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In this article, you will find the 5 most useful tips on how to crochet your very own pocket shawl using any stitch and yarn.
Arriving at the fancy restaurant I was so excited. It was our 5th wedding anniversary and I realized I love the man sat in front of me more than ever. I wore the little black dress he loved so much that enhances all my curves. Lightly draped over my shoulders was a pocket shawl I made especially for tonight.
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Crochet pocket shawl was perfect for this night
The waiter brought a bottle of champagne and two crystal clear glasses playing a sweet tune as they danced on his tray. The smell of freshly baked French bread and a platter of olives brought back all the memories from our honeymoon in southern France. He placed a square jewelry box covered in red velvet material in front of me. “You remembered!” I said crying happy tears. It was an antique brooch I fell in love with months ago.
I reached into the pocket of my crochet shawl for a tissue to dry up all the happy tears rolling down my cheeks. At that moment I realized how proud I was for crocheting my very own pocket shawl to mark this special occasion.
5 tips on how to crochet a pocket shawl using any stitch and yarn
I have rounded up the best tips and tricks you can use to crochet your own pocket shawl. It’s easy and super fun and a great place to start if you want to make your own designs. So here are my 5 essential steps to creating your own pocket shawl.
5 Tips For the Perfect Pocket Shawl – Video Tutorial
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1. Measure you wingspan
This is an important step to getting the size of your shawl right. You might need a little help with this step. Stand up straight with your arms stretched out and measure from fingertips on one hand to fingertips on the other hand. This will determine the starting length of your pocket shawl. You might need to add extra length to each side of the shawl to accommodate the pockets.
The rule of a thumb is that the wingspan measurement is likely to be the same as your overall height. Although some people have arms longer than the body height so it’s best to double check this measurement.
If you haven’t got a helper, you can always drape the tape measure over your shoulders as if it was the pocket shawl and take note of this measurement.
2. Picking the right stitch and yarn
The truth is, pocket shawl is a larger project with estimated 20-40 hours of crocheting. So, my number one advice is to pick a stitch you really like and enjoy working with. But here are some other great tips you might want to consider.
Think about where and when you would like to wear your pocket shawl. How often will you wear it?
Do you want your pocket shawl to be chunkier, warm, and cuddly for colder weather? In this case, I would recommend picking a more dense stitch like Tulip stitch, Bean Stitch, or Basketweave stitch and thicker yarn like worsted weight or chunky yarn to give it a serious squish factor.
Or would you like to wear it in the warmer spring/summer months? You might want to pick more open, lacy crochet stitches like Double Treble crochet or Diamond Lace Stitch and lighter yarn weight like DK or fingering weight.
For my pocket shawl, I used the Suzette stitch which gives the shawl a lovely zig-zag texture, and Feels Like Butta yarn from Lionbrand.
Your choice of yarn will make a great deal of difference in the finished shawl too. Here are some common fibres and their characteristics-
- Cotton yarn can be a little heavy, doesn’t stretch as much but has a lovely drape.
- Wool is much lighter and more breathable and keeps you nice and warm.
- Polyester yarn doesn’t breathe much at all but gives a lovely soft feel to the shawl.
- Acrylic yarn is human-made but can be light and breathable with a lovely drape.
3. Determine the style and size of your pocket for your shawl
There are 2 main techniques to make a pocket for your shawl – separate pocket or pocket created by folding the shawl over.
However, for both of these pockets you need to start with determining the size. The quickest way to do this is simply to measure your hand while it’s fully spread out. Simply place your hand on the table and measure the imaginary square around your hand. This will be the size of the pocket needed. My pocket measures 7 x 7 inches and it’s just the right size for me.
If you decide to crochet a separate pocket, you simply need to crochet a square of required size and sew it onto your shawl.
The other way to create your pockets is to add an extra length onto the main shawl and fold both ends over to create a pocket that is as wide as the shawl itself. You can get creative and fold both corners of one end towards the middle to create a pointed triangle pockets. The possibilities are endless!
Quick tip to stop your pockets pooching out and gaping open is to add a button and a loop onto the top to keep them closed while you don’t need them.
4. Add a crochet hoodie?
This is a decision that will divide crowds. I have a solution for you! You can make a detachable hoodie and use it only when you feel like it. That’e exactly what I did with my pocket shawl.
I crocheted a rectangle and used mattress stitch to sew up the top of the hoodie.
The bottom of the hoodie has 7 ties that I use to attach it to the main shawl. The other alternatives are buttons or poppers sewn on the inside.
5. Add a fringe?
I personally am not a great fan of the fringe from practical reasons. However, I really like the look and feel the fringe adds. It has a boho style look that can be so modern. So it is entirely up to you to decide if you want to add it or not. But here are a couple of great tips to keep in mind.
Use yarn that washes well and doesn’t fray as these strands are exposed and can untwist very easily. When you come to wash your pocket shawl with a fringe, place it inside a wash bag or a pillowcase and wash gently. Or you can use a twisted fringe technique. Check out the cool twisted fringe tutorial here.
If setting out on crocheting a pocket shawl on your own sounds like a bit too much, why not check out and follow my brand new Pocket Shawl Crochet Pattern here.
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