The original pattern comes from Weldon’s Practical Crochet and Victorian crochet with the name “A Round Crochet Shawl”. This shawl is literally a circle that is then folded in half and worn with two layers about the shoulders. However, as is the case with so many vintage patterns, the pattern had to be converted to modern terminology. This is my attempt at conversion.

“A handsome round shawl is crocheted in a very effective wheel-like, easy pattern of chain and treble^, open crochet, and though remarkable simple it is well worth a trial; in fact, its very simplicity will commend it to many. The original shawl was a French one, made of fine strongly twisted wool that threw the several spokes or divisions of the wheel into prominence; but we give it for reproduction in Shawline wool, and recommend it for a useful warm shawl for winter wear.” - Weldons

The pattern itself is not difficult and takes in concepts that should be familiar to anyone who has made a shawl in the past. The three double crochet grouping is very much like a “granny square” motif made incredibly popular in the late 1960s. The edging is a shell motif; also familiar to those who have made lacy shawls.

The original pattern called for “Shawline Wool,” to which I have not been able to find an equivalent after HOURS of searching the Internet. The pattern calls for a No. 10 bone hook, and there I can tell you the equivalent is most likely a “J” or 6 mm hook. With that much known, we can assume that “Shawline Wool” is probably a worsted/heavy worsted weight.

Weldon’s called for “two boxes of Shawline wool—pink”, but choose any color, or color combinations you find more appealing!

This pattern is modified to be a circular shawl, and not truly a round shawl as originally intended. The original pattern was worked in rounds. This pattern is worked in rows so that the body of the shawl is “circular”, but has an “opening” so that the body will fall about your neck and over your shoulders and chest like a modern circular shawl.

This pattern is constructed in three parts or motifs. The first motif is meant to “grow” the shawl outward. The second motif is to add variation in shape, and continue to “grow” the shawl. The third motif is a simple lacy shell border. The first motif, in the original pattern, is repeated for 30 to 34 inches in diameter. This repeat can be modified to desired length, but the pattern length is noted. The second and third motif (border) can also be repeated to a desired length, yet again, the pattern calls for seven rows of the second motif, and fourteen rows of the border motif.

It should be noted that the third motif does not have a detached edge. This may seem implied in the illustration above, but every shell row is begun and ended with a chain 3 or double crochet. This is done to keep the inner edge smooth.

While this is my first time converting a vintage pattern, I found that there is a similar pattern on Ravelry called Conjure by Cynthia Allen (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/conjure). It is not exactly same in the sense that Conjure has a shorter repeat of the second motif. I am also omitting all slip stitches except the one to start the shawl and standardizing the shell stitches for ease. So, this is my shout out to fellow crochet designer, Cynthia Allen, whose pattern is also free!

^this notation is converted to a double crochet

Materials:
J-K (6-6.5 mm) hook
Tapestry needle to weave ends (optional)

Yarn:
600+ yards Worsted weight yarn
(wool or wool blend is recommended for optimal blocking)

Finished Size:
Variable

Gauge:
Variable

Abbreviations:
sl st – Slip Stitch
st - stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
ch – chain
sk – skip
rep – repeat
V-stitch – dc, ch 1, dc
shell – 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in one stitch
SinS (Shell in shell) – 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in the ch 2 of previous shell

This pattern uses US terminology.

Additional Note: This pattern has only been tested in miniature. If there are errors, please feel free to email/comment/message me! I also add a disclaimer to my hand drawn graphs. Given time, and hopefully some assistance, the graphs will be refined.

This is now Version 1.5, please be sure to re-download the PDF when it is released. The correction is also reflected on the linked blog post!