15 Crochet shawl & wrap patterns for wedding guests & occasion wear
A handmade, elegant crochet shawl is one of the most timeless, iconic accessories you can own.
Perfect for both formal and less formal occasions from weddings to christenings, baptisms, afternoon tea, brunch or cocktails with friends.
In this post, you’ll find some of my favourite shawl patterns which would be perfect for that special occasion such as a wedding.
You can learn more about shawl styles and construction in my ‘all about crochet shawls’ article; part of my ‘all about crochet’ series – aimed at answering the questions you don’t know you need to ask until you’re stuck!
This weekend I went to my first wedding since pre-the-C-word. It was glorious. But I had a bit of a time of it trying to find a dress for the occasion. I did discover that ‘wedding guest fashion’ is a whole new category of its own these days.
The tricky thing with weddings is that they are often all day events, starting at a warm lunch time or early afternoon and going on to late in the evening. So that sleevelss dress that was perfect in the mid-afternoon suddenly gets a bit chilly when you find yourself sitting outside after dark!
Having a good shawl that fits the bill is incredibly useful. And if you can crochet it yourself, so much the better.
Crochet shawls and wraps are perfect for those events which can bridge afternoon to evening where an extra layer is required, but a coat or jacket isn’t suitable.
This is what crochet shawls are absolutely made for!
The patterns featured below feature a range of shapes, sizes, crochet techniques and fibres, and includes both paid and free patterns as I aim to offer something for everyone.
A lot of these patterns use lighter weight yarn such as 4 ply fingering or lace weight. This is because finer yarns create beautiful drape which gives a more delicate and romantic look.
That said I have included some designs in double knit and worsted weight yarns – it’s still possible to create elegant accessories with heavier yarns as these demonstrate.
So lets get to it
1. Crochet del mar shawl – Free pattern from Dora Does
Starting with one of my own patterns which would work perfectly for a wedding. It’s a simple elegant asymmetric triangle shawl with gently curving edges to soften the shape.
The cover picture shows me wearing it to an afternoon tea at the hen do / bridal shower for this most recent wedding. If the colour matched my dress it would have been perfect for the actual wedding too.
This shawl is made with an ombre cake in fingering weight yarn so only has two ends to sew in.
It has a lovely pattern repeat making it relaxing to work up and easy to make in a size that will suit your needs.
Read the free Crochet Del Mar shawl pattern here
2. Festoon Shawl – Paid pattern from Dora Does
I am obsessed with crescent shaped shawls at the moment, so had to exclude my latest half moon style crescent shawl design, the festoon shawl.
It’s perfect for keeping those shoulders warm come the evenings sitting under the festoon lights in the garden. The perfect summer wedding acessory!
Get the Festoon Shawl pattern here
3. Orchid Shawl – Free Pattern from Rich Textures Crochet
I love the floral feels of this shawl which is made from a cotton double knit yarn.
This rectangular wrap has a delicate, romantic feel to it and I think it would work in a range of fibres.
One of the reasons I included this pattern was because it looks like it is made from motifs but is actually worked in one piece. This is a big win in my book as I’m not a fan of joining!
Find the Orchid Shawl pattern here
4. Rainbow Love Tunisian Crochet Shawl – Free Pattern from Yarn Andy
I really wanted to make sure I included a Tunisian crochet shawl pattern in this round up as I think Tunisian designs can create stunning results.
Rectangular wraps like this are always a good starting point if you’re learning something new as you don’t need to worry about shaping.
This one uses one 250g gradient cake of fingering weight yarn so no colour changes were required. You can go to town with the colours or keep it simple.
The Rainbow Love Tunisian Crochet Shawl pattern is available here
5. The Parade Wrap with Keyhole Option – Paid Pattern from Dora Does
No other fibre says romance quite like mohair. The light delicate stitches and fluffy halo gives me all the soft focus vibes – perfect for celebrating love.
Parade offers two size options, one with a simple keyhole scarf option which allows you to simply fasten the shawl. Great when you want to keep wearing it when you hit the dance floor! It is part of the Fine Lines collection which includes four summer crochet patterns, 3 shawls and one cropped cardi – all of which would work for occasion wear.
Mohair creates really light and surprisingly warm accessories so is definitely worth trying at least once.
This Parade wrap uses simple stitches so would be a great make if you’re newer to working with a fibre like mohair which is notoriously tricky to frog!
6. Sylvie Wrap – Paid pattern from Wish Upon a Hook
I love the more folksy vibes of this large rectangular shawl made from 4 ply / fingering weight yarn. I think the fringing adds something extra here.
The wrap has beautiful drape, perfect for a more boho or beach style wedding. I absolutely love the laidback feel this pattern creates.
Get the Sylvie Wrap pattern from Ravelry here
7. Fairy Lights Crochet Shawl – Free pattern from Knitting with Chopsticks
I love the clever use of colourwork in this triangle shawl, which is the first entry using worsted weight yarn.
