Starlight Summer Shawl
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I created this simple summer shawl for Darla – she loves to wear tank tops and sun dresses in the summer time…and her playtime now extends into the early evening hours.
This shawl serves 2 purposes:
1. it helps to keep the chill off her neck and shoulders
2. the yarn reflects light – to make her more visible in the early evening (i.e. car headlights!)
This little shawl is crafted with Red Heart Reflective Yarn which is perfect for late afternoon and early evening playtime – the headlights from oncoming cars reflect off the yarn and catch the attention of drivers quickly.
Darla thinks it looks like a Princess Cape – she also loves it because it sparkles like twinkling stars.
She spent the entire photo shoot dancing and singing the theme song from the movie Frozen…
This project works up very quickly and takes one ball of Reflective Yarn.
The yarn is very easy to work with and the reflective strand is strong – it did not snag, or snap when I crocheted the project (even when I frogged my first design attempt!).
Free Crochet Pattern
Starlight Summer Shawl
To fit: Toddler / Small Child
Hook: 6.50 mm (K)
Yarn: Red Heart Reflective Yarn (Bulky-5)
Gauge Information (added November 11, 2015 – request from Ravelry – and I apologize this was not included initially!)
Gauge is approximately 10 dc in 4 inches. Each row of dc is approximately 1 inch in height.
The neck opening is approximately 18 inches in circumference once fastened; without being stretched.
Height from neckline to edge of edging is 5 inches.
Overall width of fabric (when not fastened closed) is 26 inches. When fastened there is an overlap of 1.5 inches for both edges so a total of 3 inches is overlapped fabric leaving a 23 inch wide finished product.
Abbreviations: ch: chain, dc: double crochet, sl st: slip stitch, x: times, st: stitch, sts: stitches, 2-dc cluster: 2 double crochet cluster, 3-dc cluster: 3 double crochet cluster, fdc: foundationless double crochet
Special stitches:
2-dc cluster: this cluster is worked into a chain stitch, *yarn over, insert hook into the specified chain stitch, yarn over and draw through two loops on your hook* repeat from *to* a second time, yarn over and draw the loop through all 3 loops on the hook
3-dc cluster: this cluster is worked across 3 double crochet stitches, *yarn over, insert hook into the next dc, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on your hook* repeat from *to* for the next two double crochet stitches, yarn over and draw through all four loops remaining on the hook (Dedri has a great photo tutorial for this 3-dc cluster if you want to take a peak)
*If you are unfamiliar with the fdc stitch, you can substitute the following for the initial Row of the pattern below:
Substitute:
R1: chain 49, turn
R2: 1 dc in the 4th chain from the hook and in each stitch across, ch 3, turn [46]
Starlight Summer Shawl
Note: the chain stitches do not count as stitches, now and throughout.
R1: 46 fdc, ch 3, turn
R2: (1 dc in each of the first 6 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, leave the last 4 sts unworked, ch 3, turn [48]
R3: (1 dc in each of the first 7 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [54]
R4: (1 dc in each of the first 8 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [60]
R5: (1 dc in each of the first 9 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [66]
R6: 1 dc in the first st, (ch 3, 2-dc cluster in the 3rd chain from the hook; 3-dc cluster over the next 3 sts) repeat across to the last st, 2 dc in the last st, ch 3, 2 dc-cluster in the 3rd chain from the hook
Turn the project 90 degrees to work along ends of the rows:
(ch 3, 2-dc cluster in the 3rd chain from the hook, sc into the next row end) 3 x,
Turn the project 90 degrees and sc in each st across, finish off and weave in ends.
To embellish the project sew on a button, or bobble if you wish.
I secured Darla’s Shawl with 2-small metal snaps. The rose button is sewn on the front of the shawl as a decorative button.
I am wanting to make this for my 9 year old granddaughter (I saw your conversion in the comments) and her American Girl doll. Any ideas on converting this for the doll? Thank you so much and everyone is right, your little girl is beautiful!
Beautiful child model. My grandaughter is 2 1/2 would like to make it more of a cape since she is crazy for the Frozen characters. How would I proceed? She is also petite, only 25 lbs very tiny bones. Thanks for any help.
