High Tea Shawl is a feminine, elegant and delicate lacy shawl that is perfect for wearing in summer with a pretty dress or in winter to dress up plain knits. This free version will make a shawlette or shawl (depending on meterage of chosen yarn) using the first repeat section of the High Tea Shawl, finished with a pretty border (as per green/purple colourway example shawl). For the full pattern (other pictured shawls), refer to the Ravelry listing.

Pattern Details

  • Recommended Yarn: Fingering/3-4 ply/Cat. 2 weight. Acrylic, Cotton, or blends including these fibres. Between 600m/656yd (shawlette) to 1000m/1094yd (shawl) required. Green/purple shawlette: An entire cake (600m/657yd) of Wendy Evolution yarn. Refer to Ravelry for other example yarns.
  • Hook Size: Use yarn label instructions as a guide for selecting hook size. Swatch to determine the optimal hook size for your tension and to achieve a lacey drape. Green/purple shawlette: 4mm/G/6 hook.
  • Finished Size: Green/purple shawlette: Approximately 170cm/67” in width by 82cm/32” in length with eleven repeats of 4-Row Diamonds plus border. Also refer to Ravelry project examples.
  • Skill Level: Advanced (Adventurous) Beginner to Intermediate.
  • Stitch Terminology: US. Refer to Abbreviations and Special Stitch Instructions.
  • Gauge: Specific gauge not required/not important for this item. Select hook/tension to achieve lacy drape with chosen yarn.
  • Pattern Synopsis: Construction is top down, row by row, alternating working on wrong  side and right side. For the paid version, three distinct diamond lace sections are made, each of these separated by textured solid rows. The diamond sections are: 4-Row Diamonds, 6-Row Diamonds, and 2-Row Diamonds. For the free version one diamond lace section is made comprised entirely of 4-Row Diamonds.
  • Social Media Share: Please tag me @TheCrochetFix and Hash Tag your projects #HighTeaShawl

Abbreviations

  • Beg = Beginning
  • Btwn = Between
  • Ch = Chain
  • DC = Double Crochet
  • DC3Tog = Work DC over three consecutive stitches (double stitch reduction). Refer also to Special Stitch Instructions.
  • Fin = Finishing
  • MC = Magic Circle
  • Rpt = Repeat
  • RS = Right Side
  • SC = Single Crochet
  • Sp = Space
  • Sk = Skip
  • Sl St = Slip Stitch
  • St = Stitch
  • WS = Wrong Side
  • Yoh = Yarn Over Hook

Special Stitch Instructions

DC3Tog: Note: This st is worked over three consecutive st from the previous round and results in a double st reduction (i.e., three st are replaced by one st). Yoh, insert hook through first st, yoh, pull through a loop (3 loops on hook), yoh, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (2 loops on hook), yoh, insert hook through next st, yoh, pull through a loop (4 loops on hook), yoh, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (3 loops on hook), yoh, insert hook through next st, yoh, pull through a loop (5 loops on hook), yoh, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (4 loops on hook), yoh, pull yarn through remaining four loops on hook.

Tips

  • If preferred, when commencing each solid diamond, the 3 DCs can be made over two stitches instead of the one. Use the stitch prior to that indicated in the pattern, along with the stitch indicated in the pattern, by inserting the hook from front to back through the first stitch and from back to front through the second stitch.

Pattern Instructions

Note:

  • Beg Ch 5 represents a DC st + Ch 2 Sp for subsequent row construction.
  • Beg Ch 3 represents a DC st for subsequent row construction.
  • * * is large st sequence that constructs a single side of the shawl and is repeated for the second side of the shawl.
  • + + is a short st sequence that is to be repeated the number of times specified by the pattern instructions (repeated multiple times within a single side of the shawl).
  • Even rows are considered RS and odd rows are considered WS (for the purpose of wearing the shawl).

Beg Circle

Make a circle, either using MC, or Ch 3-4 and Sl St into first Ch to close circle.

4-Row Diamond Repeats

First Repeat

Row 1: Ch 5, (3 DC in MC, Ch 2) twice, DC in MC. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 5, one solid 3 DC diamond per side, centre Ch 2 Sp, fin Ch 2 + DC)

Row 2: Turn, Ch 5, 2 DC in first Ch 2 Sp, DC in each of the next three St, (2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC) in centre Ch 2 Sp, DC in each of the next three st, (2 DC, Ch 2, DC) in last Ch 2 Sp. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 5, one solid 7 DC diamond per side, centre Ch 2 Sp, fin Ch 2 + DC)

