Rectangle Lace Shawl | Dancing in Cairo

This Rectangle Lace Shawl crochet pattern is inspired by the timeless beauty of ancient Egypt. Using taller stitches, the project is quick to stitch, to make a great gift.

“Dancing in Cairo Rectangle Shawl” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Mar. 2023. All rights reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet.
Skill Level: Easy.

I’ve marked this as an easy skill level due to the variety of stitches being used throughout. This takes it a step up from Beginner and places it in the #2 skill level of Easy.

Crochet Pattern At A Glance

This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.

My Crochet Pattern Notes

This lacy shawl is made in a rectangle from short edge to short edge. The stitch multiple is provided so you could make it wider or, if you prefer to work from long edge to long edge.

The design is made to look like Ancient Egyptian Art with people lined up in rows. Can you see it? Squint your eyes a little.

There is wide open lace so the shawl is a fairly quick to stitch project.

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Finished Size

15″ wide, 66″ long.

Yarn

Stylecraft “Special DK”, 100% acrylic, 322 yds/295m per 3.5 oz/100g per skein: 3 skeins (825 yards used) of Aspen. There is still sufficient yarn in the final skein if you would like to make the shawl longer. You may be able to get five more repeats.

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Yarn Substitution

I‘ve used DK weight yarn (size 3) because I love this size. There’s a lot of yardage on a 100g skein of Stylecraft Special DK. You could use any yarn you like, using the hook size you prefer. You may need to make changes to the number of stitches and the amount of yarn required.

If you are unable to use Stylecraft Special DK, any acrylic or acrylic blend in size 3 lightweight yarn will be close enough.

You can also use a heavier weight yarn, if you prefer. You’ll need more yarn and a larger hook. The project will be bigger. Or, adjust the stitch count. 

Other Materials

Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.

Special Stitches

V-Stitch (v-st): Work [dc, ch 3, dc] in indicated sc.

Cluster (cl): Work [yo, insert hook in next ch-3 sp, yo, pull lp through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook

Other Abbreviations

This rectangle lace shawl is written in US crochet terminology.

beg=beginning; ch=chain; cl=cluster; dc=double crochet; lp(s)=loop(s); RS=right side; rem=remaining; rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sp(s)=space(s); st(s)=stitch(es); tr=treble crochet; yo=yarn over.

All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.

Gauge

In stitch pattern, 17 stitches for 9 rows measures 4″ x 4″.

Stitch Multiple

To change the width, make your initial chain any multiple of 8, then add 2.

Free Crochet Pattern Instructions

Note: The depiction of the ancient Egyptians will be seen when the project is turned upside down as shown in the photos above.

Row 1: Ch 66, sk first ch, sc in each rem ch across, turn: 65 sc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 4 (counts as first dc plus ch 1), sk first and next sc, *dc in next sc, ch 1, sk 1 sc, rep from * to last sc, dc in last sc, turn: 32 ch-1 sps.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, *sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next dc, rep from * to beg ch-4, sc in sp formed by beg ch-4, then keeping near the top, sc in uppermost third ch of beg ch-4, turn: 65 sc.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, sk 3 sc, v-st (see Special Stitches above), ch 3, sk 3 sc, sc in next sc, rep from * across, turn: 8 v-sts.

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in first ch-3 sp, *ch 3, [sc, ch 3, sc, ch 3, sc] in ch-3 sp of v-st, ch 3, cl (see Special Stitches above), rep from * to last v-st, ch 3, [sc, ch 3, sc, ch 3, sc] in ch-3 sp of last v-st, ch 3, yo, insert hook in last ch-3 sp, yo, pull lp through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, insert hook in last sc, yo, pull lp through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook, turn: 7 cl.

Row 6: Ch 4 (counts as tr), tr in same st, *ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, cl, ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 tr in top of cl, rep from * to last 4 ch-3 sps, ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, cl, ch 2, sk last ch-3 sp, 2 tr in top of beg ch 3, turn: 7 3-tr groups.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in first and next tr, *2 sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in next cl, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in next 3 tr, rep from * to ch-2 sp before last cl, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp, sc in last cl, 2 sc in last ch-2 sp, sc in last 2 tr, turn: 65 sc.

Rows 8-151: Rep rows 2-7.

Rows 152-153: Rep rows 2-3. Fasten off after final row.

Finishing

Weave in ends with yarn needle. Block lightly, if desired.

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TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know.

*Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.