This would look great at a winter or Christmas wedding in particular thanks to those pretty bobbles that mimic a string of fairly lights.
The simple use of colour is very effective. I also love a bobble in a crochet pattern so I was sold on this one.
Read the Fairy Lights Shawl pattern here
8. Butterfly Crochet Wrap – Free pattern from Briana K Designs
It wouldn’t be a Dora Does round up without a stashbusting option!
This shawl is made from hexagonal motifs which are worked separately and then joined. Because you are encouraged to use yarn from your stash, this will make a unique project with no two ever looking the same.
On top of that, the pattern is worked with 3 strands of fingering weight yarn held together, so you can substitute with different yarn weights.
The pattern also has some interesting techniques I haven’t seen a used lot in other shawl patterns. This is one of the reasons I’m a huge fan of Briana K’s designs – she’s always experimenting and stretching the boundaries of what crochet can create.
Read the free stashbusting butterfly shawl pattern here
9. Yura Wrap – Paid pattern from Jennifer Renaud of A Crocheted Simplicity
The image of this stunning wrap says it all I think. It screams dramatic romance, with those beautiful colours and that gorgeous drape!
This large rectangular wrap is made with fingering weight yarn with easy to customise the sizing. It is one of those acessories you can dress up or down, but would be perfect for any formal occasion.
It also highlights the beautiful modern styles that can be created with filet crochet.
Get the Yura Wrap pattern on Ravelry here
10. Nightfall Triangle Shawl – Free pattern from Annie Design Crochet
This lovely open shawl is made with sport weight yarn, though it can also be worked up in a variety of yarn weights with an appropriate hook. I love how it looks in this variegated yarn.
It’s crocheted using mostly US treble crochet so works up quickly. Great if you’re after something a bit last minute that look like it took a lot longer
Read the free Nightfall Triangle Shawl pattern here
11. Midsummer 3 way crochet infinity scarf – free pattern from Once Upon a Cheerio
This is a modern, versatile infinity scarf which is perfect to keep those shoulders warm on summer evenings.
It’s made with worsted weight yarn and a 6mm hook so works up fast. Surprisingly delicate for a worsted yarn, this piece can be worn 3 ways, so you are definitely getting the most from your efforts.
Check out the Midsummer Infinity Scarf and all the ways to wear it here
12. Sand to Sea Shawl – Free pattern from Creations by Courtney
This lovely shawl echos that place where the sand meets the sea. It has an interesting construction and would be a great project for someone looking to mix up their textures and stitch patterns.
It has a little bit of everything from waves to beadwork and is worked with fingering weight yarn to give it that delicate feel.
Read the Sand to Sea Shawl pattern here
13. Wrapped in Diamonds Shawl – Free pattern form Torun JohanSyson
This is a lovely, elegant fillet crochet shawl pattern which would make a great project to give you an introduction to the technique.
I’ve been experimenting a little with fillet crochet of late and am really enjoying the mindful making experience it offers. Something about counting in threes perhaps but I am a little addicted to the pattern making.
That aside, this pattern would make a lovely addition to any wedding outfit, the diamond theme adding to the romantic theme.
Get the free ravelry download of the Wrapped in Diamonds Shawl here
14. Maggie Rose Wrap – Paid pattern from Amber Bliss Calderon
This is a simple elegant wrap which is made using crochet thread, similar to a lace weight yarn.
I wanted to include a pattern worked with thread as I think it’s something a lot of crocheters are worried about using. This one isn’t that fine and uses a 4.5mm hook so shouldn’t be too indimidating.
It creates a simple open stitch pattern using some interesting stitches to keep you engaged with the pattern and is perfect to add something a little special to your outfit.
I am a fan of working with thread for these kinds of lightweight designs. Check out my free smell the roses poncho and wrap pattern which mixes thread with fingering weight yarn for a lovely combination – this would also make a great wedding shawl!
Find the Maggie Rose Wrap ravelry listing here
15. Perceptions crochet shawl – Free pattern from Dora Does
Last, but not least, if you like patterns that are a little more open and lacy, check out the free perceptions shawl pattern from yours truly.
It has an easy to memorise row repeat which creates some really interesting patterns in the fabric. You’ll find that one minute you’ll see a pattern of circles created by the stitches and another tou’ll see patterns created by the spaces – it all depends on your perception!
This shawl, like many others here benefits from a colour changing fingering yarn weight cake, so again, just two ends to sew in. And because this pattern is made centre out you can just keep going until it reaches your desired size.
Read the perceptions shawl pattern here
I hope you have enjoyed browsing all these lovely elegant shawl patterns and have been inspired to crochet something for your next big event or for that of a friend or loved one.
If you’re still looking for ’the one’ you can find more crochet shawl, scarf and wrap patterns here.
Happy Hooking
Dx