Creating a prayer shawl is a beautiful way to share your love with someone else, even when you can't be with them. Wether you are making the shawl for a troubling time or a time to celebrate, it gives comfort, expresses care, and provides a tangible hug to the recipient. Here are 10 FREE Crochet Prayer Shawl Patterns that you can make and share with those that need it.
If you haven't grabbed your Holiday Crochet Bundle, yet, then don't hesitate. The big huge sale on these crochet patterns only lasts until tomorrow. If you don't get them ASAP then you'll miss the chance to get 40+ crochet patterns at a 90% discount. It's the best way to get a lot of patterns from a variety of crochet designers at one super low price. And if you use my affiliate link to buy the bundle then you'll also get two additional free Marly Bird crochet patterns. PLUS you'll be entered to win another 10 free crochet patterns from me. Need more details? Learn all about it here.
Once you've gone and purchased your bundle, come on back here. I wanted to introduce you to the other 33 crochet designers who collaborated to bring you this big discount. While you can buy the bundle through any of us, I hope that you'll use my affiliate link, since that's the only way to get the extra free crochet patterns that I'm offering. (Plus it's a way to support my work if you like it.)
I love collaborating with others. I do a lot of different types of collaborations, and I'm all about building community. That's one of the reasons that I'm happy to participate in projects like this with other crochet designers. And it seems like a good opportunity to introduce you to the others, many of whom I've worked with or mentioned on the blog in the past. So, with no further ado, here are the other 33 crochet designers who also have patterns in the Holiday Crochet Bundle.
Jennifer of A Crocheted Simplicity always has cute crochet designs. In fact, I've included some of her crochet patterns in my roundups over the years. Here are three of them:
Sonya Blackstone enjoys creating simple and fun crochet patterns. She offers many of them free through her blog. In particular, she excels at creating holiday and seasonal crochet patterns. Here are some of the roundups where I've included those patterns:
And we both participated in the Celebrate Mom Blog Hop, for which I shared a shawl pattern.
Veronica of Blue Star Crochet enjoys designing wearable crochet, so if you're looking to make garments and accessories then you might want to check her out. You can also find crochet reviews, crochetalongs, and more on her blog.
Briana is a knit and crochet designer who started off selling finished items on Etsy but then switched to selling patterns. I love working with her. Get to know more about her from her Yarn Thing Podcast interview, in which we talk about Infinity Crochet. She also did a free crochet ornament pattern for last year's Knit and Crochet Quickies hosted here on my site. Plus she contributed a knit and crochet shawl pattern for the Mother's Day crochet pattern collaboration earlier this year.
Lorene from Cre8tion Crochet was featured on the Yarn Thing podcast way back in 2014. She was already designing fun crochet projects back then, including a popular Owl Stuffy. Then she came back to the podcast in 2019 to share her Year in Crochet program. Check out the interviews to learn more about her work. Fun fact: She collaborated with Briana K and others on Crochet Foundry magazine this year.
Courtney creates crochet patterns for accessories and garments with an eye towards being size-inclusive. All of her crochet garment patterns are sized S – 5x. I've included her patterns in the Fall and Thanksgiving projects roundup as well as the Portable Crochet Projects roundup, both linked above.
Cheryl is a crochet blogger and designer who also knows how to knit. I'm always happy to find other bi-crafty people in this community. I hosted a New Year's Eve pattern giveaway to countdown to 2018, and she participated in that. It's great to be sharing another project with her.
Kim Guzman was one of the earliest guests on the Yarn Thing Podcast. She's an established crochet author and designer. In particular, she's known for her skill with Tunisian crochet. You can find a Tunisian crochet stitch library on her website.
Crystal started crocheting while she was on bed rest. She quickly realized that she wanted to turn it into a career, and her crochet design business was born. I've included one of her patterns on the blog before: 10 Free Crochet Slipper Patterns.
Susanna of Fosbas enjoys creating crochet patterns for moms and their kids. I've included some of those patterns on the blog in the past. You'll find them in the Fall and Thanksgiving crochet patterns roundup, the Portable Crochet Projects roundup, and the Summer Tops crochet pattern roundup all linked above. You'll also find them in: 20 Free Crochet Spa Patterns.
Kristen offers video tutorials for a variety of different crafts including crochet. In 2018 we reviewed the Leisure Arts Oval Loom for knitters, and she was generous enough to share her expertise with us for that post. She also participated in the Chic Sheep blog tour, contributed a square for the Wedding Blanket CAL, and I included her in the 13 Free Knit and Crochet Baby Projects roundup.
