appropriate spots (usually along leaf edges), work a 3 dc-cluster, ch 3, make a picot by sl st into 1st ch.
3. Transition:
   • Ch 3.
   • In each 3-chain arch, work 3 sc, then ch 4 to create spacing.
4. Double Treble Cluster:
   • At designated arch (often leaf tips or center), work 3 dtr together (tr-cluster), ch 3, and make a picot.
5. Corner (Shawl Tip):
   • At the triangle’s tip, adjust as needed—work additional trebles to ease the curve; center point should curl gently for a neat finish.

Continue this edge sequence all around the shawl.

Assembly

• Weave in all thread ends using a yarn needle.
• Gently block the shawl to open up the pattern and allow the leaves’ edges to lay flat (wet or steam block as needed).
• Allow shawl to dry completely before wearing or gifting.

Final Notes

• This leaf-pattern shawl amplifies with each 6-row repeat.
• The design creates a lightweight, airy fabric suited to draping around the shoulders.
• Finished edging frames the leaves and gives a professional look.
• To adjust size, simply work more or fewer leaf sequence repeats.
• Use blocking to highlight the open, lacy fabric.
• Suitable for gifting or personal wear; the leaf motifs are elegant and timeless.
• Pattern can be made in multiple colorways and adjusted for heavier or lighter yarns as desired.