Join Our Crochet-Along: Make the Ghost Ranch Shawlette

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This CAL has now ended but you can still get the pattern and create this gorgeous shawlette. The pattern is free to download for Interweave+ members!

Participants: you can still access the discussion forum as you’re finishing up your shawls.

See you for the next Interweave CAL!

|Sponsored| This is it! Your chance to join us for the Ghost Ranche Shawlette crochet-along, sponsored by Clover USA. What is a crochet-along? It’s somewhat like a giant group project, but really you can work at your own pace. The crochet-along is also interactive. So if you’re having a problem, you can post your question in the group. You’ll get help both from us and from other crocheters who are working the same project and who have possibly had the same issue you have! It’s a win-win!

The Process

If you’ve never participated in an Interweave crochet-along, the process is pretty simple. Let us know you’re interested by giving us your email in the form below to receive the free pattern. Once you receive the pattern, or perhaps before if you can’t wait, gather your materials (see below). Then you’ll start stitching and checking the Interweave Crochet Facebook page so you can not only see everyone else’s progress but also post a photo or two of your own. We’ll also be posting our own progress photos and possibly some videos to hopefully help you along the way.

 

 

Crochet-Along Pattern Details

For this crochet-along, we’ve chosen the Ghost Ranch Shawlette. We felt that a shawlette could fit with any season and it’s a one-ball wonder, which we felt made it more accessible!

 

What’s so great about the pattern? Well, let’s put it this way, it can be made in either a solid or a variegated, and it’s basically a one-row repeat. After you work Row 3, you’ll repeat that last row 15 times before working the border. The border is a lacy addition that really compliments the body and ends with a picot row.

Now that we’ve hopefully tickled your fancy, here are the specifics:

FINISHED SIZE About 361/2″ across top and 18″ deep (at center), blocked.

YARN Freia Ombré Fingering Shawl Ball (100% US cruelty-free merino; 430 yd [393 m]/31/2 oz [100 g]; CYCA# 1): Chinook, 1 ball.

HOOK* Size D/3 (3.25 mm). Adjust hook size if necessary size to achieve correct gauge.

NOTIONS Yarn needle; blocking pins.

GAUGE 6 rows = about 41/4″ in patt, measured at center.

*Note: We used Clover Amour size D/3 (3.25 mm) crochet hooks.

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Week Two Update and Tips

Choosing Your Yarn and Starting the Shawlette

Now let’s talk about the yarn and some modifications that can be made in regard to the yarn weight. We’ll also discuss the beginning of the project and give you some resources to help you get started on this shawlette, in case you’re just joining us, or you just want help with the adjustable ring.

The Yarn

The yarn called for in the project is a fingering weight.
This weight of yarn comes in numerous colorways and variations. In fact, the
original version of this shawl was made with a solid-colored fingering weight
yarn. In contrast, the variation created for the pattern we’re using for the
crochet-along was worked in an ombré gradient.

 

If you want to stick with the recommended yarn, that’s totally fine. But, if you’re anything like me, you might want to change things up. When I was deciding which yarn to use, I swatched with five different yarns/colors, including the one used in the Ghost Ranch Shawlette. Each option was unique in its own way, and I liked each one for it’s differences, but I decided on two yarns that were similar to, yet different from, the original their own unique ways.

 

The first yarn, Berroco Sox, fits with the parameters given in the pattern (i.e. it’s a fingering weight), but it’s a self-striping/self-patterning yarn which makes it different from both the solid and the ombré gradient. Yes, it does stripe like the gradient, but the stripes are much shorter, creating a completely different look.

 

As for the second yarn, I decided to try this project using a yarn with not only a different type of coloring, but also a completely different weight. Plymouth Mushishi is a self-striping worsted weight yarn with a tweed look. The colors almost look twisted together as they come off the ball.

 

All of these color options will make awesome looking shawls,
but, I have to admit, I’m most intrigued by the second yarn I chose—Plymouth
Mushishi. It will be interesting to see how it works up!

The Beginning

Now that we’ve covered the yarn, let’s discuss the beginning of the project itself. This Shawlette starts with an adjustable ring instead of a beginning chain. In case you’re not familiar with an adjustable ring, and you need some assistance, please download the Magic or Adjustable Ring PDF Tutorial. Note: For the purposes of this project, you’ll stop referencing this PDF at Figure 6.