Lisa of Green Fox Farms Designs has an art degree and taught herself to crochet when she was pregnant with her daughter. Her creativity shines through in her work. She celebrates the magic of the craft in all she does.
Raine enjoys a variety of crafts including cross-stitch, sewing, knitting, and crochet, many of which her other and grandmother also enjoyed. She likes creating practical, useful items, but infusing them with a touch of something special.
Hannah of HanJan Crochet creates a diverse array of different types of crochet patterns. Head to her website and you'll find crochet patterns for babies, weddings, home, and wearables. I've included her patterns previously in the Crochet Cables roundup and Crochet Patterns for Fall and Thanksgiving, both linked above as well as in my Crochet for Charity roundup.
What a great name for a business right? Breann shares elegant crochet patterns, especially for accessories and wearables. She participates in CALs, and she also sells artisan yarn on her website. I recently included one of her patterns in my roundup of 15 Free Crochet Stockings Patterns.
Irina of KnitzNPurlz began knitting as a young child. She continues to love it today, and has also become a crocheter. Recently she's been sharing a lot of crochet projects that use chunky t-shirt yarn.
Faydra learned to crochet from her mother at a young age. Now, through Knottie Hooks, she shares stitch tutorials, free crochet patterns, and additional information to help others learn the craft that she loves.
Krissy is a mother of five living in the Appalachian Mountains. In addition to free crochet patterns and tutorials, she also shares recipes on her blog.
Amanda of Loops and Love Crochet started crocheting when she was pregnant. She is relatively new to the crochet design scene, having been a designer for just a couple of years. She's got some great patterns, which I've included previously in the roundups of crochet patterns for Fall and Thanksgiving, Charity Crochet, and Portable Crochet Projects, all of which are linked above.
Agat, whose nickname is Gootie, learned to knit as a child. She loves the craft and also loves to crochet. She shares patterns for both. I've included one of her patterns previously in the Spa Patterns roundup linked earlier in this post.
Jessica of Mama in a Stitch is another bi-crafty member of our designer community. She launched her blog in 2014 with a knit fingerless gloves pattern, and she's been sharing her knit and crochet patterns ever since. I've included her previously in my roundup of 12 Free Crochet Summer Tops.
Candy of Meladora's Creations loves to crochet. After struggling through some life challenges and working at a job she hated to make ends meet, she was able to turn her love of the craft into a business. She teaches crochet through video tutorials and shares patterns on her website.
Michelle is one of the crochet designers behind the Crochet Foundry magazine (mentioned above since she worked in collaboration with several people including both Briana K and Cre8tion Crochet.) You'll also find that I've included her patterns in the roundups of Spa Patterns, 30 Free Crochet Summer Tops for Beginners, and Mother's Day blog hop patterns, also all linked above. And she was another participant in the Fall Crochet Bundle, the predecessor to this Holiday Crochet Bundle event.
Nicole is the one behind this big Holiday Crochet Bundle sale and the previous Fall Crochet Bundle. I've included her patterns previously on the blog in the roundups of Easter crochet patterns, crochet cables, and 24 knit and crochet Christmas quickies, all of which are linked above. She was also included in 20 Free Pom Pom Project Ideas, my Yarn Pooling book blog tour, and I did a free crochet shawl pattern for her Celebrate the Holidays blog hop.
Raffaella, whose high school nickname was Raffamusa, began her crochet journey with Tunisian crochet. She also likes crocheting appliqués, potholders, accessories, and baby items. She has Tunisian crochet stitch designs and patterns on her website along with other crochet patterns.
Sarah Zimmerman is a terrific crochet designer well-known for her C2C crochet patterns. In fact, she's authored a book of them. I've included her patterns in many roundups over time including:
If you're enjoying learning about all of these great crochet designers, then you might want to check out the Inside the Crochet Designer's Mind series on this blog. You'll get the opportunity to meet all kinds of different crochet designers there. Plus the site has crochet patterns, pattern reviews, articles and more. This was another stop on my Yarn Pooling book blog tour.
Elisa is a crochet designer and knitter who also enjoys the craft of card making. She started the crafts as a way to pass the time when feeling homesick after first moving to the United States. Now she is a pattern tester who also shares crochet patterns of her own.
You might be familiar with Sweet Potato 3 from my recent participation in her Crochet Cancer Challenge, for which I shared the Wings of Hope hat pattern. It's a great cause that Christine cares a lot about. She was also part of the Countdown to 2018 project mentioned above and has a pattern included in my roundup of 10 Free Crochet Gift Card Holder Patterns.
Kali is a crochet blogger who specializes in amigurumi. As she says on her Facebook page, she enjoys “creating warmth, comfort and personality with crochet!” Recent patterns include a bat, a tiger, a sloth, and a unicorn.
