Isolde Shawl by Wendy Lewis

Isolde Shawl

Crochet
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
3.75 mm (F)
4.0 mm (G)
390 - 1540 yards (357 - 1408 m)
English

Skill Level
Intermediate

Harking back to the Arthurian legends, this shawl was designed with the Irish Princess Isolde in mind, deeply beloved by the knight Tristram, among others, for her beauty, sweetness and grace. This is a shawl fit for a princess, and will bring out the princess in you when you wear it!

April 2015 Update: The republishing of this shawl in the Quick and Easy issue is ONLY the shawlette or mini-shawl version and does not include the more involved edging! This shawlette version is very quick and easy--the complete pattern with complete edging is more involved and not included in the Quick & Easy issue. This is a shawl full of options, from the simple to the elaborate. For the original pattern that includes shawlette AND full length version, see the original pattern in Crochet! Magazine Summer 2013--PLUS ALL notes, errata and links to charts, CAL, etc., below.

NOTES ON FULL SHAWL: There are TWO CALs for this shawl, with the same COMPLETE CHARTS AND VITALLY IMPORTANT NOTES PROVIDED BY THE DESIGNER--NOT INCLUDED IN THE MAGAZINE VERSION-- including how to make the full-size original shawl with the extra Section II repeat, HERE--PLEASE READ COMPLETELY. Also, please note Crochet! Magazine errata at the bottom of this page before beginning shawl.

Finished Measurements

Plum Shawl with Two Section II’s Blocked: 24 inches from top center to bottom tip; 43 inches across widest point
Designer’s Projects:
Original Full Size Plum Shawl with Three Section II’s Blocked: 32 inches from top center to bottom tip; 60 inches across widest point.
Original Full Size Green Shawl with Three Section II’s Blocked: 37 inches from top center to bottom tip; 60 inches across widest point.

Materials, Crochet! Magazine

Plum Shawl, Two Section II’s:
* Valley Yarns 2/10 Colrain lace (lace) weight merino/Tencel yarn (8.8 oz/1,540 yds/249g per cone):
1 cone plum
* Size F/5/3.75mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

All Shawls

  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers

Gauge
Plum Shawl, Valley Yarns Colrain Lace: 5 Section 1 pattern rows before blocking = 3 1/2 inches across at widest point x 2 1/2 inches from top center to bottom tip

See designer’s project page for more information on the original full size shawls in plum and green. Both used approximately 900 yards of fingering weight yarn and have full length edgings.

This shawl is several patterns in one and offers unlimited options for the crocheter. Section I, plus Rows 1-4 of Section II, makes a fast and easy shawlette that is suitable for beginners and great for quick gifts. Move on to Sections II and III for a more intricate and longer lace shawl.

For the grandest shawl, you can do three Section II’s--instead of two-- before finishing off with Section III. This is pictured in the green and plum shawls with the longest bottom section (see designer’s project page links).

Blocking Note: This shawl, like most lace shawls of any complexity, needs a good long soak and a hard block to really pull out the stitches--namely in the bottom sections--to give it its even, finished shape (see photo of shawl on blocking board). Irregularities of shape are always present in an unblocked intricately patterned lace shawl, and proper blocking is essential.

Crochet! Magazine Errata:
Row 1, Section I: “ch 1”, dc in ring, should be “ch 3”, dc in ring.
Row 5, Section II: end of row, after “V-st in ch sp of last V-st,” should be “ch 1”, then “dc in last dc, turn.”
Row 6, Section II: end of row, after “dc in last ch-1 sp,” should be “ch 1”, then “dc in last st, turn.”
Row 10, Section II: Second bracket should begin after ch 1, not before, like this: (sk next ch-1 sp….)
Row 12, Section II: Inside first set of brackets, delete “3 dc in next V st”. Line 3 should read “across to” (missing word “to”). 2nd to last line has missing “ch 1” before “dc in last st, turn.”
Row 15, Section II: Missing “ch 1” after “across to marker.” Last line, missing “ending ch 1, dc in last dc” before “turn.”