Basalt is an asymmetric shawl that can be crocheted bottom-up or top-down (instructions are given for both within this pattern). It’s based on the beautiful geological feature of hexagonal basalt columns that are found across the planet. Inspired by Fingal’s Cave and The Giant’s Causeway, our best-known basalt columns in the UK, Basalt the shawl came into being.

Yarn:
Yarn A - 2 x 100g/400m of John Arbon Textiles Knit By Numbers 4 ply in KBN 04 (195g of the 200g was used)
Yarn B - 1 x 25g/100m mini skein of Knit by Numbers 4 ply in KBN 02 - you don’t have to use a mini skein for the hexagons, you could yarn substitute for scraps that you have at home as you only need 15g.

Yarn substitutes: Something with the same or very similar meterage. It can be a different blend but be aware that meterage requirements will change if you substitute yarns. Ideally, you want something that is soft and squishy that will create a warm fabric.

Hook:
3mm (US C/2 or D/3 hook) for the main body of the shawl and 3.5mm hook (US E/4 hook) for starting chain.

Finished sizes:
Unblocked dimensions of 41cm at the deepest part and 143 for the top edge of the shawl. Blocked depth of 41cm and 160cm for the top edge.

Construction:
Given that most people have a specific preference for either top-down or bottom-up shawls, I have created this one to suit both methods. Instructions are given for both within this pattern.

The hexagons are crocheted separately using Yarn B and are slip stitched on when the main shawl has been crocheted. The pattern contains details and a diagram showing the best way to attach the hexagons.

YouTube tutorial:
Within the PDF there is a link to a YouTube tutorial that takes you through the more detailed elements of the shawl. The different parts are time-stamped so that you can get to the part of the tutorial that you need.

Time to make:
Approximately 30 hours (the top-down version is slightly quickly because it is less fiddly).

Blocking:
Within the pattern, you are given instructions on how to best block the shawl and the sizes that this version was blocked to.