Row 3: Turn, Ch 3, DC in first Ch 2 Sp, *Ch 5, DC3Tog over the next three st, DC in next st, DC3Tog over the next three st, Ch 5*, 2 DC in centre Ch 2 Sp,  rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), 2 DC in last Ch 2 Sp. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 3 + DC, two lace Ch 5 Sp diamonds per side, one solid DC3Tog – DC – DC3Tog diamond per side, centre 2 DC, fin 2 DC)

Row 4: Turn, Ch 3, DC in next st, *+Ch 4, HDC in next Ch 5 Sp, Ch 4+, DC3Tog over the next three st, rpt st btwn + + once more, DC in each of the next two st*, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side). (Stitch Count per side: Beg Ch 3 + DC, two lace Ch 4 Sp – HDC – Ch 4 Sp diamonds per side, one solid DC3Tog diamond per side, centre 2 DC, fin 2 DC)

Second Repeat

Row 5: Turn, Ch 5, *3 DC in next st, +Ch 3, sk next Ch 4 Sp, SC in next st, Ch 3, sk next Ch 4 Sp, 3 DC in next st+, rpt st btwn + + once more, Ch 2*, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), DC in last st. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 5, 3 solid 3 DC diamonds per side, 2 lace Ch 3 Sp – SC – Ch 3 Sp diamonds per side,  fin Ch 2 + DC)

Row 6: Turn, Ch 5, 2 DC in first Ch 2 Sp, *DC in each of the next two st, 3 DC in next st, Ch 1, sk next (Ch 3 Sp, st, Ch 3 Sp), 3 DC in next st, DC in next st, 3 DC in next st, Ch 1, sk next (Ch 3 Sp, st, Ch 3 Sp), 3 DC in next st, DC in each of the next two st*, (2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC) in centre Ch 2 Sp, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), (2 DC, Ch 2, DC) in last Ch 2 Sp. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 5, three solid 7 DC diamonds per side, centre Ch 2 Sp, two lace Ch 1 Sp diamonds per side, fin Ch 2 + DC)

Row 7: Turn, Ch 3, DC in first Ch 2 Sp, *Ch 5, DC3Tog over next three st, DC in next st, DC3Tog over next three st, +Ch 5, sk next Ch 1 Sp, DC3Tog over the next three st, DC in next st, DC3Tog over the next three st+, rpt st btwn + + once more, Ch 5*, 2 DC in centre Ch 2 Sp, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), 2 DC in last Ch 2 Sp. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 3 + DC, four lace Ch 5 Sp diamonds per side, three solid DC3Tog-DC-DC3Tog diamonds per side, centre 2 DC, fin 2 DC)

Row 8: Turn, Ch 3, DC in next st, *+Ch 4, HDC in next Ch 5 Sp, Ch 4, DC3Tog over the next three st+, rpt st btwn + + another two times, Ch 4, HDC over next Ch 5 Sp, Ch 4*, DC in each of the next two st*, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), DC in each of the last two DCs. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 3 + DC, four lace Ch 4 Sp-SC-Ch 4 Sp diamonds per side, three solid DC3Tog diamonds per side, centre 2 DC, fin 2 DC)

Subsequent 4-Row Diamond Repeats

To construct additional 4-Row Diamond repeats refer to the Generic Repeat Rows 1 to 4 instructions and Repeats Table 1. Table 1 provides the X repeat value, the Y solid diamonds count, and the Z lace diamonds count. Construct the Generic Repeat Rows as many times as required to construct shawlette or shawl of the preferred size.

Table 1:  4-Row Repeats
Rpt Row X Y Z
3 9 3 5 4
10 2 5 4
11 3 5 6
12 4 5 6
4 13 5 7 6
14 4 7 6
15 5 7 8
16 6 7 8
5 17 7 9 8
18 6 9 8
19 7 9 10
20 8 9 10
6 21 9 11 10
22 8 11 10
23 9 11 12
24 10 11 12
7 25 11 13 12
26 10 13 12
27 11 13 14
28 12 13 14
8 29 13 15 14
30 12 15 14
31 13 15 16
32 14 15 16
9 33 15 17 16
34 14 17 16
35 15 17 18
36 16 17 18
10 37 17 19 18
38 16 19 18
39 17 19 20
40 18 19 20
11 41 19 21 20
42 18 21 20
43 19 21 22
44 20 21 22
Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Generic Repeat Row 1 (Rows 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, etc): Turn, Ch 5, *3 DC in next st, +Ch 3, sk next Ch 4 Sp, SC in next st, Ch 3, sk next Ch 4 Sp, 3 DC in next st+, rpt st btwn + + another X times, Ch 2*, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), DC in last st. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 5, Y solid 3 DC diamonds per side, Z lace Ch 3 Sp – SC – Ch 3 Sp diamonds per side,  fin Ch 2 + DC)