Jessica Carey of the Hook Nook had a rough childhood and wanted things to be different for her own kids. One way she did that was learning to crochet so that she could pass special heirloom pieces on to her kids. She believes in crochet as therapy and has a new book called Making with Meaning that shares patterns and essays on this topic. Learn more about her from her feature on the Yarn Thing Podcast.
Ashley is a Canadian crochet designer who started her blog in 2018. She learned to crochet to reduce anxiety and quickly found that she loved the craft. I've shared her patterns in the roundups (all linked above) for: Easter Crochet Patterns, Fall and Thanksgiving Projects, Portable Crochet Projects, and Charity Crochet.
Nadia is another crocheter, and a friend of mine, who uses the craft as therapy. She started selling her crochet work in 2012, donating a portion of the proceeds to help people like her who live with inflammatory bowel diseases. She's been included on this blog many times including in the roundups of shark crochet patterns, Halloween crochet patterns, and crochet slipper patterns all linked above. But perhaps most special is the Oliver and Olivia crochet blanket I designed for her when she was pregnant.
There they are. The 33 crochet designers who are also participating in the Holiday Crochet Bundle. I hope you've met some new folks and see some others whose work you already enjoy. Don't forget that when you buy the Holiday Crochet Bundle through my affiliate link, you'll get some extra bonus patterns just from me!
Independent designers bring so much creativity, diversity, and personality to the craft that you just don't get from big yarn company patterns. They design patterns they genuinely love and that reflect their own aesthetic… often pioneering new techniques or fresh takes on classic styles. Following designers (on Ravelry, Instagram, their blogs) means you hear about new patterns first, often get discounts and freebies, and become part of a real community around their work. It's how the yarn world stays vibrant and connected.
Look at finished objects you admire and trace them back to the designer. When you finish a pattern you love… bookmark that designer! Instagram and Ravelry are both great for discovery. Search hashtags for the type of project you love (#crochetshawl, #amigurumi, #crochetgarment) and see whose work keeps catching your eye. This collection of 33 designers is a great starting point for finding talented crocheters from different style backgrounds and specialties.
The designer usually gets a higher percentage of the sale when you buy directly (through their website or Payhip). Ravelry takes a small commission but handles a lot of the discovery and delivery for the designer. Etsy is another popular platform. From your perspective as a buyer, the pattern is identical regardless of where you buy it. If you love a designer's work and want to support them directly… check their website first. If you're just browsing and discovering… Ravelry is fantastic for that.
Different, not necessarily better! Yarn company patterns (from Yarnspirations, Lion Brand, Paintbox, etc.) are designed to sell yarn and are usually free. Independent designer patterns are designed for the love of the craft and reflect a specific creative vision. Both can be excellent! Independent designers often push the envelope more on style and technique, while yarn company patterns are extremely accessible and beginner-friendly. Having both in your pattern library gives you the best of both worlds.
Buy their patterns instead of looking for free alternatives when you can. Leave a helpful review or project photo on Ravelry… it's incredibly valuable to other crafters and to the designer. Tag them when you share your finished makes on social media. Tell your crafty friends about designers you love. Subscribe to their newsletter. And if a designer offers a free pattern, please use the actual pattern source (their blog or Ravelry page) rather than redistributing it elsewhere. Small actions add up to big support.
We're pulling together some of our favorite patterns from the Yarnspirations website each week. Use these patterns to inspire you to try new projects or even some new yarn! This week, I have a collection of 17 FREE knit and crochet two-yarn patterns sure to get you excited to pick up your needles and hooks. Browse through them for your next project to put your hooks or needles.
[Read more…]I am bi-crafty. When I learned to both knit and crochet, I immediately realized that one craft isn't “better” than the other. Therefore, I love the challenging of making designs that work easily for both crocheters and knitters. This striped crochet shawl free pattern is exactly that type of design.
It was 2014. The editor of Love of Crochet asked me to design a crochet shawl for their Winter issue. However, this wasn't just to be any old shawl of my choosing. They had specific features that they wanted to include.
First of all, they wanted a striped crochet shawl pattern. Stripes are terrific because they give you the opportunity to play with color. They are easily worn; despite the myth that horizontal stripes add weight, anyone can wear both horizontal and vertical stripes!) Plus, stripes are fun to crochet, because you get the meditative aspect of working on a repeating stitch pattern but that's broken up with the color changes.
Second, they wanted a crochet shawl that could easily be worked in a knit version. I LOVE THIS. I have designed quite a few patterns that are available as either knit or crochet patterns. This is great for bi-crafty people who want to work one or both. It's great for crafters who only know one of the two crafts. And it's perfect for craft groups that include both knitters and crocheters so everyone can work on the same project.