Hi Sandy 🙂 I cannot believe I didn’t include a finished measurement on this! It is 20″ at the neckline (with a 2″ overlap to close – 1 inch on each end) so 18″ is the finished width when flat and open if you take away the bit that overlaps. 5″ in height. Darla was 5 at the time of the photos but she is a tiny little girl – very small bone structure and only 33 pounds. This is why I said toddler 😉 I hope this helps! Rhondda
I want to make this for my little 4 year old great niece, but not sure it will fit her as written. How old was your little girl at the time this pattern was posted? Maybe that will help me figure out sizing! Thanks so much, your daughter is adorable 🙂
Hi Martha,
The chain stitches do not count as stitches, now and throughout.
When it states 1 dc in the first st, this would be in the first st (not the chain stitches you ended with in R5).
When I say work the 2-dc cluster in the 3rd chain from the hook – I mean in the 3rd chain from the hook (i.e. you just chained 3) – so if you look at your crochet hook and count back three chain stitches, this is where you need to work the 2-dc cluster.
Hope this helps 🙂 Rhondda
I’m at Row 6 and having difficulty interpreting.
Your instructions state “1 dc in the first st”. Does this mean 1 dc in the first stitch of the chain 3?
Then you say “(ch 3, 2-dc cluster in the 3rd chain from the hook; Does this mean 3rd chain from hook of the same chain as above, or a new chain three?
Martha
Hi Wendy 🙂 Thank you for letting me know you tried the pattern! I’m happy it worked up quickly and without incident 🙂 and that you found the instructions I left in the comments to make it longer! Good luck at the Craft Fair! Rhondda
This is super cute!! It works up fast. I have a few worked up for a craft fair next weekend. I’m going to extend it for the next one and found you directions in the comments. That’s just what I planed to do
Welcome 🙂 I hope it works out perfectly for you!
Thank you for your reply. I will let you know how it goes, I love this sweet shawl!
Thank you Rocio 🙂
Hi Lucy, I didn’t change it. Did you work the (ch 3, 2-dc cluster in the 3rd chain from the hook) part of the instructions? it creates the sideways ‘bead-like’ cluster effect 🙂 Thanks! Rhondda
Thank you Marlene 🙂
Hi Marie 🙂 I think 12 ply should work – here’s the yarn information for you : https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/red-heart-reflective
Thank you Lana 🙂
Thank you Kimberly 🙂
Thank you Beck 🙂
Thank you!
Hi Joanne, I would increase the starting chain by 6 stitches if you are using the same yarn. If you are using 2-strands of yarn I recommend making the starting chain approximately 20″ long and a multiple of 6 stitches. Then add 3 stitches for the first row. You will likely want to go up a hook size or two to get a relaxed fabric. Good luck!
Welcome Angel 🙂
I must try this for my baby girl! Its lovely!!!
I want to make this for an 8 yr old. Should I add more to the beginning chain or increase as you replied to Angel above? I am making it in white for a special occasion– should I use a larger hook if I use 2 strands of 4 ply. Thanks for you response, joanne
Thanks Rhondda, I look forward to trying this!
Your bottom two rows (on pictured shawl) look different then the pattern, which I followed; yours looks like different “bead-like” clusters, did you change it?
What a pretty garment for a girl! I will surely try this for my granddaughter.
Thank you for sharing this lovely pattern. Such a cute little girl!!
Not sure if I can get this Red Heart Reflective wool so wondering what ply. Thought a 12ply would be ok?
Lovely shawl and your little girl is adorable thank you.
Lovely shawl
Love this pattern. I think the use of reflective yarn was a great addition!
I love this, so sweet 🙂
Thanks. Is beautiful
Hi Angel, To make it longer you would need to make a few more increase rounds I suspect – try this 🙂
R5: (1 dc in each of the first 9 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [66]
R6: (1 dc in each of the first 10 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [72]
R7: (1 dc in each of the first 11 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [78]
R8: (1 dc in each of the first 12 sts, 2 dc in the next st) 6 x, ch 3, turn [84]
and so on 🙂 then add the old R6 at the end to make the edging 🙂
Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Rhondda
Hi Rhondda, this is a gorgeous shawl. If I wanted to make it just a little longer would I just work rows 5 and 6 again? Thanks!
Thank you Manuela 🙂
This is very cute!!! Love it ❤
Thank You Cheryl 🙂 If you run into any questions when you try, feel free to message me 🙂 Rhondda
I want to make one of these for me! Very cute!
Thank you 🙂
Thank you Kate 🙂
Welcome Dedri 🙂
P.S. – You have a gorgeous model!
Ohh, I like this – wish I had a wee lass to make one for.
Thank you for linking to the tut, Rhondda. This shawl is gorgeous and Darla is becoming quite the little model!