Generic Repeat Row 2 (Rows 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, etc): Turn, Ch 5, 2 DC in first Ch 2 Sp, *DC in each of the next two st, 3 DC in next st, +Ch 1, sk next (Ch 3 Sp, st,  Ch 3 Sp), 3 DC in next st, DC in next st, 3 DC in next st+, rpt st btwn + + another X times, Ch 1, sk next (Ch 3 Sp, st, Ch 3 Sp), 3 DC in next st, DC in each of the next two st*, (2 DC, Ch 2, 2 DC) in centre Ch 2 Sp, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), (2 DC, Ch 2, DC) in last Ch 2 Sp. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 5, Y solid 7 DC diamonds per side, centre Ch 2 Sp, fin Ch 2 + DC)

Generic Repeat Row 3 (Rows 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, etc): Turn, Ch 3, DC in first Ch 2 Sp, *Ch 5, DC3Tog over next three st, DC in next st, DC3Tog over next three st, +Ch 5, sk next Ch 1 Sp, DC3Tog over the next three st, DC in next st, DC3Tog over the next three st+, rpt st btwn + + another X times, Ch 5*, 2 DC in centre Ch 2 Sp, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side), 2 DC in last Ch 2 Sp. (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 3 + DC, Z lace Ch 5 Sp diamond per side, Y solid DC3Tog-DC-DC3Tog diamond per side, centre 2 DC, fin 2 DC)

Generic Repeat Row 4 (Rows 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, etc): Turn, Ch 3, DC in next st, *Ch 4, HDC in next Ch 5 Sp, Ch 4, +DC3Tog over the next three st, Ch 4, HDC in next Ch 5 Sp, Ch 4+, rpt st btwn + + another X times, DC in each of the next two st*, rpt st btwn * * once more (for second side). (Stitch Count: Beg Ch 3 + DC, Z lace Ch 4 Sp-HDC-Ch 4 Sp diamonds per side, Y solid DC3Tog diamonds per side, centre 2 DC, fin 2 DC)

Example Border

Note: This border was added to the green/purple example shawlette after eleven repeats of the 4-Row Diamonds – alternatively it can also be added after the second row of any 2-Row Diamond Repeat. St counts have intentionally been excluded since this border can be added after any 2-Row Diamond Repeat has been completed.

Row 1: Note: Shell instruction: ((DC, Ch 1) five times in total, DC) in same st. Turn, Ch 1, SC in first two st, Ch 1, sk next Ch 3 Sp, Shell in next st, Ch 1, sk next Ch 3 Sp, +SC in next st, Ch 1, sk next Ch 3 Sp, Shell in next st, Ch 1, sk next Ch 3 Sp+, rpt st btwn + + until reaching the centre two DC*, SC in next two DC, rpt st btwn * * once more, for second side (until reaching the last two DC), SC in last two DC.

Row 2: Turn, Ch 2, sk next st, DC in next Ch 1 Sp (counts as first DC2Tog), +sk next st, (DC in next Ch 1 Sp,  Ch 2, sk next st) twice, (DC, Ch 2, DC) in next Ch 1 Sp, (Ch 2, sk next st, DC in next Ch 1 Sp) twice, sk next st, DC2Tog over next two Ch 1 Sp (sk st in between these)+, rpt st btwn + + until end of row, finishing with DC2Tog over last Ch 1 Sp and last st.

Row 3: Turn, Ch 1, SC in first st,+Ch 1, sk next st, SC in next Ch 2 sp, Ch 1, sk next st, 2 SC in next Ch 2 Sp, Ch 1, sk next st, (2 SC, Ch 2, 2 SC) in next Ch 2 Sp, Ch 1, sk next st, 2 SC in next Ch 2 Sp, Ch 1, sk next st, SC in next Ch 2 Sp, Ch 1, sk next st, SC in next st+, rpt st btwn + + until end of row.

Pattern Versioning

Version Date Comments
0.1 19/05/2021 Initial draft.
0.2 16/11/2022 Refactored version.
0.3 07/12/2022 Corrections and enhancements from testing.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the following fabulous testers for your efforts in testing this design – your help is most appreciated:

  • Tania Barry – @shewgirl1 on IG, shewgirl on Ravelry
  • Margaret Richards – @snazzycuddles on IG, Belle9657 on Ravelry
  • Laurie VanOstrand – mnlaurie on Ravelry
  • Pui Yin Lam-Chan – Kenicy27 on Ravelry
  • Alex Douki – @DoukiAlex on IG, Lordalex46 on Ravelry
  • Heidi Hirnich – @handmadeheavenau on IG, handmadeheavenaus on Etsy, HandmadeHeavenAu on Ravelry
  • Sharon Edwards – @sharon_edwards_act on IG, DefenceLass on Ravelry
  • Emma-Joy Gilbert – @handmadeonahook on IG and FB, Em-J87 on Ravelry