Thus, the Stellar Stripes Shawl pattern was born. In this post, I'll tell you all about the crochet version. But there's also a knit version.
The other criteria that the editor asked for was “trendiness.” They wanted to make sure that the crochet shawl I designed at the time would be right on trend. This was back in 2014. The stripes and the shape of the shawl were right on trend.
But, six years later, it's turned out that this is also a timeless design. This striped crochet shawl free pattern truly works year in and year out. It's a versatile design that you can easily layer over a lot of different types of outfits. You can dress it up or dress it down. It's easy to wear, but it has a little touch of class of luxury to it thanks to a smart yarn choice.
When I originally designed this pattern, I used one of my very favorite luxurious fibers: Bijou Basin Ranch's sport yarn. This is a 100% yak yarn.
However, there are also other brands of yak yarn out there. Yak yarn is, admittedly, a bit more expensive than your basic yarn. But it's really special, which means that when you use it for this striped crochet shawl free pattern, you're really making a special garment.
Some of the amazing things about yak yarn include:
We've already dismissed the idea that certain people can't wear stripes. That's ridiculous. Stripes can look great on all body types. In particular, an accessory like a shawl gives you a great stepping stone for trying on stripes if you aren't used to wearing them.
In this striped crochet shawl free pattern, I've opted to use just two colors, alternating every two rows. The benefits of this include:
If you are on the fence, here are five more factors to consider:
Ready to try it? Click the image below to get the crochet pattern:
Here are some other free crochet shawl patterns that you might enjoy crafting:
If you both knit and crochet, which version of the shawl will you make? Share why in the comments! We love hearing from our bi-crafty friends.
Honestly… yes! Stripes are totally wearable for everyone, no matter your body type. An accessory like a shawl is actually a super fun way to dip your toes into wearing stripes if you're not used to them.
You got this! The pattern uses really simple stitches… if you can single crochet and half double crochet, you're pretty much set to go. It's a great project to build your skills.
So here's the thing… yak yarn is amazing! It's super soft like cashmere, but way more sustainable. Plus, it's extra warm, breathable, and surprisingly durable. It makes this shawl extra luxurious!
You only need two colors! Alternating every two rows gives you that fun stripe effect without needing a huge yarn stash. It's perfect for school colors or holiday themes!
Yes! Although it was originally designed for a magazine, you can totally grab the crochet pattern for free right here on the website. Why not give it a whirl?
We recently looked at the 13 best crochet and knitting project bags. The right bag is durable, has a lot of pockets, doesn't snag your yarn, and also looks cute. But once you have the right yarn project bag, how do you pack it?
Of course, there are a multitude of ways to pack a yarn project bag. It depends on your bag, your project, your personal supply preferences, etc. That said, there are three basic approaches to a well-packed yarn project bag:
One approach that many people love is to have multiple yarn project bags. Then they pack one project into each bag. This is especially popular during the holidays, when you might plan to craft a lot of things in a short period of time. By keeping everything that you need for the project in one bag, you give yourself the ease and convenience of always being able to pick up and work on it.
This approach is great for people who are organized enough to know exactly what they want to work on. Here's what you'll pack in your yarn project bag:
Okay, the reality is that you can't take your entire yarn stash and put it into one yarn project bag. So at some point there's a limit. But the idea here is that instead of having a project bag for one specific project, you have a bag that includes supplies for different types of projects. This is the kind of yarn project bag that you want to keep in the car, perhaps – so that you always have something to work on if you find yourself stuck somewhere with unexpected time on your hands.
If you want to pack a bag that gives you options, then how do you decide what to include? (More importantly, this means deciding what to leave out.) Here are some tips:
So, either you pack a yarn project bag with one very specific project or you pack one with as many options as you can fit. What's left? The other time you might want a project bag is when you're going to be traveling. In this instance, you'll often pack your yarn craft supplies as well as other materials. In particular, if you're taking a plane ride, then you'll want a carry-on that fits all your travel needs as well as your yarn project.
Those are the three basic approaches to keep in mind. Knowing the type of projects you're likely to bag up can help you a lot in choosing the right yarn project bags. You'll know if you need a large or small bag, one with a lot of pockets or just a few, etc. Here are some additional tips for organizing and packing a yarn project bag:
All of these suggestions can help you figure out the right way to pack your own yarn project bag. But ultimately, you do you. Figure out what you need most in a bag, then choose a bag that works well with those needs. Play around with different ways of packing your bags and do what works.
