Flora Shawl
Materials Needed
Yarn: DK weight (#3 Light) yarn in a soft, drapey fiber (e.g., merino wool, bamboo blend, or cotton/acrylic blend).
- Size S (bust 32-34"): 1,200 yards (approx. 5 skeins of 250g/875yd)
- Size M (bust 36-38"): 1,450 yards (approx. 6 skeins of 250g/875yd)
- Size L (bust 40-42"): 1,700 yards (approx. 7 skeins of 250g/875yd)
Hook: Size G (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers (4), measuring tape, scissors.
Gauge
4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) = 18 stitches (sts) x 10 rows in main body stitch pattern (Moss Stitch).
To make a gauge swatch: Ch 22, work 12 rows of Moss Stitch (see instructions below). Block swatch before measuring.
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sk: skip
- sp: space
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- rep: repeat
- PM: place marker
- BLO: back loop only
Pattern Instructions
Special Stitches
Moss Stitch (worked flat):
Row 1 (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in next ch; rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, 1 sc in first sc, *1 sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next sc; rep from * until last sc, 1 sc in last sc. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, 1 sc in next sc; rep from * to end. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2 & 3 for pattern.
Shell Stitch (used for edging):
Work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same st or sp.
Body (Worked in one piece, top-down)
Size S: Ch 145 (multiple of 2 + 1).
Size M: Ch 163 (multiple of 2 + 1).
Size L: Ch 181 (multiple of 2 + 1).
Row 1 (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in next ch; rep from * across. Turn. (144, 162, 180 sts — includes sc's and ch-1 sps)
Rows 2-4: Work Moss Stitch (Rows 2-3 of pattern) for 3 more rows.
Row 5 (Increase Row - RS): Ch 1, 1 sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, 1 sc in next sc; rep from * to last 3 sts. In last 3 sts: ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc) in last sc. Turn. (Adds 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp at end)
Row 6 (WS): Ch 1, 1 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next sc; continue Moss Stitch pattern across. Turn.
Rows 7-8: Work even in Moss Stitch (no increases).
Row 9 (Increase Row - RS): Ch 1, (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc) in first sc, *ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, 1 sc in next sc; rep from * to end. Turn. (Adds 1 sc and 1 ch-1 sp at beginning)
Rows 10-12: Work even in Moss Stitch.
Rep Rows 5-12 until piece measures approximately 12" (13", 14") from the foundation chain, ending after a WS row. You should have 3-4 increase repeats.
Divide for Armholes
Place markers as follows:
Count stitches across row. Mark the 30th (34th, 38th) st from each end with a stitch marker. These markers indicate armhole edges.
Next Row (RS): Work Moss Stitch across to first marker, ch 8 (10, 12) loosely for armhole, sk sts between markers, continue Moss Stitch across to second marker, ch 8 (10, 12), sk sts to end, work Moss Stitch to end. Turn.
Next Row (WS): Work Moss Stitch across, working into each ch of armhole as follows: 1 sc in first ch, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in next ch; rep from * across armhole segment. Continue across body. Turn.
Lower Body (worked in the round)
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, join with sl st to first sc of round. Now work in continuous rounds (do not join, use marker to track start).
Rounds 2-12: Work Moss Stitch in the round as follows:
- On sc sts: work 1 sc in sc, ch 1, sk ch-1 sp.
- On ch-1 sps: work 1 sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next sc.
Continue until lower body measures 8" (9", 10") from armhole.
Final Round (RS): Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc and 1 sc in each ch-1 sp around. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Sleeves (make 2)
Attach yarn to center of armhole chain (at underarm).
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 1 sc in each ch across armhole, then 1 sc in each sc/ch-1 sp around armhole opening. Join with sl st. (32, 36, 40 sts)
Rounds 2-4: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. Join.
Round 5 (Decrease): Ch 1, *sc2tog (over next 2 sts), sc in next 6 sts; rep from * around. Join. (28, 32, 36 sts)
Rounds 6-10: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. Join.
Round 11 (Decrease): Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * around. Join. (24, 28, 32 sts)
Rounds 12-18: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. Join. Fasten off after Round 18.
For a longer sleeve, add 2-4 more even rounds before fastening off.
Edging
Neckline Edging:
With RS facing, attach yarn at left shoulder seam. Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st across neckline. Join, fasten off.
Bottom Hem Edging:
With RS facing, attach yarn at any point along bottom edge. Ch 1, *sk 1 st, Shell Stitch in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st; rep from * around. Join, fasten off.
Sleeve Cuff Edging:
With RS facing, attach yarn at underarm seam. Ch 1, *sk 1 st, Shell Stitch in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st; rep from * around. Join, fasten off.
Finishing
- Weave in ends: Use a yarn needle to weave all loose ends into the wrong side of the fabric, trimming excess.
- Blocking: Lightly steam block or wet block the top. Pin to final dimensions on a blocking mat. For Moss Stitch, gentle stretching will open up the fabric and even out stitches. Allow to dry completely.
- Optional: Add a ribbon or drawstring at the neckline (thread through ch-1 sps) for adjustable fit.
Tips
- Gauge is crucial: Moss Stitch can vary greatly with hook size. Always make a gauge swatch and wash/block it before starting. If your swatch is too small, go up a hook size; too large, go down.
- Count your increases: Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each increase row to keep track. The increases create subtle A-line shaping, so don't skip them or the fit will be too tight.
- Customize the fit: For a longer top, add 2-4 extra even rows to the lower body before the hem edging. For more sleeve volume, work Shell Stitch edging on sleeve cuffs instead of the round of sc.