Watch this video for help with the adjustable ring:

Once you’ve created the adjustable ring, you’ll need to work
into it. You’ll need 4 chains to start with—a chain 4 counts as your first
treble crochet. After the chain 4, you’ll work 4 treble crochets into the same
adjustable ring, you’ll chain 2, and then you’ll work 5 more treble crochets
into the same ring.

This video will help you work into the adjustable ring:

Watch and learn how to do Row 1 with this video:

Now you’re set to continue on your journey through the Ghost Ranch Shawlette. Join the conversation on our CAL Facebook post if you have any questions or comments, or just to share your progress! We’ll be glad to help in any way we can.

Watch and learn how to do Row 2 with this video:

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Week Three Update and Tips

Tiny Tweaks That Can Make a Big Difference

Here we go! It’s time for week three of the crochet-along. If you haven’t started yet, there’s still time, and, if you’d like to work the shawlette for a second time, this project is a quick one, so you’ll have time to work it again! However, as you’ll see below, this post will discuss some modifications you can make. Yes, I realize we’ve already talked about making changes, but those were simply yarn changes. This time we’ll discuss tweaks to pattern itself.

As Blaise Pascal once said, “The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.” As we move into this next week of the crochet-along, we’ll look at small pattern adjustments you can make that will add either space or texture, and wind up making a huge difference. All you have to do is change one stitch.

Option #1: Add texture.

The stitch pattern used in the original Ghost Ranch Shawlette offers a smooth finished look, alternating shells and single crochets. A simple change you can make in order to add a little bit of texture is to replace the single crochets with either a front or back post single crochet (FPsc or BPsc). Since the shawlette is worked in turned rows, you’ll need to alternate between working BPsc on the wrong side (WS) rows and FPsc on the right side (RS) rows. This will keep the texture on the front of the shawlette while keeping the shape of the shawlette generally the same.

Option #2: Add space.

Another easy change you can make is to replace the shells with V-stitches. To make this change, all you need to do is replace the center treble crochet in each shell with a chain. On the following row, you’ll work the single crochet in the chain-space (ch-sp). It might not seem like much of a change; however, as you can see in the photo, adding a ch-sp spreads the center of the shalwette, making the bottom edge straighter vs. the curve of the original.

What do you think? Are these modifications you’d consider
trying for your shawlette? What other modifications do you think would work?
Let us know in the comments. Also, please feel free to join us for the
crochet-along if you haven’t yet, or perhaps consider making a 2nd shawlette.
We’ve enjoyed seeing your photos so far, and we can’t wait to see more!

Happy Stitching!
Susanna

Week Four: Updates from the Interweave Team

One of the best things about crochet is the endless variety of yarns we can use in our patterns. Variety is the spice of life, as they say! So we thought it would be inspiring to see how the Interweave team is participating in the crochet-along with their yarn choices—and even some pattern modifications. We hope this inspires you to make as many shawlettes as you have skeins, hanks, and balls of yarn! Let’s see what they’ve been up to, and keep up with their progress on our Facebook page.

“My Ghost Ranch Shawlette is off to a great start! I decided to be reckless and just go for it without even making a gauge swatch . . .  we’ll see if I pay for it! In the meantime, the first couple of rows look pretty good to me. I’m excited to see how it turns out.” — Kate Zaynard, Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery Editor

(Left) “I used some scrap yarn to try out the stitches before I started in earnest. Learning how to make an adjustable ring (properly) was interesting!” {Right} “My first few rows with my Freia yarn!” — Hannah Baker, Interweave Knits Editor

“I feel better after seeing that Hannah had to learn how to make an adjustable ring, too. When I read that first part of the instructions, I felt like I was in over my head already, because I had no clue what an adjustable ring was. But I found instructions and it worked well. Here is what I’ve done so far. I think it’s going to be beautiful.” — Lori Baker, Editor of McCall’s Quilting and Acquisitions Editor for Quilting

“Ok, several rows done and I feel like I’m getting into the groove. I did have to rip out some already, but fortunately it wasn’t too much. The very beginning is always the hardest part for me—it’s hard to see and count stitches without the structure of previous rows to keep everything in line. I discovered that I like shawls that start from the center rather than something that requires one long string of chains. It’s cool to start to see it take shape immediately. Also I’m glad I chose a gradient yarn. I haven’t really worked with one before, and it’s been somewhat of a surprise to see how the colors are turning out.” — Kerry Jackson, Art Director for Interweave Crochet and Interweave Knits