Just because many people find it helpful to have a printed pattern in the bag doesn't mean that's right for you. Just because a lot of people find it easier to have only 1-2 crochet hooks on a plane doesn't mean that a crochet hooks case filled with ten hooks isn't right for you. Take these tips as a starting point and then adapt them to what's suitable for your needs.
Want to get an idea of how other people pack their yarn project bag? Fiber Flux, Oombawka Design, Moogly and others shared their project bag favorites with us. Click on the image below to check that out:
We want to know what you keep in your yarn project bag. What tips do you have for organizing a bag? What have you tried that's worked (or hasn't)? Share in the comments below to keep the conversation going.
Note: This post may include affiliate links. That simply means that if you click on a link then make a purchase at the link, then I get a percentage of the sale. It doesn't change your price in any way. Thanks for the support!
The essentials every crafter should keep stocked: scissors (small, TSA-friendly ones for travel), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (always more than you think you need), a small tape measure, and a row counter or phone app. For crochet: a few different hook sizes in case you need to adjust. For knitting: point protectors to keep stitches from sliding off. Keep a small zippered pouch inside your bag for these tiny notions so they don't rattle around and get lost. The most frustrating crafting situation is reaching for something you don't have mid-project.
Contain the yarn! A small drawstring bag inside your larger project bag prevents the yarn from bouncing around. A yarn snack bag (a small bag with a hole) lets you feed yarn through while keeping the ball contained. Winding your yarn into a center-pull cake before starting is the single best tangle-prevention move… the yarn feeds cleanly from the center without the ball rolling away. And keeping the project bag closed (zipper, drawstring, or snap) between sessions prevents yarn from escaping and wrapping around everything else.
Match the bag size to the project! Small zip pouches for socks, fingerless mitts, and small accessories… everything fits without extra space for tangling. Medium totes for shawls, scarves, and medium-sized accessories. Large bags for garments, large blanket panels, and projects using multiple yarn balls. For very large projects, a dedicated project basket at home with a smaller “travel pouch” containing just the current working yarn and notions for on-the-go stitching works beautifully. Having bags in different sizes and using the right one for each project makes a huge quality-of-life difference.
Yes! Either a printed copy you can mark up, or your phone or tablet with the PDF downloaded so you can access it without internet. Screenshot key pages if you're worried about connectivity. Some crafters use a clipboard inside the bag to keep a printed pattern flat and easy to read. Mark off rows as you complete them… there's nothing more frustrating than not knowing where you are in a pattern when you come back to a project after a break. Keep a sticky note in the bag to jot your row number every time you put it down.
A few things that make a real difference! Secure closure (zipper beats drawstring for not losing notions). At least one interior pocket for small tools. Flat bottom so it sits upright and stable. A comfortable handle or strap. Size appropriate for what you carry. And honestly? A design you love looking at… a beautiful project bag that makes you happy to reach for is one you'll actually use. There's a reason the crafting world has an entire sub-hobby of collecting project bags… they're practical AND beautiful.
We're past the middle of October, so it's fully fall! As it cools down and the leaves fall, if they haven't already where you are, you're going to want more cozy things to wear and to decorate your house.
Luckily, my blogger friends are here to help! With 25 crochet and knit projects for fall, including some Thanksgiving decorations you can get started on, you'll be ready for whatever the season throws at you.
Keep accessories like hats, cowls, and mitts in your purse or your car so you can easily slip them on if the fall day is a little cooler than you'd like it to be.
These pumpkin patterns are sophisticated and work well past Halloween into late fall and Thanksgiving. Make odd-numbered groupings on a side table or mantel, or use them as part of your Thanksgiving table.
Make turkey-inspired items for your Thanksgiving decor, and use the colors of fall leaves in your decorating all autumn long. You can safely pack away your handmade items and bring them out next year to save money on seasonal decor, and be able to show your personality and your love of crafting every fall.
So here's the thing… this post has a whopping 25 projects for you to dive into! There are wearables, cute stuffed pumpkins, and some lovely home decor items to get your autumn vibes going.
Yes! Honestly… there are a few of my own designs sprinkled in there for you. You'll find my Sunset Song Knit Cowl, Afternoon Delight Quickie Knit Hat, and my Knit Pumpkin Patch pattern.
Oh, you've got options! There are blankets, placemats, coasters… and even some adorable turkey-themed flatware holders and appliques if you're feeling festive for Thanksgiving!
Nope! While there are tons of crochet projects, you'll also find some lovely knit patterns included. It's a nice mix for everyone!
Well, some are definitely more beginner-friendly than others. There are a few patterns tagged as “Advanced Beginner,” but you might want to check out the specific pattern links to see skill levels mentioned for each one.