On the way to making a single crochet shawl with a fabulous, swirling cable edging as its Reason for Being, I got distracted with the idea of adding some lovely little spike-stitch clusters for interest in all that main body single crochet. Then while doing the spike stitches, I further got distracted with the idea that colorful stripes would be so much fun! I couldn’t wait to finish my first version and start another that played with color intermingled with the spike-stitch texture. Now instead of the main edging being the Reason for Being, it’s a swirly, swoopy underscore flourish to the main body. This is everything I love about crochet- how a change here and a switch there can create a whole new piece with a whole new personality.

This shawl is worked from the bottom-up for the main body. The cabled edging is added in a join-as-you-go method afterwards.

Materials: First sample shown uses G/4.00mm hook; 3 skeins of Knit Picks Hawthorne Kettle-Dye: Delphinium Blue; or your choice of similar sock-weight/fingering weight yarn @1,000 yds.

Second sample shown uses F/3.75 mm hook, 3 skeins of Michaels Loops and Threads Woolike: 2 skeins Mauve, 1 skein white; or use your choice of similar lace-weight yarn @1,600 yds

Gauge: with Fingering/G 4.00mm hook 11 rows X 9 sc = 2” square; 24 rows of cable pattern x 13 sts = 5” x 3” However, gauge is not critical to this piece.

With Lace/F 3.75 mm hook 16 rows X 13 sc = 2” square; 24 rows of cable pattern x 13 sts = 4.25” x 2.25”

Sizing: Fingering sample shown is gently blocked to 52” across neckline X 13” deep. Lace-weight shawl is gently blocked to 62” x 18”. However, as the lace-weight shawl shows, this shawl is completely adjustable by doing fewer/more rows of main body pattern and adjusting the edging cable accordingly.

I’m going to rate this one as an intermediate. Please be familiar with the ghost stitch technique for making cables. I have a free tutorial here: Please be familiar with the ghost stitch technique of making cables to get the results shown in the edging. I have a free tutorial here :
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beautiful-cables-...

Pattern uses US terminology. Written and charted. A huge thank you to Rufarocrafty, Jayashreemadan, jaishree, and yarnedaround for testing :)