Free ‘Assigned Pooling’ Crochet Shawl Pattern: ‘The Lotus Pool’

Pattern Notes

General Notes

• Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
• This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list where applicable)
• Numbers given at the end of a row indicate the number of stitches in that row
• Chain 4 turning chains do not count as stitches throughout 
• After Row 1, your stitch count should always be a multiple of 4 (learn about stitch multiples here)
• Instructions written between [square brackets] should be worked the specific number of times instructed
• There is no right or wrong side to this pattern

Construction

• The shawl is worked from the bottom up into a shallow triangle shape
• To achieve the basic shawl pattern you will work in rows, making increases on either end of every row
• The basic shawl pattern is worked, changing to the ‘mini lotus’ stitch each time the yarn changes to the contrast colour section

Skills Used

• Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
• Beginning with a magic ring (modification given) and working in rows with simple increases 
• Multiple puff stitches worked in the same stitch (see special stitches)
• I’ve created a video tutorial to support this pattern which I encourage you to watch if you find visual guidance useful:
  • Click here for Right Handed Video Tutorial
  • Click here fore Left Handed Video Tutorial

Materials

Crochet Hook

4mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge / desired tension. 

I used my clover amour hook.

Yarn

Approximately 200g / 850m of fingering weight / 4ply Assigned Pooling Yarn designed with a ‘long zip’ colour change. This means that you have about a 2:1 ratio of the main colour (120cm of blue in this case) to the contrast colour (60cm of pink) in your variegated yarn.

The yarn used in this pattern was as follows:

2 x 100g skeins The Wool Kitchen Long Zips Fingering 4ply in shade Cherry Blossom. 75% Merino, 25% nylon sock. 100g skein = 425m

Substitution Options

This pattern is all about the yarn, so if you’re substituting and want a similar effect, you will need to ensure you use a yarn with a similar assigned pooling colourway. As mentioned, this is about a 2:1 ratio, so when you open out the hank of yarn into a big loop, about 1/3 (60cm) will be the contrast colour and 2/3 (120cm) will be the main colour.

The Wool Kitchen carries these colourways in different yarn bases should you wish to experiment with fibres. Remember that different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result.

You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure.

I encourage you to block this project, in which case I recommend a Blocking board and pins.

Learn more about blocking here.

Measurements

The finished shawl measures approximately 165cm in wingspan (widest point) by 48cm deep at the deepest point, after a gentle blocking.

How to purchase a Dora Does crochet pattern:

I sell my PDF crochet patterns in my Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts stores. You can purchase this pattern on any of these platforms, depending on your preference. Simply click the relevant links throughout this pattern page to be taken to the listing, or visit the store homepages in the links at the start of this paragraph.

Special Stitches 

Magic Ring (MR)

You can find a photo and video tutorial on how to create a magic ring here.  

If you are not familiar with, or not a fan of the magic ring, then you can ch5 to start and work the first mini lotus stitch into the 5th ch from hook, ensuring your contrast colour begins with the mini lotus.

Mini Lotus Stitch

The mini lotus stitch is a paired down version of the more elaborate ‘lotus stitch’ which I customised to suit this specific pattern.

The Mini Lotus is comprised of 3 puff stitches / petals (of differing sizes) worked in the same space. You will skip a stitch either side* of the mini lotus as it accounts for 3 stitches in the stitch count (though I have not included this requirement to skip the stitch either side in the instruction below). 

The Mini Lotus is crocheted as follows:

Step 1 (first ‘petal’): [yo, insert hook into indicated stitch, yo, pull up a loop to about the height of a dc] 3 times, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1

Step 2 (second ‘petal’): [yo, insert hook into the same stitch, yo, pull up a loop to about the height of a dc] 4 times, yo, pull through all 9 loops on hook, ch1

Step 3 (third ‘petal’): [yo, insert hook into the same stitch, yo, pull up a loop to about the height of a dc] 3 times, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1

I demonstrate how to crochet the mini lotus stitch in the video tutorial: Right handed version here, Left handed version here.

You can find a classic puff stitch tutorial here which may offer additional help if you’re not familiar with the puff stitch.

*If you are crocheting a mini lotus in an increase section at the end or beginning of a row, you may not need to skip a stitch either side. The video tutorial, and notes that follow the pattern demonstrate / discuss how this may vary.

Gauge

20 sts and 16 rows in 10cm of (US) double crochet using a 4mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge is not essential for this pattern, though variation in your gauge will lead to variations in the finished size of your project. Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here

Before you begin the pattern…

This patten is a bit different from a typical crochet pattern as it is directed by the colour changes in the Assigned Pooling Yarn. For this reason each version of this shawl will be unique. I like to call it a ‘self seeding pattern’ for this reason; the lotus flowers decide where they want to plant themselves!