“I think both versions are moving along quite well. I know that one yarn is a few weights heavier than the other, but it’s still interesting to me that I’m only on Row 3 of the version I’m making with Mushishi (worsted), and the shawl is almost the same size as the one I’m making with Berroco Sox (fingering), where I’ve almost completed Row 8. I’m not necessarily surprised, but it definitely has me wondering about the finished sizes. Anyway, off to stitch a few more rows!” — Susanna Tobias, Project Editor for Crochet

“I had a stressful week, and the result was a whole lot of crocheting! I just reached the end of the pattern repeat, and I’m about to start the border. Once I had the pattern memorized, the project became my emotional security blanket on countless company calls and during a particularly tense Dungeons & Dragons campaign. You can see that there’s already a furious turf war in action between me and the cat as to who will ultimately lay claim to the Ghost Ranch Shawlette . . .” — Andrea Lotz, Web Producer and Social Media Manager, Interweave

You might be done with your shawlette by now. But we’re all having so much fun, we don’t want to stop! So what’s next?

Finishing Flourishes: Embellish With Beads, Fringe, Tassels, Oh My!

As shawls all over are being completed, some of you may be
wondering what can be done to embellish and/or add some sort of finishing
flourish to your shawl. Don’t get me wrong, the original shawl is beautiful as
is, but just in case you’d like to add a little something extra to your shawl,
we’re here to help! The three embellishments we’re going to focus on are beads,
fringe, and tassels. Each one will be added to your project in a completely
different way but will add a little something special to what we’re sure is
already an awesome project!

Beads

Beads can be added in various ways as you work your project,
but, if you’re going to add them as you work the border, the most obvious place
to add them as you’re finishing is as you’re working the picots. There are multiple
ways to include them as you stitch, but here are two options.

If you want to string the beads before you begin the row,
you’ll need to fasten off at the end of the row preceding the final row of the
border. Then, you’ll want to count the number of tr groups and add one for the
center point. The total is the number of beads you’ll want to string (one per
group), plus maybe a couple extra, just in case. After stringing the beads,
you’ll join in the last stitch on the row where you fastened off. Then, you’ll
work as indicated across, replacing the center 2 chains of the picot with the
following:

Beaded chain (bch): Slide bead up to hook, yo, draw through lp on hook.

Another option for adding beads is to add them using a steel
crochet hook. This method will allow you to keep working without fastening off,
but it may limit the beads you use because you will have to find a bead with a
hole that fits over a steel crochet hook. You’ll still include the beads at the
center of the picots and replace the center 2 chains with the beads, but you’ll
make the replacement slightly differently. To add beads using a steel crochet
hook, you’ll work as follows:

Adding Bead (bead): Remove larger hook from working lp, pick up bead with steel hook, insert steel hook into lp and pull lp through bead, replace steel hook with larger hook. Tighten lp on hook and cont as indicated in patt.

Fringe

If beads aren’t your thing, perhaps you’ll want to try fringe or tassels. Fringe can be attached any of the picots after you’ve completed and blocked your shawl using a lark’s head knot as follows:

Cut 3 or 4 strands of yarn, then fold the strands in half.
Insert your hook in any picot, place the fold over your hook, draw the fold
through the picot, pick up all the ends, and pull them through the fold.

Tassels

Another option would be to create tassels to place at each
point and perhaps at a couple points in the middle, if desired. To create the
tassels, work as follows: Cut a piece of cardboard 4″ wide by the desired length of the tassel plus 1″. Wrap yarn to desired
thickness around cardboard. Cut a short length of yarn and tie tightly around
one end of the wrapped yarn (Figure 1). Cut yarn loops at other end. Cut
another piece of yarn and wrap tightly around loops a short distance below top
knot to form tassel neck. Knot securely, thread ends onto tapestry needle, and
pull to center of tassel (Figure 2).

No matter what you decide to do, we’re sure your shawlette will look fabulous. Check out everyone’s progress on Facebook and be sure to post your own photos!

We can’t wait to see them!
Happy Stitching!

Susanna